News

Conductor Change Announcement: Orchestra Concert Program C

Andris Nelsons, who was scheduled to conduct the Orchestra Concert Program C on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22 at the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2024OMF), has regrettably had to cancel his appearances due to health reasons.

In his place, the Orchestra Concert Program C will be conducted by Maestro Tatsuya Shimono and Maestro Radek Baborák.

Orchestra Concert Program C
Aug. 21 (Wed) 19:00
Aug. 22 (Thu) 16:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Brahms: Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor:
Tatsuya Shimono (Brahms: Symphony No. 3)
Radek Baborák (Brahms: Symphony No. 4)

We sincerely apologize to the guests who were looking forward to Mo. Nelsons performances. We kindly ask for your understanding regarding this sudden change.

Please note that no refunds will be issued for tickets due to this change.


Tatsuya Shimono photo 3 credit. Nanako Ito.jpg

Conductor: Tatsuya Shimono

Permanent Conductor of NHK Symphony Orchestra since October 2023, Principal Guest Conductor of Sapporo Symphony Orchestra and Conductor Laureate of Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra since April 2024.
Born in Kagoshima in 1969, Tatsuya Shimono cemented his international reputation as a conductor by winning the First Prize and the Hideo Saito Award at Tokyo International Music Competition for conducting in 2000 and the First Prize at the 47th Besançon International Competition in 2001. Since then he has guest conducted major orchestras such as Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, Czech Philharmonic, Barcelona Symphony Orchestra(OBC), Sinfonia Varsovia, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and NHK Symphony Orchestra among others.
Shimono served as Resident Conductor and then Principal Guest Conductor of Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra (2006-2017) , guest conductor and then Principal Guest Conductor of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra (2014-2020), general music director of Hiroshima Symphony Orchestra (2017-2024)
He is also holding the title of Music Director of Hiroshima Wind Orchestra since 2011.
In addition to his activity with orchestra he also regularly conducts Opera at New National Theatre Tokyo, Nissay Theatre and Nikikai Opera among others.

photo : Nanako Ito


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Conductor: Radek Baborák

Radek Baborák, chief conductor of the West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, is one of the most prominent personalities on the world music scene. In more than 35 years of international appearances as a solo horn player and conductor, he has earned an exceptional reputation with the most important orchestras and festivals. With his extensive experience as a horn player, Baborák brings a unique perspective and expertise to his conducting career. His conducting style is known for its precision, musicality and deep understanding of the pieces he plays. He is able to interpret and convey the emotions and nuances of the music, creating captivating and memorable concert experiences that are appreciated by critics and music-loving audiences. His repertoire ranges from the works of the Baroque, Classical, Romantic and 20th century masters to the works of living composers whose works he has premiered.
As a soloist, he has performed with the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras and many other top orchestras under conductors such as James Levine, Sir Simon Rattle, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, Sir Roger Norrington, Jiří Bělohlávek, Seiji Ozawa, Daniel Barenboim and Vladimir Ashkenazy.
In 2011, he expanded his musical career to include conducting. His mentor is maestro Seiji Ozawa, whom he assists with the Mito Chamber Orchestra, which he conducts regularly.
He founded and conducts the Czech Sinfonietta Orchestra, which performs at renowned festivals in the Czech Republic such as Prague Spring, Dvořák's Prague, Smetana's Litomyšl and others. He has achieved extraordinary success at these festivals, accompanying soloists such as Marta Argerich, Yefim Bronfmann, Sergei Nakarjakov, Ricardo Galliano and Guy Braunstein.
As a conductor he has worked with the Mozarteum Salzburg, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Thuringia Philharmonic, the Tokyo Philharmonic, the New Japan Symphony Orchestra, the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, the Sochr, Fok St. Prague Philharmonic, Prague Philharmonic and others.
He has been the artistic director of the Prague Chamber Soloists since 2016.
He is intensively involved in chamber music, especially with the Baborak Ensemble, which is regularly invited to the Mozartwoche Salzburg, the Pierre Boulez Saal in Berlin and on tours in Europe and Japan. For his ensemble, he creates unique versions of works by composers such as J. S. Bach and Astor Piazzolla.
His musical partners at over a hundred music festivals in which he has participated include legends such as Daniel Barenboim, Marta Argerich, Heinrich Schif, Janine Jansen, Francoise Leleux, Emanuel Pahud, Ian Bostridge, Julian Rachlin and others.
He has performed as a solo horn player with the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.
He has won the most prestigious competitions in Geneva, Markneukirchen and ARD Munich.
He has made dozens of award-winning recordings for EMI, Sony Classic, Suprafon, Octavia Records, Animal Music and Hänsler Classic.
Radek Baborák is Music Partner of the Yamagata Symphony Orchestra, permanent soloist of the Brandenburg State Orchestra and he has made his conducting debut with the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra Bratislava, the Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra in London in 2024/25 season.

