Classical music

[Dogen Z]

I couldn't start a new thread in the music forum section, so I'm going to stick this here.

Some of you might have heard about the blind Japanese pianist winning the Van Cliburn Competition in Texas this year. That was an incredible accomplishment by that individual, but it's also an indication of the stature classical music has in Japanese society (shared by other countries in East Asia).

One of the first artists to demonstrate Japan's serious interest in this field was Seiji Ozawa, former conductor of the Boston Symphony. Well, I couldn't find Ozawa's version of Beethoven's 5th, which I think is marvelous. So I'm posting this piece done by Joe Hisaishi, instead.

[youtube]n-_dWKzPds8&feature=related[/youtube]

 

[Mycernius]

Great piece. From the music he did for Tonari no Totoro.

 

[Dogen Z]

Seiji Ozawa

On Sat., Aug. 22, 2009, we'll have the Futatamagawa Hanabi Taikai (fireworks display). This is one of the more accessible hanabi events in Tokyo because its along the Tama River in the suburbs. Although not planned, it would be nice to hear music at that event - music such as the following.

Seiji Ozawa conducting the Berliner Philharmonic in Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

[youtube]lzMGzBKRttU&feature=related[/youtube]

 

[Dogen Z]

Beppu Argerich Music Festival

World mega-star classical pianist, Martha Argerich, has been the artistic director of the Beppu Music Festival for over a decade. In fact, the festival is now rightly called the Beppu Argerich Music Festival.

The following clips are a recording of her playing Tschaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, arguably the greatest piano concerto, with a bunch of young Japanese musicians at the Festival. They all look sooo serious - I'll bet they were afraid to make a mistake while playing with this legendary pianist. But Argerich played without music sheets!

Part 1


Part 2

 

[Dogen Z]

Beethoven

In a few weeks, we'll all be hearing strains of Beethoven's 9th Symphony during the beginning of the New Year. I don't know why it's become a tradition but it has - not a bad tradition, imo.

On a very different note, I'd like to share this absolutely hilarious version of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, 1st movement. Visual quality isn't too good, but please bear with it. It's well worth it.

It's entitled "Asagohan," (Breakfast)

 

[Dogen Z]

Ode to Joy

In celebration of the New Year, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, 4th Movement - Ode to Joy is widely played in Japan. The following head-banging version is by X-Japan. Enjoy!