News

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.15

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© Takeshi Yamada

OMF Special Concert: SKO Brass Ensemble Japan Tour Ticket go on sale!

The Brass Ensemble at the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (OMF) Chamber Concert in 2015 received great accolades for its majestic and glorious sound; the audience was captivated and insisted on multiple curtain calls with unceasing thunderous applause. Now we are happy to announce that SKO Brass Ensemble Japan Tour ticket will go on sale on from Nov 19 (Sat). For more information, please see SKO Brass Ensemble program page.We are so much look forward to seeing you.

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© Michiharu Okubo

Fabio interivew on Weekly Economist & AERA STYLE MAGAZINE

Exclusive interview on 2016OMF guest conductor Fabio Luisi has just been out in Weekly Economist (Nov 22, 2016 Issue) and as of next week will be out also in AERA STYLE MAGAZINE. Weekly Economist is now on sale at bookstores. AERA STYLE MAGAZINE will be on sale on Nov 24 (Thu). To purchase Weekly Economist, please visit magazine official website (Japanese only). To purchase AERA STYLE MAGAZINE, please visit amazon.

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2016OMF featured in Taiwanese Classical Music Magazine MUZIK

2016OMF was greatly featured in the leading classical music magazine in Taiwan, MUZIK. The issue offers an exclusive feature of number of OMF programs including the information on best places to visit while in Matsumoto.
To find more about the issue, please visit here (Chinese only).

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Seiji Ozawa next to perform with MCO!

Seiji Ozawa will perform with Mito Chamber Orchestra (MCO) in January, 2017. The performances will take place on Jan 13 (Fri), 15 (Sun), and 17 (Tue). The first two performances will be held at Art Tower Mito Concert Hall ATM whereas the final performance will take place at Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall. MCO director Seiji Ozawa will perform Mozart and Beethoven with guest artists, who are also the SKO members, Kyoko Takezawa (violin) and Yoshiko Kawamoto (viola) along with MCO. For further information on concert performances, please see Art Tower Mito official website.

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.14

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© Takeshi Yamada
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© Takeshi Yamada

OMF Opera Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges rehearsal started!

OMF Opera Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra rehearsal has started at Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre. Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges performed at 2013SKF has this year in February won the 58th Grammy award for Best Opera Recording. At 2016OMF, the same opera piece will be performed by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra under the baton of Eric Melear and direction of David Kneuss.
Marie Lenormand, Anna Christy, Jean-Paul Fouchecourt, OMF Chorus and OMF Children's Chorus who starred in 2013SKF opera performances have started rehearsing with Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra from late August.
Tickets for this year performances scheduled for Sep 6 (Tue) & 9 (Fri) are available for purchase at Ticket Pia Website and Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre. We invite you all to come and join us to enjoy this internationally rarely performed opera in Matsumoto.

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© Takeshi Yamada
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© Takeshi Yamada
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2016OMF OMF Gig closed in a hail of applause!

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig took place on Aug 28 (Sun) at Kissei Bunka Hall in Matsumoto. The concert closed with a full-house audience sending a hail of applause to OMF Director Seiji Ozawa, conductor Toshiaki Murakami, Saito Kinen Orchestra and Marcus Roberts Trio.
The Gig, initiated in year 2013 with an aim to further explore the fusion of classical music and jazz, has this year started with Toshiaki Murakami conducting Prokofiev: Excerpts from the ballet "Romeo and Juliet" with SKO. The concert continued with a very well know to Matsumoto audiences jazz trio - Marcus Roberts Trio performing What is this thing called Love? and their original piece Cole after Midnight. The final program of the first half was the world premiere performance of new piece by Marcus Roberts Rhapsody in D. Toshiaki Murakami, SKO and Marcus Roberts Trio performed this commissioned work which took Marcus Roberts nearly 2 years to complete, by full house audience sending them a big round of applause.
After Ibert: Divertissement pour orchestre de chambre, SKO and Marcus Roberts Trio performed Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue under Seiji Ozawa's baton to close this year's OMF Gig. This was also the final public performance of Seiji Ozawa and SKO at this year's OMF. The concert closed with the volunteer staff coming up to the stage to hand bouquet of beautiful Gentian. We express our sincere thanks to all the guests who visited us in Matsumoto, and especially to all the volunteer staff without whose support these concerts wouldn't be possible.

