2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2024OMF) Full Line-up Announcement
We are pleased to announce the full program of the 2024 Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival (2024OMF).
2024OMF will include Orchestra Concert Program A, B, and C, OMF Opera, three chamber concerts, and the OMF Chamber Music Masterclass, for a total of eight programs / eleven concerts. The festival will be held over 27 days from Aug 9 (Fri) until Sep 4 (Wed), 2024. All performances of the festival will be dedicated to festival’s founder and director Seiji Ozawa with heartfelt gratitude and respect for all his accomplishments.
[Orchestra Concert Program A, B, and C]
The Orchestra Concerts will be conducted by Nodoka Okisawa (Program A) and Andris Nelsons (Program B and C). Maestra Okisawa’s appearance marks her debut as the first principal guest conductor of OMF in the history of the festival.
In Program A, Okisawa and the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO) will perform Mendelssohn’s “Ein Sommernachtstraum” along with R. Strauss’s symphonic poem “Don Juan” and "Vier letzte Lieder". Don’t miss the beginning of a new journey with Maestra Okisawa and the SKO in this remarkable program.
For Orchestra Concert Program B and C, Maestro Andris Nelsons will conduct ambitious programs featuring Brahms' complete symphonies. This collection is one of the most significant repertoires that has played a pivotal role in shaping the direction of the SKO over its 40-year history. You cannot miss another amazing collaboration between Mo. Nelsons and the SKO, following the great success of Mahler's Symphony No. 9 performance in 2022OMF.
[Chamber Concerts]
2024OMF will offer three high quality chamber concerts at The Harmony Hall, renowned for its excellent acoustics.
Chamber Concert I will showcase Schubert's "Der Tod und das Mädchen" led by Takayoshi Wanami (violin) in the first half, followed by Schönberg's "Verklärte Nacht" led by Nobuko Imai (viola) and her ensemble, marking her return to the festival after an 8-year hiatus.
Mr. Wanami has been energetically devoted to string quartets in recent years, and his "Der Tod und das Mädchen" will surely be enthusiastic. Ms. Imai once performed "Verklärte Nacht" under the baton of the festival Director Seiji Ozawa in 1993 for the then Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto. Both programs cannot be missed.
Chamber Concert II will present a unique program led by Don Liuzzi (timpani/percussion) and the percussion section of the SKO in the first half, while the second half, inspired by the Orchestra Concert, will present Brahms' String Sextet No. 1 performed by selected members of the SKO: Federico Agostini (violin), Julian Szulman (violin), Yoshiko Kawamoto (viola) et al.
Chamber Concert III will commemorate 50 years since the passing of Hideo Saito and the 40th anniversary of the Saito Kinen Orchestra (SKO), featuring [Cello Ensemble Saito] presenting Bach's Chaconne, Mozart's Divertimento K136, and more.
[Cello Ensemble Saito] was formed for the "Cello Grand Concert Hideo, tribute to Prof. Hideo Saito" held in 1982 to observe the seventh anniversary of Hideo Saito's passing. This ensemble was composed of Hideo Saito's private students, and their performance contributed to the “Hideo Saito Memorial Concert” in September 1984, laying the foundation for the establishment of the SKO.
Enjoy a special program by the newly formed [Cello Ensemble Saito] with members of the original ensemble and their students in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the SKO.
[OMF Chamber Music Masterclass - Woodwind Ensemble-]
"OMF Chamber Music Masterclass–Woodwind Ensemble" showcases the achievements of young musicians who have been mentored by members of the SKO in whom Director Seiji Ozawa had full trust. It has been 17 years since the last time the woodwind ensemble was featured, originating from the former "SAITO KINEN Chamber Music Study Group for Young People". The students will brilliantly open the festival!
[OMF Opera]
The Opera for Children is an educational program that invites junior high school students from Nagano Prefecture to experience an opera. The festival opens its doors to the public so that you can purchase tickets to enjoy the opera with family. Puccini’s only comedy “Gianni Schicchi” will be conducted by Maestra Nodoka Okisawa, the OMF’s principal guest conductor. Enjoy the performance of the Seiji Ozawa Music Academy Orchestra formed with promising young musicians chosen through auditions. You will also enjoy the customary “introduction of instruments” by the academy students between music performances.
[Educational Programs]
Stemming from Festival Director Seiji Ozawa's earnest desire for young people to experience authentic music, the educational program launched simultaneously with the founding of the Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto in 1992.
Seiji’s strong passion has kept the program going for 30 years, and more than 450,000 children have been invited to opera performances.
The OMF continues this tradition by inviting students from Nagano Prefecture: Sixth-grade elementary school students to Concert for Children, and first-year junior high school students to Opera for Children respectively. More information such as conductor and program details can be found from the link below.
In addition to the above programs, various free open events will be held throughout the festival period.
2024OMF offers diverse programs to bring the summer in Matsumoto more color! Tickets go on sale JUNE 8 (Sat) 10:00 AM (JST). We look forward to seeing you again.