The "Listen to Musicians" section is a section where professionals who usually play music on the stage go down the stage and speak in words.We would like to interview Yuko Kawami, who is active in the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), as a guest. I would like to talk about the theme of "studying abroad in music."
(Interview: March 2009)
-Profile of Yuko Kawami-
Malaysia Phil Yuko Kawami
Born in Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu. Started playing the piano at the age of 43 and the violin at the age of 1.The 2004rd All Japan Student Music Competition West Japan Tournament Violin Division Junior High School Division XNUMXst place.After working at Toho Girls' High School Music Department and Toho Gakuen University, studied abroad at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.Graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague with an honorary award.While attending the academy, he is a concert mistress of a student at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, conducted by J. Bjeroflavek.As the first violinist of the string quartet, he won the XNUMXrd place in the Charles Hennen competition in the Netherlands and the XNUMXnd place in the string quartet section (Prague) of the Martinu International Music Competition.Received guidance from the Amadeus String Quartet and the Albanberg String Quartet.He studied violin under Eiiku Shinozaki, Taeko Miki, Toshiya Eto, Shizuka Ishikawa, and V. Sneechill, and chamber music under Koichiro Harada, Kazuoki Fujii, L. Costetsky (Smetana Quartet), and P. Messiael (Tarihi Quartet).In addition, I took the master course of I. Stern, A. Dumay, and Z. Bron.He has performed as a soloist with the Korean KBS Symphony Orchestra, Czech Pilsen Orchestra, Pardubice Chamber Philharmonic, Prague Chamber Philharmonic, and Kosice Philharmonic in Slovakia. Joined the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) in XNUMX.
-First of all, please introduce yourself briefly.
Kawami I started playing the piano when I was 3 years old and the violin when I was 6 years old.When I was in the first year of junior high school, I won the first prize in the violin section of the All Japan Student Music Competition West Japan Tournament.I moved to Tokyo from high school, graduated from Toho Girls' High School Music Department, and then went to Toho Gakuen University Soloist Diploma Course to study abroad in Prague at the age of 1.After completing a master's degree at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague for five years, he joined the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in 1.
-Did your parents influence you to start playing the piano at the age of three?
Kawami Yes, that's right.My mother used to play the piano sensei, so I grew up listening to the piano naturally.
-Why did you switch to the violin?
Kawami I remember my mother taking me to a violin lesson, but I don't remember if she said she wanted to go.When I noticed, I felt like I was playing the violin.
-Did you like the violin better?
Kawami That's right.I used to play the piano and the violin at the same time for a long time, but since I started to participate in the competition from the 4th grade of elementary school, the violin has become the main thing since then.
-You said that you were in the first year of junior high school and won the first prize in the competition. Did you actively participate in the competition?
Kawami I participated in the competition every year.The children around me who attended the same violin school also participated, so I felt like I would participate together.
Did you feel like you played well when you reached -1st place?
Kawami I don't remember much (laughs).However, I was very happy, and that was one of the triggers for me to think about going on the path of music.
-When you entered high school, did you have a desire to be a musician?
Kawami That's right, there was.I had been attending Toho's music class since I was in the 5th grade of elementary school, but since I was in the XNUMXnd grade of junior high school, I started to go to Tokyo for lessons.From that time on, I naturally wanted to go on the path of music.
-So that's it.So you graduated from high school and went on to college, right?
Although it is different from Kawami University, I went on to a course called Soloist Diploma Course.But in the end, I went to Czech Republic without graduating.
-When did you start thinking about studying abroad?
Kawami I first became interested in foreign countries when I was 15 years old when I performed with the KBS Symphony Orchestra (Korea) conducted by the world-famous Finnish conductor Okko Kamu at the Kitakyushu Music Festival.After that, I received a full scholarship from the Kuhmo Music Festival in Finland and participated in the music festival, but when I visited Europe for the first time, I had the opportunity to interact with foreigners and became interested in foreign countries. rice field.
At the home of Professor Wurtslav Snychill, his wife and sensei
-So that's it.So why did you choose Prague?
