The new flyer for the 2024OMF is out! Along with the 2024 programs, you can find the anticipated Saito Kinen Orchestra members list. The printed version will be available for everyone at classical music concerts and concert halls.
Tomoko Akasaka (viola), who was scheduled to perform at 2024OMF Chamber Concert Ⅰ on Aug. 12 (Mon/Holiday), will be replaced by Yukiko Ogura. We appreciate your understanding.
2024OMF article is on PIA classic magazine! Please click the link below.
PIA Classic 2024 Summer Vol.69 (Article is in Japanese)
We are pleased to announce that additional tickets on the 4th floor for OMF Opera Puccini's Gianni Schicchi will go on sale JUNE 21 (Fri) 10:00 AM (JST). Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy a performance of Puccini's beloved comedy opera led by Maestra Nodoka Okisawa, the OMF’s principal guest conductor.
Tickets go on sale JUNE 21 (Fri) 10:00 AM (JST) via OMF Web Ticket
Ticket Price：B ¥2,000［All seats reserved / tax included］
Please refer here for how to purchase tickets via OMF Web Ticket.
We look forward to welcoming you in Matsumoto!
The new sign board at Matsumoto City Hall in Ote has been installed. The design features Director Seiji Ozawa in 2016OMF "Concert for Children", along with the message "Thank you Seiji for bringing the greatest music to Matsumoto!". Please take a look when you visit Matsumoto!
2024OMF Official Leaflet is out! Along with the details of all programs, you can find the anticipated Saito Kinen Orchestra Members list, too. The printed version will be available for everyone at classical music concerts and concert halls.
For digital version, check the link below.
We are pleased to announce the full program of the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2024OMF).
2024OMF will include Orchestra Concert Program A, B, and C, OMF Opera, three chamber concerts, and the OMF Chamber Music Masterclass, for a total of eight programs / eleven concerts. The festival will be held over 27 days from Aug 9 (Fri) until Sep 4 (Wed), 2024. All performances of the festival will be dedicated to festival’s founder and director Seiji Ozawa with heartfelt gratitude and respect for all his accomplishments.
[Orchestra Concert Program A, B, and C]
The Orchestra Concerts will be conducted by Nodoka Okisawa (Program A) and Andris Nelsons (Program B and C). Maestra Okisawa’s appearance marks her debut as the first principal guest conductor of OMF in the history of the festival.
In Program A, Okisawa and the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) will perform Mendelssohn’s “Ein Sommernachtstraum” along with R. Strauss’s symphonic poem “Don Juan” and "Vier letzte Lieder". Don’t miss the beginning of a new journey with Maestra Okisawa and the SKO in this remarkable program.
For Orchestra Concert Program B and C, Maestro Andris Nelsons will conduct ambitious programs featuring Brahms' complete symphonies. This collection is one of the most significant repertoires that has played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the SKO over its 40-year history. You cannot miss another amazing collaboration between Mo. Nelsons and the SKO, following the great success of Mahler's Symphony No. 9 performance in 2022OMF.
[Chamber Concerts]
2024OMF will offer three high quality chamber concerts at The Harmony Hall, renowned for its excellent acoustics.
Chamber Concert I will showcase Schubert's "Der Tod und das Mädchen" led by Takayoshi Wanami (violin) in the first half, followed by Schönberg's "Verklärte Nacht" led by Nobuko Imai (viola) and her ensemble, marking her return to the festival after an 6-year hiatus.
Mr. Wanami has been energetically devoted to string quartets in recent years, and his "Der Tod und das Mädchen" will surely be enthusiastic. Ms. Imai once performed "Verklärte Nacht" under the baton of the festival Director Seiji Ozawa in 1993 for the then Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto. Both programs cannot be missed.
Chamber Concert II will present a unique program led by Don Liuzzi (timpani/percussion) and the percussion section of the SKO in the first half, while the second half, inspired by the Orchestra Concert, will present Brahms' String Sextet No. 1 performed by selected members of the SKO: Federico Agostini (violin), Julian Szulman (violin), Yoshiko Kawamoto (viola) et al.
Chamber Concert III will commemorate 50 years since the passing of Hideo Saito and the 40th anniversary of the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), featuring [Cello Ensemble Saito] presenting Bach's Chaconne, Mozart's Divertimento K136, and more.
[Cello Ensemble Saito] was formed for the "Cello Grand Concert Hideo, tribute to Prof. Hideo Saito" held in 1982 to observe the seventh anniversary of Hideo Saito's passing. This ensemble was composed of Hideo Saito's private students, and their performance contributed to the “Hideo Saito Memorial Concert” in September 1984, laying the foundation for the establishment of the SKO.
Enjoy a special program by the newly formed [Cello Ensemble Saito] with members of the original ensemble and their students in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the SKO.
