It is finally 2025, the year marking the beginning of my 50th debut anniversary.
I am surprised by the number “50 years” myself as I prepare for each concert, thinking back, “Has it really been that long? “and “I’ve finally reached 50 years, having had my ups and downs…”
I started my anniversary concert series with “Ysaÿe: Six Unfinished Sonatas Concert”, at the end of last year as a pre-concert. It was a challenging programme like tough training, to perform Ysaÿe in Tokyo and Hyogo which gave me a sense of urgency already.
The 50th anniversary is a special milestone that is quite different from any other anniversary.
Even if I could celebrate my 55th, 60th, and 65th anniversaries safely, I feel that when I look back later, the 50th anniversary will be something different as a major turning point. I think I will be feeling the end of something as well as the beginning of something new.
One of the main commemorative concerts will be held at the Minatomirai Concert Hall on February 1st titled the “Anniversary Concerto” concert, followed by a recital on February 2nd at the Symphony Hall in Osaka.
The concert in Yokohama at the Minatomirai Hall will be a two-hour concert which I am producing with my brother Akira, with the help of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, performing orchestral works by Akira Senju as well as opera arias arranged by Akira, which I don’t play so often. There will be many works to be introduced for the first time.
That makes me so excited and also a little bit nervous!
I have always longed to perform opera arias with orchestral accompaniment but never had the chance to play, so it makes me so happy. I have chosen the opera arias that I’ve admired so much for so long, and I’ve always been moved by, thinking how wonderful human voices are.
I actually have performed opera arias in Naples with my brother Akira in Italy about 30 years ago. It was for NHK’s special documentary programme.
I played opera arias arranged by my brother Akira, those tunes well-known by the Napolitan members of the orchestra. At first, they were rather puzzled to know that I was to play the opera arias on violin, but as I started playing, the instrumentalists started to sing along. There even was a time when everyone was singing very happily, though the NHK camera was rolling.
It was indeed a very Italian, bright and cheerful atmosphere which was so enjoyable.
One of the members surprised me by putting a bottle of wine beside him and drinking it! Naturally, his face flushed, looking very happy and singing very loudly…I was surrounded by the warm atmosphere and the air of people truly enjoying the music.
Such memories flash back whenever I hear opera arias. I can’t wait to perform the various opera arias with my brother conducting.
I will also be playing opera arias the following day at my recital in The Symphony Hall, Osaka, (piano accompaniment by Mr. Satoshi Sando), so it is like a special treat for me, a project that is only possible on my 50th anniversary. In this Osaka recital, I will also be performing pieces
that I have fond memories of since my debut, such as Bach’s unaccompanied Chaconne, and Beethoven’s Romance.
These days, I feel that time seems to pass by so quickly. I think that the 50th anniversary year will end in the blink of an eye…I already feel a little sentimental to think about it…
For me, it is the start of a new year believing and hoping that as many people as possible would come to listen to the 50th anniversary concerts.