Lounge
May 11, 2015
Ryuichi Sakamoto Piano Tour Diary | A photo from April 17, 2009
Day 31 of the Tour | A Snapshot from April 17, 2009
Mid-April, chasing cherry blossoms on a tour of the Hokuriku region. This is a snapshot from Ryuichi Sakamoto's first Japan piano tour in four years, which began with a concert in Tokyo on March 18 and concludes on April 29 (Wednesday) at the Showa Women's University Hitomi Memorial Hall.
Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano 2009
Concert at Toyama Overd Hall on Friday, April 17
Text by Rurihiko Hara
The professor and his entourage, having finished their concert in Niigata,
have arrived in Toyama Prefecture today. The Hokuriku region, here we come!
The venue is Toyama Overd Hall.
Another modern space, perfectly suited to the professor's music.
The hall, with seating up to the fifth floor, was filled with 2,100 attendees today!
Among today's setlist, one song particularly caught my attention: 'aubade'.
This was originally a commercial song for Mitsuya Cider, but
coincidentally (?), it shares its name with the venue.
This piece is also captivating!
One of the many highlights of this tour is the professor's inclusion of cover songs, with the idea of 'occasionally playing others' music'.
'to stanford' and 'normandia' performed today are examples of this.
'to stanford,' featured on the album 'out of noise,' is a song by Kotringo.
What a catchy tune!
Kotringo herself said, 'This song sounds like Sakamoto, so I'm giving it to him'.
The rendition of 'to stanford,' played with the rich sound only two pianos can produce, is always breathtaking.
And 'normandia' was composed by Haruomi Hosono, also with a 'Sakamoto-esque' feel.
Thus, the night in Toyama Prefecture was deeply and profoundly colored by the professor's piano, culminating in a tremendously exciting finale!
Impressions from the Open Rehearsal on Friday, April 17
As a special perk for purchasers of the album 'out of noise,' attendees could observe rehearsals for the 'Ryuichi Sakamoto Playing the Piano 2009' tour. In Toyama, eight lucky fans enjoyed about 30 minutes of rehearsal in an empty hall.
When the hall doors opened and I stepped inside, I heard the melody of 'tango,' and seeing Sakamoto-san at the piano brought tears to my eyes.
(Because 'tango' is one of my favorite songs...)
Listening to the flowing piano notes, I found myself wondering if he always approaches the piano with such concentration.
Hearing Sakamoto-san's piano after so many years... it was deeply moving.
I've been a fan of Sakamoto-san for decades, and this was a truly happy moment.
Thank you.
During the concert, each time a song was played that I had heard during the rehearsal,
I enjoyed it with a slightly different feeling.
Sakamoto-san, please come to Toyama again!
Thank you so much. (Y.N).
It was a truly precious experience. Thank you.
Within the 30-minute viewing period, every song was one I had heard before.
At times, he repeated sections until he was satisfied, and
I was happy to experience something I couldn't normally encounter. (Y.T).
Before the Open Rehearsal
I had been listening to the professor's music extensively since purchasing 'out of noise,' and
I was incredibly lucky to win a spot to observe the rehearsal at Toyama Overd Hall on Friday, April 17!
Since the meeting time was 4 PM on a weekday, perhaps some people couldn't make it; there were 8 attendees instead of the expected 10.
With only two men among the attendees, it felt a bit lonely... Thank you also for the posters.
Entering the dimly lit hall for the rehearsal viewing, I was instructed to watch my step. Hearing the professor carefully and repeatedly playing the songs he would likely perform that day, I was filled with nervous anticipation from the very first piece, 'tango'.
I was deeply moved to see him meticulously checking the details, even after likely playing these pieces thousands of times!
Although it was only about 30 minutes, the sequence from 'energy flow' to 'Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence' towards the end was superb.
To think I heard these songs before everyone else... I was overwhelmed! I'm looking forward to the main concert!!
I only realized later that by sheer coincidence, the row of seats I sat in during the rehearsal viewing was directly behind the seats for the main concert...!! It was the best.
However, during the concert, people were coughing, and an alarm went off during 'amore,' which was disappointing. The audience's manners were poor!
There was constant coughing near me too... On behalf of Toyama, I apologize.
Also, the MC seemed shorter than at other venues. I hope the professor doesn't come to dislike Toyama?
I had predicted that 'riot in lagos' would be played, so I was disappointed that there were no new additions to the setlist.
I hope the professor doesn't come to dislike Toyama? (M.T).
commmons
