Author: oicma

The seminar goes on day and night!

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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

Seminar Day 2

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The rehearsal of the Mendelssohn Octet led by Yoshiko Kawamoto has begun!
The honorable Mr. Taiga Harigai, CEO, Lanxess Japan, the crown sponsor of Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, paid us a visit during the rehearsal, and attentively listened to the rehearsal.
The students were also encouraged by Mr. Ming Cheng Chien, CEO, Lanxess Asia Pacific Region via video call for their hard work.　
Mr. Chien warmly spoke to the students saying “I am very sorry that I cannot be there with you to witness your progress. I believe that beautiful music has no limits. Work together and collaborate with your colleagues, learn as much as you can from your teachers in order to strive for the best outcome. Thank you everyone for your dedication and hard work. Wishing you a happy, fruitful experience!”
Mr. Harigai said that he was very happy to be at the rehearsal even for the short time in such a difficult time. Helping the Academy has given Mr. Harigai an appreciation of classical music and he promised long lasting support.
He is very much looking forward to the live streaming of the Academy students’ performance. .
Join us to enjoy the live streaming concert of Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga from the link below at 15:30 on September 6th, 2020!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp6KGNjBzoU&feature=youtu.be

Celebrating Seiji at 85!

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「Happy Birthday, Ozawa Sensei!」
Today a special impromptu performance of Happy Birthday could be heard resonating in the rehearsal hall along with best wishes and blessings for Maestro Ozawa.
September 1st marks the first day of the online seminar and Seiji Ozawa’s 85th birthday. The special Happy Birthday rendition was a surprise from the students of the online seminar to Ozawa Sensei as a sign of respect and gratitude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4esy6OBc9U

2020 OICMA Okushiga Concert, live stream presentation

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Starting at 13:30 on Sunday, September 6th, the 35th Okushiga concert will be held at the Music Hall of Okushiga Kogen Hotel, Nagano Prefecture. The concert will feature two quartets formed of Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy mainly by Academy alumni. In order to share the hard work and beautiful music presented by the students the concert is scheduled to be streamed live and available for viewing in the archive until Sunday, September 13th.
The eight student performers will participate in quartet seminars and training (including online instruction) in Tokyo and Okushiga from September 1st-5th, and the culminating live concert on the 6th.
The concert format will be slightly different from previous years in order to ensure the health and safety of the artists and audience members during this difficult Covid-19 period. The free live broadcast will allow you to enjoy the concert from wherever you are so please join us in celebrating this meaningful musical event.

Free broadcasting on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp6KGNjBzoU&feature=youtu.be

“It is times like these especially that I wanted to deliver music.
I am very disappointed that I cannot personally attend this time, but am glad that we are able to hold a concert in Okushiga again this year.
I invite you to look forward to the performances of the young musicians who have flourished at the Okushiga academy.”

President of Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga
Seiji Ozawa

Announcement regarding the 2020 Academy

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We regret to announce that we are canceling the 2020 Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga, which was being planned for September 5 through 14. In light of the COVID-19 situation, we determined that it would be a challenge to hold the annual intensive seminars, inviting tutors from abroad and students from Asian countries. We sincerely apologize to all who were looking forward to this. This was a heartbreaking decision for us as well, but we hope for your understanding of the current circumstances.
However, as an alternative this year, we are preparing events on a smaller scale to sustain our vision as an academy. These will include coaching of two quartets (including online tutoring) mainly by Academy alumni, and live streaming of a concert without an audience (venue: Concert Hall, Okushiga). Please see the below for details.

Schedule
2020
Sep 1 (Tue)–2 (Wed)　Seminar in Tokyo
Sep 3 (Thu)–5 (Sat)　Seminar in Okushiga, Nagano
Sep 6 (Sun)　Concert

Concert
◎ Date: September 6, 2020 (Su)
◎ Time: TBD
◎ Venue: Okushiga Kogen Hotel Concert Hall
◎ Repertoire: String quartet and string octet by students, details pending

◉ Participating Quartet 1
Violin: Ribon Aida, Natsumi Tsuboi　Viola: Saki Ishida　Cello: Misaki Kurokawa

◉ Participating Quartet 2
Violin: Mio Yoshie, Taiga Tojo　Viola: Shu Yamamoto　Cello: Yusuke Yabe

◉ Tutors: Sadao Harada, Yoshiko Kawamoto, Julien Szulman, Tadashi Hori, Seiji Ozawa

2020 marks the tenth year that we have held the chamber music academy in Okushiga as a specified nonprofit corporation. In the nine years to date, more than 200 young musicians have earnestly engaged with the string quartet, which is the foundation for string players. They have made new discoveries and met others with similar musical aspirations, gaining ample learning and inspiration before going out in the world.
We hope for your continued interest and support of Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga.

