2nd Memorial Concert for the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami ~ Hokusai Orchestra & Japanese taiko drummer, Joji Hirota

March 11th 2013 is the second anniversary of the appalling Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Following the last concert, the Hokusai Chamber Orchestra is going to perform for the second time in London on 26th April and 2nd May 2013. A renowned Japanese Taiko drummer, *Joji Hirota will perform with the orchestra in this event. 

We would like to express gratitude for the generous donations received from Britain for the affected areas in Japan and  also we would like to introduce more traditional Japanese culture through the use of traditional instruments.

 

Please join us for the special event with your friends and family! 

 

 = Programe =
Toshiro Mayuzumi:  Echigo Jishin
Toru Takemitsu:  How Slow the Wind
Gustav Holst:   Oriental Suite ' Beni Mora'
Keiko Takano: Spring Moon for japanese percussion instruments and large ensemble ( world premiere)
Kaoru Wada: Forkloric Dance Suite

 

Joji HIrota - Japanese taiko drummer
Born in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan.
In the early 80s, he founded ‘Joji Hirota & London Taiko Ensemble’, a highly regarded and well established Japanese traditional and contemporary taiko drumming group.

 

Now his career spans over 30 years and 16 albums, sculpting dynamic landscapes of rhythm and haunting melodies with the themes of nature and the beauty in every day life. Since receiving a commendation from the UK Japanese Embassy from Ambassador Orita in 2003 for his contribution to Japanese culture overseas through his musical activities, he has continued to work on a vast number of diverse projects, and with his recent 'Beyond The Requiem' charity concert tours with the London Metropolitan Orchestra in the UK and Japan, has strived to make a difference by supporting the people affected by the Earthquake disaster of 2011 through music.

 

They performed at many concerts and events worldwide; the USA, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Germany, Turkey, Croatia, Korea, Poland, Australia, New Zealand. The ensemble has also performed at a wide range of international festivals including WOMAD, Bruges, Interparla and Sibiu Festivals as well as many others in the UK.
http://www.jojihirota.com

 

Akiko Ohtomo -Conductor
Born in Fukushima, Japan, Akiko studied Music and Conducting in Tokyo, also working during that time as an assistant conductor to Mstislav Rostropovich in Kobe; and to Naoto Otomo for an opera ‘Jr.Butterfly’ by Shigeaki Saegusa at the 52nd Puccini Festival in Italy. To further her postgraduate studies she moved to Russia's St Petersburg State Conservatory where she was a fellowship student of 20th Zonta International. While in 2005 she was awarded first prize at the International Academy of Advanced Conducting Competition in St.Petersburg. After she moved in UK, she has established the Hokusai Chamber Orchestra drawing on the gifts and energies of young professionals. Currently she is working based in London.

 

Entrance cost   £25 & £15 ( concessions )