<<Back Page Next Page>>   On October 4 (Mon), a press presentation was made on “A Day of Enthusiasm” Music Festival 2005 which will be held during the Golden Week next year at the Tokyo International Forum. In spite of the rain, more than 60 press people got together. It was a great success, unlike usual press presentations for classical music. Mr. Bernard de Montferrand, the Ambassador of France in Japan commented, “It is a great honor for us to contribute to this kind of cultural event where various people can share the joy of music beyond regional borders.” He made a commitment to give cooperation to the event as the nation of France. It was Mr. Rene Martin who produced La Folle Journee in a port town, Nantes, France in 1995. He talked about his passion and resolution for the first event in Tokyo as its originator and promoter. Exciting Classical Music Lowering the Barrier “It is said that now is the critical age for classical music. To change this trend, we need to look at it from a different angle,” said Mr. Rene Martin. When it comes to “classical music,” what kind of impression does it make on most people and how do they familiarize themselves with it? If they are not fans of classical music, it may be difficult to understand. Even if they are fans of it, they may have the impression that they have to listen to it in a formal stiff manner in expensive reserved seats of a concert hall. “I want to present people with classical music not in a concert form which is constrained by convention but in a new style. I want to make it a festival for all audiences, including adults, children, people who love classical music and people who don’t.” “To realize this, I am stickling to lower the price of the ticket. In the first Tokyo event, we could lower the price to \1,500 per concert. I want everybody to experience a first-class real performance in a casual manner.” Only Beethoven - About 150 Concerts of One Theme! In addition to the lower price, another characteristic point of La Folle Journee is the “theme setting.” “It is a one-time music festival in one town. We decide on 1 theme for every year. The theme of this year is “Beethoven & His Fellows.” About 150 concerts will be performed in 3 days from morning to evening simultaneously at all halls. The number of participating artists is about 500 from Europe and about 500 from Japan and other Asian countries. More than 1,000 first-class artists who agreed to the concept of the music festival will get together from all over the world.” From Japan, eminent artists will participate: pianists; Ms. Akiko Ebi, Ms. Michie Koyama and Ms. Ikuyo Nakamichi, violinists; Mr. Daishin Kashimoto, Ms. Sayaka Shoji, Ms. Akiko Suwanai, viola; Ms. Nobuko Imai, cellist; Mr. Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi. Mr. Rene Martin, who gives high marks for Japanese artists, says, “There are amazing things in the well-rounded musical education and this is the result. There are many artists in Japan who give stimulation to the music scene of today.” In addition to the plan of price and theme, the fact that there are good artists in Japan may be another reason to assure the success in Tokyo. Energetic Power of Tokyo which Overflows to Other Towns “I believe the event in Tokyo will give favorable influence to other cities, Nantes, Bilbao and Lisbon, and the past experiences in Europe will help the musical scene in Tokyo. The venue of Tokyo will be wider and larger than any other places. The dynamism that first-class artists and general audiences will meet and come in contact must be the best. I want people to participate in the event rather than listen to it. I want people to find out something and want to learn more about music through this music festival. I want people to awaken their passion and curiosity and to further fly them out of the frame of La Folle Journee. These are my wishes.” Classical music can be enjoyed in a casual manner. The barrier between the stage and the audience must be lowered unlimitedly. Iwao Toriumi: President, Tokyo International Forum It is a great honor that the French Government and Mr. Martin have chosen the Tokyo International Forum. The management concept of the Forum is “Impression Creation Company.” Our company is located on the prime side of the center of Tokyo and it is now a facility that collects more than 18 million people in a year. I will give my full support as an organizer to the passion of Mr. Martin and to the enthusiasm of artists to make people familiarize themselves with classical music. I would also appreciate having participants’ warm support and cooperation. Kunihiko Takahashi: General Producer / Operating Officer, Tokyo International Forum La Folle Journee Music Festival may be virtually unknown in Japan. Absurdly low price and feeling of oneness of artists and audience are the biggest characteristic points. While our Forum will be the main venue for this Tokyo event, it will be a giant event by involving the surrounding 120 hectare regions such as Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho. I would like participants to experience new joy and impression of classical music beyond the conventional common sense. Masahide Kajimoto: Artistic Producer / President, Kajimoto Concert Management Co., Ltd. I am sure Mr. Martin’s unique idea and philosophy will bring a breath of fresh air to the Japanese classical music industry. As a venue where many concerts can be simultaneously performed, the Tokyo International Forum is ideal. I believe this very unique music festival will take root for years as a Tokyo institution. Without breaking down something old, nothing new will be born. Dare to break down an established thing by yourself. I am very happy that this challenge was taken.