cookie

Toshio Hosokawa says that he is influenced by Toshihiko Izutsu, Japanese author and philosopher over Eastern Philosophy, who wrote: "Through possession (by the spirit), humans can reach a « mystery » that cannot be expressed with any words, a state in which everything seems to melt into one.'" It was certainly special to give the UK premiere of this Concerto on the day we learned about the passing of Seiji Ozawa, especially as it was programmed right after the Requiem of Takemitsu. BBC Radio may have captured his spirit floating in the air… I, as an Asian-origine musician, am extremely grateful for Ozawa’s courage to have opened the door in traditional European stages for us. I do not take it for granted, therefor we should NEVER forget the awareness and respect to truly understand the difference of musical languages in every country of Europe, in every era, include Russia. Cultural curiosity is our big responsibility for every one of us now, to stop the further division in the world. (S) ➡ bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001vt… #Takemitsu Requiem 00’02’35” #Hosokawa Violin Concerto 00’14’45” #Shostakovich Symphony No.5 01’08’50” – at Paris, France