Established the band's own label "JAPAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA RECORDINGS"
Agency for Cultural Affairs "Culture and Arts Profitability Enhancement Project"
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates 65th anniversary with live recordings from its founding days on sale
- "Atsutada Otaka: Orchestral Works," historical recordings by Benny Goodman, Charles Munch, Hideo Saito, and others -
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra (Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Chairman: Hirai Toshikuni, hereinafter referred to as Japan Philharmonic), a public interest incorporated foundation, has announced the launch of its own independent label as part of the Agency for Cultural Affairs' Strategic Arts and Culture Creation Promotion Project for FY2020, "Cultural Arts Profitability Enhancement Project" (a project to enhance profitability by utilizing performance recordings from the orchestra's founding and a project to establish a management infrastructure for neighboring rights, etc.).The orchestra will be the first in Japan to fully distribute historical recordings.
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, which operates many projects, including social activities, guided by the motto "To all people, generations, regions, and the world," has established its own label this year, marking the orchestra's 65th anniversary, with the aim of strengthening the use of its recordings and increasing opportunities for people to enjoy music, including those who find it difficult to attend live concerts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The orchestra released the following seven titles in March, and plans to continue distributing approximately 70 songs (planned) thereafter.
★ 3Mon12Released on: "Atsutada Otaka: Orchestral Works"(Cooperation: Naxos Japan)
The first installment features one of Japan's leading composers, who sadly passed away on February 16th of this year.Atsutada OdakaWith the generous cooperation of Naxos Japan, we will be streaming worldwide this recording of a performance by Atsutada Odaka in collaboration with his beloved disciple Junichi Hirokami. This album, the first to feature Atsutada Odaka's orchestral works, is a coupling of his 41st work in the Japan Philharmonic Series, "Piano Concerto" (premiered in 2016), and "Symphony Beyond Time" (2018), which won the 60th Odaka Prize in 2012. This album also marks the start of a new initiative by the Japan Philharmonic, which has been actively promoting the works of Japanese composers, through streaming.
★ 3Mon19From the day of the founding [オープンリール]から24bit/96kHzHigh-resolution mastering distribution
From the second installment onwards,We will be streaming the original reel-to-reel recordings from the early days in 24-bit/96kHz high-resolution audio.(Supported sites only).Benny GoodmanThis is the first time that this precious record of an encounter with the great master (1957) has been commercialized.Charles MunchTwo pieces from the "Legendary Collaboration" with Beethoven (1962).Takao OkamuraDon't miss the performance with other leading vocalists in Japan at the time, including the conductor who led the Japanese orchestra,Akeo Watanabe(Founding Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra)Hideo SaitoWe are now streaming recordings of these precious performances. Watanabe boldly tackled contemporary works and aimed to expand the orchestra's repertoire, while Saito contributed to the development of the orchestra. Experience the history of Japanese orchestras through recordings that allow you to feel the breath of these two conductors.
Founded by a broadcasting station in 1956, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra has been preserving recordings of concerts and other events since its inception. Even now, with the cooperation of recording volunteers and others, the orchestra continues to record performances. Now, as live performances remain difficult, we will utilize these precious recordings to bring the diverse charms of music to everyone. Through these performances, you will be able to experience the history of Japanese orchestras.
＜JAPAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA RECORDINGS＞ Streaming List
■ "Atsutada Otaka: Orchestral Works" Piano Concerto/Symphony "Beyond Time"(JPMD-1001)
*Cooperation: Naxos Japan
Conductor: Junichi Hirokami Soloist: Kiyotaka Noda
A collection of works by Atsutada Otaka Junchu, who sadly passed away recently.
