Monday 31st October 2022
Vaughan Williams 150th Anniversary Recital
Midori Komachi - Book Launch
Ginza Oji Hall, Tokyo
Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
From English Folksongs to the Unknown World
Part of Midori Komachi's 'Vaughan Williams Project' in the UK and Japan in 2022, this recital marks the 150th Anniversary celebration in Tokyo, and will launch the publication of her latest book: Vaughan Williams (by Simon Heffer, Japanese translation by Midori Komachi & Nobuya Takahashi, Artes Publishing).
This will be the first Japanese biography of Vaughan Williams to be published in Japan.
From the popular pieces The Lark Ascending, Fantasia on Greensleeves to the rare Violin Sonata (this concert is believed to be the Japanese Premiere of this piece), this concert encapsulates the full range of musical style by this great composer, who established 'English Music' in the early 20th Century.
A descendant of the Wedgwood and Darwin families, Vaughan Williams was not only a composer but a great cultural figure, who contributed to the musical life of England and tirelessly worked in volunteering activities to bring 'music for all'.
Please join us on this musical journey through Vaughan Williams's multifaceted life.
Midori's new album, Vaughan Williams: Complete Works for Violin and Piano will also be on sale at this event.
Monday 31st October 2022, 19:00
Doors open 18:15
Midori Komachi（Violin)
Masanori Kato (Piano)
Naoki Hayashida（Music Journalist）
（Nearest Subway station: Ginza, 1 minute walk from A12 Exit)
Programme:
Ralph Vaughan Williams（1872-1958):
Fantasia on Greensleeves (arr. Mullinar)
Songs of Travel, No.7 'Wither must I wander?'
House of Life, No.2 'Silent Noon'
The Lake in the Mountains for piano
The Lark Ascending (original version for violin and piano)
Sonata for Violin and Piano in A minor
Tickets (reserved seating) 5000 JPY
Pre-booking：From 28th August via Motion Gallery Crowdfunding campaign
General Booking：Monday 29th August 2022
Supported by：British Council, Japan-British Society
On BBC Radio 3 & BBC World Service
Midori has appeared on several BBC programmes this year, performing some of Vaughan Williams's works and talking about her 'Vaughan Williams Project' in the UK and Japan.
In the link below, hear Midori speaking about Vaughan Williams on BBC Radio 3 Music Matters with Tom Service (appears from 32:00).
Music Video
Music Video, filmed at Leith Hill Place, Vaughan Williams's childhood home (National Trust)
Album Release
NEW ALBUM
Vaughan Williams: Complete Works for Violin and Piano
Midori Komachi (violin), Simon Callaghan (piano)
MusiKaleido MKCD002
Dual Language Album (Booklet in English & Japanese versions)
- Romance and Pastorale (1912 -1914)
- The Lark Ascending (original version for violin and piano) (1914-1920)
- Sonata for Violin and Piano in A minor (1954)
- 6 Studies in English Folksong (1926)
Available now as CD and streaming on all major platforms