Kawami When I was thinking about studying abroad, I consulted with Toshiya Eto sensei and Shizuka Ishikawa sensei.Eto sensei also became kind and asked me various questions such as which school suits me best in the United States, but Ishikawa sensei frequently travels between Japan and Prague on a performance tour. So I took my recording tape to the professor of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Wurtslav Snychill sensei.Sneechl sensei listened to the tape and said, "Come on, I'll tell you," so I took the plunge and went to study abroad.I went without knowing anything, so I was very anxious, but as a result, I was able to lead a very fulfilling study abroad life.
-Did you go without taking the sensei lesson to study in Czech before studying abroad?
Kawami No, I took the lesson.At that time, I immediately wanted this sensei to teach me.
-It's hard to meet a wonderful sensei like that.
Kawami That's right. I think compatibility with sensei is also a very important factor. I have great respect for sensei's humble attitude towards music and his zeal for research. There were many parts that sympathized with sensei's thoughts on music.
-Is it possible to enroll in the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague if sensei gives me an OK?
Kawami That's right.There are other exams, but there are also such parts.However, there are times when seats are not available, and if you are very busy sensei, you may have to wait for a year or two.
Bedrich Smetana Museum along Vltava
-Did you go to Czech after studying?
Kawami I started studying after I went there.
-Is the lesson in English?
Kawami At first, it was in English.After a while, I wanted to take lessons in sensei's native language and understand everything that sensei said, so I went to a language school and a summer intensive Czech language course and started studying Czech.
-I think that many people are not familiar with Czech, but was it difficult to learn the language?
Kawami Czech is difficult, isn't it?It is a Slavic language with many case inflections.There are female, male, and neutral, and there are more than one female, male, and neutral, respectively.Learning a language was very difficult.
-Did you have a music theory class locally?
Kawami Yes.However, I didn't enter the main course immediately after studying abroad, but at first I took only lessons as a research student.I didn't have to take classes, so I used to go to a language school in my spare time.I wanted to study for a longer time at Sneechil sensei, and although I went to the soloist diploma course with Toho, I didn't finish it properly, so I decided to study again and transferred to the main course of the academy.It's been two years since I studied abroad.After that, I also learned theory, music psychology, and history.The class was in Czech, so I could only understand about half of the content ... (laughs).
Vltava, castle and Charles Bridge
-What is the difference between Japanese and Czech music (house) that you felt after studying abroad?
Kawami The style is different.Czech performances have a feeling that the phrases flow very much, and how to use the bow also flows smoothly.In Japan, I get the impression that I sing more.Also, since it is historically influenced by Russia, the playing style is close to Russian.
-Did you have any confusion about Czech music?
Kawami: I couldn't afford to be confused, and I felt like I was working hard (laughs).
-What changed you the most after studying abroad?
Kawami When I was in Japan, I had a habit of thinking in a frame, and I was thinking that I had to do this, or that I had to do this.I studied abroad and was freed from it.Even if I made a mistake, I came to think that I could make a claim.If you make a mistake, sensei will point out while you are a student.After studying abroad, I became free to think about how to do it, and maybe this kind of method would be possible.After that, I wasn't afraid to give my opinion.
-That kind of thing will lead to music.
Kawami Yes.I agree.
Winter / Nature (minus 10 degrees?)
-Did you join the Czech Philharmonic?
Kawami Czech Phil has passed the audition but has not joined.When I was about to join the group, I decided to join the Malaysian Philharmonic.
-It's was so.By the way, may I ask you about the Czech Phil audition?
Kawami recruitment was applied by looking at the bulletin board of the academy.The first round has a screen so you don't know who is making the sound.I played some of Mozart's concertos and orchestral parts.It seems that many people were listening, and more than half of the members, including those other than stringed instruments, were listening.The first screening ended in the morning, the results were announced immediately, and the second screening was held in the afternoon.There were about 20 applicants, 4 of whom were secondary, and 3 of whom were Japanese.
-It's quite rare.
Kawami That's right.Regarding the method of examination, it seems that each person has 1 points, divides the total by the number of people, and if it is more than what percentage, it is the pass line.With such a system, not only the 2st place person can join the team, but even the 1nd place person has reached the pass line, and if a seat becomes available within a year, it was a system.