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© Takeshi Yamada
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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Michiharu Okubo

SKO performed at Concert for Children the first time in 10 years!

On Aug 31 (Wed), this year's educational program Concert for Children has taken place at Matsumoto City General Gymnasium by welcoming 10,103 elementary school children from Nagano prefecture. OMF Director Seiji Ozawa, Saito Kinen Orchestra and Marcus Roberts Trio joint the program to enjoy the music with children. The Concert for Children, which is held at the festival every year since its establishment in 1992 with an aim to bring the classical music closer to the youth, has this year been held for the first time in 10 years with SKO performing at Matsumoto City General Gymnasium.
After SKO members performed short pieces to introduce the sound of instruments, Seiji Ozawa, SKO and Marcus Roberts Trio performed Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue. The concert closed in a choir with the children singing together Japanese school song Furusato - Hometown.
The next educational program Opera for Children is scheduled for Sep 7 (Wed) & 8 (Thu). The OMF will be welcoming junior high school students from Nagano prefecture to enjoy OMF Opera Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra.

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© Takeshi Yamada
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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Takeshi Yamada

Cozy & Special "Demae" concerts in Nagano

Cozy & Special "Demae" concerts performed by SKO members in places such as hospitals, homes for elderly and institutions for disabled have taken place on Aug 29 (Mon). "Demae" is the Japanese word for meal delivery – these concerts are designed to deliver the joy of the music to those music lovers who are otherwise unable to attend the concerts.
This year 2 groups visited the institutions for disabled Moo, Ryoiku Center Raifu Mirai in Matsumoto, Shinonoi General Hospital in Nagano, and Iida Municipal Hospital. Violinist Sayaka Kinoshiro, Mai Tategami, viola player Masahiro Chihara, cellist Ichiro Hasebe made a visit to Moo and Iida Municipal Hospital to perform Elger: Salut d'amour and theme song from My Neighbour Totoro. Violinist Keiko Kagesawa, Asuka Yano, viola player Kasumi Matsuyama and cellist Rei Tsujimoto performed Mozart: String Quartet No.17 and Japanese popular song Yagibushi at Mirai and Shinonoi General Hospital.
In Matsumoto at regular Shibafu (Lawn) concert held at the lawn of Kissei Bunka Hall the audience was welcomed by french horn quartet Maro Abe, Yasushi Katsumata, Koharu Tajima and Asako Yamamoto attracting more than 400 audience including many parents with children.

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© Michiharu Okubo

Over 1300 visitors at Grammy Special Exhibition

The 2013SKF Opera Ravel: L'enfant et les sortilèges Grammy winning Special Exhibition closed on Aug 26 (Fri) welcoming more than 1300 visitors at Matsumoto City Museum of Art. The exhibition, which started on Aug 22 - the second performance day of 2016OMF Orchestra Concert Program A, attracted the visitors from far places such as Nagoya and Fukuoka.
Along with the Grammy trophy which was exhibited for the first time to public, 50 pieces of on-stage and backstage photos, special footage and certificates for SKO, SKO Matsumoto Chorus, and SKO Matsumoto Children's Chorus were exhibited. Ex-chorus group members who performed at 2013SKF and audience who came to see the show in 2013 also visited and shared their reminiscences.

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.13

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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Michiharu Okubo

2016OMF Orchestra Concert Program A & B closed in standing ovation!

