Christmas Concert 2001 (English) / Concert Hall ATM

Christmas *Present* Concert 2001
Dec. 23, 2001 (Sun) 5:00 p.m. (seating begins at 4:30 p.m.)
Venue: Concert Hall ATM, Art Tower Mito
Tickets: A ¥3,000 B ¥2,000 (all seats reserved)
Planning & Narration: Ryosuke Hatanaka

A "full-course dinner" of beautiful melodies to adorn the Holy Night, ATM's Christmas Concert is performed by local musicians, primarily from Mito.
They will present a wide variety of pieces in an interesting program. We guarantee you a wonderful time! As an added benefit this year, a present will also be given to each member of the audience. Besides a CD signed by both Ryosuke Hatanaka and Katsura Nakazawa, several other rare items have also been prepared. Definitely something to look forward to!

1. The Christmas of Waltzes and Marches
Weber, "Invitation to the Dance"
Liszt, "Racoczy March"

As in previous years, the program will begin with four pianos gracing the stage. The performance by four local female pianists will abound in musical excitement, as they "battle" each other with their graceful technique, overwhelming sound, and breathtaking ensemble work.

Piano: Mayumi Nakamura, Naoko Tanaka, Noriko Uenaka, Kayo Nakamura

2. The Christmas of Meditation and Prayer
Massenet, "Meditation from Thais"
Schubert (arr. Wilhelmi), "Ave Maria"

Christmas in the European tradition is hushed and still, filled with silent player. Having been received so well last year, the violinist Ryo Mikami has been invited back to make another appearance this time. His performance will extend the feeling of silent meditation and prayer to heaven.

Violin: Ryo Mikami
Piano: Kayo Nakamura

3. The Christmas of the Healing Effects of Nature
Doppler, "Hungarian Rural Fantasy"

Won't you take a short trip to rustic Hungary, carried along by the resonant tones of the flute? Serving as your hostess is Naoko Watanabe, who appeared at ATM before in the 1st "Ibaraki no Meishu Meikashu-tachi" Concert.

Flute: Naoko Watanabe
Piano: Noriko Uenaka

4. The Christmas of Favorite Old Japanese Songs
Songs: "Kono Michi (This Road)," "Hamachidori (The Plover)," "Debune (Setting Sail)," "Yoimachigusa (The Evening Primrose)," "Hiru no Yume* (Daydream)"

We welcome the famous soprano Katsura Nakazawa as our guest in this portion of the Christmas concert. Her richly-nuanced singing voice and utterly lucid tone, when employed in the singing of traditional Japanese songs, are sure to evoke long-lost memories of placid scenes in your heart.

Soprano: Katsura Nakazawa
Piano: Naoko Tanaka
*Flute: Naoko Watanabe

5. The Christmas of Spiritual Peace
Liszt(arr. Renié), "Song of the Nightingale" Grandjany, "Rhapsody"

Investing her hopes for spiritual calm and peace into the strings of her musical instrument, the young harpist, Etsuko Senda, deftly weaves a pattern of discrete sounds that combine to form a giant wave, capturing your heart.

Harp: Etsuko Senda

6. The Christmas of Classical, Elegant Sounds
Britten, "Festival of Carols"

Concluding Christmas Concert 2001 is Benjamin Britten's "Festival of Carols." The classical, elegant, and limpid notes of the carols will be performed by the choir from the Mito Second High School -- an educational institution renowned for its female choruses -- under the baton of Kyoichi Kitamura, who is one of the top choral directors in the country.

Director: Kyoichi Kitamura
Harp: Etsuko Senda
Choir: Female Chorus, Ibaraki Prefectural Mito Second High School
Choir Director: Yumiko Saito

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