When I attend events and festivals around the city, I often see local orchestras performing on stage. Each time, I’m reminded that “Kurashiki has so many local orchestras,” and I’m struck anew by the fact that Kurashiki is a city of the arts.
Among the many local orchestras in the city, Kurashiki Orchestra has a long history and will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2024.
At the “50th Regular Concert,” commemorating its 50th anniversary, a special program unlike those of previous concerts will be performed.
I spoke with the orchestra about its milestone 50th Regular Concert.
The information provided was current when this article was published in July 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
About the “50th Regular Concert”
Kurashiki Orchestra’s 50th Regular Concert is a classical concert to be held on Sunday, August 11, 2024.
Kurashiki Orchestra, which will perform, is a community orchestra founded in 1974. It was a small orchestra with 24 members when it was first formed, but continued its community-based musical activities and grew to around 80 members ten years later.
As of July 2024, it still has around 80 members and is active mainly through its annual regular concert and performances at the Kurashiki Music Festival.
2024 is a milestone year, marking the 50th anniversary of Kurashiki Orchestra’s founding. A special program that could be called the culmination of its work has been prepared for the 50th Regular Concert.
The highlights of the concert are two musicians performing with Kurashiki Orchestra.
The conductor will be Teraoka Kiyotaka. He studied classical music in Vienna, Austria, known as the City of Music, and has conducted numerous orchestras both in Japan and abroad. He is one of the conductors active on the world stage, having won the 2000 Mitropoulos International Conducting Competition.
The pianist will be Ushida Tomoharu. He won first prize at the 16th Hamamatsu International Piano Academy Competition, becoming its youngest winner. Since then, he has made his CD debut and performed as a soloist at Japanese concerts by orchestras from around the world. He is a young pianist attracting attention for both his talent and popularity.
It seems unusual for Teraoka and Ushida to perform with an amateur orchestra, making this a rare concert befitting the orchestra’s 50th anniversary.
The first 100 elementary and junior high school students can attend for free. For details, visit the Kurashiki Orchestra website.
The 50th Regular Concert will feature performances with distinguished guest musicians. We spoke with Yayoi Nishijima, Kurashiki Orchestra’s public relations representative about her enthusiasm for the concert.
Interview with a representative
What are the highlights of the 50th Regular Concert?
Nishijima (honorific omitted)
Since this is a concert celebrating our 50th anniversary, we’re taking on special staging, including a larger ensemble than ever before and the use of unusual instruments.
In terms of the ensemble, a particularly large number of members will be on stage this time. We’ll play percussion instruments—such as bass drums and timpani—that are usually played one at a time in pairs, and use two harps to create a more lavish impression. I think the stage will be visually impressive as well as musically rich.
Some members will also perform backstage, so I think you’ll have the unusual experience of hearing the music without seeing the performers.
Another highlight is the sound of the unusual instrument called a carillon.
A carillon is a bell-like instrument, and it will ring out during the final piece, “Symphonie fantastique.” I think it will make you feel as if you’re in a European city, so be sure to listen for it.
Our conductor, Teraoka, and pianist, Ushida, who will perform with us, are both wonderful musicians active around the world. It’s rare for them to perform with an amateur orchestra, so I hope many people will come and enjoy this special opportunity.
What are the three pieces you’ll perform like?
Nishijima
We chose the pieces in consultation with pianist Ushida and conductor Teraoka. They are all masterpieces by composers of the Romantic era.
The first piece is Johannes Brahms’s “Academic Festival Overture.” Brahms composed it as a gift in return for receiving an honorary doctorate from a German university. It will be a grand piece, fitting for the start of the concert.
The second piece, “Piano Concerto,” was composed by Robert Schumann, the teacher of the composer of the first piece. Ushida will perform as the soloist (playing a piano solo), so be sure to listen closely to his sound.
The third piece, Hector Berlioz’s “Symphonie fantastique,” was chosen by all the orchestra members. It is often requested in audience surveys and is an extremely popular work among classical music fans.
It might be even more interesting to look into how the pieces came to be written before listening to them. For example, it is said that Berlioz composed the third piece, “Symphonie fantastique,” based on visions and dreams he experienced after taking drugs when he was heartbroken over a certain actress. Knowing the background and story behind a piece lets you imagine the composer’s emotional ups and downs, and may offer a new way to enjoy it.
This concert marks the orchestra’s 50th anniversary. What are your hopes for it?
Nishijima
Kurashiki Orchestra was founded in 1974. Almost none of the original members who were active from the beginning are still with us.
We have continued our activities, gradually welcoming new members, and have now reached our 50th year.
Our orchestra has members of a wide range of ages, including many young people, and members from different generations will unite in spirit to perform with passion.
Who would you recommend the concert to?
Nishijima
Some people may feel that an orchestra performance is “intimidating,” but I think that if you come along once, we can become something you’ll enjoy as a familiar part of your life.
We’d like to share our music with people of all ages.
Does the orchestra have a next goal it hopes to achieve?
Nishijima
As an amateur community orchestra, we have pursued music with great dedication for 50 years.
Going forward, we hope to welcome many new members, especially from younger generations, and continue to grow by embracing the changing times.
And we hope to continue bringing high-quality classical performances to the community, so that local residents can develop an appreciation for music.
We’ll keep practicing every day and do our best to share the wonderful sounds of each instrument!
Do you have a final message?
Nishijima
This is a special concert program celebrating our 50th anniversary, featuring performances with exceptional musicians, so please come along with your family!
Elementary and junior high school students can apply for one of 100 free invitations, available on a first-come, first-served basis. We look forward to receiving your applications.
Kurashiki Orchestra is also looking for members to perform with us.
If you’re interested in playing in a historic community orchestra, come make wonderful classical music with us!
From the Writer
I learned that Kurashiki Orchestra’s 50th Regular Concert will be a high-quality classical concert, with performances alongside exceptional musicians and special staging.
Even fans who attend every year will be able to enjoy a program unlike those of previous years.
I rarely listen to classical music, but I’ve discovered a new way to enjoy it—learning about the background behind a piece before listening. I’d like to do some research beforehand and then enjoy the live performance on the day.
Why not make experiencing classical music at its finest one of your summer memories?
50th Regular Concert details
| Name | 50th Regular Concert |
|---|---|
| Date | Sunday, August 11, 2024 Doors open at 1:00 p.m. Concert begins at 2:00 p.m. |
| Location | 17-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City |
| Admission (tax included) | General admission: ¥1,500 (¥1,800 at the door) University students and younger: ¥1,000 ※Free admission is available for 100 elementary and junior high school students on a first-come, first-served basis |
| Website | Kurashiki Orchestra |
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