【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
