Japanese maestro conducts international programme
Maestro Hikotaro Yazaki will be conducting the Pro Musica Orchestra in a programme featuring the works of three composers from diverse nationalities, at Anantara Siam Hotel’s Pimarnman Hall, Ratchadamri Road, on Thursday at 8pm.
The concert will open with Requiem For String Orchestra, a poignant work by the most celebrated Japanese avant-garde composer, Toru Takemitsu.
The Requiem shows Takemitsu’s style in embryo — rich in opulent chords, luminous textures, exotic tones that almost brush the skin and hazy melodies that move like figures in the mist.
Next on the programme will be ML Usni Pramoj’s Suite For String Orchestra, a favourite piece that consists of dance movements in the traditional Western style, with complex polyphonic and rhythmic alternations.
The evening will conclude with Tchaikovsky’s Serenade For Strings, one of the best loved pieces of music for concertgoers all around the world.
It was written in 1880 as a homage to Mozart’s serenades.
Pro Musica will once again perform this orchestral serenade at Siam Society, Asok Road, on Friday. The performance will follow a panel discussion on “What Does The Conductor Actually Do?”, featuring Yazaki and Prof Dr Chetana Nagavajara as speakers, at 7pm.
Interesting topics will include “Have You Ever Wondered Whether Music Conductors Actually Influence Their Orchestras?”, “What Is The Point Of Conductors For Orchestras? Don’t The Musicians Know The Music?”, “Do Orchestras Really Need Someone Flapping Their Arms On A Podium?” and “Is A Conductor No More Than A Combination Of Timekeeper And Showman, Emoting Like Mad For The Crowds?”. Tickets for the Thursday concert are 600 baht (100 baht for students) and can be purchased by email promusica. bkk@gmail.com. The fee to the Friday discussion is 600 baht (500 baht for Siam Society members and 100 baht for students). Call 02-661-6470—3.