Ingrid Fujiko Hemming

May 25, 2007

Ingrid Fujiko Hemming

The Super World Orchestra will unite section leaders from the Vienna, Berlin and Boston philharmonics with two of Japan’s most respected pianists, Takeshi Kakehashi and Ingrid Fujiko Hemming, in Tokyo, Kanagawa and Gunma next month. Kakehashi will play Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in ...

All twisted up in Thai massage

May 22, 2007

All twisted up in Thai massage

“It’s like doing yoga without the hard work,” enthused my trendy friend, whose paradoxical nature — she’s both lazy and obsessed with health — had led her to the latest popular massage to take Tokyo by storm: the traditional Thai massage. It sounded ideal ...

In thrall to a craggy coast

May 18, 2007

In thrall to a craggy coast

Hopping on the train at Tokyo Station after the morning rush hour still gets you to south Izu for lunch. So, with a promise of stunning views of the sea and more fresh fish sashimi than you could throw a wasabi tube at, we ...

Germany's last gentleman

May 18, 2007

Germany's last gentleman

German baritone Max Raabe will perform an alluring mix of Weimar-era cabaret songs and modern-day pop in Tokyo on May 25 and in Osaka the following day, accompanied by his Palast Orchester. Famous in Europe for his performances of mainly German music from the ...

Peace is found in a historic town

May 11, 2007

Peace is found in a historic town

Not since my Adidas-donning days in my hometown Croydon (famous as the breeding ground of chavs) in southeast London, have I ridden trams around town, and even then it was only to pick up a Chinese take-away and buy the odd large hoop earring. ...

Five symphonies in one day

May 11, 2007

Five symphonies in one day

The Berlin Symphony Orchestra will storm through five major symphonies in a single day at Kioi Hall, Tokyo on June 24 as part of a Japan tour that also takes in Nagoya, Osaka and Yokohama. The “marathon” concerts will consist mostly of music from ...

'Spider-Man 3'

Apr 27, 2007

'Spider-Man 3'

It’s been three years since our favorite geeky superhero left us with a promise for a climactic battle with his best friend and a final obstacle for his relationship with the love of his life. Everything was set up for the third installment in ...

Nigel Kennedy

Apr 27, 2007

Nigel Kennedy

One of the biggest-selling classical musicians of all time, Nigel Kennedy will treat local audiences to his other great passion, jazz, when he performs at Blue Note Tokyo May 2-6. It is the violinist’s third appearance in Japan but first at a jazz venue. ...

Adventures in folk

Apr 20, 2007

Adventures in folk

‘At a festival like this, where you’re collaborating with highly talented, colorful artists during a short, intense time period, there is always a risk. But the wonderful thing about ‘La Folle Journee’ is that the artists are given the opportunities to work with partners ...

The cutting edge of Chiba

Apr 13, 2007

The cutting edge of Chiba

When a meandering road trip along the coast in southern Chiba took me to Nokogiri-yama (“saw mountain”), I didn’t think I’d come across Japan’s largest Buddha, or the oldest umeboshi (salt-cured plums) and cheapest fresh fish I’d ever laid eyes on. Having left my ...

Vienna Boys' Choir pay homage to trad, pop worlds

Apr 13, 2007

Vienna Boys' Choir pay homage to trad, pop worlds

Vienna Boys’ Choir, known for their exquisite voices and on-stage charm, return to Japan to give 23 performances across the country from April 27 to June 17. The attraction of this particular tour lies not merely in the classic repertoire that confirms the boys’ ...