Yukio Fujioka talks about his January performance - his first collaboration with Cocomi, video and music

In January, the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a dazzling program featuring conductor Yukio Fujioka and flutist Cocomi, including the famous pieces that graced the video and Mozart's Flute Concerto No. 2.

The orchestra will perform Toru Takemitsu's suite "Nami no Basin" and Michel Legrand's symphonic suite "Les Umbrellas de Cherbourg." Takemitsu is known as one of Japan's leading composers, and even 28 years after his death, his music is still performed around the world and beloved by young performers and audiences alike. His music, while not tonal, has a melodious sound, setting him apart from the image of contemporary music as being difficult to understand. He was also known as an avid film fan, and his works span a wide range, from film scores to television dramas and pop songs.
The piece to be performed this time is a suite of music written by Takemitsu for the 1983 TV drama "Nami no Bon" (Script: So Kuramoto, Director: Akio Jissoji). The story revolves around a scene in which the protagonist (Chisyu Ryu), a Japanese immigrant to Hawaii, has visions of his late wife (Haruko Kato) and reminisces about his life. The piece also depicts the divergence of identity that arises between him and his son (Kiichi Nakai), who sides with the Americans after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the tragedy of a family being torn apart by war, and the feelings he wanted to convey to his family even though he could no longer meet them.
The theme song is filled with the heartwarming feelings of longing for one's hometown, and the love that gently embraces people who continue to build new lives, even when things don't always go as planned.

Fujioka: "This piece is far removed from the image of Takemitsu's contemporary music and is very easy to listen to. But I hope people will enjoy the unique atmosphere that Takemitsu's works have, that they are never dense and that all unnecessary elements have been stripped away."

In addition to the theme, the suite also features music for various scenes, and the music exists naturally within the film like a breath, accompanying the characters' emotional fluctuations and adding a sense of warmth.

Fujioka: "If you listen to it knowing that it's a work by Takemitsu, you'll hear the typical Takemitsu style, but I think you'll be surprised that he could write such a melody. If you listen to it without knowing, you'll wonder who it is, and you won't realize that it was Takemitsu who wrote this beautiful piece."

This will be a rare opportunity to experience the exquisite melodies left behind by the composer Toru Takemitsu.

Another film score is Legrand's symphonic suite, "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg." Legrand has composed scores for numerous films, but it was "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," released in 64, that brought him worldwide fame. It's a musical film in which the entire film is sung, and the brilliance of the heroine, Catherine Deneuve, remains undiminished to this day. Legrand himself studied music at the Paris Conservatoire, and was devoted to not only classical music but also modern jazz, and his 58 album "Legrand Jazz" features credits from leading jazz players of the time, such as Miles Davis and Bill Evans.
He visited Japan with his piano trio and performed his piano and singing until his death in 2019 at the age of 86. Classical music fans will also remember his performance with soprano Natalie Dessay.
Returning to "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," the theme song remains one of the most important film scores for over half a century. This symphonic suite is more than just a theme; it is a masterpiece that feels like watching a movie.

Fujioka: "I was surprised to find such a magnificent piece in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. The famous melody appears, but because the composer studied at the Paris Conservatoire, it is a classical piece. The scenes change constantly, and instead of the same world continuing forever like in Bruckner's work, the colors change one after another, so I don't think listeners will tire of it. It's dramatic and beautiful."

The theme tune is repeated throughout the grand symphonic suite, but various instruments weave captivating melodies like an opera chorus, creating a truly dazzling treasure trove of melodies.You can also enjoy Legrand's diverse range of genres, such as jazz and tango.

In fact, the maestro has special memories of The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

Fujioka: "The first time I conducted was in my second year of junior high school. I was in the instrumental music club and played the trumpet in my first year, but I told my music teacher that I really wanted to become a conductor, and he allowed me to do so in my second year. The first pieces I conducted then were the theme from "Les Umbrellas de Cherbourg" and Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 6. I haven't performed them since then, but when I hear this melody, it brings back fond memories of when I was in junior high school and wanted to be a conductor."
"The film is full of songs, and the images are very colorful, which left a lasting impression on me. This time too, I want to perform in a way that shows the various colors of those scenes in the film, and even though it's a big production, I hope to perform in a fun way that makes it seem like it's over in the blink of an eye."

Performing between the legendary composers Toru Takemitsu and Michel Legrand will be flutist Cocomi, making her debut with the Japan Philharmonic. A promising young flutist with a unique, song-like quality, she will be performing Mozart.

Fujioka: "This will be my first time working with Cocomi, but I'm looking forward to it as she has been getting a lot of praise and attention. I was talking to a player from the Vienna Philharmonic some time ago and they said that Mozart's music is operatic, but it is full of singing. As for the program, I think it will be a good contrast to have some refreshing singing between Takemitsu and the intense Cherbourg."

This album is packed with interesting things to listen to, as you'll see what kind of chemical reaction will occur between Fujioka Yukio's passion and the refreshing feel of the up-and-coming flute player Cocomi.

　(Marisarin)

<Performance information>
January 25, 2025 (Sat) 17:00 404th Yokohama Regular Concert
Sunday, January 26, 2025, 14:00 Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall
Conductor: Yukio Fujioka
Flute: Cocomi
Toru Takemitsu: Suite "Waves on the Basin"
Mozart: Flute Concerto No. 2
Legrand: Symphonic Suite "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg"

https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/concert/20250125/
https://japanphil.or.jp/japanphil_wp/concert/20250126