Notice of Cancellation of AUDITION for 2020 Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga

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Notice of Cancellation of AUDITION for 2020 Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga

We regret to announce that we are cancelling the AUDITION scheduled for April 17th.
in consideration of the spreading impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and a recent request to refrain from going out by the governor of Tokyo.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to the applicants and all concerned.　We would like to reconsider the selection method shortly and select musicians for the Academy in September.
Thank you for your understanding.

【2020 Audition Information】

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Since we first started teaching chamber music performance in Okushiga Kogen, Nagano, more than 20 years has passed, and an intensive chamber music seminar will be held this summer as well, along with three concerts in Okushiga and in Tokyo. At this audition, we would like to see young talented musicians who want to learn chamber music at the Ozawa International Chamber Music Academy Okushiga.
Please see below for audition info.
→2020 Audition

【2019OICMA Tokyo performance Beethoven video】

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2019OICMA closed its curtain at Tokyo performance on July 31st at Kioi Hall. Tutor of the academy Seiji Ozawa stood on the podium at the end of the concert and conducted Beethoven: String Quartet No.16 Op.135 3rd movement.

https://www.facebook.com/SeijiOzawa.InternationalAcademyOkushiga.Asia/videos/2185140054928893/

This music was loved by one of the great tutors at the academy, late Mr. Robert Mann, and he conducted this piece many times. Seiji Ozawa himself also loves this work and he said to the academy students at the rehearsal “such a wonderful music”.

Beethoven: String Quartet No.16 will be performed by Seiji Ozawa International Academy Switzerland at the Seiji Ozawa Matsumoto Festival “Chamber Concert I” this summer.

【Tokyo Performance closed with Seiji Ozawa’s conduct】

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The last performance of 2019 Ozawa International Academy Okushiga ended last night at Kioi Hall in Tokyo.
6 quartets each tried to get a harmony that only they can make after the 10 days rehearsals in Okushiga with trusted musicians.
After quartets, 24 academy students and 3 tutors got on stage together, and performed Mendelssohn: String Octet. Their performance brought the hall full of fresh air and clear blue sky from Okushiga.
At the end of the concert, Seiji Ozawa showed up on the stage and stood on the podium. He conducted Beethoven: String Quartet No.16 with extreme focus. The audience and the musicians couldn’t take their eyes off from the conductor, hoping not to miss any moment of “music” which was poring out from his body.
We thank all of you for coming to the concert.

【Tokyo Performance Tomorrow!】

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The academy is going to close its 2019 program tomorrow at the Tokyo performance. Tickets on the day is available for purchase at the Kioi Hall from 6PM on July 31st.

Program:

●Haydn: String Quartet No. 60, Op.76, No.1, Hob.III: 75
　Ⅰ. Allegro con spirito IV. Finale: Allegro ma non troppo
Violin: Mai Kinomura（I 1st), Kiki Shibayama（IV 1st）
Viola: Momoka Okada Cello: Keina Satoh

●Schumann: String Quartet No.3 in A major, Op. 41, No. 3
　Ⅰ. Andante espressivo – Allegro molto moderato III. Adagio molto
Violin: Ribon Aida (I 1st), Asako Iimori (III 1st)
Viola: Jungmin Lim Cello: Misaki Kurokawa

●Beethoven: String Quartet No.10 in E-flat major, Op. 74 “Harp”
　I. Poco Adagio – Allegro
Violin: Taiga Tojo, Aoi Saito
Viola: RachelYui Mikuni Cello: Jiaqi Liu

●Debussy: String Qurtet in G minor, Op. 10
　I. Animé et très décidé Ⅲ. Andantino, doucement expressif
Violin: Yoko Ishikura (I 1st), Ayin Sohn (III 1st)
Viola: Mingyue Yu Cello: Mahiro Kurokawa

●Mendelssohn: String Quartet No. 2 in A minor, Op. 13
　I. Adagio – Allegro vivace
Violin: Hua Zhang, Sayaka Kagei
Viola: Seong-Woo Jeong Cello: Pi-Wei Lin

●Brahms: String Quartet No.2 in A minor, Op. 51, No. 2
　I. Allegro non troppo
Violin: Karen Kido, Shunichiro Fukuda
Viola: Maiko Takimoto Cello: Yusuke Yabe

【Stings Orchestra】
●Mendelssohn: String Octet in E-flat major, Op. 20
I. Allegro moderato ma con fuoco

Concerts