• Stunning chamber music flower fantasia
• Audience interaction with musicians
• Major international performers and new annual events
• Special programs for kids, young adults
• Reaching out to Tokyo's foreign community

Tokyo, September 16, 2010—Suntory Hall, Tokyo's leading dedicated concert hall, today announced a program of special events for its 25th anniversary year in 2011, as part of which it outlined an array of new annual events that form a launch pad for a new future direction aimed at building interest in classical music across all age groups.

Suntory Hall opened in 1986 as the first dedicated concert hall in Tokyo, and has gained an international reputation offering acoustic quality on a par with the world's best. The hall has hosted an array of inspirational performances, and has produced a diverse lineup of programs to nurture the development of the next generation of musicians—including a joint program with the Carnegie Hall, and exchange projects with overseas musical colleges.

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, President of Suntory Hall, said, "Suntory Hall is such a wonderful venue that we feel a strong sense of mission to bring more people the pleasure and inspiration of classical music. As part of our 25th anniversary activities we aim to become more accessible to Japan's foreign community, and to focus on bringing children and young adults the thrill and vivid immediacy of concert performances."

For the 25th anniversary, Suntory Hall has launched initiatives to promote participation from the general public and artists alike that include the Pipe Music Box Melody Search, which will culminate in a performance in early 2011 of seven pipe music box melodies chosen from among more than 200 favorites, and the Blue Rose(Small Hall) 'Yatte Minahare (Go for it !)' Project, an open invitation for creative musical ideas for a chance to see them on stage in July 2011.

In summer 2011, the hall will host the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Garden, a new event to promote enjoyment of traditional chamber music as the origin of classical music. For this annual event Blue Rose(Small Hall) will be transformed into a magical garden of blossoming flowers, creating an intense atmosphere of musical and sensory appreciation.
In fall 2011, the hall will launch the Suntory Hall Festival, a two-month celebration of classical music. The festival will open with a commemorative gala concert, featuring world-class performers such as the Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, Mitsuko Uchida, Evgeny Kissin, Yo-Yo Ma, Tan Dun and more.

An overview of upcoming events is shown below

For further information please contact:
Suntory Hall
Public Relations
Tel +81-3-3505-1002
Fax +81-3-3505-1025

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