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2019OMF Seiji Ozawa, Fabio Luisi and Mitsuko Uchida!

We are happy to announce 2019 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival programs.

Fabio Luisi, who made a fantastic performance in 2017OMF, is coming back to Matsumoto and this time he will conduct Opera and Orchestra Concert. It will be his 5th time to join the festival, and this is the highest number among all the guest conductors. Fabio and Saito Kinen Orchestra always make a great harmony and it is already promised that 2019OMF Opera will be one of the greatest performances of all time. Fabio made his debut in Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto in 2014, conducting Verdi: Opera Falstaff.

Next year, Fabio will conduct Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegen in Robert Carsen production. It would be the first time for Saito Kinen Orchestra to perform at opera production since 2015. This is going to one of the must-see programs next year.

Along with Fabio Luisi, Mitsuko Uchida, the world-famous piano player who also made a terrific performance in 2017OMF will be back in Matsumoto. Audience will never forget the wonderful performance of 2017OMF Orchestra Concert Program C Beethoven: Piano Concerto No.3 in C minor, Op. 37 with Maestro Seiji Ozawa. Next year we will witness another historic performance.

Program details will be announced later. Ticket sales are scheduled in June 2019. Please look forward to 2019OMF!

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2018OMF close with 9543 audience!

2018 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival closed its curtain on Sep. 7 (fri). This year we had in total 8 official programs / 8 performances and 9543 audience came to enjoy the festival.

The last but not the least program was Concert for Children. This is one of Director Ozawa's passion projects, and intended for Nagano Prefecture elementary school sixth grade students, delivered by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra. The concert took place in Matsumoto and Nagano cities, and about 10,000 students from 174 schools joined.

The program was Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra under the baton of Tatsuya Shimono. Introduction of Instruments were also performed, to explain which instrument make what kind of sound.
After Symphony No.5, they all played "Shinano no Kuni" with the students. This song was performed many times during 2018OMF. Please watch a short clip featuring "Shinano no Kuni" performed during the festival.

Sep.6 (thu) Concert for Children was open to the public for the first time. About 600 Nagano prefecture residents came to listen to the concert at Matsumoto City Gymnasium.
With Concert for Children on Sep.7 (fri), all the programs in 2018OMF finished. We would like to express all the gratitude for the audience, volunteer staffs and people in Matsumoto and Nagano prefecture. Thank you all for your support!

---

Message from Director Seiji Ozawa

I am deeply disappointed that I was unable to be in Matsumoto this year.
But my heart was always in Matsumoto.
I will surely go next year!

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OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Puccinni: Gianni Schicchi & Chamber Concert III all finished!

2018OMF one of the main programs; OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Puccini: "Gianni Schicchi" was performed on Sep. 1 (Sat) at Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre. International casts wonderfully portraited characters from 13th century Italy, under the direction of Derrick Inouye (conductor) and David Kneuss (Director) . In total 1504 audience enjoyed the 50 min performance with Introduction of Instruments.

2018OMF main programs are finished last night. On Sep. 6 (thu) and Sep. 7 (fri), we have Concert for Children at Matsumoto City Gymnasium and Nagano Hokuto Hall. Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra plays Beethoven: Symphony No.5 in C minor, Op. 67 with conductor Tatsuya Shimono.

The final program of Chamber Concert took place at The Harmony Hall in Matsumoto city on Sep. 1 (sat). In total 11 artists played Mozart, Debussy, Respighi and Brahms. Masaharu Yamamoto, Yuki Hamasaki (clarinet) and Masaru Yoshida (bassoon) performed Mozart: 5 Divertimento in B-flat major, K439b, No. 2 in soft but great harmony.

Kazuko Shinozaki (harp) played beautiful Debussy: Danse sacrée et Danse profane with strings quartet.
Kei Shirai, Takumi Komoriya (violin), Ryo Oshima (viola) and Rei Tsujimoto (cello) made a perfect unity when they performed Respighi: Quartetto dorico, P144.
Brahms: Piano Trio No. 1 in B major, Op. 8 (arranged by Jacques Zoon for flute, cello and piano) by Jacques Zoon (flute), Iseut Chuat (cello) and Momo Kodama (piano) closed the perfect night. The golden trio gave audience spectacular experience and received the big applause.

　　　

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2018OMF Orchestra Concert Programs Finale!

2018OMF Orchestra Concert Programs came to an end last weekend with Orchestra Concert Program C "OMF Gig". In total 5695 audience came to Matsumoto to enjoy the concerts.

Kazuyoshi Akiyama, who were taught by late Hideo Saito, conducted Saito Kinen Orchestra for the first time in 14 years. Director Ozawa asked Mo. Akiyama when he was thinking the program, saying "please choose something we've never done at the festival". So Akiyama made all French programs, and it paid off greatly.
The first half was consisted of Ibert: Ouverture de fête, Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and Ravel: Boléro. After the intermission, 89 SKO members and Mo. Akiyama performed Saint-Saens: Symphony No.3 in C minor, Op. 78 "Organ". 1852 audience sent passionate and long applause to the great artists.

