In accordance with our Corporate Motto of “Contribute to culture and industry through creativity,” TDK has been supporting performances in Japan by top-class orchestras from around the world since 2001 in what are known as the TDK Orchestra Concerts. This year the event was held for the first time in three years after being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TDK supported performances by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

In addition, on the occasion of the event, we held various programs as a social contribution activity for young people studying music. These included invitations to an open rehearsal and actual performance, the TDK RISING STARS LECTURE offering direct dialogue with professional performers, and an outreach mini-concert by performers who visited a school.

Echoing TDK’s “Attracting Tomorrow” communication message, this original social contribution activity provided young people aspiring to give shape to a new future with the opportunity to come into contact with top-class music and musicians.

230 Students Invited to Rehearsal Prior to Actual Performance

The pre-concert rehearsal is a precious opportunity for the conductor and orchestra members to make a final check on expression of the works to be performed. TDK invited 230 students studying music to an open rehearsal of the London Symphony Orchestra prior to a concert held at Suntory Hall on Thursday, October 6. In addition, prior to the open rehearsal, a pre-lecture was given by Akira Senju, a specially appointed professor  at Tokyo University of the Arts and active composer, who spoke about the highlights to look out for in the rehearsal.
In the open rehearsal, the students watched attentively as Sir Simon Rattle, the conductor and music director, communicated with the orchestra members and perfected every single piece of music. In the actual concert, the rapt expressions of the invited students as they listened to the world-class performance were very impressive.
In a questionnaire completed after the program, the students gave many joyful comments, including “[regarding the pre-lecture] I was able to hear a talk from a composer’s perspective, which broadened by horizons,” “It was very useful to see how a rehearsal proceeds, the sense of sound, and so on,” and “Actually hearing professionals play and the sounds they make has really boosted by motivation.”

Scenes of the open rehearsal and pre-lecture by Professor Senju

Mini-Concert by LSO Members Held at Ginza Junior High School

On Tuesday, October 4 the TDK Outreach Mini-Concert was held at Ginza Junior High School in Tokyo. Star players of the London Symphony Orchestra , including a principal performer, formed a brass quintet ensemble especially for this day. All the school’s students were able to experience world-class sounds and engage in exchange with the orchestra members.

LSO members visited Ginza Junior High School in Tokyo.

Concert Information

Date and time:	Wednesday, October 5; 19:00
Venue:	Suntory Hall
Program:	Jean Sibelius, The Oceanides tone poem, Op. 73; Jean Sibelius, Tapiola tone poem, Op. 112; Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 7 in E major (Revised edition by Benjamin-Gunnar Cohrs)
Sponsors:	Kajimoto, Fuji Television Network
Special support:	TDK Corporation
Assistance:	British Council
Cooperation:	King International Inc.

Date and time:	Thursday, October 6; 19:00
Venue:	Suntory Hall
Program:	Hector Berlioz, Overture to Le Corsaire, Op. 21; Toru Takemitsu, Fantasma/Cantos II; Maurice Ravel, La Valse; Jean Sibelius, Symphony No. 7 in C major, Op. 105; Bela Bartok, The Miraculous Mandarin ballet suite
Sponsors:	Kajimoto, Fuji Television Network
Special support:	TDK Corporation
Assistance:	British Council
Cooperation:	King International Inc.