#Japan #Tokyo #Balkan Orchestra #World Peace #Concert 2025

Balkan Chamber Orchestra Prepares for World Peace Concert 2025 in Japan

The Balkan Chamber Orchestra, known for its mission of promoting peace through music, is gearing up for its 10th Japan tour. This exciting endeavor, themed 'World Peace Concert 2025,' showcases the power of music to transcend borders and unite people. The tour will run from May 15 to May 22, 2025, across several venues in Japan, including the Suginami Public Hall in Tokyo and the Kamakura Arts Center.

The orchestra's origins trace back to a remarkable event in 2009, known as the 'Miracle Concert,' held in Mitrovica, northern Kosovo. This concert was a testament to reconciliation, breaking down ethnic barriers and fostering unity. Maestro Toshio Yanagisawa, who was then the principal conductor of the Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra under the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), founded the Balkan Chamber Orchestra. Its establishment signifies a commitment to promote harmony in a post-conflict world, a message that remains crucial today as the orchestra celebrates its 80th anniversary.

The Upcoming Concerts

This year's tour features 23 musicians from five Balkan countries: Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, and Bulgaria. They will join forces with Japanese artists to deliver a unique program of classical masterpieces, as well as pieces by regional composers and film music. The concerts promise to be an extraordinary experience, showcasing the diversity of their musical heritage.

Kicking off the tour on May 15 at Suginami Public Hall, the ensemble will perform Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No.5, along with Beethoven's Symphony No.5. With a special focus on a unique upright piano damaged from the Hiroshima atomic bombing, the concert links historical tragedies with a message of hope and resilience.

Preparations Underway

Anticipation runs high as the musicians gather for rehearsals in Japan, with camaraderie and excitement palpable during practice. A participant remarked, 'The musical dialogue here is vibrant and exploratory. In contrast to working with fellow Japanese musicians who instinctively blend their sounds, our interactions with this diverse group are much bolder and expressive.'

The musicians express emotions through their instruments, often reflecting their feelings humorously, indicating hunger or the need for a break through their melodies. This authenticity adds a layer of warmth and connection to the music, which audiences can feel during performances.

Voices from the Orchestra

Members of the orchestra shared heartfelt messages about the significance of the upcoming performances. Baki Yashari, representing Kosovo, emphasized the importance of conveying peace through their music. He highlighted the emotional depth of the concerts, especially with the symbolic performance on a piano linked to the historical events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Concertmaster Ana Ivanova expressed her eagerness to collaborate on these beautiful pieces with Maestro Yanagisawa, aiming to introduce the rich musical traditions of the Balkans to the Japanese audience. Valbon Hajibehari, a founding member, also shared his excitement for the 10th visit to Japan, stressing that while global situations are ever-changing, the essence of being musicians is timeless and vital.

Upcoming Concert Details

Concert Schedule:

• - Tokyo Concert: May 15, 2025, at Suginami Public Hall

- Featuring Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No.5 and Beethoven’s Symphony No.5
- Tickets: General 5000 yen, Students 1000 yen

• - Kamakura Concert: May 16, 2025, at Kamakura Arts Center

- Featuring Sibelius' Finlandia and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony
- Tickets: General 3500 yen, U-24 1000 yen

• - Special Concert: May 21, 2025, at Meguro Persimmon Hall

- Featuring works by Kosovo composer Beti, and Strauss's Alpine Symphony
- Tickets: General 2000 yen, Students 1000 yen

• - Cinema Classic Concert: May 22, 2025, at Ota Civic Hall

- Featuring music from iconic films, including Gone with the Wind and Titanic
- Tickets: General 5000 yen, Students 1000 yen

As the Balkan Chamber Orchestra embarks on this journey of cultural exchange, they invite audiences to experience the transformative power of music. Their performances are set to bridge gaps and resonate messages of peace and unity, drawing on the rich tapestry of their diverse musical backgrounds. Don't miss the chance to witness this monumental celebration of music and camaraderie.