Fukui Symphony Orchestra: 24th subscription concert

F. Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 Z. Kodály: Háry János Suite J. Brahms: Symphony No. 3 L. van Beethoven: Egmont Overture L. van Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, “Choral” L. van Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 M. Ravel: Menuet antique B. Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Conductor: 三河正典
Soloist: Junko Sakimura (cimbalom)
Venue: Fukui Prefectural Concert Hall, Harmony Hall Fukui, Main Hall (Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture)
Admission: General ¥1,000; university students and younger ¥500

Now in its 24th year, the Fukui Symphony Orchestra (represented by deputy director 高木奉文) presents three works closely connected with Hungary in this subscription concert.
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 uses Hungarian folk melodies played by Roma ensembles. Familiar melodies follow one another with sharply contrasting slow and fast sections, leading to an exuberant conclusion: an enjoyable, uplifting work.
The second work, Háry János, is an entertaining suite of six fantastical tall tales told by its hero, beginning with a loud sneeze. It features the cimbalom, a Hungarian folk instrument rarely seen or heard in ordinary concerts. For this performance, the orchestra welcomes Junko Sakimura, described in the source as one of Japan’s leading players, as soloist.
The third work is a symphony by Brahms, said to have been influenced by Hungarian folk music. Its restrained, inward passion gives it a rich character, and the lovely cello melody in the third movement, also used in films, is particularly appealing.
This is a Toyota Community Concert, sponsored by the Fukui Toyota dealers’ group and Toyota Motor Corporation. In keeping with its aim of inviting young people with few opportunities to hear live music, older people and people with disabilities, primary and junior high school students and people from welfare facilities in the prefecture will be invited.