Guide to The 45th Niibori Guitar Christmas (Candle) Concert
Kiyomi Niibori (a member of NE & Ladies' Quartet, Master of Arts in Music)
Niibori Guitar Christmas (Charity) Concerts are held in many districts in Japan
in Christmas season. This concert, the 45th 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. This concert will be the first concert with explanations in Japanese classical
guitar music society, of course, and the field of concert of classical pieces
of music.
Program of the concert was consisted of familiar pieces of music, almost all Japanese
sang. At that time (1960s), many authorities in authoritative Japanese classic
guitar world criticized the concert of pieces of music well known by general public
being performed with explanations by professional performers. But it would be
said as general public was looking for to have such kind of concert. Dressed up
professional performers performing on stage many pieces of music often sang and
well known by general public possibly seemed to be a shocking scene for audience
at that time. 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 widely in Japan. There are many peoples started to
go to concert and to play music after experiencing this concert.
Continuing this charity concert praying for peace with all of heart, Dr Niibori
was awarded International Art and Culture Prize (had been receiving many letters
of thanks from Japan Red Cross and UNICEF) in 1990. After that, thought and activities
for long years to bring peace through music has been awarded from various organizations
in many countries. In 2001, Dr. Niibori was awarded from United Nation's NGO (International
Parliament for Peace Settlement).
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. "Concert praying for Peace" will be opened
at "Persimmon Hall" in Meguro, Tokyo, for this year.
Now, for this concert, giving many opportunities to be awarded, the main point
is familiar and joyful Christmas concert for peoples, even if having no experience
to visit concert (especially for classical music), to visit easily. And also it
is the concert of performing popular pieces from Niibori Guitar concerts of the
year.
This time for public performance in Tokyo, appealing "Praying for Peace",
Niibori Guitar Philharmonic Orchestra (N-Orch.) will be the main performer and
song praying for peace = "Let There Be Peace On Earth" will be performed.
And for this year also, wonderful guest will be invited. The guest will be "Folk
Singer on the Beach" = Temiyan (Temiyan, real name is Takeo Miyate). Acoustic
"Shonan Sound" harmonizing Shonan and Hawaiian taste, thick , deep and
gentle singing voice is the charm point, and he is appearing regularly on TVK
Television and FM Yokohama. The band led by Temiyan and hula will appear on stage
for this time!
Song of "Let There Be Peace On Earth" will be presented in Temiyan taste.
It will be felt strange for hula and ukulele in Christmas, but it will be supposed
to be such one in Hawaii.
For conducting by Dr. Niibori, "An der shonen blauen Donau" will be
presented following main concert. Mr. and Mrs. Mihashi presented marvelous dance
at the public performance in September, and some thing directed by Ms. Miyuki
Sato (dancer, actress and director) will happen for this time. Please wait.
And, performance of N-Orch. conducted by Mr. Kazuyuki Terada will start from "Grand
Jingle Bells". This will be big scaled "Jingle Bells" never performed
by N-Orch. before. "TUBASA" from the theme of NE public performance
in this summer, "Kengo Momose's Works", will be performed next with
big organization.
The electric guitar concert "The Mission" (Morricone), became popular
in Main Concert in this year, will be performed again. Movie "The Mission"
is a story of a missionary and it will be said to be a suitable piece for Christmas
Concert.
For ensembles, DANROKU will perform "Gold Rush" (score is carried on
this issue) in DANROKU version, Niibori Guitar Ladies' Quartet (JOYON) will perform
a new piece "Elle~Tattoo for lovers" (O.Toussaint~R.Sturz), arranged
by Mr. Hideaki Kobayashi, number of Richard Clayderman for a long time, fans waited
for a long time!
Also, Christmas pieces of music will be performed by the old musical instrument,
performed at only this concert, Carcassi Guitar (restoration of made in estimated
1816) and hand bells. Old simple tone will satisfy your heart.
Opening performers will be "Twinkle" (old name was KONPEITOU), JOYON
by students of International Niibori Guitar Music Academy, finished their first
recital in the hall, and orchestra of top winner (or higher prizewinner at "All
Japan Guitar Concours).
