ATM ENSEMBLE The 17th Concert (English) / Concert Hall ATM

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ATM ENSEMBLE: The 17th Concert
Prayer at the End of the 20th Century

The 20th century was an age that witnessed an unprecedented expansion of both the power to create and the power to destroy. It is not certain, however, whether there was sufficient strength to control them. Countless tears were shed in the shadow of prosperity in the last century, and rage billowed across the world like a storm. Even so, people continued to believe in life through the difficult 100-year period, coming out alive at the end.

Lying at the core of the third joint performance between Takahiro Sonoda and the ATM Ensemble are two masterpieces of the 20th century. They both represent prayers of almost too-beautiful music made by people living in a painful age.

The works of the Polish composer, Henryk Gorecki (b. 1933), resemble popular religious songs that are nameless, heard coming from somewhere afar in the evening sky. The incomparable power of his music has enchanted listeners of popular music; it was only recently that his "Symphony of Sorrowful Songs" won raving acceptance, even climbing the hit charts.

The next composer on the program is Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-75), who made a continuous struggle against oppression. His Piano Concerto #5, written on the eve of World War II, is full to the brim with the irrepressible emotions of mankind ? delight, rage, pity, enjoyment.

Besides these two modern works, Sonoda and the ATM Ensemble will also present an unfinished work by J.S. Bach (1685-1750), the "Art of the Fugue." Worshiping God on high, Bach fills the sonata in this piece with the incisive pathos of his Passions. Thus doing, he supports the words of the 20th-century composers in the background.

The 17th Regular Concert of the ATM Ensemble presents a drama of four works that interweave prayer and hope. The music that once assuaged the sorrows and fears of people now sets out before us the path to the future.

Takahiro Sonoda and the ATM Ensemble play the classics of our age.

Feb. 10, 2002 (Sun) 6:30 p.m. (seating begins at 6:00 p.m.)
Concert Hall ATM, Art Tower Mito

PERFORMERS
Koichiro Harada (vn), Tomoko Kato (vn), Mie Kobayashi (vn),
Yasushi Toyoshima (va), Hakuro Mori (vc)
Takahiro Sonoda (pf, guest)

A ¥3,500 / B ¥2,500
Tickets are now on sale.
All members of the audience will receive a free cup of tea.

Notice: Sale of Student Tickets

When tickets remain unsold on the day of a performance, students with valid IDs can purchase them at a discount starting one hour before the curtain.

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