And On to Japan!

Not content to take just North America and Europe by storm, Paavo is now on the way to Asia, his third continent in three weeks--and, specifically, to Japan, one of his favorite countries!

Returning to Japan for the first time since leading his Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on a triumphant tour of that country last November, Paavo will be filling in the guest conducting shoes over the next three weeks for the NHK Symphony Orchestra on a tour of Japan (English language version of website here).

"The history of the NHK Symphony Orchestra began from the 'New Symphony Orchestra', Japan’s first professional orchestra established on October 5, 1926. After its name was changed to 'Japan Symphony Orchestra', the orchestra received full financial support from NHK (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, i. e. Japan Broadcasting Corporation) in 1951, and changed its name to 'NHK Symphony Orchestra'. The Orchestra’s performance standard has vastly improved after appointing Joseph Rosenstock as chief conductor, and its subscription concerts, which are its core activities, continued even during the World War II ever since the first held on February 20, 1927.

"Today the NHK Symphony Orchestra performs about 120 concerts a year, including 54 seasonal subscription concerts at the NHK Hall or Suntory Hall. All subscription programmes are broadcast nationwide on NHK television and over FM radio networks, as well as to Europe, North and South America, and Asia through the NHK World Service. Activities and performances of the NHK Symphony Orchestra such as regular overseas concerts since 1960, plans for semi-staged operas, complete range of the commissioned works, CD recordings with major recording companies, etc., have earned its high reputation worldwide."

PAAVO'S TOUR SCHEDULE WITH THE NHK SYMPHONY:

Wednesday, May 25, and Thursday, May 26, at Suntory Hall, Tokyo

Pärt: Fratres; Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No.1 (Hilary Hahn); and Shostakovich: Symphony No.5
* * * * *
Sunday, May 29, at Orchard Hall, Tokyo

Pärt: Collage on BACH; Haydn: Cello Concerto in C major (Truls Mørk); and Sibelius: Symphony No.2
* * * * *
Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, at NHK Center, Tokyo; and Monday, June 6, at Okayama Symphony Hall, Okayama

Schumann: Cello Concerto (Truls Mørk) and Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2
* * * * *
Saturday, June 11, and Sunday, June 12, at NHK Center, Tokyo

Tüür: Aditus; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.3 (Alexander Toradze); and Schumann: Symphony No.3
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NHK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, TOKYO
Address: 2-16-49 Takanawa, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0074
Phone: 03-5793-8111
Fax: 03-3443-0278