On Aug 18 (Thu), 2016OMF welcomed the opening night of Orchestra Concerts. After 4 shows, the concerts closed on Aug 22 (Mon).
Orchestra Concert Program A opened with Honegger: Symphony No.3 conducted by Fabio Luisi. The concert master Takumi Komoriya and 88 SKO members performed powerful "Liturgique". After the interval, OMF Director Seiji Ozawa appeared on the stage with 63 SKO members, passionately conducting Beethoven: Symphony No.7.
Fabio Luisi whose showing at the OMF is third in a row for the first time, conducted one of his favorite pieces Mahler: Symphony No.2 in Orchestra Concert Program B. Soloists Rie Miyake and Mihoko Fujimura sang beautiful solos. Both orchestra concerts closed in standing ovation.
Next SKO Concert will take place on Aug 28 (Sat) Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig. Toshiaki Murakami will conduct Prokofiev: Excerpts from the ballet "Romeo and Juliet", Ibert: Divertissement pour orchestre de chambre, Marcus Roberts: Rhapsody in D (newly commissioned work/world premiere), and Seiji Ozawa will perform Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue with Marcus Roberts Trio.

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© Michiharu Okubo

Chamber Concert opens with distinguished program this year, too!

On Aug 20 (Sat), Michelangelo String Quartet performed at the Harmony Hall. Audience welcomed warmly Nobuko Imai, Mihaela Martin, Daniel Austrich, Frans Helmerson who came back to Matsumoto after three years. Cellist Jing Zhao joined the quartet for Boccherini: String Quintet in C major, and Ryo Sasaki joined for Brahms: String Sextet No.1. Full-house audience applause wouldn't stop after nearly two hours of the moving performance.
Chamber Concert II will take place on Aug 27 (Sat) also at the Harmony Hall notorious for its great acoustics. Flutist Jacques Zoon, Cellist Iseut Chuat, Harpist Naoko Yoshino, Violinist Tatsuya Yabe, Naoko Ogihara, Violinist Yoshiko Kawamoto, Clarinet player Scott Andrews and Pianist Akira Eguchi - the distinguish SKO members promise to deliver an outstanding performance. Walk-in tickets will be available for purchase at The Harmony Hall on 27 from 2pm.

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Photobook “Seiji Ozawa” out on sale!

Photobook “Seiji Ozawa” (Publisher: Shinchosha) assembling photos of OMF official photographer Michiharu Okubo will be out on sale on Aug 31 (Wed). The photobook features the photos Mr.Okubo has been taking for over 30 years. It captures Seiji Ozawa conducting international orchestras such the ones of Vienna, Berlin, Paris, Boston, including Saito Kinen Orchestra in Matsumoto, Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Asia, Caravan with Cellist Rostropovich, as well as private photos with other musicians and much more. The book also contains memories and episodes written by Seiji Ozawa himself. Photobook "Seiji Ozawa" will be go on sale in advance at Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig on Aug 28 (Sun).

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2016OMF goods available on Online!

2016OMF goods are available for purchase on online! Tenugui (Japanese towel), stole, reading glasses, hand mirror, amenity bag, furoshiki (Japanese handkerchief), eco bag, totebag are newly added to goods lineup from this year. Key chains and Sol Schwartz X Kume Seni original T shirt with the director Seiji Ozawa illustrate are also available for purchase. Please check the OMF official goods website for details.

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.12

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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Michiharu Okubo

Seiji Ozawa & Fabio Luisi arrived in Matsumoto!

On Aug 12 (Fri), OMF Director Seiji Ozawa arrived in Matsumoto and held the first rehearsal with SKO for Orchestra Concert Program A. Matsumoto Ciy Mayor Akira Sugenoya and OMF Executive Committee Chairman Mutsuo Kanzawa greeted the maestro at the backdoor of the Kissei Bunka Hall. In on-the-spot interview prior to the rehearsal, Seiji Ozawa expresses his thoughtsBeethoven: Symphony No.7., a piece he will be conducting this year.
On the following day, OMF guest conductor Fabio Luisi also arrived in the city holding a first rehearsal with the SKO. Fabio received great reviews from both the audience and critics last year with Mahler: Symphony No. 5. This year he conducts Mahler: Symphony No.2 "The Resurrection" with SKO, singers Rie Miyake, Mihoko Fujimura and 112 member OMF Chorus. For ticket purchase, please see Ticket Pia website.

