On the evening of September 9th (Thursday) , the 4th day of the ensemble training camp, the OICMA’s customary “Ensemble Session ” was held at the Music Hall in Okushiga Kogen Hotel, which is also to be the venue for the final performance.

The Music Hall in Okushiga Kogen Hotel is a concert hall created on the directions and vision of Seiji Ozawa. The hall is lined with high quality tone woods that allow for great acoustics. There are no boundaries between the stage and the audience, which creates an intimate atmosphere for both the performers and concert goers. It is in this unique hall that each quartet plays the music they have been working on in front of the other academy participants.
On the journey of searching for their special interpretations during the OICMA camp, everyone benefited from the ensemble session. Playing in public gave the quartet members a chance to feel and consider many points about the music even though the performances are not yet perfect. The quartets were motivated and inspired by listening to the fellow academy musicians as well.
The final concert day in Okushiga is approaching soon. The academy students will continue to strive for the ultimate performance until the end!

It was a refreshing sunny day! Academy participants practiced intensely in four quartets starting this morning.
Bearing Seiji Ozawa’s philosophy in mind that “The quartet is fundamental to string players, whether they are soloists or orchestral performers,” our world class tutors Sadao Harada (cello), Yoshiko Kawamoto (Viola), and Federico Agostini (violin) worked hard together with the students.

Thanks to the enthusiastic instruction, the academy students continue their diligent study to dig deeper into their music, aiming for a more free, bold, delicate, and imaginative performance.

At night, everyone played the ensemble for the first time. This year, the students are working on Elgar’s “Introduction and Allegro for strings, Op. 47”.

Okushiga Kogen is already cool with the hint of autumn. The night temperature drops to about 7 degrees Celsius. Daytime on the plateau Gentiana flowers still reminded us of the remnants of summer.

photo : Michiharu Okubo_2021OICMA

Today, the students and the tutors have arrived in Okushiga, and the academy has begun!!

◎ Sun 12 September @ The Music Hall (Okushiga Kogen Hotel, Nagano Prefecture)
◎ Tue 14 September @ Dai-ichi Seimei Hall (Tokyo)
The concerts will be held as scheduled.

Concerts

【The 2020 Seiji Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga’s 35th Annual Concert was a great success! 】
Due to the current social conditions we were faced with many restrictions and could not present the concert as usual in order to protect the health and safety of our audience, staff, and students. The power of music prevailed despite the hardships and the 35th OICMA Okushiga concert will always be remembered as one close to our hearts.
The eight Academy attendees survived five intensive days of training with an accumulative performance of two quartets and one octet. An incredible performance full of tension and fulfillment was warmly received by the live audience in the concert venue and by music lovers around the world watching the live stream.
Unfortunately, the Ozawa Concert scheduled to be held at Yamanouchi Junior High School was unable to take place. We alternatively screened a special video dedicated to the 35-year history of the OICMA and it brought nostalgia to the audience.
Mr. Sadao Harada and Mr. Julien Szulman who have been online tutors for this year’s performance made an appearance on the screen and were met by the audience with heartfelt applause, followed by a live greeting on the stage from Ms. Yoshiko Kawamoto who was the tutor in residence at Okushiga.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone at Okushiga Kogen Jokai for its continued support and sponsorship of the OICMA Okushiga Concert.
The concert will be available for viewing on YouTube until September 21st!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEdi1CoIDno

The seminar goes on day and night! Music can be heard until midnight! 2020 OICMA members continue working on the Mendelssohn Octet Op.20 after the dinner with online tutors Sadao Harada (Vc) in Germany and Julien Szulman (Vn) in France. Yoshiko Kawamoto (Va) has been tutoring and staying with the Academy students in Okushiga.
The music practiced and performed by the 2020 OICMA members seems to be alive. It swells and shifts following the rhythm of the Okushiga day from its crispy sunny day, to an afternoon thunderstorm, and ending in a beautiful evening with shining moonlight. Don’t miss the colorful and nature filled concert tomorrow at 15:30(Japan time) online!

https://youtu.be/DEdi1CoIDno