-What was the content of the secondary exam?
Kawami Romantic concerto and orchestra part.I could see my face without a screen.The permanent conductor at this time was Marzal, who was auditioning.
Climbing a mountain in neighboring Slovakia
-How many of the four people who advanced to the secondary passed?
Kawami I don't remember.I passed the second pass. The first was a second violinist in the Czech Philharmonic, who was auditioned for a move to First.She was exempt from the first screening.
-That's why you ended up going to the Malaysian Philharmonic.How did you find out about this audition?
Kawami There was a recruitment on the Internet.It seems that they also advertised auditions in music magazines.Malaysia Phil is currently doing an audition tour in London (Note: Interview June 2009).When it comes to having Malaysia come to Malaysia for an audition, it is difficult for participants to gather, so every year, the chief conductor, orchestra manager, and the chiefs of each part travel the world together.This year, I was only in London and Munich, but I've been to Japan, China, Australia, Chicago, New York, Berlin, Prague, Budapest ... and so on.
-Did you come to Prague when you were Kawami?
Kawami Yes, that's right.The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague was the venue for the audition.
-What is the Malaysia Phil audition like?
Kawami It is not separated from the primary and secondary, and one person plays it for about 30 to 45 minutes.If the assignment song is a Mozart concerto, a romantic concerto, or an audition for the Tutti position, I will play 7 or 8 other orchestral songs.If you are auditioning for a title position, you will also play a few more solo violin parts of the orchestra.
-How many people were receiving it at that time?
Kawami I think the audition in Prague was about 10 people.It seems that about 20 people were receiving it in other cities.
Praga Camerata and Japan performance
-How many people attended the audition in Prague?
Kawami were two people.The other successful candidate was my husband (viola player), and I passed the exam together, so I had decided to join the Czech Philharmonic, but I decided to go to Malaysia. I don't think I would have had the courage to come to Malaysia if I was alone.
-Then, it was like we were going to Malaysia together.
Kawami That's right.
-But were you worried about going to Malaysia?
Kawami That's right.Even if you say Malaysia, the only things that come to mind are beaches, tigers ... (laughs).It's an image of a country where the sea is beautiful and you go to play as a diving spot.However, as always, I have a personality that takes action without thinking too much.
-How was it when you actually went?
Kawami: The center of the city is more modern than I expected, and the hall we work in is located in the Twin Towers, the tallest building in the world at one time.Not only the hall, but also a shopping mall and offices of top companies are located, so it is convenient and the environment is very good.
-So, do you have any problems in your life?
Kawami Yes, there is no particular problem.However, as a country, I prefer the Czech Republic.The city of Prague is cobbled, with many castles and churches from the 9th and 10th centuries remaining, giving you a sense of history.Malaysia has a short history and is still aiming for development.Also, classical music seems to have the impression of being wealthy and lofty, and has not yet taken root among people.On the other hand, in Prague, concerts are frequently held in churches and halls every day, so you can easily drop in at the concerts.Malaysia feels unsatisfactory in that respect.On the other hand, I think that is why it may have contributed to the spread of classical music in Malaysia.
-Is the Malaysian Philharmonic performing concerts mainly in Malaysia?
Kawami Yes.Most of them are performance activities in Malaysia, and they perform overseas at one place every year.This year, I'm going to Japan in September.I have been to Australia, China (Shanghai, Beijing), Taiwan and Singapore so far.
-Are the members international?
Kawami has less than 100 members now, but only 5 Malaysians.The others are from the United States, Canada, and Europe, and there are about 23 countries in total.There are 8 Japanese people.
Is communication in English?
Kawami Yes, that's right.
-As you mentioned earlier, is classical music still not widespread in Malaysia?
Kawami: The number of leaders is limited, and the education system is not yet in place.So, I think what we have to do now is to develop solid leaders.There are still times when music students are being taught in the wrong direction. There was a student who came to me when I was 15 years old, but I had to re-teach from the beginning.
-But it's nice to be involved in the spread of classical music like that.