[Major distribution sites]
●Domestic distribution site (Distribution begins Friday, March 12th)
[Streaming] LINE MUSIC, AWA, dHits
[Download (Hi-Res)] e-onkyo music, mora, Recochoku
[Download (normal sound quality)] mora, Recochoku
●Global distribution site (distribution begins Friday, April 16th)
[Streaming] Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music Unlimited, YouTube Music
*The Naxos Music Library will be available from Friday, April 23rd
[Download (normal quality)] iTunes Store, Amazon Digital
Related Interview: Junichi Hirokami (Conductor) x Yukihiro Masumi (Deputy Secretary General of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra)
https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/orchestra/news/24504
Odaka Atsutada is one of Japan's leading contemporary composers, whose works, while prolific in number, are highly acclaimed both at home and abroad for their intelligent and refined style.
His father, Naotada, was a conductor and composer who worked on important projects with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, primarily around the time of World War II. His younger brother, Tadaaki, is also a quintessential maestro who shoulders the modern Japanese music scene. Atsutada himself studied in France and taught at Tokyo University of the Arts for many years. Rather than relying on experimental elements commonly referred to as "avant-garde" or the acoustic analysis and noise of the spectral school, he is a sincere musician who has established a solid métier based on traditional musical notation, yet is unconventional.
Conductor Junichi Hirokami has been in a teacher-student relationship with Hirokami since their high school days, and they are also alumni of the prestigious Shonan Gakuen High School in Kanagawa Prefecture. It goes without saying that Hirokami had a strong desire to release this recording.
The Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, a Tokyo-based orchestra founded in 1956, has continuously commissioned new works from Japanese composers since its founding. Otaka's "Piano Concerto," included in this collection, is the 41st such work.
Atsutada Odaka (1944-2021)
Born in Tokyo, he graduated from the Department of Composition at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1966. He studied composition under Yujiro Ikeuchi, Akio Yashiro, and Akira Miyoshi, and piano under Kazuko Yasukawa. In September of the same year, he traveled to France on a French government scholarship. He graduated from the Conservatoire de Paris in 1970. After returning to Japan, he continued composing while also working as a pianist, performing chamber music and song accompaniment. In 1982, he received the 30th Otaka Prize for his work "Image" for orchestra. In 2001, he received the Bekku Prize for his work "Fantaisie" for organ and orchestra. In 2012, he received the 60th Otaka Prize for his symphony "Beyond Time." His Cello Concerto had its world premiere at the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra's 635th regular concert on March 5th and 6th.
<"Otaka Atsutada: Orchestral Works" Production Staff>
Sound: Shigeyuki Suzuki, Toru Sase, Kenichi Nakano. Recording assistance: Yoshihisa Watanabe, Atsuo Fujita.
Mastering Engineer: Daisuke Matsuzaka (Naxos Japan)
24bit/96kHz high-resolution mastering distribution of original recordings [open reel]
24bit/96kHz high-resolution mastering distribution of original recordings [open reel]
Available from Friday, March 19th:
Benny Goodman Plays Mozart *Mono Recording
This will be the first public performance of the precious broadcast recordings he made with Broodtha Earl, Watanabe Akio, and other musicians from the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra during his first visit to Japan in 1957, which lasted just one week.
Mozart: Clarinet Quintet (JPMD-1015, January 16, 1957/Japan Youth Hall)
Clarinet: Benny Goodman
Violin: Broadus Earl Watanabe Akio Viola: Toshitatsu Kono Cello: Toshio Kuronuma
Conducted by Charles Munch
This legendary 1962 performance has been newly mastered and released from the original recording.
Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Haydn (JPMD-1020, December 25, 1962/Tokyo Bunka Kaikan)
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9 "Choral" (JPMD-1021, December 27, 1962/Tokyo Bunka Kaikan)
Soloists: Nobuko Gamo | Kuniyo Ono | Toshitaka Mori | Takao Okamura Chorus: Tokyo Philharmonic Chorus | Nikikai Chorus
Available from Friday, March 26th:
Conducted by Akio Watanabe
Watanabe Akio worked to expand the repertoire of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra in its early days with innovative programming.
