The sixth in the series of Masterpieces Performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra presents 3 treasured performances from the orchestra's archives. The 2021 Winter Special kicks off with the official reintroduction of Fabio Luisi appointed as the Chief Conductor of the orchestra starting with the 2022-2023 season. Hailing from Genoa, Italy, Luisi is a world-renowned conductor who has held notable positions with the Metropolitan Opera and Staatskapelle Dresden. From his many previous appearances with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, we present his 2008 collaboration on one of Beethoven's masterpieces as a harbinger of the orchestra's new era under Luisi's tenure. Second in the series is a Tchaikovsky piece with Herbert Blomstedt at the helm with the work of Johannes Brahms as interpreted by Roger Norrington rounding out the triptych. Each presentation is introduced by music critic Katayama Morihide and Yamamoto Miki.

Season 5 Episode 1 - Paavo Järvi: Bruckner, Symphony No. 1 in C minor

Austrian composer Josef Anton Bruckner is said to have created a symphonic style of monumental proportions equivalent to that of a colossal stone structure in architecture. Yet Symphony No. 1 in C minor composed during his early years has a charming light touch reminiscent of an airy place drenched in sunlight. The agility of the NHK Symphony Orchestra as it gradually builds the pace of the performance in perfect response to conductor Paavo Järvi's lithe direction brings out the charm of the composition. Performed in the early summer of 2018 at Shibuya to resounding audience acclaim, this concert is sure to bring a ray of light to all of us hoping for a speedy conclusion to the pandemic. Relish the performance that is the convergence of 3 superb elements: an airy charming music composition, directed by a conductor with a light and modern interpretation, and performed by a symphony orchestra that is more than up to the task. Air Date : 15th-Aug-2021  Read More

Season 5 Episode 2 - Roger Norrington: Beethoven, Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68, “Pastorale”

Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 in F major expresses the elation of a city dweller enjoying a day in the country in nature. Titled the "Pastorale, or Recollections of Country Life," the melody is a very familiar one. But this new interpretation of the "Pastorale" as conducted by Roger Norrington is full of surprises. The tempo is rapid and there is no use of vibrato by the stringed instruments. At first, the listeners are overwhelmed by the rapid change of musical scenes even before they are comfortably settled into the music, but as they gradually relax into the composition, they experience the feeling of release at the openness of the space depicted by the score. Although known for its sumptuous sound, here the NHK orchestra demonstrates a fresh new appeal through their rhythmically well-modulated performance in response to Norrington's baton. Bask in the feeling of being in the great outdoors while listening to "Pastorale" at a time when the pandemic has restricted outings of all kinds. Air Date : 22nd-Aug-2021  Read More

Season 5 Episode 3 - Christoph Eschenbach: Brahms, Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68

Symphony No. 1 in C minor written by Johannes Brahms and widely regarded as one of the greatest symphonies of the nineteenth century is conducted here by fellow German Christoph Eschenbach. He is known for adding unique insights gleaned from his deep-dive into the score and giving exacting instructions to every instrumentalist to infuse the performance with deeper meaning. Eschenbach's association with the NHK Symphony Orchestra goes back to November 1979; together they have performed all the Brahms symphonies and that seasoned partnership is evident in this performance. Take pleasure in this gem polished to brilliance by the exhilarating artistic interplay between conductor and orchestra. Air Date : 29th-Aug-2021  Read More