Aug. 16 (Fri) , Aug. 17(Sat) Orchestra Concert Program B Tickets for the Day Information

Orchestra Concert Program B Tickets for the Day Information

Aug. 16 (Fri) performance
Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall
Tickets for the Day Sales Start: 17:30
Ticket Price: S ¥22,000 / A ¥18,000 yen (All seats reserved)

Door Open: 18:30
Start: 19:00

Aug. 17 (Sat) performance
Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall

Tickets Sold Out

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00

2024OMF Screen Concert Dates and Venues announcement [Updated: Aug. 14]

We are happy to annouce 2024OMF screen concert dates and venues in Japan. This year, the screen concert will feature the Orchestra Concert Program B, conducted by Nodoka Okisawa ("Orchestra Concert Program B" Conductor Change Announcement [Aug. 14th, 2024]). The audience can enjoy the atmosphere of the concert with high-quality sound and engaging footage on a large screen. The "Street Screen Concert" will be held at two specially installed venues in Matsumoto City, and the "Special Screen Concert" will be held in four locations in Nagano Prefecture (Miyota, Matsukawa, Ōmachi and Kawakami), and outside the prefecture in four cities: the Matsumoto sister city of Fujisawa; Himeji City, Toyonaka, which is one destination of flight routes available from Shinshu Matsumoto Airport; and Nagoya. Free entry.
Please join us to enjoy the beautiful orchestra music.

2024OMF Screen Concert

【Part 1】 Director Seiji Ozawa: The Journey Woven in Matsumoto
【Part 2】 2024OMF Orchestra Concert Program B  
Brahms: Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68
Brahms: Symphony No.2 in D major, Op. 73
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Andris Nelsons

【Dates/Places】
SPECIAL VENUES IN MATSUMOTO CITY
Saturday, August 24 6:30p.m.
Matsumoto Castle Park, Agetsuchi Theatre

NAGANO PREFECTURE
Saturday, August 24 2:00p.m.
Miyota Town (ecole MIYOTA)
Friday, August 30 6:00p.m.
Matsukawa Village (Suzunone Hall)
Sunday, September 15 2:00p.m.
Ōmachi City (Ōmachishi Bunkakaikan Echo Hall)
Monday (Holiday), November 4 1:30p.m.
Kawakami Village (Kawakamimura Bunkacenter)

OUTSIDE NAGANO
Saturday, August 31
Nagoya City (Hisaya-odori Park Media Hiloba)
Saturday, August 31 2:00p.m.
Himeji City (Himeji Caspa Hall)
Sunday, September 1 1:00p.m. / 5:00p.m.
Fujisawa City (Shonandai Civic Theatre)
Monday (Holiday), October 14 1:30p.m.
Toyonaka City (Toyonaka Performing Arts Center)

※Pre-registration for concerts will be required at several venues. For further information, please contact the venue directly using the telephone number stated.

【確定】OMF統一版0627.jpeg

2024OMF Screen Concert flyer.pdf

Conductor Change Announcement: Orchestra Concert Program B・Program C

Andris Nelsons, who was scheduled to conduct the Orchestra Concert Program B on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17 and the Orchestra Concert Program C on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22 at the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2024OMF), has regrettably had to cancel his appearances due to health reasons.

In his place, Maestra Nodoka Okisawa, the Principal Guest Conductor of OMF, will step in for the Orchestra Concert Program B. The conductor for Orchestra Concert Program C will be announced in due course.

Orchestra Concert Program B
Aug. 16 (Fri) 19:00
Aug. 17 (Sat) 15:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Brahms: Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68
Brahms: Symphony No.2 in D major, Op. 73

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Nodoka Okisawa(OMF Principal Guest Conductor)

Orchestra Concert Program C
Aug. 21 (Wed) 19:00
Aug. 22 (Thu) 16:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Brahms: Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: TBA

We sincerely apologize to the guests who were looking forward to Mo. Nelsons performances. We kindly ask for your understanding regarding this sudden change.

Please note that no refunds will be issued for tickets due to this change.

"A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life" on Aug. 17 Shuttle Bus Service available

◎ Please use public transportation!
Due to the renovation work of the "Air Water Arena Matsumoto (General Gymnasium)" located on the same premises as the "Kissei Bunka Hall" where "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life" will be held, the number of parking spaces has been significantly reduced. We kindly ask for your cooperation in using public transportation.

Additionally, after the event, there will be a "shuttle bus" service from Kissei Bunka Hall to Matsumoto Station, as outlined below. Please note that there is no shuttle bus service from Matsumoto Station to Kissei Bunka Hall.


