Marimbist Kunihiko Komori performed "Reminiscence for Solo Marimba," by Toshio Hosokawa, a piece for which he had given the commissioned premiere performance in 2002. In a departure from the dazzling displays of virtuosity usual for a marimba player, Mr. Komori's first set began on a darkened stage, with the light increasing to only a minimal level of brightness. Together with his second piece, Roger Reynolds' "Autumn Island," he performed a marimba interpretation of an interval of meditation that appeared to fascinate the audience.

Each of the four string artists gave distinctively memorable performances. Violinist Ryoko Yano gave an exciting performance of Waxman's "Carmen Fantasy" and violinist Akiko Ono gave an apt interpretation of the Viennese style -- not often mastered by Japanese musicians -- in the Prihoda arrangement of a waltz from Richard Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier."

Violist Tomoko Akasaka demonstrated a highly sophisticated style acquired in the course of studies abroad in a performance of Brahms' Viola Sonata, op.120-1. Kaeko Mukoyama,who is already established as a top-ranking cellist in Japan, gave a performance equal to her considerable reputation, eliciting cries of “bravo!” from the audience.

Genzoh Takehisa gave a highly original performance on cemballo and Silbermann piano that entranced listeners and won over new fans.

One of NEC Corporation's public service programs, the gala concerts are planned according to an innovative concept of enlisting music fans to vote online for artists participating in the competition and their preferences among the repertoire submitted by the artists. The participating artists were among the catalog of classical music artists provided on this site. Both the sponsors and the planners are hoping that this initiative will let in fresh air to the orthodox milieu that tends to dominate classical concerts, while serving as a means to make step-by-step improvements in the way concerts are organized. They see the series as a way of working with a greater audience in the process of developing concerts.

This concert was recorded, and will find its way to this site around the end of April, making it available on the Web music fans around the world. We recommend that music lovers take this opportunity to enjoy the work presented by six very distinctive musicians. (The recordings from last year concerts are also available there, free for the listening.)

Presented by: Japan Association of Classical Music Presenters

Supporters: Concert Service Co., Ltd/ Entertainment Plus Inc../ PIA CORPORATION/ PTNA/ Website Classic News

In cooperation with: Aspen Incorporated / Malta music service corp. / Million Concert Co. Ltd. / TO-ON KIKAKU CO

Sponsored by:NEC