Guide to The 44th Niibori Guitar Christmas (Candle) Concert
Kiyomi Niibori (a member of NE & Ladies' Quartet, Master of Arts in Music)
Christmas season is coming soon. In every December, Niibori Guitar Christmas (Charity)
Concerts are held in many districts in Japan. This concert, the 44th for this
time, has been enjoyed by a lot of guitar fans and music lovers under the name
of "Candle Concert". The series of this concert was originated by Dr.
Hiroki Niibori, being deeply impressed by heart warming concert (joyful concert
with performer's explanations for familiar, old and new musical masterpieces)
under candle light at Mirabel Palace in Salzburg, in 1965, with his intention
to take music in daily life in Japan, under the name of "Charity Concert
with explanations". Program of the concert was consisted of familiar pieces
of music, almost all Japanese know. At that time, especially in authoritative
Japanese classic guitar world, we did not have such kind of concert (familiar
pieces of music were performed with explanations) and many criticisms were seemed
to be heard. It would be said that general audience expected this kind of concert.
This Candle Concert was originally performed as the 7th public performance (1966)
of Niibori Guitar Orchestra, resulting big sensation to decide to continue the
series of this concert with many eager requests from audience, and the site of
concert has been spread in Japan. Continuing this concert praying for peace with
all of heart for more than 30 years, Dr Niibori was awarded International Art
and Culture Prize (had been receiving many letters of thanks from Japan Red Cross
and UNICEF). After that, activities for long years to bring peace through music
has been admitted in the world and awarded from many countries. In 2001, Dr. Niibori
was awarded from United Nation's NGO (International Parliament for Peace Settlement)
and Dr. Kopper (PhD), representative of the NGO, gave message of "Mankind
was united standing aloof from the wall of nationality, race, and religion".
(Dr. Niibori also received blessings and prizes from Dalai Lama His Grace and
Pope, later.) Then, since 2003, Dr. Niibori raised flag of "Praying for Peace"
for theme of concert with cooperation of UN's NGO, WPPS (World Peace Prayer Society)
and GOI Peace Foundation, and songs and pieces of music praying for peace were
arranged in concert program. This concert praying for peace will be held in 2
locations, Fujisawa, Niibori's headquarter is locating, and Sagami-Oono.
This concert started to be awarded many prizes and the contents of the concert
are familiar and joyful Christmas concert for every one even having no experience
of concert can easily come to join. Popular pieces in one year's Niibori Guitar
Concerts will be also performed.
The public performance titled "Praying for Peace" for this time in Fujisawa
and Sagami-Oono will be mainly performed by Niibori Guitar Philharmonic Orchestra
(N-Orch.) and song praying for peace = "Let There Be Peace on Earth"
will be performed.
Now in this year, wonderful guest will be invited. That is powerful jazz chorus
group, organized with 4 ladies, = "Suite Voice". They realized album
debut from King Record. Talking about King Record, the album of Niibori Guitar
Ladies' Quartet "The Dreamers" was put on sale from this Record Company.
This is only an accidental story---.
In tune chorus of Suite Voice, providing nature of entertainment and sound singing
ability, also has sweet and flowery atmosphere of women's chorus. It was organized
in 1997 with powerful singers, having careers of musical, dancer, actress and
so on. They are going to perform song praying for peace with N-Orch. for this
time. Then, they will costar for "I Could Have Danced All Night" from
musical "My Fair Lady". Also, their own chorus will be presented.
Strauss' works with Dr. Niibori's baton will be presented, continued from main
concert.
Actually, Strauss' genuine waltz was premiere performed by N-Orch. at Candle Concert
(premiere performance of "Geschichten aus dem Wienerwald" in 1969).
Performing Strauss beloved by general public will be just right for the point
of the concert. It will be enjoyable with slightly different ideas and overall
programming from the main concert. "Waldmeister Fantasy" (original:
Overture of Waldmeister) for both of public performance, "Banditen-Galopp"
for Sagami-Oono, and "Polka Ohne Sorgen" for Fujisawa will be presented.
Furthermore, "Christmas Songs in Baroque Style" will be performed by
N-Orch., conducted by Mr. Kazuyuki Terada. This piece is the series of Baroque
style by Mr. Masaaki Hayakawa, and it is composed of 3 movements of "Jingle
Bells", "Silent Night", and "Joy to the World".
Please enjoy all 3 movements. Then, Mr. Arnaud Dumond also praised highly! "Fantasy
of the Earth", original piece by Kengo Momose, feast of Japanese Gods, Japanese
drums play important part, will be performed again.
NE will perform new piece, "Christmas Concert for 2 Flutes" composed
by Corelli (soloists: Ms. Yuko Koshibe and Ms. Miki Yamamoto), and "An American
in Paris". Excellent performance of costarring dancer = Ms. Miyuki Satou
in "An American in Paris" will be a pleasure.