　　

On Sep. 2 (Sat), Orchestra Concert Program C "OMF Gig" closed the whole Orchestra Concert. The Philadelphia Orchestra assistant conductor Kensho Watanabe made his Japan debut in this program, with 2 Bernstein music; Overture to Candide and Three Dance Episodes from On the Town. Kensho conducted the orchestra with sharp and energetic instructions, and the audience welcomed his first and memorable performance.
The last piece of the first half was Gershwin: An American in Paris under the baton of Diego Matheuz. Strong bond between SKO and Diego made the performance excellent and described the scenery of Paris in early 20th Century completely.
After the intermission, Marcus Roberts Trio performed 4 songs from《West Side Story》. The concert hall transformed to a comfortable Jazz hall with great performance of the three.
Gershwin: I Got Rhythm Variation was the last number to close the night. SKO, Marcus Roberts Trio and Diego Matheuz performed memorable performance that told us the joy of life.
1865 audience gave them great applause, and artists said goodbye to the audience with Gentian flowers in their hands, saying "Until next year!".

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Orchestra Concert Program A Thunder of applause to SKO X Diego Matheuz!

＜Aug. 26 (Sun) Orchestra Concert Progam A>

The first 2018OMF Orchestra Concert took place at the Kissei Bunka Hall on Aug. 26 (Sun). The conductor was Diego Matheuz who had performed at the festival twice before. Despite his young age, he superbly conducted the war-horse Saito Kinen Orchestra and played Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 in E minor, Op. 64. The full-house audience gave a thunder of applause to the great artists.

The concert started with Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D major, Op. 25 “Classical”. During the 4 years absent from the festival, Diego gained additional force and conducted SKO beautifully. Then move to Haydn: Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat major, Hob.I: 105 (without conductor) with great soloists from SKO; Kyoko Takezawa (violin), Dai Miyata (cello), Philippe Tondre (oboe), and Marc Goldberg (bassoon). The harmony of 4 soloists and SKO mesmerized the 2000 audience. They played unscheduled encore to reply non-stop applause.

After the break, 80 SKO artists and Matheuz started Tchaikovsky. Matheuz conducted Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4 when he came to the festival for the first time in 2011 and made a great success. The audience loved the 50 min performance and gave Matheuz and SKO enthusiastic and big applause. Matheuz will conduct SKO on Sep. 2nd (Sun) at the Orchestra Concert Program C again.

On the day before Orchestra Concert, Chamber Concert II took place at The Harmony Hall in Matsumoto city. The great piano duo Mari Kodama and Momo Kodama played Messiaen, Debussy and Tchaikovsky beautifully . It was their first time to perform at OMF as a duo. After the duo session, SKO members joined and performed Poulenc and Saint-Saëns: Le carnaval des animaux. Audience enjoyed the great harmony of two pianos and orchestra.

＜Aug. 25 (Sat) Chamber Concert II>

2018OMF one of the main programs; OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Puccini: "Gianni Schicchi" rehearsals has also begun. International casts are rehearsing everyday under the direction of Derrick Inouye (conductor) , David Kneuss (Director) and Denis Giauque (Vocal coach) . Today, the stage rehearsal has started and the casts and orchestra rehearsed together for the first time at Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre Maiin Hal. Don't miss the greatest comedy of all time!

＜Aug 23 (Thu) OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Puccinni: Gianni Schicchi Rehearsal＞

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Orchestra Concert Program A Ticket SOLD OUT & Shuttle Bus to Matsumoto Station

After a year, the Saito Kinen Orchestra members have gathered once again in a powerful harmony delivered under the baton of Diego Matheuz!

The first concert of SKO Orchestra Concert Program will be held tomorrow, on Aug. 26 (Sun).
SKO under the baton of Diego Matheuz will deliver the Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D major, “Classical” and the Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.5 in E minor.

The tickets are SOLD OUT!

Shuttle bus to Matsumoto station is also available after the concert.

■Bus Schedule
①　Aug. 26 (Sun) After Orchestra Concert Program A　
②　Aug. 31 (Fri) After Orchestra Concert Program B
③　Sep. 2 (Sun) After Orchestra Concert Program C

■Bus Ticket
Sales start 1 hour before the opening time at Kissei Bunka Hall Lobby. Please come to "Shuttle Bus Ticket Counter".
Also you can pay cash at the entracne of the bus.

■Price
Adult / 250 yen
Child / 130 yen

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2018 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Open!

