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May 17, 2024
 

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Robert Ryker
For Robert Ryker's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
CULTURE / Music
Jan 7, 2001
Beyond technical perfection: the best from 2000
It is time once again to look back over some of the most significant musical events of the year 2000.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 31, 2000
One mighty orchestra, two mighty conductors
Berliner Philharmonisches Orchester Nov. 26, Mariss Jansens conducting in Suntory Hall -- "Oberon" Overture (Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber, 1786-1812), Concerto for Violin and Orchestra No. 1 in A Minor, Op. 99 (Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, 1906-75) featuring Hilary Hahn; Symphony No. 8 in...
CULTURE / Music
Dec 24, 2000
Chamber orchestras prove light but not flighty
Die Freitagsakademie and l'Ensemble Vocale de Lausanne
CULTURE / Music
Dec 17, 2000
A true match made in heaven
Wiener Philharmoniker Nov. 16, Seiji Ozawa conducting in Suntory Hall -- Symphony No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 90; Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73 (Johannes Brahms, 1833-97)
CULTURE / Music
Dec 10, 2000
A feast of orchestral sound to take the chill off winter
Concertgoers could hardly escape noticing that the past month or so has been the season for hearing big symphony and opera orchestras from abroad. The Berlin Philharmonic and the Vienna Phil- harmonic, for example, were both here for weeks at the same time, and they weren't the only ones.
CULTURE / Music
Dec 3, 2000
Maazel wears multiple hats, but looks best in conductor's
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra Nov. 2, Wolfgang Gieron conducting in Suntory Hall -- "The Ideal," from Two Portraits for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 5/1 (Bela Bartok, 1881- 1945), Music for Violin and Orchestra, Op. 12 (Lorin Maazel, b. 1930), Gypsy Caprice (Friedrich Kreisler, 1875-1962), all featuring...
CULTURE / Music
Nov 26, 2000
From delicacy to passion: inspiration from the spoken word
Books of drama, literature and poetry have often served as the basis for musical compositions. The Bible and Shakespeare's plays are prominent in the list of works by great authors writing in many languages to portray the human condition.
CULTURE / Music
Nov 19, 2000
Chaotic, comedic 'Ariadne' shows lighter side of Strauss
Wiener Staatsoper Oct. 22, Filippo Sanjust directing, Giuseppe Sinopoli conducting in Kanagawa Kenmin Hall -- "Ariadne auf Naxos" (libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal, 1874-1929; music by Richard Georg Strauss, 1864-1949) featuring Waldemar Kmentt, Peter Weber, Agnes Baltsa, Jon Villars, Geert Smits, Heinz...
CULTURE / Music
Nov 12, 2000
Orchestras demonstrate small can be beautiful
The attention of the concertgoing public was drawn recently to two compact but cultured cities away from the well-trodden pathways of Europe.
CULTURE / Music
Nov 5, 2000
Germany's radio orchestras bring music to the millions
The NHK Symphony Orchestra is known to millions for its regular nationwide radio and television broadcasts, and to thousands for its concerts in NHK Hall, Suntory Hall and elsewhere around the country.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 29, 2000
Two chamber orchestras go for Baroque
...
CULTURE / Music
Oct 22, 2000
The unfamiliar from the familiar, and vice versa
Two ensembles appearing in Japan recently served as intriguing examples of a judicious mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 15, 2000
Student orchestras show off their skills on Tokyo's top stages
Two important music schools recently presented performances in Tokyo. Both were intent on providing their students an opportunity to perform in a world-class concert hall before a sophisticated concert audience. The differences between their performances were cultural rather than artistic.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 8, 2000
La Scala: Get what you pay for
One might well think that 58,000 yen is an excessive amount to ask for a single seat in Tokyo Bunka Kaikan, even for grand opera.
CULTURE / Music
Oct 1, 2000
Tryouts at NHK Symphony: Some work, and some don't
The NHK Symphony Orchestra boasts the largest complement of musicians (113), the most subscription concerts (60), the healthiest annual budget (3 billion yen), the highest visibility (over NHK radio and television) and the most interesting programs of any of the 30 professional symphony orchestras in...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 24, 2000
