Orchestra Concert Program B Free broadcasting on YouTube Worldwide!
Orchestra Concert Program B, originally scheduled to be performed on the 3rd and 5th of September 2021 for the 2021 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, will be recorded and broadcasted for free on YouTube!
Playing in Matsumoto holds great meaning for the SKO members. All the SKO members understand the importance and significance of performing for the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival. Each member contributes their individual talents and are a vital part of the success of the Festival. The SKO members have been helping weave together the unique music and history of the Festival which is proudly celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022.
It was excruciating not only for Director Seiji Ozawa, but also for the artists, staff, and all parties involved with the Festival, to announce the Festival's cancellation on the 24th of August. The Director Seiji Ozawa and the SKO sought for an opportunity to perform together even for one time to create and deliver the music to the audience in order to share some light during these dark and difficult times. Seiji and the SKO deeply believe that the utmost mission for the artists is to try and better society.
Propelled by the sense of mission of the artists, we are happy to announce the broadcast of the Orchestra Concert Program B. The concert is to be performed without an audience and will be recorded and broadcasted.
The concert repertoire includes Ravel, Debussy, and Stravinsky, which Maestro Dutoit is highly reputable for. This program received so much public attention and eager anticipation that the tickets for the two performances were quickly sold out.
The friendship between Festival Director Seiji Ozawa and Maestro Dutoit dates back to when Seiji was the Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Seiji admired Maestro Dutoit’s music and invited him as a guest conductor to BSO many times.
“I know Seiji and his music very well. SKO is one of the very best of orchestras in Japan and it grew to well represent Seiji’s vision, as well as Seiji himself who is fine and sophisticated. I am very looking forward to working with SKO,” said Maestro Dutoit. He agreed readily to conduct in Matsumoto under the unusual circumstance, saying “I will do anything for Seiji”. All the artists including the Maestro and SKO members are tested for COVID-19 every three days and will abide with the rules of conduct in Matsumoto as preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19.
The blissful concert will conclude with Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919 version). Considering Seiji and Maestro Dutoit both had personal relationships with Stravinsky, the friendship between the two great conductors, and the incredible energy of the SKO playing in Matsumoto the audience will surely witness a remarkable performance of this masterpiece. Making it even more special is that 2021 is the 50th anniversary after Stravinsky’s death.
Orchestra Concert Program B will be broadcast on the dates and times of the original performances. The additional archive broadcasting schedule will be announced later in October.
Broadcasting the sold-out performances for free is extraordinary, however, the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival and SKO would like to extend gratitude and share hope with everyone who has been supporting the Festival.
Performance: Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Orchestra Concert Program B
Conductor: Charles Dutoit
Orchestra: Saito Kinen Orchestra
Recording Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Date of Recording: 2021 September 3 (Fri) 3PM (JST)
Ravel: Ma Mère l’Oye Suite
Debussy: La Mer, trois esquisses symphoniques
Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite (1919 version)
Broadcasting：
Duration of the performance: Approximately 2 hours
※Only two broadcastings scheduled as of today. The details of Archive Broadcasting is to be announced.
※Archive Broadcasting※
The performance will be broadcast on the streaming service later in October. The details including dates and fees will be announced.