During the The Wiener Philharmoniker Week in Japan, Suntory Hall and the Wiener Philharmoniker Orchestra will be putting on a set of regular concerts as well as a series of "ENJOY! MUSIC" programs Based on the common hope of seeing musical culture blossom and realizing rich development, the events are intended for ushering in a new generation of musicians and fans.
"The Bicentennial Celebration of the Birthdays of Otto Nicolai & Robert Schumann" (Oct. 31)
The year 2010 marks 200 years since the births of Wiener Philharmoniker Orchestra founder Otto Nicolai (1810-1849) and the great Romantic period composer, Robert Schumann (1810-1856). German musicians who came into this world but a single day apart, how did their two lives intersect in the musical capital of Vienna? Interspersing performances of their most representative pieces, the Orchestra Chairman will speak about the historical facts he has determined about the musical activities of the two musicians within the context of their connection to the Wiener Philharmoniker. (The talk will be given in German with simultaneous interpretation in Japanese available by earphone.)
Based on a strong commitment to seeing the tradition that they perpetuate carried on by the younger generation, members of the Wiener Philharmoniker are actively engaged in the training of others to follow in their footsteps. This upcoming master class features first-desk trumpet player Hans Peter Schuh and is soliciting students from the general public. As this class will feature songs required to be played by those seeking a place in the Wiener Philharmoniker, among other content, it promises to be a very intriguing event for young players who aspire to professional status. The event will be open to those wishing to see for themselves how the lessons of Wiener Philharmoniker members, who themselves are educators of high quality, enhance the performance ability of students in attendance (with Japanese interpretation). The master classes, which began in 1999, have thus far featured as instructors a total of over 20 first-desk soloists and have even seen their students study abroad in Vienna.
Viewing of the rehearsal by Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Wiener Philharmoniker will be made open and free of charge to the young ages 16 to 25. This provides a superb opportunity for observing world-class artists engage in the work of bringing music to life, an experience one could normally not ever hope to enjoy otherwise.
This program started last year for the purpose of allowing young people who ordinarily rarely have the opportunity for attending a classical music concert to in person listen to music of the highest level in the world. As a general principle, attendance is by school, and the program seeks to have impressionable teenagers experience one hour of music crafted specially for the young. (Attendance is not open to the general public.) The event has garnered high praise, one high school teacher who participated last year relates: "In being able to listen to the Wiener Philharmoniker as conducted by Zubin Mehta, the students have been given the experience of a lifetime. The day after the performance, even students for whom this was their first ever classical performance told me that it was great."
