Czech Philharmonic on tour of Japan

On 24 October 2015, the Czech Philharmonic departed for a concert tour of Japan. When it returned, on 5 November, it had played 8 concerts in sold-out Japanese halls, had travelled thousands of kilometres by road and air and had brought back memories of many artistic and social events, including some new culinary experiences. The tour was a demanding one for everyone, but its success was huge and well deserved.

18. November 2015

Alžběta Lupíšková

Petr Kadlec (2)

A Tokyo sunset seen from a hotel room window

Executive Director David Mareček attending a rehearsal for a chamber music concert at the Kawai concert salon, which he heard just hours after his arrival in Tokyo. The audience response was wonderful.

Jaroslav Pondělíček, the Czech Philharmonic's lead violist, during a rehearsal for a chamber music concert at the Kawai concert salon in Tokyo.

A chamber music concert at Tokyo's Kawai concert salon on 26 October 2015: Josef Špaček Jr, Irena Herajnová, David Mareček, Václav Petr, and Jaroslav Pondělíček.

The Japanese pay a ot of attention to the cleanliness of public areas. Litter or dirt is almost non-existent, not only at popular tourist haunts, but also in other residential parts of the city. This is almost incredible for a European, especially considering the average population density in Japanese cities.

The whole orchestra, including Executive Director David Mareček and Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek with his wife, was constantly on the move, travelling to a new city and a new concert hall nearly every day.

Briefing on plans for the following day – organizational matters were handled by Alžběta Lupíšková, the tour manager, and Robert Hanč, General Manager of the Czech Philharmonic.

The orchestra members listen to the instructions given by Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek before one of the eight Japanese concerts.

Veils and fashionable parasols are common accessories for the Japanese.

The Japanese violinist Sayaka Shoji was the soloist of the first Tokyo concert in Suntory Hall and the concerts in Fukuoka and Yokohama, performing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor.

Japanese cuisine is a topic for a very long article. The food was delicious and the orchestra members loved it.

Before stepping out on the platform, Josef Špaček Sr. is checking whether his eponymous son, the leader of the Czech Philharmonic, has tied his bow tie correctly.

Jiří Bělohlávek and Sayaka Shoji share the last moments before the start of the performance while the audience waits excitedly.

The Czech Philharmonic has twice sold out one of the world's most famous concert halls – Tokyo's Suntory Hall.

Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek during one of the many rehearsals.

A morning at Tokyo's world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market

The second Suntory Hall concert and the concerts in Nagoya and Hamamatsu featured Daniil Trifonov, a young, likeable and hugely talented Russian pianist.

Daniil's performance was excellent each time, both in Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto in C Minor and in each of the several incredible encores, demanded by the enraptured audience

Tokyo has a population of nearly 15,000 people per square kilometre (in Prague the figure is approximately 2,500).

Map of the Japan tour

A Tokyo sunset seen from a hotel room window

Executive Director David Mareček attending a rehearsal for a chamber music concert at the Kawai concert salon, which he heard just hours after his arrival in Tokyo. The audience response was wonderful.

Jaroslav Pondělíček, the Czech Philharmonic's lead violist, during a rehearsal for a chamber music concert at the Kawai concert salon in Tokyo.

A chamber music concert at Tokyo's Kawai concert salon on 26 October 2015: Josef Špaček Jr, Irena Herajnová, David Mareček, Václav Petr, and Jaroslav Pondělíček.

The Japanese pay a ot of attention to the cleanliness of public areas. Litter or dirt is almost non-existent, not only at popular tourist haunts, but also in other residential parts of the city. This is almost incredible for a European, especially considering the average population density in Japanese cities.

The whole orchestra, including Executive Director David Mareček and Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek with his wife, was constantly on the move, travelling to a new city and a new concert hall nearly every day.

Briefing on plans for the following day – organizational matters were handled by Alžběta Lupíšková, the tour manager, and Robert Hanč, General Manager of the Czech Philharmonic.

The orchestra members listen to the instructions given by Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek before one of the eight Japanese concerts.

Veils and fashionable parasols are common accessories for the Japanese.

The Japanese violinist Sayaka Shoji was the soloist of the first Tokyo concert in Suntory Hall and the concerts in Fukuoka and Yokohama, performing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor.

Japanese cuisine is a topic for a very long article. The food was delicious and the orchestra members loved it.

Before stepping out on the platform, Josef Špaček Sr. is checking whether his eponymous son, the leader of the Czech Philharmonic, has tied his bow tie correctly.

Jiří Bělohlávek and Sayaka Shoji share the last moments before the start of the performance while the audience waits excitedly.

The Czech Philharmonic has twice sold out one of the world's most famous concert halls – Tokyo's Suntory Hall.

Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek during one of the many rehearsals.

A morning at Tokyo's world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market

The second Suntory Hall concert and the concerts in Nagoya and Hamamatsu featured Daniil Trifonov, a young, likeable and hugely talented Russian pianist.

Daniil's performance was excellent each time, both in Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto in C Minor and in each of the several incredible encores, demanded by the enraptured audience

Chief Conductor Jiří Bělohlávek during one of the many rehearsals

Tokyo has a population of nearly 15,000 people per square kilometre (in Prague the figure is approximately 2,500).

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