In the public performance in Sagami-Oono, "The Marriage of Figaro, Overture",
performed at the start of main concert, will be performed again. And teachers
in neighboring class rooms will play an important part in this public performance.
Electric guitar soloists in "Song of Life ~ Jounetsu-Tairiku" will be
teachers in Machida class room of Niibori Guitar, Mr. Daisuke Mishima and Mr.
Naoyuki Sawada. They are very popular performers in live performance. Next, NE
will perform guitarron concert "March and Trepak from Nutcracker" and
soloist will be chief of Sagami-Oono class, Mr. Hajime Kizu. Cheering party will
be expected to rush in to the concert.
Cembalo Guitar Ensemble will perform at public performance in Sagami-Oono, and
Hand bell Ensemble will perform in Fujisawa. Both will be the most suitable sound
for Christmas.
Popular ensemble = DANROKU and Ladies' Quartet will perform at both of the concert.
Opening performance at both of the concert will be performed by amateur, students'
guitar orchestra of neighboring class rooms. Calling performance by amateur, but
they are citizens' orchestra and ensemble, won prizes at cocours etc. You will
be able to enjoy splendid, high leveled performance by members of children ~ elderly
peoples with homey atmosphere.
NE Wine Party is scheduled at Live House N in main building of International Niibori
Guitar Music Academy (Fujisawa) on Dec. 17 (Wed.) 7:30 p.m. You will be able to
enjoy with members of NE, with splendid performance by NE and game corner for
wonderful presents at the party expressing thanks for support by NE fans for a
year. How wonderful for this time! Free drink of choice-quality wine will be served
by cooperation of famous wine company, Pieroth Japan! Hors d'oeuvres will be also
served!
And, public performance in Shizuoka by NE is scheduled on Dec. 10 (Wed.).
Furthermore, Candle Concerts sponsored by Niibori Guitar are scheduled in many
places.
Every public performance will be enjoyable Christmas Concert with pleasant pieces
of music, and there is one thing continued from the first start of this concert.
That is familiar for fans and you will not be able to see the old year out without
this. That is big chorus of "Silent Night" with all of audience. "Silent
Night" is a hymn composed with guitar. If some of foreigners staying in Japan
at that time, please join the concert----. Impressionable atmosphere of unifying
performers with audience will be your memory of Christmas in Japan---. We are
looking forward to see you at the concert.
The 44th Niibori Guitar Christmas (Candle) Concert
[Public performance in Sagami-Oono] <Praying for Peace>
Dec.15 (Mon.) curtain rises at 19:00 Green Hall Sagami-Oono (Big Hall)
<Conducting and Talk>Hiroki Niibori, Kazuyuki Terada, Yuhi Ono, Hajime Kizu,
others
<Guest>Suite Voice (Women's Chorus)
<Performers>Niibori Guitar Philharmonic Orchestra (N-Orch.), Niibori Guitar
Ensemble (NE), Cembalo Guitar Ensemble, DANROKU, Niibori Guitar Ladies' Quartet
(JOYON)
<Opening Performance>Shinjou Guitar Ensemble, Sagami-Oono, Machida, Nakayama
Joint Guitar Orchestra
[Public Performance in Fujisawa] <Praying for Peace>
Dec. 21 (Sun.) curtain rises at 14:00 Fujisawa Shimin Kaikan (Big Hall)
<Conducting and Talk> Hiroki Niibori, Kazuyuki Terada, Akane Inubushi, Youji
Ochiai, Masumi Satou, others
<Guest> Suite Voice (Women's Chorus), Miyuki Satou (Dance)
<Performers> N-Orch., NE, Hand bell Ensemble, DANROKU, JOYON
<Opening Performance> Boys and Girls' Guitar Orchestra, Hiratsuka Shimin
Guitar Orchestra, Fujisawa Guitar Ensemble
<Admission Fee> Each of Sagami-Oono and Fujisawa
Adult 3,000yen Primary, Middle, High School student 2,000yen
[NE Public Performance in Shizuoka]
Dec. 10 (Wed.) curtain rises at 19:00 Shizuoka Ongakukan AOI
<Conducting and Talk> Kazuyuki Terada, Atsusi Kuniyoshi
<Opening Performance> Shizuoka Guitar Ensemble
<Admission Fee> Adult 3,000yen Primary, Middle, High School Student 2,000yen
[NE Wine Party]
Dec. 17 (Wed.) curtain rises at 19:30 Fujisawa Live House N
<Conducting and Talk> Kazuyuki Terada <Performer> NE
Free drink for wine, hors d'oeuvres will be served
For questions, advice & requests about Monthly Harmony,
Niibori Guitar Music Academy, Editorial Office
143-14 Fujisawa, Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa-ken,
251-0052 Japan
Phone: +81-466-23-8338 / Fax: +81-466-23-9337
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