News

SKO Brass Ensemble Matsumoto/Tokyo Tickets go on sale on Oct 5 (Sat)!

In February 2025, the brass, timpani, and percussion sections of the Saito Kinen Orchestra will embark on a tour across 9 cities in Japan. Tickets for the Matsumoto and Tokyo performances will go on sale starting Saturday, October 5!

12 world-class musicians will come together to deliver a rare ensemble performance you can only experience here. Don’t miss this special opportunity!

【Matsumoto】Feb 13, 2025 (Thu) @The Harmony Hall
【Tokyo】Feb 19, 2025 (Wed) 1@Sumida Triphony Hall Main Hall

Please see here for more information>>>

The Curtain Closes on the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival! See you Aug. 10 to Sep. 9 in 2025!

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The 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival ran for 27 days from Aug. 9 to Sep. 4, featuring 11 performances across 8 programs. The festival concluded on Sep. 4 with the “Concert for Children” held at Kissei Bunka Hall, bringing this year’s celebration of music to a close.

The festival opened with the "OMF Chamber Music Masterclass –Woodwind Ensemble–," followed by a series of orchestral concerts conducted by Maestra Nodoka Okisawa (OMF Principal Guest Conductor), Maestro Tatsuya Shimono, and Maestro Radek Baborák, where the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), celebrating its 40th anniversary, showcased its remarkable talent. The festival also featured three "Chamber Concerts" with exquisite performances by SKO members and other distinguished musicians, and the OMF Opera, where Maestro Toshiaki Murakami and SKO coaches expertly led the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra alongside outstanding singers. This year’s festival, dedicated "all performances in honor of the festival's Founder and Director, Seiji Ozawa," welcomed approximately 13,500 guests to concerts.

The traditional Welcome Parade and Joint Performance, a highlight of the festival since its inception in 1992, featured 46 groups and around 1,800 performers this year. The festival also continued its educational outreach with "Opera for Children," conducted by Maestro Toshiaki Murakami, and the "Concert for Children," conducted by Maestro Carl St. Clair, which provided over 10,000 students, including sixth graders and first-year junior high school students from Nagano Prefecture, with the opportunity to experience the joy of music.

To celebrate Director Seiji Ozawa's achievements, a series of commemorative events, including “A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life,” were held. On September 1, the special event "Seiji Ozawa Day" brought together performances by the Festival Band, citizen choirs (both adult and children's), and the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra, with a total of about 500 performers. The celebration culminated in a spectacular display of 280 fireworks to honor the Director's birthday. The festival also included special exhibitions at the Matsumoto City Museum and the Matsumoto City Museum of Art, as well as memorial flags, message boards throughout the city, and special lighting at various venues, creating an entire city celebration of Ozawa's contributions to "Matsumoto—City of Music" over the past 30 years.

We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Director Seiji Ozawa's life and share the music that embodies his spirit with so many of you. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteer staff, sponsors, and everyone who supported the festival.

We look forward to welcoming you again next year!

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 The 2025 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival is scheduled to take place from Aug. 10 to Sep. 9. OMF Principal Guest Conductor Nodoka Okisawa will take on Benjamin Britten's opera "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The production will be directed by the renowned Laurent Pelly, who has previously directed acclaimed works such as "The Cunning Little Vixen" (2008), "L’enfant et les sortilèges / L’heure espagnole" (2013), and "Le nozze di Figaro" (2022). This upcoming opera marks the highly anticipated reunion of Nodoka Okisawa and Laurent Pelly after their celebrated collaboration on "Le nozze di Figaro". Joined by the Saito Kinen Orchestra, this first opera production in three years promises to be a performance not to be missed.
Additionally, the festival will feature a diverse array of programs, including orchestra concerts, chamber concerts, "Opera for Children," "Concert for Children," and OMF Chamber Music Masterclass. Details on the performance schedule and programs will be announced at a later date. Please look forward to 2025OMF!

February 2025: Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble to Launch Third Nationwide Tour After Six Years!

“A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji’s Life” from Sep. 1st on YouTube

On Aug. 17th, as a special event of the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival, "A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa—Celebration of Seiji's Life," was held receiving a tremendous response. We are pleased to announce that the live recording of this event will be released for free on Seiji Ozawa's official YouTube channel on Sep. 1st, which marks his 89th birthday.

The "Celebration of Seiji's Life" was organized to express gratitude to the Maestro, who dedicated over 30 years to the development of "Matsumoto—City of Music," as a Director of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (OMF). The Saito Kinen Orchestra(SKO), under the baton of OMF's principal guest conductor Nodoka Okisawa, presented Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus." Additionally, J.S. Bach's "Air" and Mozart's Divertimento K. 136, 2nd movement were performed without a conductor, evoking a moment that felt as if Maestro Ozawa himself were on the podium, creating the music together.

