About us
Shunji ARATANI
Conductor
Born in 1930. Graduated from Kyushu University, Department of Law in 1953, and in 1955 also received degree from the department of Literature.
Studied the method of conducting from Hiroshi Ishimaru, and composing from Saburo Takata. Made his debut in 1959, conducting “Tokyo Radio Chorus”, followed by the concerts with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Japan Philharmonic Orchestra and many more. Appeared regularly on TV programs of NHK (Japan National Television) and other stations. Permanent conductor of Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra through 1968-1974.
In 1969, the Ministry of Culture dispatched him to the United State to study under George Szell. Made his debut overseas conducting Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra in 1970. Afterwards, he was invited to conduct the Tokyo Ballet Company through their Europe Tour from the autumn of the same year.
Conductor of Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra through 1974-1980. During the years with Nagoya Phil, he designed the new series “Expertise of the traditional music to play with Nagoya Phil” – at which he received reputation. He also devoted himself in producing new operas in cooperation with Japan Opera Association from 1966, and in creating new Japanese traditional music in cooperation with Pro Musica Nipponia. His dedication to bringing amateur orchestras and choirs to higher quality lead him to conduct many groups such as Tokyo Liedertafel 1925, Tokyo Chorverein, Fukuoka Chorverein, Fukuoka OB Philharmonic Orchestra, Machida Philharmonic Chorus and Machida Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra where he has been the music director and the permanent conductor for more than 35 years. Medaled in 2002 “Tokyo Metropolitan Cultural Service” for his continued work to promote cultural aspects for more than 30 years, and in 2004 also received medal from the Minister of Education.
From 2003 to 2012, he was the chairperson of the Japan Conductors Association.
In April of 2011, he was awarded an honorable conductor of Machida Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra.
From 2004 on, he has worked to conduct good orchestras and good choirs at various prestigious halls around the world.
2004 December: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at the Wiener Musikverein Goldener Saal
2005 March: Mozart Requiem at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
2005 May: Beethoven’ 9th Symphony at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
2006 February: Beethoven’s 9th Symphony at Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam
2009 October: Mozart Requiem at the Smetana Hall in Prague
2011 January: Fauré Requiem at the Madeleine Church in Paris
Chairman of NPO Machida City Artist Association.
Hideyuki TSUJI
Chorus master
Learned violin, piano, flute, brass instruments and composing since his childhood.
Graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts and its graduate school.
Studied vocal under Takanosuke Watanabe, sacred music under Michio Kobayashi and Masatoshi Sasaki.
Studied in Italy and Europe under L. Guarini, F. Tagliavini, H. Rilling in 1985. Awarded in the Novara International Vocal Competition (Italy) in 1986. Later he attended Beethoven’s 9th Symphony concert as a tenor soloist in Heidelberg in 1986, at the Wiener Musikvereinssaal in 1988 and 1989, in Kaiserslautern and Wassau in 2000. Also attended many more concert around Europe where he received very high reputation.
His appearances in Japan were countless and his repertoire ranges from classic operas to trendy ones, from all of them were introduced in favor on music magazines and papers.
His activities as a musician for sacred music are extraordinary and always in the center of attention – as a soloist, evangelist and as a conductor.
Presently he conducts 13 choirs all around Japan.
Teacher at the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music, Board member of Japan Choir Conductor Association, Member of Ensemble BWV2001, Executive member of iARTS, commentator of NHK Radio program for chorus lessons, Executive member of Group Nahbe. Appears on TV show “NHK Chorus Competition Magazine”.
Co-author of 2 lecture books for pronunciation of Requiem, and for pronunciation of “Le Nozzi de Figaro”.
Brahms Concert Choir of Japan
This choir was organized specially for this concert, and was organized under the name of the Maestro Shunji Aratani. Over 120 singers from Japan participated in this project in the hope to support our friends and families of the deceased in the earthquake of March 11th of 2011, and who are still in need of hopes in the daily lives. The member consists of the amateurs and semi-pros who regularly sing in the choirs conducted by Mo. Aratani, and in ones by the chorus master Hideyuki Tsuji.
Violin Project ”A Thousand Tone Bond”
--- A relay of a thousand violinists bound into one heart ---
This project aims to assist the victims of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. In order to carry out this project and in agreement with his colleagues Master luthier Muneyuki Nakazawa made a violin with wood grown in the disaster area. He also founded the "Tree of Life Club”, an organization providing encouragement to the people affected by the earthquake and ensuing tsunami. The aforesaid violin was conceived as an instrument of prayer in the memory of the deceased, so that future generations may remember those lost. The wood used in the making of this violin consists of driftwood washed away by the tsunami. Once the flooring and beams of inhabited houses, this material was given a second lease of life in the form of a stringed instrument. We hope to strengthen the bonds in our communities by means of having this instrument pass through the hands of a thousand violinists. This violin is played in this concert by a member of Ambassade Orchester Wien. There are donation boxes in the lobby to support this project, where you can offer your generosity.
