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2021 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2021OMF)
Dates set for August 22 (Sun) – September 6 (Mon)!

We are pleased to announce the dates of the 2021 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival and the conductors of the orchestra concerts.
The Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival will take place for the first time in two years in Matsumoto City of Nagano Prefecture. It will be held over 16 days, from Sunday, August 22 through Monday, September 6, 2021. We are preparing to deliver first-class performances to audiences from stages in three venues in Matsumoto City and one venue in Nagano City while strictly following anti-infection protocols.
The Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), which is the backbone of OMF, will team up this year with Masaaki Suzuki and Charles Dutoit, both of who will be appearing in the festival for the first time. Mr. Suzuki, who will conduct Program A, is music director of Bach Collegium Japan and is internationally acclaimed as a conductor and performer of Bach. He has conducted numerous prestigious orchestras in Japan and abroad, including the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in recent years. Mr. Suzuki will be the first Japanese conductor since Kazuyoshi Akiyama in 2018, and his chemistry with the SKO is much anticipated for this program.
　The world-renowned Charles Dutoit, who, like Festival Director Seiji Ozawa, has studied under Charles Munch at Tanglewood, will conduct Program B. Director Ozawa has a deep connection with Mr. Dutoit, having invited him to the Boston Symphony Orchestra several times as a guest conductor when he was its music director. Dubbed a “Magician of Sound,” Mr. Dutoit has conducted numerous top orchestras, and whether a fan or not, it will be exciting to hear the timbre of the SKO sound under his baton.

Details of the Orchestra Concert Programs A and B, as well as dates and details about the chamber concerts, educational programs, and open events will be announced at a later date.

With the strong desire of Festival Director Ozawa to deliver live music, all the more because of the current situation, we will be holding the festival this year while implementing all COVID-19 prevention measures possible, with the tremendous cooperation of the people of Matsumoto City and Nagano Prefecture, corporate sponsors, and fans who are cheering us on from Japan and abroad. Summer in Matsumoto will be filled with music once again. The festival dates are shorter than usual, but our program rich with highlights to see and hear will grace the summer of Matsumoto.
*The program announced in this release is current as of May 2021. Dates, content, etc. are subject to change depending on the COVID-19 situation.

Orchestra Concert

Educational Program

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Postponement of Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble 2021 tour

It is with great regret to announce that we have had to postpone Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble tour that was scheduled in 2021 February because of the new immigration restrictions on international artists’ to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Currently, we are working on rescheduling the tour for 2022. We will announce the detailed information on OMF official website and SNS once those have been decided.

We appreciate your kind understanding and your continued support.

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OMF Film Concert at Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN!

OMF Film Concert will be taking place at Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN in Matsumoto city. The programs include orchestra concerts and Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble concerts. All programs are free of charge, no reservation needed. Please drop by and enjoy the beautiful performances at a cool event hall.

□Film Concert Program□
1. Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland Documentary "Spirit of Music" （2015／54 min）
2. Haydn : Symphony No.82 in C Major, Hob. I:82 "L'ours" （2015／Conductor Fabio Luisi, Saito Kinen Orchestra／31 min）
3. 2015OMF Chamber Concert （Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble／16 min）※Premiere
　　R. Strauss: Feierlicher Einzug der Ritter des Johanniter-Ordens
　　Verdi: Prelude to Act 1 from La traviata
　　Irish Folk Song: Londonderry Air
4. Beethoven: Leonore Overture No.3, Op.72b （2017／Conductor Seiji Ozawa, Saito Kinen Orchestra／21 min）
5. Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op.64（2018／Conductor Diego Matheuz, Saito Kinen Orchestra／59 min）
6. Mozart: Symphony No.35 in D major, K385 "Haffner" （2019／Conductor Diego Matheuz, Saito Kinen Orchestra／21 min）
7. 2019OMF Special Concert Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble （14 min）※Premiere
　　Dukas: Fanfare pour précéder La Péri
　　Tchaikovsky: Four Pieces from Le lac des cygnes

Entrance free / Maximum 30 people

Date: Aug, 10 (Mon) - Aug, 16 (Sun)
Time: Start at 1:00 PM / Close at 4:40 PM each day
Venue：Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN 1F Hall
Hosted by Shinano Mainichi Shimbun Matumoto office
Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN Machinaka Jyoho Kyoku （TEL／0263-32-1150）

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New Recordings of the 7th Symphony & Leonore Overture No. 3 with the Saito Kinen Orchestra Released on Sep 1st 2020

Decca Classics announces the release of a new record marking the 85^th birthday of Grammy-winning conductor/OMF director, Seiji Ozawa. Recorded live in 2016/17, Ozawa leads the Saito Kinen Orchestra in performances of Beethoven’s Symphony No.7 and Leonore Overture No. 3, also marking the German composer’s 250^th birthday year.