A specially edited video was also screened, revisiting precious moments shared with the Maestro. The event was hosted by Yumiko Udo, who met Maestro Ozawa during the Nagano Olympics and has maintained a close friendship with him ever since. The event concluded with a speech by Yumiko Udo and gratitude remarks from Seira Ozawa, SKO Representative and daughter of Seiji Ozawa.

This event welcomed one-thousand citizens of Matsumoto City and Nagano Prefecture as special guests, and public viewings were also held at two designated venues in Matsumoto.
Through the free release on YouTube, we hope that people not only in Japan but around the world will have the opportunity to share in Ozawa's belief that "people around the world are connected at the roots" and celebrate his remarkable life together.

Seiji Ozawa’s official YouTube channel

【Special Event】
A Tribute to Director Seiji Ozawa: Celebration of Seiji's Life

Program
Mozart: Ave verum corpus K. 168*
J. S. Bach: ”Air” from Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068
Mozart: Divertimento in D major K. 136, 2nd movement

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Nodoka Okisawa, conductor
*Principals and cover cast of OMF Opera

Speeches from the presenter
Shuichi Abe, Honorary Chairman of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Governor of Nagano Prefecture
Yoshinao Gaun, Executive Officer of the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Mayor of Matsumoto City

MC: Yumiko Udo

Presented by Saito Kinen Foundation / Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
In cooperation with Saito Kinen Orchestra Foundation
Seira Ozawa

Aug. 17th, 2024 Kissei Bunka Hall, Main Hall

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February 2025: Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble to Launch Third Nationwide Tour After Six Years!

In February 2025, the Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble (SKO Brass), comprising the brass, timpani, and percussion sections of the Saito Kinen Orchestra, will embark on its third nationwide tour across 9 cities, marking their first in six years!
The Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble was formed in 2015 for the "Chamber Concert" at the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival. They have since conducted nationwide tours in 2017 and 2019, generating significant acclaim in each city. For this third national tour, 12 world-class musicians will come together, bringing a vibrant and varied program to your city. Experience the music of SKO Brass, renowned for its "orchestral-like, majestic, and brilliant sound"—an auditory experience not to be missed!

Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Special Performance
Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble

【Matsumoto】
Feb. 13, 2025 (Thu) 19:00
The Harmony Hall

Ticket Price (tax included)
S ¥6,000 U-25* ¥3,000 (All seats reserved)

【Tokyo】
Feb. 19, 2025 (Wed) 19:00
Sumida Triphony Hall Main Hall

Ticket Price (tax included)
S ¥6,000 A ¥4,000 U-25* ¥2,000 (All seats reserved)

*U-25 tickets are only available via OMF Web Ticket.

Tickets will go on sale from 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 5, 2024, through the OMF Web Ticket and ticket agencies!

Presented by Saito Kinen Foundation / Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival Executive Committee
In cooperation with the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Sumida Ward Cultural Promotion Foundation (Sumida Triphony Hall Designated Manager) [Tokyo]

Saito Kinen Orchestra Brass Ensemble 2025 Japan tour
【Okayama】Feb. 14, 2025 (Fri) Okayama Symphony Hall
Presented by Okayama cultural arts Creation Foundation

【Hiroshima】Feb. 15, 2025 (Sat) WOODONE Sakurapia Hall
Presented by NPO Music brings Peace

【Shiga】Feb. 16, 2025 (Sun) Biwako Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Shiga Main Theatre
Presented by Biwako Hall Center for the Performing Arts, Shiga

【Kanagawa】Feb. 18, 2025 (Tue) MUZA Kawasaki Symphony Hall
Presented by Kanagawa Geijutsu Kyokai

【Aichi】Feb. 20, 2025 (Thu) Tokai City Arts Theatre Large Hall
Presented by General Incorporated Association Aichi Chamber Orchestra

【Tokushima】Feb. 22, 2025 (Sat) Tokushima Arts Foundation for Culture Awagin Hall
Presented by Tokushima Prefecture Cultural Promotion Foundation

【Ibaraki】Feb. 24, 2025 (Mon / Holiday) MITO CITY CIVIC CENTER GLOBIS Hall
Presented by Mito Arts Foundation for the Promotion of the Arts

*Ticket prices, sale dates, and other details may vary by venue. Please refer to the official website of each organizer or contact the phone number listed on the back of the flyer for more information.