[OMF Chamber Music Masterclass - Woodwind Ensemble-]
"OMF Chamber Music Masterclass–Woodwind Ensemble" showcases the achievements of young musicians who have been mentored by members of the SKO in whom Director Seiji Ozawa had full trust. It has been 17 years since the last time the woodwind ensemble was featured, originating from the former "SAITO KINEN Chamber Music Study Group for Young People". The students will brilliantly open the festival!
[OMF Opera]
The Opera for Children is an educational program that invites junior high school students from Nagano Prefecture to experience an opera. The festival opens its doors to the public so that you can purchase tickets to enjoy the opera with family. Puccini’s only comedy “Gianni Schicchi” will be conducted by Maestra Nodoka Okisawa, the OMF’s principal guest conductor. Enjoy the performance of the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra formed with promising young musicians chosen through auditions. You will also enjoy the customary “introduction of instruments” by the academy students between music performances.
[Educational Programs]
Stemming from Festival Director Seiji Ozawa's earnest desire for young people to experience authentic music, the educational program launched simultaneously with the founding of the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto in 1992.
Seiji’s strong passion has kept the program going for 30 years, and more than 450,000 children have been invited to opera performances.
The OMF continues this tradition by inviting students from Nagano Prefecture: Sixth-grade elementary school students to Concert for Children, and first-year junior high school students to Opera for Children respectively. More information such as conductor and program details can be found from the link below.
In addition to the above programs, various free open events will be held throughout the festival period.
2024OMF offers diverse programs to bring the summer in Matsumoto more color! Tickets go on sale JUNE 8 (Sat) 10:00 AM (JST). We look forward to seeing you again.
*The festival dates have been changed from the initial announcement.
As the Saito Kinen Orchestra reaches a milestone of 40 years in 2024, the season of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival is coming upon us.
The origin of the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) dates back to September 1984 when conductor Seiji Ozawa conceived the Hideo Saito Memorial Concerts in memory of Hideo Saito, who was his mentor, a great educator, and co-founder of Toho Gakuen School of Music, gathering fellow pupils of Saito who were active as musicians around the world on the tenth anniversary of his passing. SKO went on to tour Europe and the US in 1987, 1989, 1990, and 1991. And then in September 1992, Seiji Ozawa launched the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto as its director. In 2015, the festival was renamed Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (OMF), and marked its 30th anniversary in 2022.
To commemorate this 30th anniversary, Festival Director Seiji Ozawa and SKO in collaboration with JAXA broadcasted live orchestra music to the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time in history, making the “ONE EARTH MISSION” a great success. Seiji Ozawa’s final public performance as conductor was delivered to outer space.
Festival Director Seiji Ozawa passed away in February 2024, but he had been envisioning the future structure of OMF for some time, deciding the conductors and program for this summer in consultation with SKO Advisory Committee members. This season, Nodoka Okisawa and Andris Nelsons will return to Matsumoto. And for the first time in the history of the festival, Ozawa appointed Nodoka Okisawa as OMF principal guest conductor; she will continue to build a relationship with SKO moving forward.
Andris Nelsons will conduct an ambitious program featuring the Brahms complete symphonies. This program was proposed by Nelsons in consideration of the history of SKO, while embodying Ozawa’s expectations. The Brahms complete symphonies were performed during the early SKO tours starting in the 1980s and are pivotal repertoire that shaped the direction of SKO.
The following are comments left by Festival Director Seiji Ozawa at the end of January 2024.
I cannot believe that it has been 40 years since the Saito Kinen Orchestra was started!
Meeting Ms. Okisawa and Andris in 2022 were incredibly fortunate and wonderful events for me. As I immersed myself in the music created by the two during rehearsals and concerts with SKO, I couldn’t help but recall how my heart fluttered, like at the beginning of adventures in my youth—such as the day I realized while on a cargo ship to Europe that the sunset is stunning no matter where you are in the world; and when I began my long journey at the Ravinia Festival, Tanglewood, and Boston. The exhilaration and thrill of such times have been vividly rekindled.
This year, the festival and Matsumoto will take a large step towards a new era, which I truly look forward to.
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Director
A Message from Mo. Nodoka Okisawa
As one of the countless musicians around the world who are in awe of Seiji Ozawa’s music and way of life, I am deeply honored and fortunate to return to this special music festival.
The trembling excitement and exhilaration when the curtains rose to Le nozze di Figaro in summer 2022, and the sensation of “I’m so glad to be alive!” that surged in me at the conclusion of all performances were more impactful than anything I had felt before. As I immersed myself in the breath of the music abiding in the Saito Kinen Orchestra, it felt as if my body was floating. I will forever feel encouraged by how Seiji Ozawa kindly attended and watched us from the first day of rehearsals to the final performance, taking my hands and offering words of support and appreciation.
