Christmas Concert 2000 (English) / Concert Hall ATM

TENTH ANNIVERSARY, ART TOWER MITO
CHRISTMAS CONCERT 2000

Take some time out this year and spend a moment with us and enjoy a fun Christmas concert. We have prepared a program jam-packed with many songs and pieces, including favorite melodies that you have all heard once before, as well as certain numbers that resplendently reproduce the atmosphere of the Holy Night.

Dec. 23, 2000 (Sat) 5:00 p.m.*
Concert Hall ATM
A ¥3,000, B ¥2,000 (All seats reserved.)
For reservations, please call at 029-231-8000, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Doors open for seating at 4:30 p.m.
*Caution: The Christmas Concert starts at a different time than usual concerts.

Planning and Direction: Ryosuke Hatanaka
Emcee: Ryosuke Hatanaka

Program

1. Opening Number: Piece for Four Pianos by Darius Milhaud
Piano: Mayumi Nakamura, Kayo Nakamura, Noriko Uenaka, Naoko Tanaka

2. Beautiful Arias from "Christmas Oratorio"
Mezzo-soprano: Saiko Yamamoto

3. Album of Favorite Works on Violin
Drdla: Souvenir
Dvorák: Humoresque
Sarasate: Zigeunerweisen
Violin: Ryo Mikami
Piano: Kayo Nakamura

4. Sweet Melodies Sung by Yasuaki Fujikawa
Tosti: Ave Maria
Mascagni: Ave Maria (from "Cavalleria Rusticana")
Bizet: Agnus Dei
Massenet: Ossian (from "Werther")
Tenor: Yasuaki Fujikawa
Piano: Naoko Tanaka

5. Famous Piano Works by Chopin and Tchaikovsky
Piano: Noriko Uenaka

6. Finale: Christmas Song Medley
Choir: Ahiru-kai Chorus

The Christmas Concert at Art Tower Mito (ATM) will be performed by musicians primarily active in the Mito area. They will celebrate Christmas Eve with a program full of variety.

This year, we will feature familiar songs that anyone should be able to hum just by hearing a snippet of their melodies. In addition, however, we will include a work that rarely gets the chance to be heard: namely, "Paris," a work for four pianos by the French composer, Darius Milhaud. When the four local female pianists -- Mayumi Nakamura, Kayo Nakamura, Noriko Uenaka, and Naoko Tanaka -- begin their performance on the four pianos lined up on the stage of the concert hall, what sort of "Paris" will unfold before us? Look forward to hear the dynamic sound and wonderful ensemble that only four pianos together can produce.

Besides the work for four pianos, we are also pleased to present one of Japan's leading tenors, Yasuaki Fujikawa, as a guest performer. Make sure not to miss the chance to hear him. You will enjoy the beautiful melodies he sings with his sweet tenor voice, making Christmas Eve romantic. Also, you will hear the mezzo-soprano Saiko Yamamoto and her lovely deep voice. She was also heard in the 10th program of ATM's "Famous Singers of Ibaraki Prefecture" series.

Other performers in the Christmas Concert this year include the violinist Ryo Mikami, who took the "Duo Seminar for Violin and Piano" for several years under the instruction of Toru Yasunaga and Ayumi Ichino. His violin playing is both young and vivacious. You will also be pleased to hear Noriko Uenaka once again, whose recital in August 1999 at ATM demonstrated her rich musicality and accurate technique. And last but not least, you will get the chance to hear the Ahiru-kai Chorus, which is renowned nationwide for its performances of religious music.

The performances will be interspersed by the witty and entertaining talk of Ryosuke Hatanaka, who also planned and directed the entire program. Make your Christmas Eve this year a music-filled, enjoyable experience.

"Make a Sound that All of Mito Can Hear!"
Beethoven's 9th Symphony Performed by 300 Musicians

Dec. 16, 2000 (Sat) 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
ATM Plaza
Admission free.
General Director: Ryosuke Hatanaka
Conductor: Kunio Taguchi
Chorus: Ibaraki Prefecture Choral Federation and participants selected by public subscription, et al.

Feel free to participate in the giant chorus on the stage spread out in the ATM Plaza.

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