Japan-Germany Koto Friends Association International Sommerakademie 2026 Festival Concert 3

The “International Sommerakademie,” organized by the Japan-Germany Music Friends Association, is an eight-day intensive workshop where musicians studying conducting and vocal performance hone their skills alongside a professional orchestra. In 2026, it will be held from August 14 to 21 at the Saitama Arts Theater. At the festival concert held to conclude the workshop, the young musicians will showcase the results of their intensive training. This year’s central theme is the music of Gustav Mahler. The program features a selection of masterpieces—including Symphony No. 4—that earnestly explore themes of love and loss, life and death. Complemented by a diverse range of additional works, the program promises a truly enriching experience. We invite you to experience a performance that vividly captures the depth of music, presented by conductors and soloists selected from among 22 participants representing 13 countries. As you witness how the orchestra’s sound transforms with a single wave of the baton, you’ll find that music feels richer and more accessible than ever before. This is a concert that everyone can fully enjoy, even without specialized knowledge.