Founded in Munich, Germany, in 1916, BMW has been cherished as a global car brand for over a century. It is also known for its contributions to various cultural support activities. Meanwhile, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, also based in Munich and with over 120 years of history, has a deep connection with BMW. To commemorate the orchestra's performance tour in Japan in November 2024, BMW Japan hosted a special event. Here, we report on some aspects of that occasion.

We visited an international school in Azabudai, Tokyo. There, violinists and cellists from the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra were seen directly guiding children with warm encouragement.

The children, given this rare and unparalleled opportunity to receive direct instruction from players of a world-renowned orchestra, shared their impressions with sparkling eyes.

"Their inspiring performance made me feel how much practice the orchestra members must have put in. The advice I received about 'going with the flow of the music' was very helpful. I was also struck by the advice to 'play as if conversing with sound as an orchestra,' which I think will be useful in the future." (Left: Abigail La)

"It was an incredibly valuable experience. They clearly taught us tips for better performance, like how to play from piano (softly) to forte (loudly)." (Right: Emily Iwabuchi)

The children seemed to gain many insights and learnings from the lecture by the members of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra.

Afterward, they moved to the gymnasium, where the orchestra performed ensemble pieces and string quartet music for the school children.

After the performance, in response to children's questions like "How much do you practice every day?" and "When did you start playing your instrument?", the orchestra members spoke about the joy of engaging with instruments from a young age and the importance of consistent practice.

"I was deeply inspired by the children. Their ability to absorb and internalize everything we conveyed was remarkable. If you find an instrument you are passionate about, I encourage you to pursue it. I hope you will enjoy not only practicing but also performing on stage." (Member of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and violist, Konstantin Sellheim)

The fact that their dedication to practicing and love for music has resulted in the wonderful performances that captivate people worldwide was perhaps the most compelling message. This must have deeply resonated with the children.

The second part of the event featured a mini-concert by the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra at FREUDE by BMW, captivating guests who had won a chance to attend.

The string quintet members included Naoka Aoki (violin and concertmaster), Iason Keramidis (violin), Jano Lisboa (viola), Janis Liepa (viola), and Shizuka Mitsui (cello). The pieces performed were as follows:

Philip Glass: String Quartet No. 3 'Mishima' VI. Closing (4')
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: String Quintet No. 3 in C major, K. 516 III. Andante + IV. Allegro (10' + 7')
Johannes Brahms: String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 111 I. Allegro ma non troppo (13')

We also spoke with a BMW representative about their commitment to supporting arts and culture for half a century.

"At BMW, there's a fundamental belief that large corporations should give back to society. In terms of cultural support for music, our relationship with the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra has been strong for a long time. While our German headquarters has partnered with the orchestra to implement educational programs worldwide, this is the first time we've done so in Japan. We see value not just as a sponsor, but as a partner providing opportunities for new experiences," says Tomoko Inoue, Brand Communication Manager.

The special event was met with great enthusiasm, not only from the children, who showed high levels of interest and beaming smiles, but also from the teachers, who universally exclaimed, "Amazing!" Ms. Inoue also expressed her admiration for the professional orchestra members' skill in elevating the children's performance. She reflected that the event successfully provided a special space, reinforcing the value of such initiatives.

This event, hosted by BMW Japan, offered a rare opportunity for close interaction with players from a world-renowned orchestra, beloved by fans globally.

While culture and the arts can sometimes seem daunting, this event highlighted the importance of experiencing them in an accessible way.

Perhaps such opportunities spark an interest in culture and the arts, leading those who are interested to inherit traditions or create new forms of expression.