2021-10-29 Update

Junichi Hirokami (Conductor) interview— Two Symphonies that marked the turning points in my life.

Updated on October 29th, 2021

Mito Chamber Orchestra the 108th concert series

Junichi Hirokami interview 
"Two Symphonies that marked the turning points in my life"

The world-renowned conductor Junichi Hirokami will come back to the stage of MCO (Mito Chamber Orchestra) for the first time in six years! MCO has invited the maestro Hirokami for two milestone concerts, specifically, the 10th anniversary of Mito Art Tower Concert Hall in 2000, a concert series immediately preceding the third European tour in 2008, and the 25th anniversary of Mito Art Tower Concert Hall in 2015. This online interview was held on the occasion of the 108th concert series at the end of August 2021 during the fifth declaration of the state of emergency under the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to behind-the-scenes episodes concerning the upcoming program, he talked about his reflections and aspirations in these difficult times.


©Masaaki Tomitori
Heritage of Seiji Ozawa and the late Hidekazu Yoshida

— You will conduct MCO for the fourth time in this series. What is your impression of MCO?
 
It is needless to say that Mito Chamber Orchestra is very cosmopolitan, but I think this orchestra was founded on the backbone of Seiji Ozawa and the legacy of the late Hidekazu Yoshida, who was Japan's foremost music critic. Such an orchestra was created in Mito, which has a world of its own in terms of history, philosophy, and academic traditions. MCO and the surrounding community have been slowly working from the ground up to nurture the artistry. We really have to thank the people of Mito for their effort. MCO has become an international group because of the support from the local audience. That's why Radek Baborák and other wonderful virtuosos have visited Mito from overseas.
 
— Were there any memorable concerts with MCO that you have conducted?
 
I can never forget Beethoven's Symphony No. 4 (72nd concert series in 2008) that I conducted as a stand-in for Maestro Ozawa who had suddenly become ill. Mozart with Momo Kodama (94th concert series in 2015) was memorable as well. When I debuted with MCO in 2000 ... that means I was 39 or 40 years old back then. It brings back memories! I have been very fortunate to work with MCO for 21 tears, and I'm so honored that I've been called back on this milestone for the orchestra. They have such seasoned and outstanding players. As usual, I would like to present a concert full of musical communication.


42nd concert series in 2000 (Photo by Michiharu Ohkubo)

72nd concert series in 2008 (Photo by Michiharu Ohkubo)

94th concert series in 2015 (Photo by Michiharu Ohkubo)
An unforgettable memory with Leonard Bernstein

— Why did you choose to perform Schubert's Symphony No. 5 and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3 "Scottish"?
 
These two pieces mean a lot in my life. When I debuted with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO), I conducted this piece by Mendelssohn. It was 1988. I was living in Europe and the Gulf War was right around the corner when maestro Zubin Mehta kindly asked to me to conduct IPO for the first time. If I remember correctly, I selected Yuzo Toyama's Symphonic Poem "Matsura" for the opening of the concert. And Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the pianist Barry Douglas. In this sense, "Scottish" was a do-or-die moment for me. This piece has a special place in my heart. It's going to be my fourth collaboration with MCO, and it's not impossible to perform it with a chamber orchestra. That's why I selected this piece.

Let me talk about Schubert's Symphony No. 5. It was 1987 when I was living in poverty in Amsterdam. Maestro Bernstein was touring Europe with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Maestro and the orchestra appointed me as an assistant. The maestro had brought Mahler's Symphony No. 4 and Schubert's Symphony No. 5. I learned a lot working as an assistant. It was three years before the maestro passed away. I had just started living in Europe. It must have been June. The rehearsal began at 9:30, and the morning sunlight would come through the skylight windows .... That's when I heard the second movement of Schubert's Symphony No. 5. "What a beautiful sound," I thought. I couldn't speak English much, and had no friends or acquaintances. I was working alone in a foreign country. At that moment, I thought to myself: "Maybe I'm the happiest person on Earth right now!" The maestro would say, "Junichi, how's the balance?" or something like that. I couldn't understand the language to begin with, but I was aware that there was a world of its own, consisting only of me, the maestro, and the orchestra. Then came the sublime sound of the second movement in Es-dur (E-flat major). Speaking of myself, I don't know how long I'll live, and the concert with the familiar MCO is why I selected these two pieces which had significant meaning in my life. I wanted to give thanks to this wonderful orchestra.
 

Renewed appreciation under the Covid-19 pandemic

— So far, it's been difficult to see a glimpse of hope to overcome this epidemic in Japan. After spending a year and a half under the Covid-19 pandemic, what are you feeling right now?
 
One thing the coronavirus made clear was how grateful we are to have customers. We are the same as restaurants. For almost half a year last year, all the orchestras and music ensembles were out of work, and closed for business. Our debt multiplied, and we were driven to the edge of losing our livelihood. We didn't know if we could survive in this situation. Now I can say that I'm happy to play a concert at all, even if only half the seats are full. Whichever orchestra I was invited to conduct, whenever I heard the sound of applause from the audience, I could feel that they had been eagerly waiting for the music. It is the same with my orchestra [City of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra]. I think I should never forget this feeling. As soon as the orchestra members appear on the stage, we hear the applause. Those who play music, and those who cook meals, can only make a living because of the customers who eagerly wait for our service. Now I can really appreciate this obvious thing and feel the gratitude in my work from the bottom of my heart.

Speaking of the coronavirus, I really hope this pandemic ends as soon as possible. I have a friend who owns a food business, and he is facing a dire situation where he might have to close down his business. Nonetheless, we must continue playing concerts. In this emergency, we really must vote in the election for politicians who are capable of careful and meticulous policy planning. With regard to orchestras, Japanese music ensembles have become better, reaching a level comparable to the first-rate European orchestras in the last 30 or 40 years. What I can do right now is to express my gratitude and concentrate on the music, that's all. I want to give thanks back to the audience by presenting a good performance. I'll do my best.
 
August 26, 2021
Interviewer: Maki Takasu
 (We acknowledge the kind assistance of AMATI incorporated.)

 
Mito Chamber Orchestra 108th concert series
October 30 (Saturday), 31 (Sunday)
Starts at 15:00 (Doors open at 14:15)
Art Tower Mito (ATM) Concert Hall
Conductor: Junichi Hirokami
Program: Schubert's Symphony No. 5 in E-flat major, D485
Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 3 in A minor, op. 56 "Scottish"
 
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