The above is public performance in Tokyo, and next introduction is public performances
of NE (Niibori Guitar Ensemble) appearing mainly on stage. This time, many public
performances in Kanagawa Prefecture are scheduled and they will be at Ofuna, Kami_oka
and Hiratsuka. Local guitar orchestras and teachers of near by classes will take
active part at these public performances.
In the public performance in Hiratsuka, Concertino No.3 "Small Bells"
from Collection of Concertino = composed by Hiroki Niibori will be co-performed
with little (children) guitarists and NE. And for public performance in Kami_oka,
"Concert from the theme of Beethoven's symphony No.9" will be performed
by electric guitar soloists of Atsunori Fujie, Nozomu Imanaka, they are teachers
of Kami_oka class, and in the public performance in Ofuna, soloist will be Tom
(Masahiro Suzuki = teacher of K_nandai class).
Others for NE performance will be "Joy to the World in baroque style",
"Ave Maria" by Gounod with flutes (Yuko Koshibe & Miki Yamamoto)
& guitar ensemble, guitarron concert "American Patrol" (Christmas
version!?) in fits of laughter! by soloist Shigetsugu Tanaka, romantic "White
Christmas" and "TUBASA" performed again by NE only. We shall be
happy when you enjoyed the both charms of big organization (N-Orch.) and medium
organization (NE).
At the public performance in Nagoya on Nov.29, "American Patrol" performed
at NE's public performance in this year will be performed. Performance of big
organized Nagoya Citizen's Guitar Orchestra will be enjoyable in here.
NE Wine Party is scheduled at Live House N in main building of International Niibori
Guitar Music Academy (Fujisawa) on Dec. 16 (Wed.) 7:30 p.m. You will be able to
enjoy this party with members of NE, splendid performance by NE and game corner
for wonderful presents at the party expressing thanks for support by NE fans for
a year.
Furthermore, Candle Concerts sponsored by Niibori Guitar are scheduled in many
places.
There is one thing continued from the first start of this concert. That is big
chorus of "Silent Night", a hymn composed with guitar, accompanied by
guitar orchestra with all of audience and performers. If some of foreigners staying
in Japan at that time, please join the concert. We are looking forward to see
you at the concert.
The 45th Niibori Guitar Christmas (Candle) Concert
[Public performance in Tokyo] ~Praying for Peace~
Dec.20 (Sun.) curtain rise 14:00 Meguro Persimmon Hall (Big Hall)
<Conducting and Talk>Hiroki Niibori, Kazuyuki Terada and others
<Guest>Temiyan's Ohana Band (Family Hawaiian Band)
<Performers>Niibori Guitar Philharmonic Orchestra (N-Orch.),
DANROKU, Niibori Guitar Ladies' Quartet (JOYON), Niibori Guitar Hand Bells Ensemble
<Opening Performance>
Twinkle, Top winner group of 2009 All Japan Guitar Cocours
[Public performance in Kanagawa Prefecture]
<Conducting and Talk> Kazuyuki Terada
<Performers>NE, Local Guitar Orchestras and others
Public performance in Ofuna
Dec.2 (Wed.) curtain rise 19:00 Kamakura Performing Arts Center (Small Hall)
Public performance in Kamiooka
Dec.9 (Wed.) curtain rise 19:00 Kohnan Ward Cultural Center (HIMAWARI NO SATO)
Public performance in Hiratsuka
Dec.13 (Sun.) curtain rise 14:00 Hiratsuka Central Public Hall
All seats non reserved for Tokyo and Kanagawa : Adult 3,000yen Primary,
Middle and High School Studen\2,000yen
Ticket on the day +500yen
Public performance in Nagoya
Nov.29 (Sun.) curtain rise 13:30 Shirakawa Hall
<Performers>NE, Nagoya Citizen's Guitar Orchestra and others
All seats non reserved : Adult 3,000yen Student 2,000yen
Niibori Guitar Christmas Concert will be opened at other districts in Japan
[NE Christmas Wine Party]
<Conducting and Talk> Kazuyuki Terada <Performer>NE
[Kanagawa] Dec.16 (Wed.) curtain rise 19:00 Fujisawa Live House N
6,000yen (with drink)
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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