The two giant stars of Hideo Saito, the great educator, and his pupil Seiji Ozawa, who demonstrated that Saito-sensei’s teachings were universal and ignited great fervor. It will be my mission to pass on their brilliance to the next generation, and I will dedicate my heart and soul into continuing to create new inspiration.
A Message from Mo. Andris Nelsons
Maestro Seiji Ozawa was a wonderful role model, an incomparable leader, and a great friend. While we are still grieving this great loss, it is testament to Seiji’s generosity and clarity of vision that his beloved Matsumoto Festival will not only take place this year, but act as a reminder of his enduring legacy, as well as a tribute to his inspiring role as an ambassador for music all over the world.
I am greatly looking forward to returning to Matsumoto, this time during the festival this summer. As part of my last visit to Matsumoto I had the enormous privilege of working on Mahler's Ninth Symphony with the brilliant musicians of the Saito Kinen Orchestra. Tackling a work of this emotional range and musical intricacy was a fantastic occasion to create a lasting bond with the orchestra and it will be a great pleasure to continue our relationship with a complete cycle of Brahms symphonies this summer. I am aware of the significant role these symphonic masterworks have played in the orchestra’s history, and it is an honour to rediscover this beautiful music together. Brahms’s symphonies are imbued with such energy and vitality, and I have no doubt they will perfectly underscore a memorable summer in Matsumoto.
At OMF this year, we will dedicate all performances with heartfelt gratitude and respect for the accomplishments of festival founder Seiji Ozawa, who shall retain the title of festival director.
Aug. 10 (Sat) 15:00
Aug. 11 (Sun) 15:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
S ¥20,000 A ¥16,000 B ¥12,000 C ¥8,000
Mendelssohn: Ein Sommernachtstraum, Op. 61 excerpts
R. Strauss: Don Juan, symphonic poem, Op. 20
R. Strauss: Vier letzte Lieder*
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Nodoka Okisawa（OMF Principal Guest Conductor）[Biography]
Soprano Solo: Elza van den Heever*
Aug. 16 (Fri) 19:00
Aug. 17 (Sat) 15:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
S ¥22,000 A ¥18,000 B ¥14,000 C ¥10,000
Brahms: Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68
Brahms: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Andris Nelsons [Biography]
Aug. 21 (Wed) 19:00
Aug. 22 (Thu) 16:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
S ¥22,000 A ¥18,000 B ¥14,000 C ¥10,000
Brahms: Symphony No. 3 in F major, Op. 90
Brahms: Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductor: Andris Nelsons [Biography]
One Act, in Italian with Japanese subtitles
Aug. 25 (Sun) 15:00
Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre Main Hall
S ¥6,000 A ¥4,000 B ¥2,000
U25: Half of each price
*U-25 tickets are only available via OMF Web Ticket.
Conductor: Nodoka Okisawa (OMF Principal Guest Conductor) [Biography]
Director: David Kneuss
Set & Costume Design: John Michael Deegan & Sarah G. Conly
Gianni Schicchi: Hidekazu Machi
Lauretta: Rena Fujii
Zita: Mayumi Makino
Rinuccio: Takamasa Sawahara
Gherardo: Shingo Takabatake
Nella: Misako Beppu
Betto: Yuichiro Ichikawa
Simone: Yasushi Hirano
Marco: Toshiaki Komada
La Ciesca: Shoko Sogo
And more
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra
Aug. 12 (Mon/Holiday) 15:00
The Harmony Hall
￥6,000 U-25 ￥3,000 (All seats reserved)
Aug. 18 (Sun) 15:00
The Harmony Hal
￥6,000 U-25 ￥3,000 (All seats reserved)
Aug. 24 (Sat) 15:00
The Harmony Hal
￥6,000 U-25 ￥3,000 (All seats reserved)
*Further details will be announced in due course.
*U-25 tickets are limited to 100 seats and are only available via OMF Web Ticket.
Since 1996, chamber music study groups have been held for various ensembles, with the focused training camp format generating excellent results every year.
For 2024, the theme is Woodwind Ensemble. Members of Saito Kinen Orchestra will provide intensive training over the course of one week at Okushiga-Kogen to young artists who have been chosen by audition from Japan and abroad. We will have concerts in Okushiga and Matsumoto to show their growth.
Aug. 9 (Fri) 15:00
Agata no Mori Bunka Kaikan Hall
¥1,000（General Admisson）
*This program is intended for educational purposes only. No entry to general public.
Opera performances intended for first year secondary school students of Nagano prefecture. This year we will present Puccini: "Gianni Schicchi". About 4,600 students from 61 secondary schools in the prefecture will join the performance.