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Notice of Cancellation: Screen Concert @ Nagoya on Aug. 31 Due to weather conditions

The screen concert of the Orchestra Concert Program B (recorded on Aug. 16) conducted by Nodoka Okisawa, scheduled to take place at Hisaya Odori Park Media Hiroba in Nagoya on Aug. 31, has been canceled due to the expected approach of the typhoon.

Announcements regarding other venues will be made by the respective municipalities hosting the events.

We appreciate your understanding.

2024OMF Screen Concert in Taiwan!

Continuing from the year before and last year, the 2024OMF Screen Concert will be enjoyed by Taiwanese audiences again this year.

On September 1st, Director Seiji Ozawa's birthday, the Orchestra Concert B Program will be screened at two venues: Breeze Cinemas in Taipei and the National Kaohsiung Arts Center Headphone Cinema in Takao (Kaohsiung).

This initiative, which had started on the occasion of OMF's 30th anniversary in year 2022 with the aim of delivering the sound of the Saito Kinen Orchestra to as many people as possible during the festival, will be carried out again this year in cooperation with Taiwan's MUZIK International. Admission is free. Advance application is required.

2024OMF Screen Concert in Taiwan
Date: Sep. 1, 2024
Place and Time:
Taipei: Breeze Cinemas 15:00
Takao: The National Kaohsiung Arts Center Headphone Cinema 19:00

Program
2024OMF Orchestra Concert Program B (Aug. 17 recorded performance)
Brahms: Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68
Brahms: Symphony No.2 in D major, Op. 73

Conductor: Nodoka Okisawa
Saito Kinen Orchestra

Bonus:
Beethoven String Quartet No. 16 in F major, 3rd movement (string orchestra version)
(from documentary “Seiji Ozawa - The living spirit of music” (2016, Camera Lucida Production)).

For applications, please check below links (Chinese only):

Taipei Breeze Cinemas
https://www.accupass.com/event/2407100415029003297960

Takao, National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts, Headphone Cinema
https://www.accupass.com/event/2407100413451253325317

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* For information about the screen concerts in Matsumoto City and across Japan, please visit following page:
https://www.ozawa-festival.com/en/news/2024/08/14/120000.html

Chamber Concert Ⅲ Cello Ensemble Saito Encore

Thank you for coming to Chamber Concert Ⅲ at The Harmony Hall.

Encore was:

Schubert: Andantino from Rosamunde

2023OMF Mo. Williams × Mo. Denève × SKO Orchestra Concert Program B on NHK "4K Premium Theater ”!

2023OMF Orchestra Concert - Program B will be broadcast on Aug. 26 (Mon) 1:10- on Japan’s public broadcaster NHK’s program slot “4K Premium Theater". A precious record of Mo. John Williams’s performance for the first time in 30 years; joint by Mo. Stéphane Denève who returned to Matsumoto after 10 years. Director Seiji Ozawa also appeared at the curtain call, celebrating miraculous performance of two conductors with the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) together with the audience.

<On Air Schedule>
Aug. 26 (Mon) 1:10 -
NHK "4K Premium Theater"

2023 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival
Orchestra Concert Program B

<Program>
《All John Williams Program》

Saito Kinen Orchestra
Conductors: John Williams, Stéphane Denève

Recorded: 2023 Sep. 2, at Kissei Bunka Hall (Nagano-ken Matsumoto Bunka Kaikan), Matsumoto, Japan

Reference Link: 2023OMF Orchestra Concert Program B

Note: This program broadcast is limited to Japan.

Aug. 25 (Sun) OMF Opera Puccini: “Gianni Schicchi” Tickets for the Day Information

OMF Opera Puccini: “Gianni Schicchi” Tickets for the Day Information

Aug. 25 (Sun) performance
Venue: Matsumoto Performing Arts Centre Main Hall

Tickets Sold Out

Door Open: 14:30
Start: 15:00

Notice of Cancellation: Welcome Street Live / Screen Concert @ Matsumoto Castle Park on Aug. 24th Due to weather conditions

Due to the forecasted rain, tomorrow's Welcome Street Live and the Screen Concert featuring the Aug. 16th recording of Orchestra Concert Program B, conducted by Nodoka Okisawa, at Matsumoto Castle Park have been cancelled. However, the Screen Concert at Agetsuchi Theater will take place as planned.

[Cancellations Due to Rain Forecast]
Aug. 24th
14:00: Welcome Street Live @ Matsumoto Castle Park
18:30: Screen Concert @ Matsumoto Castle Park

[As Scheduled]
18:30 (Doors open at 18:00): Screen Concert @ Agetsuchi Theater

We appreciate your understanding.