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©Michiharu Okubo

Outdoor Screen Concert Venues

Orchestra Concert Program A on Aug 22 (Mon) is going to be screened outdoor live. The outdoor screen concert will take place at total 9 cities, including 3 venues in Matsumoto city. (Tokyo will be screened on Sep 13 (Tue)).Along with Honegger: Symphony No.3 conducted by Fabio Luisi, please enjoy Beethoven: Symphony No.7 conducted by Seiji Ozawa on large screen and great sound system. For more information, please see here.

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Click the photo to watch special footage

Archive video footage released on OMF website!

Special footages of 2015OMF and 2014SKF performances are now available online on each program page of OMF website. 2015OMF Orchestra Concert Program A Haydn: Symphony No.82 & Mahler: Symphony No.5 conducted by Fabio Luisi. 2015OMF Orchestra Concert Program BBeethoven: Symphony No.2 conducted by Seiji Ozawa. 2015OMF Chamber Concert I with late great timapnist Robert Altmann, and great performance by SKO Brass Ensemble are out on 2015OMF Chamber Concert II webpage. 2014SKF special stage with Matsuomoto city born ballet dancer Haruo Niyama performed with Seiji Ozawa and SKO, and Rhapsody in Blue performance with Marcus Roberts Trio is also available here to watch.

CD Concert has been cancelled

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the 2016OMF Season CD concert unfortunately has had to be cancelled. The OMF Office sincerely apologizes for this sudden change and the inconvenience caused.

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.11

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© Michiharu Okubo

2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival has started!

On Aug 9 (Tue) OMF Chamber Music Study Group - Brass Ensemble- performed at Agata no Mori Bunka Kaikan marking the beginning of 2016OMF. Rich harmony of brass instruments filled the dusk of Matsumoto City welcoming the numerous audience excited to celebrate the opening of the 2016OMF Season.
The OMF invites all interested to join us at our next free of charge open event - Welcome Street Live - on Aug 13 (Sat) 16:00 - 19:00 held at Matsumoto Station Plaza. We look forward to seeing you there!

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© Takeshi Yamada

Grammy winning Special Exhibition at Matsumoto City Museum of Art! Unveiling Grammy trophy!

In 2016 February, the recording of 2013SKF Opera Ravel: L' enfant et les sortilèges, conducted by Seiji Ozawa and performed by the Saito Kinen Orchestra, has won the 58th Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording. Celebrating its winning, Grammy winning Special Exhibition will take place at Matsumoto City Museum of Art from Aug 22 (Mon) to Aug 26 (Fri).
Seiji Ozawa, the Director of OMF, has been nominated for the Grammy at various times in the past. His past nominated albums were all international recordings. It is the first time for the Saito Kinen Orchestra to be nominated for the Grammy award and the first time both for Seiji Ozawa and the Saito Kinen Orchestra to win the Grammy.Along with the conductor and Saito Kinen Orchestra, SKF Matsumoto Choir and SKF Matsumoto Children Choir won the award.
At this Special Exhibition, along with the Grammy Trophy2013SKF opera production performance photosrecorded footage, backstage photos will be also exhibited. We are looking forward to welcoming you at the exhibition!

2013SKF Ravel: L' enfant et les sortilèges Grammy winning Special Exhibition
Date: Aug 22 (Mon) - Aug 26 (Fri)
Open: 9:00~17:00 (Last entry 16:30)
Venue: Matsumoto City Museum of Art Multiperpose Hall
Admission Free

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.10

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© Michiharu Okubo

2016OMF Opens on Tuesday, Aug 9!

