Chiba New Town Philharmonic Orchestra

The orchestra was established in 2002 and consists of members of various ages and occupations, mainly from the Chiba New Town area spanning the cities of Inzai, Shirai, and Funabashi. The first regular concert was held on January 26, 2003, and the 31st regular concert marks 20 years since then.

This concert will be managed in accordance with the "Shirai City Cultural Hall New Coronavirus Infection Control Guidelines. Please check the details on the group's website. The first confirmed case of new corona was diagnosed in Japan in January 2020 in a person believed to have been infected while staying in Wuhan City, China. Since then, the situation has repeatedly mutated, and next year will be the third year while taking measures such as vaccination. However, we ask for everyone's cooperation in preventing infection by following the guidelines.

The main program of the day will be Sibelius' Symphony No. 2. It is said to have been composed in 1901, at the beginning of the 20th century, when Finland was under the oppressive rule of Russia. Later, in 1917, Finland adopted the "Declaration of Finnish Independence" and declared its independence from Russia. Symphony No. 2 is said to have been composed around the time Sibelius visited Italy in southern Europe, and its melody and sense of scale evoke the peaceful life in southern Europe. The hope for a "free nation" may have been in the hearts of the Finnish people since the time it was composed.

The other two pieces, Weber's overture to the opera "Euliante" and Schumann's overture "Scherzo and Finale," will be performed for the first time by this orchestra. We are looking forward to welcoming Mr. Masanori Saeki, who is also active in various orchestras, as our conductor.