Photos posted on Twitter by AnalyzerAU09 and M.T
Concert impressions
Posted on Twitter by M.T
The performance tempo was somewhat leisurely. The first movement felt so long that I found myself wondering, “Was it always this long?” That said, the impression was one of careful, deliberate attention to every single note. At the same time, the fortissimo passages were powerful. Combined with the hall’s acoustics, the sound seemed to project right toward the audience. Not only the low-end sections like the timpani but also the high-register parts, such as the flute and xylophone, resonated beautifully.
Kentaro Kawase’s conducting style was also striking; he moved his entire body dynamically. One could sense the passion he and the orchestra brought to the performance.
In the third movement, soprano singer Rena Suzuki performed on stage in front of the pipe organ console. Her dignified, beautiful voice rang out from above. In venues featuring a pipe organ and a balcony behind the stage, this position seems to have become the standard setup.
Then came the fourth movement. A series of rituals: opening the piano lid, retuning, and the soloist taking the stage, preceded the performance. These steps alone made the fourth movement of Symphony Space Battleship Yamato feel truly special. Hearing the performance only reinforced that feeling. While the underlying theme is already one of the finest pieces in the Yamato repertoire, the addition of violin and piano soloists seemed to elevate the orchestra’s performance to a whole new level.
Pianist Atsushi Yamanaka’s playing was deeply romantic, yet he also delivered dynamic, powerful tones during his solo passages. Of the various performances of Symphony Yamato I’ve heard recently, this was one of my personal favorites.
Mayu Kijima’s violin tone possessed a feminine beauty while simultaneously conveying an inner strength. Watching the performer play with their whole body, I could vividly sense the intense passion and determination poured into this concert. In terms of volume, the performance held its own against the piano.
After the show, the applause was thunderous! And for the encore, to my surprise, they played the Yamato theme! Appreciative of that spirit and hoping they would feature Yamato again in the future, I bought a Nagoya Philharmonic 60th-anniversary T-shirt. This concert allowed me to enjoy a rendition of the Grand Symphony Yamato that felt distinct from any I had heard before. It brings me great joy and gratitude to see new orchestras taking up this piece. I hope to see its reach expand even further.
