Saitama Hall Special Concert by NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo
Kentaro Kawase (Conductor), Haruma Sato (Cello)

Oct.11.2021 / 2:00pm-

Saitama Hall / Large Hall

※In accordance with the guidelines against infections as of March 2021, all seats will be sold (up to 1281 seats), except for some seats that are necessary to maintain the distance from the performers. Thank you for your understanding.

Kentaro Kawase (Conductor)
Haruma Sato (Cello)
NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo 

Beethoven:《Egmont》Overture

Tchaikovsky: Variations on a Rococo Theme in A major, Op. 33 (original version) [Solo: Haruma Sato]

Tchaikovsky:「Andante Cantabile」from String Quartet No. 1 (solo cello and string quartet version) [Solo: Haruma Sato]

Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

Saitama Arts Foundation

Kentaro Kawase / Conductor
Born in 1984, in Tokyo, Japan. In 2007, graduated from Tokyo College of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition and Conducting (Conductor). Has studied conducting under Junichi Hirokami and other conductors. In October 2006, won the second prize (the highest prize) in the Tokyo International Music Competition for Conducting. Invited one after another by orchestras around the world. In April 2011, became the conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra. In April 2014, was appointed as the Permanent Conductor of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. In opera, he has conducted Toshio Hosokawa’s《Hanjyo》, Mozart’s《The Magic Flute》, and Verdi’s《Aida》and has achieved remarkable success. Currently the Permanent Conductor of the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra, the Permanent Conductor of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, the Permanent Guest Conductor of the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, the Music Director of the Hachioji Youth Orchestra, and the Goodwill Ambassador of Inabe City in Mie Prefecture. In 2016, received the 14th Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award, the 26th Idemitsu Music Award, and other awards. He is a specially appointed lecturer at the Tokyo College of Music, Department of Composition and Conducting.

Haruma Sato / Cello
A 22 years old up and coming cellist currently with the highest expectations for the future. In 2019, became the first Japanese to win the Cello Division of the Munich International Music Competition. In 2018, won the first prize and a special prize at the Lutoslawski International Cello Competition. Born in 1998, in Nagoya, Japan. Has received many awards, including first prize in the cello division of the 83rd Japan Music Competition, the Tokunaga Prize, and the Kuroyanagi Prize. Has performed with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and other major orchestras in Japan and abroad, and will continue to perform with the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra and others. His recitals and chamber music have been well received. In November 2020, released his debut album,『The Senses~Brahms Works』from the prestigious Deutsche Grammophon. In the same year, received the 18th Hideo Saito Memorial Fund Award and the 30th Idemitsu Music Award. Currently a student at the Berlin University of the Arts. The instrument used is an E. Rocca 1903, on loan from the Munetsugu Collection.

NHK Symphony Orchestra / Orchestra
The history of the NHK Symphony Orchestra dates back to 1926, when it was formed as a professional orchestra. The name of the orchestra was later changed to the Japan Symphony Orchestra and then to the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 1951. To this day, the orchestra has invited a succession of world-class conductors, including Karajan, Anselme, Kajlbert, and Matacic, and has left behind some historic masterpieces.
In recent years, the NHK Symphony Orchestra has given 54 regular performances a year (at NHK Hall and Suntory Hall) and about 120 performances throughout Japan. In August 2013, made the first appearance at the Salzburg Festival, and in the spring of 2020, performed in Berlin, Vienna, and nine other major European cities, earning international acclaim for her activities and performances.
The NHK Symphony Orchestra currently has the following conductors: Principal Conductor Paavo Jarvi, Music Director Charles Dutoit, Honorary Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt, Conductor Laureate Vladimir Ashkenazy, and Permanent Conductors Yuzo Toyama and Tadaaki Otaka.