In the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster in my country, I have been touched to see the responses of musicians from around the world. Here are some highlights:
· Daniel Harding went ahead with a performance of Mahler’s 5th Symphony in Tokyo on March 11 for the 50 people in the audience who managed to trek there (and took a photo with the entire audience in the foyer)
· Paolo Alberghini dedicated the Stradivari Evenings concert on March 12 to all those who lost their lives and their families
· The NHK Orchestra proceeded with their tour of Canada with Andre Previn who initially refused to comment on the events in Japan but later decided to contribute part of his fee to the Red Cross Japanese Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund
· Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic dedicated their performance of Takemitsu's Requiem for String Orchestra on March 17 to the Japanese people; Esa-Pekka Salonen appeared on stage alongside Gilbert to appeal for donations
· My friend Kenji Tajima has organized a benefit concert at Gizzi's Café in NYC on April 9
P.S. In the midst of all the headlines, the sad news of Yakov Kreizberg’s premature death fell threw the cracks. He was the principal conductor of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra where I had one of my first trials playing Violin I & II rank&file. I still remember the incredible spirit of this orchestra, going on tour to the Concertgebouw and playing at the Proms: Mozart’s Haffner Symphony and the Korngold Violin Concerto with Gil Shaham. Kreizberg’s passing is a loss to the entire global musical community.
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