The Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra gave its first subscription concert on Saturday, April 8, 2006, in the Grand Hall of the center, which was constructed last autumn. Yutaka Sado, the orchestra's music director, greeted a full house by conducting spirited performances of Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 and Richard Strauss's Ein Heldenleben ("Heroes Life").
Before the concert, Mr. Sado made comments about the new orchestra to the "Interview@Classic" feature of the Classic News Website
(http://www.music.co.jp/classicnews/interview/). (Japanese only)
This subscription concert was originally scheduled for two performances, on April 8 and 9, but there was such a demand for tickets that a last minute decision was made to have another performance on April 10. There had been a complete sellout the day after the tickets went on sale.
All the musicians in this orchestra are young, with no one over 35. The Hyogo Performing Arts Center holds auditions worldwide to recruit the members of its own exclusive orchestra. The result is an ensemble of international character and outstanding musicianship. It strives to serve as a kind of academy of music as well. During terms of orchestra membership of up to three years, players will build wide-ranging repertoires through performances of works from the Baroque to the modern.
Top-level guest conductors and soloists will be invited to perform in subscription concerts. Other regular activities will include special concerts, music appreciation concerts for young people, chamber concerts, opera production appearances and special projects like amateur classes, workshops and outreach exercises to take the musicians from the concert hall into the streets of the community.