2016Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival finally opens on Tuesday, Aug 9. Along with OMF artistic director Seiji Ozawa and Saito Kinen Orchestra, numerous guest artists will give tremendous boost to the festival. Fabio Luisi comes back to Matsumoto as the first guest conductor who has been invited for the third year in a row. We also welcome Michelangelo String Quartet, 2013SKF “L’enfant et les sortiléges” Grammy winning singers Marie Lenormand, Anna Christy, Jean-Paul Fouchecourt, and Marcus Roberts Trio with a world premiere performance. Seiji Ozawa Academy Orchestra shall this year again present the results of their one week study in Okushiga highlands.
We are looking forward to seeing all of you in Matsumoto this year again!
*Program of Orchestra Concert Program A has been changed. Please see here for more details.

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Kappa Bashi, Kamikochi

SKO member performs at “Mountain Day” ceremony

The inaugural ceremony of newly established public holiday in Japan – Mountain Day – will take place on Aug 11(Thur) in Kamikochi, Nagano. SKO brass members will celebrate its establishment at Kamikochi Bus Terminal ceremony (No entry to general public). In the afternoon on the same day, the OMF Chamber Music Study Group will perform at Shinshu Yomoyama Matsuri held at Konashi Daira Camp.
The OMF Chamber Music Study Group will give a 30 mins performance at “OMF Mountain Concert” in Yomoyama Matsuri to express “the power of mountain” with music. For more information, please see Mountain Day official website.

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Seiji Ozawa & Mito Chamber Orchestra Beethoven: Symphony No.5 CD out on sale!

The CD recording of Seiji Ozawa and Mito Chamber Orchestra(MCO) performing Beethoven: Symphony No.5 at Art Tower Mito in March 2016 has been released on Aug 3 (Wed). It was the first time for the MCO to perform this piece with Maestro Ozawa. The impressive performance was dedicated to the great timpanist Roland Altmann who had passed away just before the concert.
Renowned member of SKO Ricardo Morales, the clarinet player, touched the audience with his performance of Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major, K 622 (without conductor). For more on CD purchase, please see Universal Music Japan official website.

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© Simon Fowler

Nathalie Stutzmann conducts Mito Chamber Orchestra

Nathalie Stutzmann who conducted Opera for Children and OMF Family Opera Ravel: L’enfant et les sortiléges at 2015OMF will lead Mito Chamber Orchestra (MCO) on its 97th regular concert. On Oct 29 (Sat) and 30 (Sun), Nathalie will perform with highly acclaimed chamber orchestra Mozart: Symphony No.25 in G minor, K.183, Prokofiev: Symphony No.1 in D major, op.25 "Classical", and Bizet: Symhony in C major.
Nathalie is well known as both great contralto and conductor. In 1997, 2002 and 2008, Nathalie performed with MCO as a singer. She conducted 2014 regular concert and received great acclaim. For more information about her next performance with the MCO, please see Mito Art Tower official website.

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.9

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© Michiharu Okubo

OMF Chamber Music Study Group Open Rehearsal Announcement

Only 19 days left until 2016OMF open! The opening concert of the festival - OMF Chamber Music Study Group –Brass Ensemble- will start its rehearsal from Aug 3(Wed) to 7(Sun) at Okushiga Kogen Hotel, Nagano. The rehearsals are open to public free of charge (rehearsal time to be announced). The Brass Ensemble will give a performance as Mori no Orchestra at Okushiga Kogen Hotel on Aug 8 (Mon) 3 pm. Entry free of charge. OMF Chamber Music Study Group –Brass Ensemble- will perform on Aug 9 (Tue) at Agata no Mori Bunka Kaikan. Tickets are on sale at Ticket Pia.

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© Masatoshi Uenaka
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© Michiharu Okubo

Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Asia starts soon!

Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Asia is about to begin on July 23rd (Sat) at Okushiga Kogen, Nagano. For more than 20 years, the Okushiga Academy has been teaching young musicians chamber music based on Ozawa’s strong belief - “chamber music is fundamental for all string musicians”. The SKO members Sadao Harada and Yoshiko Kawamoto together with Seiji Ozawa International Music Academy Switzerland's Julian Szulman will this year coach 24 young string musicians coming from China, Taiwan and Japan.
They will give a performance at Yamanouchi Higashi Elementary School on July 29 (Fri), Okushiga Kogen Hotel Mori no Ongakudo on July 30 (Sat)and at Hakuju Hall, Tokyo on Aug 1 (Mon). Seiji Ozawa has been performing for the students at Yamanouchi Junior High School for more than 30 years, in which name last year in September the school opened Ozawa Room 30, an exhibition classroom commemorating the 30 years of work with Seiji Ozawa. This year the Okushiga Academy performance at Yamanouchi High School will take place at the elementary school next to the Junior High School. During this year's Okushiga Academy, Mori no Ongakukai Photo Exhibition will be also held at Okushiga Kogen Hotel. Free entry. For more information, please call 0269-34-2034 (Japanese only).

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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Michiharu Okubo
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© Michiharu Okubo

OMF Special Event at Ginza NAGANO Report

OMF Special Event on July 9 (Sat) & 10 (Sun) at Ginza Nagano ends with great success. The first program OMF Special Talk Show welcomed Hiroki Miyajima (Welcome Street Live producer) and Naomi Nishimori (OMF Volunteer Staff) as guest speakers. The reason why Miyajima wanted to start the street live in Matsumoto, and the backstage story that only volunteer staff could know were shared with the audience. The second program on the first day was Saloon Concert and Talk Show with SKO members Ribon Aida and Ryutaro Hei. The audience enjoyed their session with OMF special wine.
Ribon Aida came back to the event the following day to hold Classic Music Lecture for Children. "We use the same score sheet which was composed in really old time, however, the sound is different to each and every musician. That fascinates me”, said Aida while explaining the charms of classical music to the young audience. The final performer who joined the event was SKO harpist Kazuko Shinozaki. All loved her heavenly sounds enjoying freshly brewed Maruyama coffee.
During the event, we were also selling the tickets of the 2016OMF programs. Despite the rain and early opening hours, many people lined before the store opens. Orchestra Concert Program B, Chamber Concert II, OMF Chamber Music Study Group –Brass Emsumble-, OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Ravel: L’enfant et les sortiléges are currently available for purchase on Ticket Pia website.
We would like to thank everyone who join us in Ginza NAGANO for this event and look forward to seeing you all in Matsumoto this summer.

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol.8

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July 9 & 10 2016OMF tickets on sale at Ginza NAGANO!

We are happy to announce that tickets of 2016OMF ALL programs will be out on sale at July 9 (Sat) & 10 (Sun) 2016OMF Special Event held at Ginza NAGANO, Tokyo. Orchestra Concert A Program and Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig tickets will be also available for purchase. This will be the first window tickets sales in Tokyo this year. Purchases will be available on both days from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
On both days, along with mini saloon concerts, OMF special talk sessions and music lecture for children, we are also organizing 2015OMF concert digest screenings and the sales of OMF goods. Venue is just two minutes walk from Wako and Mitsukoshi Department store in Ginza. If you happen to be nearby this weekend, please do drop by to see us.
* Ginza NAGANO map (Venue: 2F Free Space)

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© Tsuyoshi Yamada

2016OMF Must See Program Feature:Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig

This year’s must see program No.4 is Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig. The title of new piece by Marcus Roberts has recently announced as Rhapsody in D. The piece which will be performed as World Premiere at 2016OMF, was inspired by Gershwin’s famous Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F. Along with Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue with Seiji Ozawa and Saito Kinen Orchestra, please also enjoy Prokofiev: Romeo and Juliet excerpts and Ibert: Divertissement pour orchestre de chamber conducted by Toshiaki Murakami.