◼️Shuttle Buss Schedule

Aug 17 (Sat) A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life

From Kissei Bunka Hall:20:00
(Stops at Matsumoto Station Castle Exit)
Please Note: There is no shuttle bus service from Matsumoto Station to Kissei Bunka Hall.

◼️Where to purchase the shuttle bus tickets
Kissei Bunka Hall : Ticket can be purchased 30 minutes before the event in the hall lobby. You may also purchase tickets nearby the bus stop after the concert if there are any remaining bus tickets.

◼️Shuttle bus fares
Adult 250 Yen (Junior High school student and over)
Child 130 Yen (Elementary school student and under)
※Children under 6 years old is free of charge per 1 adult. More than 1 child under 6 years old per 1 adult will be charged for the child fare.
※Infant (under 1 year old) are free.

Public Viewing of "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life" on Aug. 17 [Reposted: Aug. 13]

The public viewing of the special event "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life," will take place on Aug. 17. The viewing will be held at two venues: the Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square and the Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN Hall. No registration is required, and everyone is welcome to attend. Please join us!

Public Viewing (Live Streaming)
A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life
Aug. 17 (Sat), 2024 19:00-20:00
Program details>>>
Venue: Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square
Shinmai MEDIA GARDEN Hall
Admission: Free
Registration: Not required, please come directly to the venue.
Note: The event at the Matsumoto Castle Ninomaru Goten Ruins Square will be canceled in case of rain. If canceled, updates will be posted on the festival's official website and social media.

Standing ovation for Nodoka Okisawa x SKO Orchestra Concert Program A!

he debut concert of Nodoka Okisawa as OMF Principal Guest Conductor concluded with a standing ovation! Thank you to everyone who attended. Many in the audience were reminded of Director Seiji Ozawa when they saw Okisawa take the stage alongside the SKO members at the beginning of the performance.

Mendelssohn's "Ein Sommernachtstraum" (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and R. Strauss's "Don Juan" filled the hall with a harmonious sound, as if the orchestra were a single living entity. This was followed by soprano Elza van den Heever, a rising star in the European and American opera scenes, delivering a stunning rendition of Strauss's "Vier letzte Lieder" (Four Last Songs). In "Beim Schlafengehen" (Time to Sleep), SKO concertmaster Tatsuya Yabe played a beautiful violin solo, evoking the journey of life.

At the opening press conference, Okisawa reflected on a line from "Im Abendrot" (At Dusk), noting how it reminded her of the shared journey between Director Ozawa and the SKO. After the final note faded into silence, the audience was wrapped in a reflective stillness before erupting into warm, enthusiastic applause. The multiple curtain calls concluded with a standing ovation for Okisawa and the SKO.

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Aug. 12 (Mon/Holiday) Chamber Concert I Tickets for the Day Information

Chamber Concert I Tickets information

Aug. 12 (Mon/Holiday) performance
Venue: The Harmony Hall

Venue: The Harmony Hall
Tickets for the Day Sales Start: 13:30
Ticket Price: ¥6000 / U-25: ¥3000(All seats reserved)

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00

2024Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Open!

Thank you all for coming to the opening performance of the "OMF Chamber Music Masterclass –Woodwind Ensemble–" at the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival! 16 young musicians delivered a splendid performance under the guidance of their SKO mentors, marking the grand opening of the festival.

The 2024OMF is full of events. It begins with the long-awaited orchestra concert by the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), featuring the debut of Nodoka Okisawa as the OMF Principal Guest Conductor in the "Orchestra Concert Program A."

Following this, there will be more highlights, including the complete performance of Brahms symphonies by Andris Nelsons ("Orchestra Concert Program B" & "Orchestra Concert Program C") and the SKO, the Fureai Concerts I, II, and III, where you can enjoy exquisite chamber music, the OMF Opera, educational programs designed to bring music closer to children, and the annual Welcome Brass Band Parade & Joint Performance.

All performances are dedicated to Director Seiji Ozawa. The 2024 OMF will run until Sep. 4th. Please come and cover our spectacular performances!

2024 Program

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Aug. 10 (Sat) , Aug. 11 (Sun) Orchestra Concert Program A Tickets for the Day Information

Orchestra Concert Program A Tickets for the Day Information

Aug. 10 (Sat) performance
Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall
Tickets for the Day Sales Start: 13:30
Ticket Price: S ¥20,000 / A ¥16,000 (All seats reserved)

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00

Aug. 11 (Sun) performance
Venue: Kissei Bunka Hall
Tickets for the Day Sales Start: 13:30
Ticket Price: S ¥20,000 / A ¥16,000 (All seats reserved)

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00