Last evening, the December Subscription Concert of NHK Symphony Orchestra was held (the conductor, violin solo and program are shown in left. ) In 1934, maestro Flutwengler protested against the Nazis government by announcing a thesis which criticized the prohibition of first concert of Symphonic "Mathis del Maler" composed by Paul Hindemith. His thesis was carried by newspapers in Moscow, New York and also in Tokyo within a few days after its announcement. On June 24, 1936, Maestro Hideo Saito played first time this music in Japan, by conducting Shin-Kokyogakudan ( the original name of NHK Symphony Orchestra.) Although the music has such a pretext, Maestro Charles Dutoit played it very well and finished it inmidst of upsurge of audiences's minds.

But the Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto D major was very poor. Mr. Leonidas Kavakos, a violin solo, 33 years old, born in Greece, was very active and has been said as one of the most expected young musicians of ability. But I could not catch sounds from his violin. He is a big fellow, being more than 180 centimeters in height. The sound did not come out from his music instrument. So in this afternoon I listened to a BS digital broadcast in live the same program as of yesterday but I could not catch the sharp sound of violin from him. When NHK broadcasts concertos, they put usually a microphone in front of soloist. But I could not confirm whether they put it or not because a high vision camera caught him from high point. As he disappointed with poor sound effects of NHK hall, he did such a play, I am afraid. The Edward Elgar's "Enigma" was dull to the audiences who bought huge high priced tickets compared with those in Europe. I don't think they are patient enough.

A voting sheet to select best concerts in 2000 was handed to subscribers. I selected Maestro Eliahu Impal as the best conductor and Steven Isserlis of violoncello as the best soloist. I was wandering who was the best conductor of the year, Leonedo Slatkin or Elihau Impal but finally I voted for Impal as his Shostakovich's No. 10 symphony was really impressive.

Back to Calender