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© Michiharu Okubo

2016OMF Must See Program Feature:Chamber Concert I

This year’s must-see program No.5 is Chamber Concerts. A well known for top class musicians giving high level chamber music performance every year. In Chamber Concert I, we have Michelangelo String Quartet as a star music group with Ryo Sasaki (viola) and Jing Zhao (cello) as guests. Michelangelo String Quartet with world renowned SKO member Nobuko Imai as violinist has great popularity both abroad and in Japan. Welcoming young and aspiring violinist Daniel Austrich on second violin, who received high acclaim at 2013SKF, the quartet is coming back to Matsumoto after 3 years absence.

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© Michiharu Okubo

2016OMF Must See Program Feature:OMF Chamber Music Study Group – Brass Ensemble-

This year’s must see program No.6 is OMF Chamber Music Study Group – Brass Ensemble. Ten brass students selected through the audition and taught by the members of Saito Kinen Orchestra will present the result of their study in a recital. After intensive one week long tutorials, the students will show the result of their study offering surely an outstanding performance and memorable opening of the 2016OMF, held this year as always at Agata no Mori Bunka Kaikan.

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© Masatoshi Uenaka

Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga performs in Tokyo!

Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Asia will hold a concert on Aug 1 (Mon) at Hakuju Hall, Tokyo. Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, Asia, formerly known as the Saito Kinen Chamber Music Study Group, started in 1997 in Okushiga Kogen, Nagano, with Seiji Ozawa's strong belief that the intensive quartet training with the finest instructors is fundamental for cultivating world-class string musicians. In 2011, the Academy was re-established as a non-profit organization (NPO) with an aim to enable Asian music students from beyond Japan to attend the academy and to help raise the profile of chamber music across Asia. Being taught by renowned mentors Sadao Harada, Yoshiko Kawamoto and Julian Szulman, the students will perform Beethoven:String Quartet in F Major No.16 Op.135 and more. For more information, please see here.

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

OMF2016 Newsletter Vol.7

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July 7 & 10 OMF Special Event at Ginza NAGANO!

OMF special event to take place at Ginza NAGANO on July 9(Sat) & 10(Sun)! SKO members Ribon Aida (violin), Ryutaro Hei (contrabass) and Kazuko Shinozaki (harp) will give mini concerts and talk sessions. OMF mini tote bag will be given as present to all participants for paid programs.Special screenings of 2015OMF concerts will be held free of charge in between programs. Purchases of festival goods and new CD releases also available.
For more information, please see here.

July 9 (Sat) 11:00 - 18:00
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival comes to Ginza Day 1


<Program 1>
11:00 - 12:00 OMF Special Talk Session (Price: 2,000 yen/30 people)
Guests:Hiroki Miyajima (OMF Welcome Street Live Producer), Naomi Nishimori (Shin Matsumoto Monogatari Editor), and more

<Program 2>
16:00 - 17:00 Salon Concert & Talk Session by Saito Kinen Orchestra MembersI(Price: 5,000 yen/30 people/with Nagano wine)

Guests:Ribon Aida(Violin) , Ryutaro Hei (Contrabass)
For more information on July 9(Sat) Events & Application
July 10 (Sun) 110:: - 18:00
Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival comes to Ginza! Day 2

<Program 1>
11:00 - 11:45 Classic Music Seminar for Children (Price: Adult 2,500 yen, Child 500 yen, Child under 6 years old free/50 people)
Guest:Ribon Aida(Violin)

<Program 2>
15:00 - 16:00 Salon Concert & Talk Session by Saito Kinen Orchestra Member II (Price: 5,000 yen/30 people/with coffee or tea)
Guest:Kazuko Shinozaki (Harp)
For more information on July 10(Sun) Events & Application
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© Tsuyoshi Yamada

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig program announcement

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig (Aug 28, Sun) program details have been announced.
Marcus Roberts who this year will be joining the festival for the fourth times, will perform his new piece as world premiere. The title of the new piece is Rhapsody in D. Toshiaki Murakami will conduct the number.
Seiji Ozawa, Marcus Roberts Trio and Saito Kinen Orchestra will perform Garshwin: Rhapsody in Blue. More about program, please see here.

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© OMF Festival Office

OMF Special Poster at JR Shinjuku East Exit!