Dominic Fyfe, Label Director of Decca Classics and the producer of recordings by Ozawa and the Saito Kinen Orchestra’s since 2003, says, “We all wish Seiji the happiest of birthdays. While recent years have been challenging because of illness, his music-making has shone through with a determination and resilience which are apt for Beethoven and this most exhilarating of his symphonies”.

In Ozawa’s 85^th birthday year, a double Beethoven release commemorates not only the German composer’s legacy, but also that of the “lithe, balletic athlete with a shock of thick black hair” (Steven Spielberg, speaking in 1998, reflecting on their first meeting) who continues to captivate audiences well into his ninth decade.

Decca Classics releases ‘Beethoven Symphony No.7/Leonore Overture No.3' with Seiji Ozawa and the Saito Kinen Orchestra on 1^st September 2020.

TRACKLIST
Ludwig van Beethoven

1. Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72
2. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, i. Poco sostenuto – Vivace
3. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, ii. Allegretto
4. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, iii. Presto – Assai meno presto
5. Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92, iv. Allegro con brio

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Notice of Cancellation of the 2020 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival

We regret to announce that we are cancelling the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (OMF) that was to be held in Matsumoto City of Nagano Prefecture this summer (August 21 through September 4, 2020) in light of circumstances surrounding the global COVID-19 pandemic.

While closely monitoring government announcements and social conditions in relation to COVID-19, we have repeatedly discussed the situation with Festival Director Seiji Ozawa and the co-presenters, Nagano Prefecture and Matsumoto City. Tickets were scheduled to go on sale from June 13, but with the continuing international travel restrictions, which would prevent performers from coming to Japan, as well as domestic travel restrictions implemented with the declaration of a state of emergency, we have arrived at this decision to prioritize the safety and security of visitors, performers, volunteers, and staff.
To all who were looking forward to the festival, our partners and sponsors, and everyone involved in the preparations, we apologize and ask for your kind understanding.

Inaugurated in 1992, OMF was to mark its 29th season this year. Many people are now surely gaining a new appreciation of how precious and special it is to interact and enjoy music in the same physical space. We will share the dates and other details for the festival next year once they are confirmed, but 2021 will mark an illustrious milestone of thirty years. It is our hope that by then, this global crisis will be but a distant memory, and that the environment to deliver performances of the Saito Kinen Orchestra and other superb musicians will have been restored. In the meanwhile, we will place even greater effort into preparing for 2021. We hope for your ongoing support of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival.

Tadashi Hori, President of Saito Kinen Foundation
Akio Tsubota, Executive Officer of Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee

It is very regrettable that we cannot deliver music at a time when it is most needed.
I was hoping to hold the music festival in my beloved Matsumoto, but have decided to cancel it because now is the time to protect everyone.
I am already looking forward to seeing you all next year and hope for the swift return of a world where we can feel safe.

Director of Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival

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[Audition announcement] 2020 OMF Chamber Music Study Group -Liedduo-

【Postpone announcement of 2020OMF Liedduo audition】
Audition for 2020 OMF Chamber Music Study Group -Liedduo- which was scheduled on March 23 (Mon) was postponed due to the coronavirus situation.
Alternative dates will be announced shortly.
Thank you for your understanding.

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival has been putting its effort to educate young musicians and marking a great success.
We are happy to announce that the festival welcomes Prof. Mitsuko Shirai as a teacher again and has Liedduo Masterclass at Okushiga Kogen as OMF Chamber Music Study Group. We will have 2 concerts to show their growth.

Please see below for audition information.

