Izumi Hosokawa, Viola Masterpieces in a Small Box Vol.6, Fukuoka, Japan

The viola is the closest to the human voice, and its deep, warm tone has an appeal that no other instrument can match, as if it is gently accompanying the listener's heart, or sometimes stirring the emotions and appealing to the deepest recesses of the mind.
As a solo instrument, the viola is still new in history, and has a lot of potential and room for development in the repertoire. In this series, we will perform a program that will convey the charm of the viola to the fullest, from well-known works to hidden masterpieces.
The theme of this year's concert is "Seeking New Charms of the Viola.

We have selected a wide range of music from Baroque, Romantic, modern, and new works, as well as highly original pieces that can only be heard at this concert.


One of the highlights of this year's program is an arrangement for viola from Bach's Lute Suite.
While there are Bach's original suites for violin and cello, there are none for viola.
There have been many occasions when I have played violin and cello suites on the viola, but I have felt that they do not always maximize the charm of the viola in terms of their mobility and timbre.
Mr. Genta Takaku, an arranger who has arranged many of Bach's works, suggested that we create a collection of Bach's viola suites that would maximize the appeal of the viola, and we are currently working on a collection for publication.

This time, we will perform Lute Suite BWV998 from the collection. Consisting of three movements (Prelude, Fugue, and Allegro), we believe you will be able to feel the world of Bach's magnificent construction.

The first piece in the first half will be the premiere of a new work commissioned by Hisayasu Nishimori. This is a fascinating work that takes as its theme the culture of Kyoto, where I am from, and expresses the richness of the viola's tone, as well as the tranquility and transparency that I myself am known for.
Ms. Nishimori's style is elegant and tasteful, and she is an up-and-coming composer with a promising future.

The last piece we will perform is a sonata by the 20th century British composer Bowen. At that time, an outstanding viola soloist named Lionel Turtis appeared in England, and various composers composed for him. He opened up a new path for the viola, which had never seen the light of day before, as an original instrument.
Bowen's sonatas are characteristic of the late Romantic period and are extremely romantic, making dynamic use of the viola's songfulness and rich tone.

Please enjoy the ensemble with pianist Yoko Kida, who has worked in the U.S. and is currently active mainly in the Kansai area.