Kawami I'm thinking of doing what I can.I think that what one person can do is really small, but some orchestras are enthusiastic about education, and there are colleagues who create and teach wind instrument ensembles and string ensembles for students. We are trying to give students the opportunity to play in public and raise the bar.I myself am outreach, and I go to hospitals and schools to play.
Vltava side and the State Opera
- Kawami is currently doing music activities in Malaysia. Do you have any dreams or goals in the future?
Kawami I am attracted to chamber music and small ensembles, especially string quartets.When I was a student, I studied a lot of chamber music, but I didn't know much about orchestral songs.Even if I know a lot of Mozart's chamber music and sonatas, I think it's biased if I don't know much about symphonies and operas, so I think it's time to get to know the symphonies of various composers.Eventually, I wish I could return to Europe with my husband and work on a small ensemble.
-By the way, which country is your husband?
Kawami I'm a Slovak.
-Then, your husband wants to return to Europe someday.
Kawami That's right.The story is a little different, but Malaysia is a country of everlasting summer, so there are no four seasons.I miss the four seasons.Until a while ago, I thought that if you play music, it's the same no matter where you are, but I think the environment of the country you live in is big.
Prague winter
-Please give some advice to Japanese students who want to become musicians in the future.
Kawami I think you should study not only music but also language.I can't say much because I couldn't speak, but the level of language that I can manage if I just study is a little different from the level of language that I need when I want to work.Language skills also change the amount of information that comes in and interacts with people.I think that the richer the interaction with people, the more humanly you can grow, and that growth will also affect music.Take the courage to have plenty of opportunities to interact with people.
-That's right.Communication is important, isn't it?
Kawami Yes.Also, even if the place where you first got a job is different from your own hope, if you continue to have hope, chances will surely come around.
-Many people are so worried that they can't move easily.
Kawami: Gathering information is very important, but I think it's better to take action than to worry.There may be financial problems in the recession, but attending a class may give you a clear idea of your "unknown" goals.If you study abroad suddenly, it will cause a lot of mental damage if you do not meet the country or sensei, so I think it is best to use a class.When studying music, rather than "going to this country" or "entering this school," I often think that "I definitely want to learn from this sensei" is in the Czech Republic, Germany, or France. On the other hand, I like the French playing style, I like the sound of German orchestras, I want to know more about Czech composers, etc., so I decide where to study abroad by "country". There may be times.Whatever your motive, I think there are many things that you can understand only when you actually touch the air.For example, in the Czech Republic, chamber music is popular, so it may be a good country for those who have a clear goal of studying quartet.I'm not active anymore, but the Prague Quartet, Smetana Quartet, Prajak Quartet, which is very active on the front lines of the world, the members have changed from the original, but the Tarich Quartet, Wrach Quartet, Kozian Quartet I think it is a country with many professional string quartets, such as the young Haas Quartet.
-Finally, what is music for Kawami?
Kawami I've been exposed to music since I was 3 years old, so it's become a part of my life.
Musical instrument maker Pilash's home
-It's really life itself.
Kawami That's right.I have been greatly influenced.Listening to classical music when I'm depressed makes me feel better, and when I'm exposed to wonderful works, I'm excited.Also, I am very happy when I stand on the stage as a performer and share the time with the listeners.
-thank you.
~~~~ Below, MPO's performance schedule in Japan ~~~~
In September 2009, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) announced
4 performances of Japan Tour will be held on the following schedule.
September 9th 8:19 Start The Symphony Hall (Osaka)
September 9th 9:18 Start Aichi Prefectural Art Theater Concert Hall (Nagoya)
September 9th 11:19 Start Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara (Sapporo)
September 9th 14:19 Start Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall (Tokyo)
Smetana Symphonic Poem "Moldau"
Brahms Violin Concerto in D major, Op. XNUMX
Dvorak Symphony No. XNUMX in E minor, Op. XNUMX "From the New World"
Conductor Claus Peter Flor
Violin Vadim Repin
MPO official website
http://www.malaysianphilharmonic.com/
In addition, after the tour, a chamber music concert by MPO members will be held at the Lutheran Ichigaya Center Hall in Tokyo.
For details, please see our dedicated web page.
http://www.h2.dion.ne.jp/~kikukohp/mpcs.html
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