JAPAN-YOMIURI NEWS / MAY 23
Matsuno Noguchi, violinist of the Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra, plays at Torimaru, a restaurant in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture.
TOKYO >> Once cooked bird skewers are removed from the grill, it is announced that the exhibition is about to begin. Yakitori’s orders will be temporarily interrupted.
Silence descends on a lively Torimaru, a place to eat yakitori (grilled chicken) in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture.
Local orchestras, among the many businesses affected by the pandemic, have been threatened by the cancellation of performances and dry funding. Getting back on your feet has proved challenging, and some have been artistic in locating new “steps” from which to play and rebuild fan bases.
At Torimaru’s, Noguchi, 34, begins with a sublime edition of Bach’s “Air on the G String,” followed by the lighthearted theme song of an old crime drama, “Taiyo ni Hoero. “
Because the smoke from the grill may be just the sound of the instruments, the store stops cooking during the presentation. Customers don’t seem to care; they applaud to the beat of the beat.
The Kansai Philharmonic is the main orchestra in the Kansai region, but has been affected by a number of cancellations and postponements of performances during the pandemic. The organization has been unable to pay rent for its educational area in Osaka City and moved its base. in 2021 to the suburb of Kadoma City in Osaka.
“We can’t unless we do enthusiasts in Kadoma,” one member said.
To deal with the crisis, the organization created a fan club for local citizens and instituted exclusive benefits, such as opening rehearsals for members. Noguchi’s “izakaya concert” won by far and several consumers went to the auditorium.
“It’s the distance to customers,” Noguchi said.
The Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, Japan’s largest wind ensemble, reorganized in April after splitting from rissho Koseikai, a secular Buddhist organization that had controlled and funded the group.
After more than 60 years and facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic, Rissho Koseikai published a notice in November 2020 for the orchestra to disband. Instead, the members of the orchestra made the decision to follow a path of independence. Rissho Koseikai continued to provide a practice and transience room and less monetary assistance.
Now, the orchestra is asking for buyers and sponsors. ” We will do our best,” said President Motohisa Katsukawa.
The Tokyo Pacific Philharmonic is also going through tough times and has issued an annual pass in 2021 for students up to age 25. For 5000 yen (about $35), pass holders can attend as many concerts as they want. The formula not only fill vacancies; introduces other young people to classical music.
Since then, the band has expanded the list of concerts open to pass holders with performances by affiliated orchestras, and has controlled to triple the number of other people with annual passes starting in 2021.
“If that means attracting long-standing fans, we are in a position to continue this program at a loss,” a Pacific Philharmonic official said.
According to the Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras, which comprises 38 orchestras across Japan, a total of 1952 concerts were postponed or cancelled in 2020 when COVID-19 infections increased.
“The number of other people enjoying live music has decreased due to the pandemic,” said Hiroshi Kuwabara, secretary general of the association. “In order for other people to come to the concert halls, the orchestra wants to show its individual character and think of tactics to stand out.
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