OMF special poster will go on display at JR Shinjuku East Exit. The poster was designed specially for this occasion, with this year OMF Guest Conductor Fabio Luisi and OMF Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa facing each other.
Transportations from central Tokyo to Matsumoto available by Super Azusa Express from JR Shinjuku, and highway bus from Busta Shinjuku, just opened this April.Come a look at the poster if you happen to be around in Shinjuku area. It is one month AD campaign.

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.

2016OMF Newsletter Vol. 6

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2016OMF Tickets on sale now! Programs not to be missed this year!

2016OMF tickets are on sale as of June 4 (Sat)! Nearly 600 people lined up in front of ticket sales windows at Matsumoto City Gymnasium on the day. As for now, tickets of Orchestra Concert Program A (Aug 18 & 22) and Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Gig (Aug 28) are sold out. However, the tickets of other programs are still available for purchase on line. Please see ticket PIA website for further details.

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© Michiharu Okubo

Orchestra Concert Program B

This year’s must-see program No.1 is without saying Orchestra Concert Program B (Aug 19 & 21) conducted by the Grammy Award winner and Metropolitan Opera Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi. Hugely trusted by OMF Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa, Fabio will conduct Mahler: Symphony No.2 in C minor “The Resurrection” with SKO. Internationally acclaimed soprano Christine Goerke will for the first time perform as alto. Together with Rie Miyake (soprano), the two add beautiful voices as soloists. Please enjoy star-subbed performance of these unique concerts in Matsumoto.

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© Michiharu Okubo

OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Ravel: “L’enfant et les sortilèges”

A must-see program No.2 is OMF Opera by Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra Ravel: “L’enfant et les sortilèges”. The Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra which has been taught by Seiji Ozawa and SKO members with passion since year 2000, will perform under the baton of the Vienna State Opera music staff and conductor Eric Melear. With beautiful orchestration by Ravel, this fantasy opera is one of the titles that Seiji Ozawa strongly wishes to get popular in Japan. The opera singers: Marie Lenormand, Anna Christy, and Jean-Paul Fouchecourt, who acted on Grammy-winning 2013SKF production will be coming back to the stage again. The entry to the performance available for parents with children and students, too.

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© Michiharu Okubo

Chamber Concert II

A must-see program No.3 is Chamber Concert II (Aug 27) leaded by SKO flute player Jacques Zoon. Chamber Concert series are popular for presenting high quality chamber music. This year, Matsumoto friendly Jacques Zoon planned the program with Iseut Chuat (Cello), Naoko Yoshino (Harp), and Akira Eguchi (Piano). Along with Bach: Flute Sonata in E flat major, BMV1031 and Ravel: Introduction et Allegro, they perform Tchaikovsky: Piano Trio in A minor, Op. 50 “To the memory of a great artist” arranged by Jaques Zoon himself for flute, cello and piano. This is the perfect program to enjoy on dusk of late summer.

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© Michiharu Okubo

TV Documentary featuring Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Opera Project XIV: Die Fldermaus on air again!

TV documentary featuring Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Opera Project XIV J.Strauss II: Die Fledermaus will be broadcast again on June 12 (Sun) midnight on NHK Educational. The documentary covering the rehearsals and Kyoto opera performances held at newly open ROHM Theatre Kyoto depicts OMF Artistic Director Seiji Ozawa’s passion for educating young Asian and Japanese musicians through opera performance. This program available for broadcast within Japan only.

Broadcast Station: NHK Educational
Program: Kyoto-hatsu! Seiji Ozawa Music Academy
Broadcasting Date: June 12(Sun) 0:50- 1:35 (Saturday Midnight)
NHK Educational Official Website

OMF Newsletter Contact

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
3-18-13 Ote Matsumoto-shi Nagano 390-0874 JAPAN
TEL:0263-39-0001
Email: omfnews@ozawa-festival.com

Please refrain from misuse or copying of the information provided.
©2016 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, All rights reserved.