Schedule	Aug. 13, 2020 (Thu) – Aug. 22, 2020 (Sat)
Place	Okushiga Kogen in Nagano prefecture: Sportsheim／Okushiga Kogen Hotel The Music Hall Matsumoto city in Nagano prefecture: Agata no Mori Bunka Kaikan
Contents	1) Liedduo (DeutschesLied) Lessons. The class will teach Japanese songs as well. 2) 2 concerts by master class course members (8/20 Okushiga Kogen, 8/22 Matsumoto city)
Teacher	Mitsuko Shirai (Mezzo-soprano／Professor at Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe, Guest professor at Kunitachi College of Music)
Expenses	・Traffic expenses to Nagano station and from Matsumoto station are the responsibility of the individuals. ※In case you are joining the class from overseas, there will be a support from the festival. Please ask for details. ・Accommodation fee and meal expenses regarding the classes are covered by the festival.
Number of candidates	Liedduo 6 groups (in total 12 singers and pianists.)
Entry condition	Under 35 as of April 1st, 2020. Studying at or graduated from music university, graduate school or academy. Or anyone who has a same quality. Duo application is preferable, but if you prefer applying as solo singer or solo pianist, please ask.
Audition	To be announced
Venue	To be announced
Repertoire	3 Free songs (DeutscheLieder). 10 min per duo.
Application	Application form (Google Forms)
Application close	To be announced
For inquiry	E-mail: omftokyo@ozawa-festival.com

Participants in 2019 *as of August 2019
Hideki Matayoshi [Tenor / 🇯🇵 / *Master of music at Tokyo University of the Arts]
Azusa Saito [Piano / 🇯🇵 / *Master of music at Kunitachi College of Music]

Yuki Kuroda [Baritone / 🇯🇵 / *Master of music at Tokyo University of the Arts]
Sayaka Kimura [Piano / 🇯🇵 / *Graduate student at Universität der Künste Berlin]

Yusuke Koike [Baritone / 🇯🇵 / *Graduate student at Tokyo University of the Arts]
Nao Arioka [Piano / 🇯🇵 / *Master of music at Kunitachi College of Music]

Hyunseon Kang [Soprano / 🇰🇷 / *Master of music at Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe]
Uram Kim [Piano / 🇰🇷 / *Master of music at Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe]

Anna Ryabenkaya [Soprano / 🇷🇺 / *Undergraduate student at Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität]
Aleksandra Dragosavac [Piano / 🇷🇸 / *Graduate student at Anton Bruckner Privatuniversität]

Soyeon Lee [Mezzo Soprano / 🇰🇷 / *Soloist Exam at Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe]
Anu Rautakoski [Piano / 🇫🇮 / *Soloist Exam at Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe]

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Director Seiji Ozawa and OMF will be on air on NHK News Watch 9 tonight!

2019OMF concerts and Director Seiji Ozawa interview will be on air on NHK News Watch 9 tonight from 9 PM. Don't miss it!

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OMF comes back in 2020 summer!

We are happy to announce that Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival comes back in 2020 summer. Fabio Luisi, who made a amazing performance in this year's OMF, is coming back to Matsumoto. It will be his 6th time to join the festival, and this is the highest number among all the guest conductors. The relationship between Fabio and Saito Kinen Orchestra made like a steel, they always make a great harmony and we are already looking forward to the excitement these two would bring to us.
Along with Fabio Luisi, French conductor Stéphane Denève will conduct the SKO. He conducted at Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto in 2013 for Opera Ravel: L'heure espagnole.　
Program details will be announced later. Ticket sales are scheduled in June 13th 2020. Please look forward to 2020OMF!

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2019OMF closed with 11,820 audience!

22 days 2019OMF closed today welcoming in total 11,820 audience.
The final concert of this year was Orchestra Concert Program B with Mo. Diego Matheuz and Saito Kinen Orchestra. The main program Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.6 greatly loved by the audience, the applause didn't stop until they play an encore Tchaikovsky: “Eugene Onegin” Polonaise. At the end of the concert, volunteer stuff gave Nagano pref flower to the members.
The day before, Director Seiji Ozawa paid a visit to the rehearsal and finally was able to meet SKO members in Matsumoto. SKO members welcomed the Maestro and he said "From very beginning of this Saito Kinen Orchestra, night before, I could not sleep. Last night, I could not sleep one minute. Because I see you all today. Something about this orchestra is very special."
Thank you all for coming to the 2019OMF. We are looking forward to seeing you in 2020!

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"Peter and the Wolf" original drawings by Nana Furiya exhibition

Original drawings of "Peter and the Wolf" by Nana Furiya will be exhibited at Pinpoint Gallery in Tokyo. Please see website below for more information.

■Nana Furiya "Peter and the Wolf" Original Drawings Exhibition
Sep 16 (Mon) - Sep 28 (Sat) 12:00PM - 7:00PM
*Till 5PM on Sat. 9/16 opens 2PM-7PM. Close on Sun.
Pinpoint Gallery　5-49-5RHouse, Jingumae, Shibuya