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April 16, 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 G Major, Op. 88 (Antonin Dvorak, 1841-1904).
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 Lorin Maazel, violin; Lorin Maazel conducting -- Symphony No. 1 in D Major "Titan" (Gustav Mahler, 1860-1911)
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 Zednik, Johann Reinprecht, Marcus Pelz, Edita Gruberova, Cheryl Studer, Georg Tichy, Benedikt Kobel, Wolfgang Bankl, Helmut Wildhaber, Simina Ivan, Svetlana Serdar, Anat Efraty and the Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera
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
Johann Sebastian Bach, who died in 1750, 250 years ago this year, has been lovingly remembered with significant performances of his great masterworks throughout the year. Recently eminent ensembles from Europe presented performances of the monumental "Saint Matthew Passion" almost simultaneously here.
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 Japan. Its awesome artistic investment is carefully protected under an exceptionally great music director and a cadre of eminent regular conductors. It also nurtures relationships with prestigious guest conductors, and cautiously explores promising newcomers.
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 Bach's great Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, divided between organ and orchestra. Both programs were striking in conception, superb in execution and altogether memorable.
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, 1873-1943), Organ solo: "Vater unser in Himmelreich," BWV 682 (Bach), Chorus/organ: "Der Geist hilft unsrer Schwachheit auf," BWV 226 (Bach); Chorus: "Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Muhseligen," Op. 74/1 (Johannes Brahms, 1833-97), "Lauda Sion" (Tomas Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611), "Ecce Dominus veniet" (Victoria), Organ solo: Praeludium und Fuge uber den Namen BACH (Franz Liszt, 1811-86), Chorus: "Tu es Petrus" (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, 1526-1594), "Dum complerentur dies pentecostes" (Palestrina), Chorus/organ: "Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz," Op. 29/2 (Brahms)
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" (Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky, 1840-93)
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 under another conductor, for variety.
CULTURE / Music
Aug 13, 2000
Asahina still tall on the podium at 92
Osaka Philharmonie Kokyo Gakudan
Japan’s young workers head abroad as huge wage gap persists
The departure hall at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. Now with inflation at its strongest in decades, Japanese are starting to realize that years of static wages leave many of them budgeting each month before their next pay check.
Akebono's human side eclipsed his incredible sumo achievements
The heights Akebono reached in sumo helped pave the way for future foreign-born yokozuna Asashoryu and Hakuho.
EVs head for junkyard as mechanic shortage inflates repair costs
An AA patrol for electric vehicles in Birmingham, England. Fewer than 10% of the U.K.’s 236,000 auto mechanics are qualified to work directly on EV batteries or their cases, according to the Institute of the Motor Industry.
Japan strongly condemns Iranian attack on Israel as 'escalation'
Missiles are showcased in a parade marking Iran's National Army Day in Tehran on April 18, 2023.
Death-row inmates' lawsuit targeting same-day notifications of executions dismissed
Two plaintiffs filed a lawsuit with Osaka District Court in hopes of sparking a wider discussion on the rights of death row prisoners.
For Modi, the Indian election is less about winning and more about by how much
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses supporters during an election campaign rally in Pushkar, India, on April 6, ahead of the country's upcoming general election starting Friday.
Akebono's human side eclipsed his incredible sumo achievements
The heights Akebono reached in sumo helped pave the way for future foreign-born yokozuna Asashoryu and Hakuho.
Ohtani’s dizzying three weeks end in exoneration by authorities
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani during a spring training game on March 12.
How ‘winged’ gyōza took flight from a Tokyo suburb
The creator of "hanetsuki gyōza" is Isao Yagi, and his restaurant, Nihao, can be found right on the border of Tokyo and Kawasaki in Ota Ward.
How Ippei Mizuhara allegedly wired millions from Shohei Ohtani’s account
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, in December at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California

Podcast

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.
[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Longform

Historically, kabuki was considered the entertainment of the merchant and peasant classes, a far cry from how it is regarded today.
For Japan's oldest kabuki theater, the show must go on
By Lance Henderstein

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