＜Aug. 19 (Sun) Joint Performance at Matsumoto Castle Honmaru Garden National Treasure>

The 2018 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival has opened on Aug. 18 (Sat) with a brilliant performance of OMF Chamber Music Study Group -Brass Ensemble-! 10 young brass students who passed through an audition performed 2 quintets and 7 dectes (include encores) beautifully. More than 500 audience gave warm hands to the artists and 3 instructors, and they were asked to come back on the stage many times at the curtain call.
The festival had numbers of events on the 2nd day of the opening! Parade and Joint Performance took place throughout Matsumoto city on Aug. 19 (Sun). 55 groups, about 2700 people joined this open event. At the Joint Performance which took place at Matsumoto Castle Honmaru Garden National Treasure, OMF Chamber Musc Study Group -Brass Ensemble- instructor, Timothy Morrison conducted "Stars and Stripes Forever" and "Shinano No Kuni" with 1700 young brass players and 10 OMF Chamber Music Study Group -Brass Ensemble- artists.
After the cheerful outside event, one of the most important programs of this year; Chamber Concert I -Robert Mann Memorial Concert- opened at the Harmony Hall.
To honor the great violinist, instructor and conductor, Mr. Robert Mann's loving memory, 20 members from Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland and 13 Saito Kinen Orchestra members performed together. Mr. Mann conducted Beethoven: String Quartet No.13 "Cavatina" at 2009 Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto with Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra. The video of this performance was screened before the opening.
The program has started with footage from Mr. Mann's documentary "Speak The Music" (2013/ Dir. Allan Miller). After 5 string quartets from the Academy, Mr. Mann's daughter Lisa Mann Marotta gave a heartfelt speech.
After the speech, string orchestra with 33 artists had begun. They played Beethoven: String Quartet No.16 in F Major, Op. 135, third movement, and Beethoven: String Quartet No. 13 in B-flat major, Op. 130 5th movement Cavatina. Adagio molto espressivo as an encore. Before Cavatina, Suyoen Kim (violin) and Tomoko Akasaka (viola) said they'd dedicate this performance to Mr. Mann.
OMF Director Seiji Ozawa refreins from coming to Matsumoto due to serious back pain. He had a skype meeting with Chamber Concert I artists at rehearsal on Aug. 18 and wished them all the good luck.
Rehearsals for Orchestra Concerts start from Aug. 22 (wed)! Please look forward the wonderful sound the Saito Kinen Orchestra make with conductors Diego Matheuz, Kazuyoshi Akiyama and Kensho Watanabe.

＜Aug. 19 (Sun) Chamber Concert I -Robert Mann Memorial Concert- Curtain call>

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2018OMF official goods are ready!

We are happy to announce the lineup of this year's 2018OMF official merchandise!
Various souvenirs are ready including ticket sleeve, OMF Opera "Gianni Schicchi" original T-shirt, notebooks, Japanese Tenugui Hand Towels, stationaries and more.
Did you know that OMF festival "M" logo and hand-written "Saito Kinen Orchestra" were written by Seiji Ozawa the Director?!

The official goods shop at Kissei Bunka Hall opens on Aug 21 (Tue). You can purchase the goods at the Harmony Hall tomorrow and on 19th!
2018OMF official program is also available for purchase. Please enjoy shopping along with 2018OMF concerts.

■2018OMF official goods shop
Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall Entrance
Date: Aug. 21 (Tue) - Sep.7(Fri) (10:00-17:00/ open till the end of performance on Concert days only) .
- Entrance Free
- Cash and Credit Card available
- At the Harmony Hall and Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre also have the official goods shop only on OMF performance days.

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How to get to The Harmony Hall on Aug 18!

2 more days until the 2018OMF opening! The first program at the festival; "OMF Chamber Music Study Group -Brass Ensemble-" will take place at The Harmony Hall. You can take taxi from Matsumoto station (15min) or take Ooito line train from Matsumoto station (10min) and drop off at Shimauchi station, the closest station from the venue. It will take 5 min walk from Shimauchi station.
Please be aware that there are only a few trains available to come to the Harmony Hall before the starting time. Ticket on day is available from 2PM at the venue!

★Trains arrive before the starting time (4PM)
＜From Matsumoto Sta to Shimauchi Sta Ooito line Timetable＞
14:09
15:08
★Trains depart after the closing time (around 6PM)
＜From Shimauchi Sta. to Matsumoto Sta. Ooito line Timetable＞
18:36
18:51
19:48
http://www.ozawa-festival.com/access/

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OMF Chamber Music Study Group -Brass Ensemble- Getting ready now!

OMF Chamber Music Study Group, 10 brass students selected through the audition, is now taught by the members of Saito Kinen Orchestra in Okushiga.
After they finish the camp with an entrance-free concert at Okushiga Music Hall (Aug 17), they come to OMF to blow a fanfare that tells the opening of the Festival.

Aug. 18 concert at The Harmony Hall ticket on day is available!
Please come and enjoy their brilliant brass music!

Ticket on day: Aug. 18 (Sat) sales from 14:00 at the entrace of The Harmony Hall. Ticket price is 1000 yen!