TRIO CONCERT--Yoshino, Hagen, Schulz/Concert Hall ATM

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TRIO CONCERT -- Yoshino (harp), Hagen (viola), Schulz (flute)
June 26 (Sat) 6:30 p.m.
Concert Hall ATM
A ¥3,500 / B ¥2,500 (All seats reserved)

PROGRAM
Gubaidulina (1913- ): The Gardens of Joys and Sorrows
Britten (1913-76): Lachrymae --Reflections on a song of John Dowland
Takemitsu (1930-96): Toward the Sea III
Takemitsu: And then I knew 'twas Wind
Stravinsky (1882-1971): Elegy
Debussy (1862-1918): Syrinx
Debussy: Sonata for Flute, Viola and Harp

A New Sound -- Once Again.

The flute, viola and harp each represents a different principle of sound production, and each concentrates on the expression of a different musical range. Given the mechanical problems that used to plague the flute and harp, moreover, it was long believed that an attempt to combine these three instruments in a musical setting would be reckless ... at least until Claude Debussy wrote his immortal sonata in his twilight years. After that, works by composers such as Arthur Honegger (1892-1955), Sofia Gubaidulina and Toru Takemitsu further expanded the possibilities of this trio of instruments, making it one of the last few "thrilling" combinations left in classical chamber music. In addition, concerts involving musicians playing these three instruments can offer various combinations -- not only as a trio, but also solo and duo -- allowing them to intersperse equally attractive musical works.

On May 19, 1992, a concert was given at Concert Hall ATM entitled, "A New Sound." At that time, the performers were the veterans Aurele Nicolet on the flute and Nobuko Imai on the viola, as well as the up-and-coming harpist, Naoko Yoshino. Their program included the world debut of Takemitsu's work, "And Then I Knew 'twas Wind," as well as the Japanese debut of a Heinz Holliger (b. 1939) piece, and works by Edisson Denisov (b. 1929) and G. Tailleferre A new sound did, indeed, fill the hall.

In the seven years since that memorable concert, Naoko Yoshino has become a representative performer of her generation. This time, she joins the talented young violist, Veronika Hagen, and the renowned flautist, Wolfgang Schulz, to bring the sounds of this trio of instruments to Concert Hall ATM once again.

The two Takemitsu works in this year's program, along with Stravinsky's Elegy and Debussy's Sonata, are all famous pieces that were performed in the 1992 concert. One new piece being introduced this time is "The Gardens of Joys and Sorrows" by Gubaidulina -- one of the most notable composers of our time. Meditational and lyrical in nature, the piece was inspired by two literary works, one Eastern and one Western. Another single-movement work being performed in this year's program is "Lachrymae" by Benjamin Britten (1913-76). It is a difficult piece that seems designed to test the abilities of the flautist and harpist. Last but not least, Debussy's Sonata is familiar to any fans of these instruments.

The combination of flute, viola and harp abounds with liveliness and exquisiteness, and offers a feeling of dignity and joy while also plummeting to the deepest depths. The individuality of the separate performers shines through even in the same piece. Even while operating with the same three instruments, the greatest composers of the 20th century have come up quite different "stories." Come listen, once again, to the new sound represented by the flute, viola and harp.

**Naoko Yoshino, harp**

Born in London. Started studying the harp at age 6 under Ms. S. Macdonald. In 1981 she came in second place at the 1st Rome International Harp Competition, and later won the 9th Israel International Harp Competition in 1985. Thereafter, she has won many awards, including the Arion Prize (Arion-Edo Foundation) in 1985, the Muramatsu Prize in 1987, the Geijutsu-sai Prize in 1988, honorable mention at the Mobil Music Prize in 1989, the Japanese Minister of Education Culture Agency Artistic Selection Prize in 1991, and the Avon Women's Artistic Prize the same year.

Ms. Yoshino has also performed with many world-class musical groups, including the Berlin Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic, the Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Mito Chamber Orchestra (MCO). In addition, she has worked under the direction of such well-known directors as Yehudi Menuhin, Zubin Mehta, Seiji Ozawa, Giuseppe Sinopoli, and Wolfgang Sawallisch. In the area of chamber music, she has played together with such artists as the violinist Gidon Kremer and the flautists, Aurele Nicolet, J-P. Rampal, J. Galway, Wolfgang Schulz, Shigenori Kudo and Yumiko Sakuma. She has given recitals around the world, in cities such as New York, Vienna, London, Tokyo and Osaka.

Ms. Yoshino's busy schedule also includes invitations to give solo, chamber, and concerto performances at such major festivals as the Salzburg Music Festival and Rockenhaus Music Festival in Austria, the Streza Music Festival in Italy, the Daschtard Music Festival and Davos Music Festival in Switzerland, the Marlborough Music Festival in the U.S., and the Saito Kinen Festival in Japan.

Ms. Yoshino has often made appearances at Art Tower Mito, having performed Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto with the Mito Chamber Orchestra (MCO) at the ATM Concert Hall's Opening Concert in 1990. Her most recent performance with the MCO was in 1998, playing Toru Takemitsu's "Toward the Sea II" in both their European tour and 33rd Regular Concert. She has also participated in chamber music concerts at ATM, having performed twice in 1992, once with the ATM Ensemble and the other time with Gideon Kremer. Not only that, but she has also performed in the New Year's Concert at the ATM, and in 1996 she played for 7th graders from Mito in the Junior High School Students' Art Appreciation Concert.

**Veronika Hagen, viola**

Born in Salzburg, Ms. Hagen started receiving musical instruction at age 6 from her father, who is the solo violist of the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg. Later, she studied under H. Zehetmair of the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mozarteum in Salzburg, and at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Hannover. She has a concert diploma from both of these universities. So far, she has performed with such renowned artists as the directors S. Végh and Nicholas Harnoncourt, the pianists P. Gulda, the violinist Gideon Kremer, the violist G. Cau,ssé and the cellist H. Schiff. She has also put in appearances at such major music festivals as the Salzburg Music Festival and Rockenhaus Music Festival in Austria, the Lucern Music Festival in Switzerland, and the Edinburgh Music Festival in the U.K. Above all, however, she is best known for her participation as violist in the Hagen Quartet, demonstrating superb musicality. She has been a member of the group since its inception. The Hagen String Quartet has performed worldwide -- including a concert at ATM in 1996 -- and has put out many recordings.

**Wolfgang Schulz, flute**

Born in Linz, Austria, in 1946, Mr. Schulz studied at Hochschule für Musik und Darstellend Kunst Wien, later refining his talents under Aurele Nicolet. He has appeared as a soloist under such distinguished directors as Karl Böhm, Claudio Abbado, Horst Stein, and Christoph von Dohnányi, and has performed at the Montreaux Music Festival in Switzerland, the Flanders Musical Festival in the Netherlands, and the Vienna Music Festival and Salzburg Music Festival in Austria. His chamber music appearances focus on performances with the Vienna Flute Trio and the Vienna Wind Ensemble, both groups that he helped create. His other chamber activities include appearances with the Vienna Ring Ensemble and the Ensemble Vienna-Berlin. Since 1970, also, he has served as a solo artist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Starting in 1997, his duties expanded to the world of academia, having assumed a professorship at the National Music University of Vienna.

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