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Japanese Conductors Champion Exciting New Works in the "New Classics Project"

May. 25, 2023

On May 15, esteemed conductors Keitaro Harada, Masato Suzuki, Sachio Fujioka, and Kazuki Yamada joined forces at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall to lead the Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra and Aichi Chamber Orchestra in the premiere performances of four new compositions. The goal of this "New Classics Project" is to introduce outstanding new orchestral music to the world and to highlight the importance of promoting and supporting the creation and performance of new works. The featured compositions were selected by the conductors themselves, and the performance was broadcast on television. A recording is forthcoming from Nippon Columbia. Zen-On, itself a storied publishing house and champion of new music, is a supporter of the project and will be tasked with copyright management and music publishing for the new works.

The conductors note: 

"As conductors active in this century, we consider it very important to perform works by contemporary composers. We are always trying to create more opportunities for that and deliver them to the audience in a better way through trial and error. In this project, composers can participate regardless of age or educational background. We are really looking forward to meeting more composers, and at the same time, we hope to shine more light on these new works. We are very excited to share this new project not only with ourselves, but also with the audience."

The works featured on the program include: Yuko Kinoshiro's IKUSA, Hideaki Hagimori's Tokyo Nocturne, Ryusei Matsui's Symphonic Poem "The Mirror Sui's Story", and Ryuga Yamada's Prayer.

Of Yuko Kinoshiro's IKUSA, conductor Keitaro Harada notes:

"The individuality of the composer is expressed very well...and I was very happy to read the score...The harmony and melody exude happiness in Ms. Kinoshiro's composition. Its rhythmic energy and magic makes the listener feel fun and excitement. I want orchestras around the world to perform this work."

Yuko Kinoshiro replied:

"I am very honored to have been selected. With joy, I will continue to devote myself further as a composer. I strongly feel that I must. The title "IKUSA" means "battle", a place where people are often confused and conflicted. It expresses how to fight various difficulties while remaining steadfast. Influences include Ravel and modern game music which is familiar to young people. I conceived this work as a song.

Conductor of Hideaki Hagimori's Tokyo Nocturne, Masato Suzuki, noted: "Mr. Hideaki Hagimori is already active in various fields. Utilizing a unique concept, he has written music that is truly “Tokyo-like”. 

Hagimori responded:
"I am very honored that you have chosen my work... I was very much in agreement with and inspired by the purpose of this project to create new works... I was born and raised in Tokyo and the work depicts the evening in this colorful, ever-changing city."

Sachio Fujioka, conductor of Ryusei Matsui's Symphonic Poem "The Mirror Sui's Story", noted:
"In this project, 44 works were gathered. There are more talented composers than I expected, and I was so happy to see this. Among the works gathered, we chose those compositions that have the potential to be replayed many times. Symphonic Poem "The Mirror Sui's Story" is very youthful and gorgeous piece, an attractive work that makes you think of a mysterious world with its kana orchestration and rich melody. I have high hopes for Mr. Matsui's future masterpieces, so I'm really looking forward to it!"

Matsui offered insights into his appealing new work: 
"I am very honored to be able to win such a new project. In this piece, a young man has arrived in a mysterious world... The present is seen through the mirror. The young man has become accustomed to averting his eyes from the misery of the real world and enjoyed a peaceful life, but that other world still remains. Then, it seems that the darkness is going to dominate..."

Speaking of Ryuga Yamada's Prayer, conductor Kazuki Yamada noted: "The work contains many elements of contemporary music. The score is very beautiful. As I flipped through the pages, knew that I wanted to conduct this work... [Prayer] is special in that it requires a female soloist, and will be performed jointly by two orchestras." 

Yamada expressed his delight in being asked to participate in the New Classics Project:
"I am very happy that my work was selected as an award-winning work...To all the conductors and everyone involved in this project, I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. [Prayer] is made up of two parts: First, ask yourself, “What is music?” I asked myself and expressed the answers I found."

Click here to learn more about the New Classics Project.

To learn more about Yuko Kinoshiro, Hideaki Hagimori, Ryusei Matsui, and Ryuga Yamada, visit: zen-on.co.jp.

Yuko Kinoshiro
IKUSA
for orchestra
2(II.pic).2.2.2-4.2.2+btbn.1-timp-perc-hp-str
10'

Hideaki Hagimori
Tokyo Nocturne
for orchestra
2.2.2.2-4.2.3.1-timp-perc-hp-cel-strings
11.5'

Ryusei Matsui
Symphonic Poem "The Mirror Sui's Story"
for orchestra
2(II.pic).1+eh.2.2-4.2.3.1-timp-perc-hp-str
10'

Ryuga Yamada
Prayer 
for solo soprano and orchestra
3(III.pic).3+(III.eh).3(III.bcl).3(III.cbn)-4.3.3.1-perc-hp-str-solo soprano
14.5'

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