Listened the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra Concert in Yamanashi at the YCC Prefectural Cultural Hall!
The concert’s attractive programme brought me all the way to Kofu, Yamanashi:
- Many pieces for small- and medium-sized ensembles
- Live performances of New Sounds in Brass pieces in a concert hall
- “Sonata Classica for Wind Ensemble” in Yamanashi
- “Ichigo Concerto” soloed by TKWO members🍓
1) I believe wind bands sound especially beautiful with 25–35 players. I thoroughly enjoyed a performance that blended delicate ensemble work with vivid colour and expression.
2) It was fascinating and enjoyable to hear New Sounds in Brass pieces performed live by professionals in a concert hall—quite a different experience from studio recordings. Under Maestro Ooi’s baton, the flow of the music was naturally distinct from Amano-san’s conducting, which was very interesting too.
3) “Sonata Classica for Wind Ensemble“ was a set piece for the All Japan Band Competition in 1996. As a first-year high school student at the time, I listened to our seniors’ rehearsals countless times. That year, the 2nd West Kanto Band Competition (High School Division A) was held at Yamanashi Prefectural Cultural Hall. Hearing TKWO perform it live 28 years later was deeply impressive.
4) Itaru Sakai’s “Ichigo Concerto”, soloed by TKWO members, had a distinct flavour different from its premiere. The harmonious musical dialogue between the three soloists was marvellous.
I feel quite bad for chatting so long with Sakai-san in front of the high school students waiting for his autograph during the intermission… 🙏🏻