Grand old men give grand concerts
Hiroshi Wakasugi, 65, recently conducted a presentation of Benjamin Britten's opera "A Midsummer Night's Dream," sumptuously staged by the Nikikai Opera. Hiroyuki Iwaki, 68, recently conducted Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa in a brilliant program opening with a clever arrangement by Yuzo Toyama, 69, of...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 17, 2000
Kings College Choir presents a concert fit for kings
Choir of Kings College, Cambridge Aug. 3, Stephen Cleobury conducting in Takemitsu Memorial Hall -- Chorus/organ: "Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden," BWV 230 (Johann Sebastian Bach, 1685-1750), Organ solo: "Allein Gott in der Hoh sei Ehr," BWV 676 (Bach), Chorus: Six Vespers, Op. 37 (Sergei Vassilievich Rachmaninov,...
CULTURE / Music
Sep 10, 2000
Long trip from Kiev to Tokyo justified by 'Pathetique' results
Kiev National Opera and Ballet Theater Orchestra July 25, Vladimir Kozhukhar conducting in Takemitsu Memorial Hall -- Ballad (Pormbescu), Concerto No. 1 for Violin and Orchestra in D Minor, Op. 99 (Dmitri Dmitrievich Shostakovich, 1906-75), featuring Atsuko Tenma; Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 "Pathetique"...
CULTURE / Music
Aug 20, 2000
TMSO and TPO shake up the mix
Tokyo's symphony orchestras are all engaged in presenting live public performances from the same general body of symphonic repertoire. We expect to enjoy variation in our diet USICthough, not only in meals but also in music. For this reason, orchestras tend to reprogram a work when it can be interpreted...
CULTURE / Music
Aug 13, 2000
Asahina still tall on the podium at 92
Osaka Philharmonie Kokyo Gakudan
Japanese stripper bids to have her porn movies taken off internet
Plaintiff Miyuki Ariga (left) speaks at a news conference along with her lawyer, Yoshitomo Morohashi, after filing a lawsuit at the Tokyo District Court on Monday.
Kishida defends planned rule to revoke foreigners' residency
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a meeting of the Lower House Judicial Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
Human bone-like objects found at Nippon Steel plant’s molten iron pot, with one worker missing
Police believe it’s highly possible that human bones found in a molten iron pot at Nippon Steel's Oita factory belong to a missing male employee.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
Japan to review romanization system for first time in 70 years
An advisory panel to the education ministry will consider how the Japanese language should be transcribed into the Latin alphabet, including unifying different romanization styles currently in use.
Japanese rap creates its mecca in Pop Yours
Tokyo-based artist Jumadiba says he forgoes the label of simply “rap” for his music because the Japanese rap scene isn’t confined to a particular sound.
Who’s toughest on China? Biden’s tariff tactic ups ante as election looms.
U.S. President Joe Biden speaks about new actions to protect American workers and businesses from China's "unfair" trade practices, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington on Tuesday.
Was Onosato's defeat of Terunofuji an era-defining bout?
Onosato (right) defeats Terunofuji at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on May 12. While nothing in sumo is guaranteed, it seems almost inevitable that Onosato is destined for the top of the sport's pyramid.
Ishin struggles to set itself apart from other parties
Nippon Ishin no Kai Secretary-General Fumitake Fujita (right) speaks beside Yui Kanazawa, the party's candidate in the Tokyo 15th district by-election on April 28. Nippon Ishin lost in this by-election as well as another in Nagasaki held on the same day.
In Japan, 68,000 people over 65 projected to die alone at home this year
As Japan grapples with its population's rapid aging, supporting people who live and age alone is looming larger on the policy agenda.

Podcast

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Longform

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How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan
By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there
Vol. 35: Travel in time — and stay there

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