Aug. 26 (Mon) 11:00 / 15:00
Aug. 27 (Tue) 11:00 / 15:00
Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre Main Hall
Conductor: Nodoka Okisawa（OMF Principal Guest Conductor）[Biography]
Director: David Kneuss
Set & Costume Design: John Michael Deegan & Sarah G. Conly
Gianni Schicchi: Hidekazu Machi
Lauretta: Rena Fujii
Zita: Mayumi Makino
Rinuccio: Takamasa Sawahara
Gherardo: Shingo Takabatake
Nella: Misako Beppu
Betto: Yuichiro Ichikawa
Simone: Yasushi Hirano
Marco: Toshiaki Komada
La Ciesca: Shoko Sogo
And more
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra
Concerts intended for Nagano Prefecture elementary school sixth grade students, delivered by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra. In 2024 about 8,300 students from 174 schools will join the concerts in Matsumoto and Ina city.
Sep. 2 (Mon) 11:00 / 14:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Sep. 3 (Tue) 11:00 / 14:00
Nagano-ken Ina Bunka Kaikan
Sep. 4 (Wed) 11:00 / 14:00
Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan)
Conductor: Carl St. Clair
Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra
※The entire festival lineup will be announced at a later date.
※ The information in this press release is current as of February 22, 2024. It is subject to change or update. Please check the OMF official website for the latest information.
※ Taxes are included in the ticket price.
Seiji Ozawa, founder and Director of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, passed away on February 6, 2024, at the age of 88.
We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude and deep condolences for his remarkable contribution to the music world, not only in Japan but also around the world.
The Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto was founded in 1992 by Seiji Ozawa who named the festival after his mentor Hideo Saito. The grand dream was to deliver Western music “From the land of Japan as a Japanese person'' to the world. Later renamed the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (OMF) in 2015 the international music festival has been successfully delivering performances by the world’s best musicians from here in Matsumoto for more than 30 years. Seiji also poured his passion into educational activities, inviting numerous elementary and junior high school students to live performances and continuing educational programs for young musicians.
Director Seiji Ozawa has been envisioning the future of OMF for some time.
The Saito Kinen Orchestra Foundation was established in 2021 to establish a firm ground for the core of the festival – the orchestra. The next generation leadership has also been looking towards the future of the festival under the vision of Seiji and the 2024OMF program is soon to be announced.
More than 30 years have passed since Director Seiji Ozawa discovered Matsumoto, which he described as being smiled upon by the goddess of fate. Inheriting the spirit of the Director, the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival will continue into the future.
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
Message from Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee Chairman, Yoshinao Gaun
I am deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Seiji Ozawa, Director of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival and honorary citizen of Matsumoto City.
Director Ozawa had a vision of “Delivering western music from Japan to its homeland in Western Europe,'' and with his strong desire, he chose Matsumoto out of all the cities in Japan as the home for an international music festival.
As the Director of the festival, Seiji loved Matsumoto and its citizens over the past 30 years. I cannot thank him enough for his accomplishments in developing Matsumoto as Gakuto-Music city.
Last summer, I was moved by Seiji’s appearance and reunion with the world-famous composer John Williams. I am very disappointed as I was hoping to see Seiji again. The passing of Director Seiji Ozawa, a great maestro who was loved by music fans around the world, is an immeasurable loss for the citizens of Matsumoto, and we cannot bear the pain.
We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and pray for Seiji’s soul to rest in peace.
February 9, 2024
Matsumoto Mayor Yoshinao Gaun
(Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee, Executive Committee Chairman)
Condolence Books and Flower Offering Tables Available at Multiple Locations
Condolence books to sign and leave messages, and flower offering tables are available from February 10, 2024 at multiple concert venues of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, including Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano Prefecture Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan), Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre, and The Harmony Hall. Please find details here (Japanese Only).
2023OMF Orchestra Concert - Program B excerpt will be broadcast on Dec. 31 (Sun) 21:30- on NHK ETV.
A precious record of Mo. John Williams’s performance for the first time in 30 years; joint by Mo. Stéphane Denève who returned to Matsumoto after 10 years. Director Seiji Ozawa also appeared at the curtain call, celebrating miraculous performance of two conductors with the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) together with the audience.
<On Air Schedule>
NHK ETV Dec. 31 (Sun) 21:30 -
2023 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival
Orchestra Concert Program B
<Program>
John Williams: Yoda's Theme
Raiders March
Imperial March
Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductors: John Williams, Stéphane Denève
Recorded: 2023 Sep. 2, at Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan), Matsumoto, Japan
Reference Link: 2023OMF Orchestra Concert Program B
Note: This program broadcast is limited to Japan.