A Special Program for a Ginza Christmas Eve

From numerous masterpieces such as “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence,” “The Last Emperor,” “The Sheltering Sky,” “AQUA,” and “Energy Flow,” to the latest work “Yae no Sakura”—This concert offers the chance to enjoy the diverse world of music played on Ryuichi Sakamoto's piano, within a private space of just 300 seats and accompanied by world-class acoustics. A special 120-minute program, 30 minutes longer than the regular performances starting on the 26th, has been prepared to suit the Christmas Eve occasion. Cellist Mari Fujiwara, who collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto on the ending theme for the NHK historical drama “Yae no Sakura,” will appear as a special guest.

Additionally, audience members can write their song requests on slips of paper and place them in a box before the performance. Some of these requests will be played live. Three pairs of audience members, selected by lottery from ticket stubs, will be invited on stage for a surprise opportunity to watch Ryuichi Sakamoto perform up close. Furthermore, as a memento of attendance, photographs will be taken at the venue (of the attendee only) and later presented in a specially framed, autographed print.

We have secured two pairs of these premium tickets, exclusively for Mitsukoshi Isetan Group VIP customers, for OPENERS readers on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications close on Monday the 16th at 6:00 PM. For ticket purchase inquiries, please contact Charlie Weiss (Shinjuku Isetan Men's Building 8F).


MITSUKOSHI ISETAN presents the Private 300 Limited - Christmas 2013
Ryuichi Sakamoto | Playing the Piano
Performer | Ryuichi Sakamoto
Special Guest | Mari Fujiwara (Cello)
Dates | December 24 (Tue), 25 (Wed), 2013
Time | Doors open 6:00 PM, Performance starts 7:00 PM
Venue | Yamaha Hall
7-9-14 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Price | ¥25,000 (All seats reserved / includes welcome special drink)

Inquiries | Charlie Weiss (Shinjuku Isetan Men's Building 8F)
Phone | Tel. 03-3225-2853 (10:30 AM - 8:00 PM)
Application Deadline for OPENERS Secured Tickets | December 16 (Mon) 6:00 PM
*Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please note that tickets may sell out or applications may close
before the stated deadline.

SAKAMOTO Ryuichi
Debuted solo in 1978 with “Thousand Knives.” Formed YMO in the same year. After the band's dissolution, he has continued to work across various media, including music, film, publishing, and advertising. In 1984, he received a British Academy Award for “Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence,” in which he appeared and composed the music, and an Academy Award for Best Original Score and a Grammy Award for the music of the film “The Last Emperor.” In March 2013, he composed the opening music for the grand reopening of Isetan Shinjuku.
www.sitesakamoto.com

FUJIWARA Mari
Entered Toho Gakuen School of Music's Children's Music Class in 1959, studying under Hideo Saito. In 1971, she won first prize and the Grand Prix in the cello division of the 40th Music Competition of Japan. She subsequently studied under Paul Fournier and Mstislav Rostropovich. In 1978, she won second prize in the 6th Tchaikovsky Competition. Since then, she has established herself as one of Japan's leading cellists, active both domestically and internationally. In recent years, she has collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto on the ending theme for the NHK historical drama “Yae no Sakura” and for the NHK BS Premium program “Miyazawa Kenji's Concert – Concerto with 3.11.” Her concerts, which include engaging talks, are also highly popular.
www.mari-fujiwara.com