Schoenberg: Survivors of Warsaw (JPMD-1006, 31st Tokyo Regular Concert, March 22, 1961)
Navigator: Takeo Ito Choir: Tokyo Choralians | Nikikai Choir
■Toshiro Mayuzumi: Nirvana Symphony (JPMD-1011, 104th Tokyo Subscription Concert, September 15, 1965)
Choir: Nikikai Choir | Japan Choral Association | Tokyo Lieder Tafelverein
Conducted by Hideo Saito
Hideo Saito often guest-performed with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, honing his skills with classical repertoire.
Mozart: Symphony No. 29 (JPMD-1007, 74th Tokyo Regular Concert, December 12, 1963)
Scheduled for release from April onwards:
Conducted by Jean Fournet *Monaural recording
Fournet's first visit to Japan was to appear at a regular concert immediately after the Japanese premiere of the opera "Pelléas et Mélisande" (with the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra), where he captivated the audience with his French repertoire.
Chausson: Symphony (JPMD-1002, 12th Tokyo Regular Concert, December 12, 1958/Hibiya Public Hall)
Conducted by Igor Markevich
Markevitch left a lasting impression on Japanese audiences during his first visit to Japan and was later appointed Honorary Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.
Handel: Concerto Grosso, Op.6 No.5 (JPMD-1003, 25th Tokyo Regular Concert, September 23, 1960/Hibiya Public Hall)
Conducted by Akio Watanabe
Not only did he actively invite young musicians such as Starker (his first visit to Japan), but he also worked hard to introduce young Japanese performers and composers, and commissioned a work from graduate student Teruyuki Noda, a major milestone.
Haydn: Cello Concerto (JPMD-1004, 27th Tokyo Regular Concert, November 28, 1960/Hibiya Public Hall)
Soloist: Janos Starker
Brahms: Alto Rhapsody (JPMD-1005, 46th Tokyo Regular Concert, June 12, 1962)
Soloist: Toda Toshiko Choir: Tokyo Choralians | Nikikai Choir
Dvorak: Stabat Mater (JPMD-1009, 77th Tokyo Regular Concert, January 28, 1964)
Soloists: Junko Mori | Midori Fujita | Toshitaka Mori | Takao Okamura Chorus: Tokyo Citizens' Chorus
Teruyuki Noda: Symphony No. 1 [Japan Philharmonic Series 17th Work, World Premiere] (JPMD-1014, 130th Tokyo Regular Concert, December 8, 1966)
Conducted by Hideo Saito
Takayoshi Wanami's debut performance in the music world. Saito recommended Brahms' concerto, but Wanami chose Glazunov instead.
Glazunov: Violin Concerto (JPMD-1008, 74th Tokyo Regular Concert, December 12, 1963)
Soloist: Takayoshi Wanami
etc.
Major streaming sites for "Live recordings from the early days" [Streaming only]:
●Domestic distribution sites: LINE MUSIC, AWA, dHits, Recochoku, Rakuten Music
●Global distribution sites: Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer (high-resolution compatible service available), Facebook/Instagram (music stamps)
<"Live Recordings from the Founding Period" Production Staff>
Mastering Engineers: Masahiro Tabayashi, Katsuaki Uno, Maki Tomioka (Nippon Columbia)
<Related links>
Special release website: https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/news/jporecordings
〇 Distribution product information (regularly updated): https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/goods/cd_dvd(Updated soon)
Naxos Japan information site: https://naxos.jp/special/JPMD1001
<Related information>
Japan Philharmonic Orchestra Profile: https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/orchestra/profile
About founding conductor Akio Watanabe: https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/orchestra/profile/watanabe
About the Japan Philharmonic Series: Commissioned premieres of works by Japanese composers: https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/orchestra/series
Jacket design:
D&DESIGN / D&DEPARTMENT PROJECT
Illustration: Hiroyuki Yamada
