ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of Germany hosted a piano concert of classical pianist Jun Kanno in collaboration with the Embassy of Japan, the Austrian Embassy, and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC). The artist is currently one of the most acclaimed Japanese pianists globally and was invited to Pakistan to celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan.
Burghard Brinksmeier, head of the Cultural and Press Section of the German Embassy, welcomed guests, saying, “ We thought it was important to commemorate World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development with a performance that is emblematic of diversity.”
UNIC Director Vittorio Cammarota said: “Three-quarters of the world’s major conflicts have a cultural dimension. Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.”
The programme for the evening consisted primarily of European composers – Mozart, Beethoven, Debussy and Chopin – with the notable exception of Akira Ifukube, a Japanese composer of classical music and film scores, perhaps best known for his work on the soundtracks of the Godzilla movies by Toho.
Beginning with one of Mozart’s most popular compositions, Fantasy in d minor KV397, Kanno demonstrated his incredibly delicate touch with the changing tempi. Dramatic and fluid, the music drew the audience in with its lyricism and challenging form which in part resembled the trilling of birds.
He followed with the Piano Sonata in C major KV330, performing the Allegro moderato, Andante cantabile and Allegretto.
Moving on to Beethoven, Kanno again chose one of the most well-known works, the Grande Sonate Pathétique in c minor Op.13. The pieces have been incorporated into several works of popular culture including the theme of the film ‘The Man Who Wasn’t There’ and Billy Joel’s “This Night”. The slow Grave – Allegro di molto e con brio was followed by the Adagio cantabile and the vivacious Rondo – Allegro.
Kanno said, “I am pleased and honoured to give this concert. I have played in many countries but this is my first concert in Islamabad. The first part was dedicated to German and Austrian but now I will play three parts of four of a Japanese piece.”
Kanno introduced Akira Ifukube’s Piano Suite, as a piece by a contemporary composer but one written in 1934. Explaining the romantic nature of the pieces, he played the Tanabata, Fête of Vega, Nagashi, Profane minstrel and Nebuta, Festal ballad, which were characterised by repetitive motifs and periods of forceful melody.
Two diametrically opposite Preludes by Debussy followed. The La terrasse des audiences du clair de lune – the terrace of moonlit audiences – which evoked the stillness of stargazing on a moonlit night and the Feu d’artifice or Fireworks with the imagery of spectacular displays of rockets and points of light. Nothing showcased Kanno’s mastery of the piano as the juxtaposition of the ethereal Clair de lune with the intensely complex and fast paced Feu d’artifice.
Ending the evening with Chopin, Kanno performed the Nocturne in c sharp minor Op.27-1 and the Nocturne in d flat major Op.27-2 – two of the composer’s most powerful masterpieces, both requiring gentle handling.
The final piece of the concert was also by Chopin, the Polonaise-Fantaisie Op.61 which began with contemplative, reflective chords, moved through overlapping harmonies and culminated in a stately march-like rhythm. The intricate piece was a fitting end to an exceptional performance.
Jun Kanno is a graduate of University of Toho in Tokyo, and studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris. He has received prizes at several international competitions, and has played with the Munich Symphony Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Berlin, the National Orchestra of Cracow, the Chamber Orchestra of Salzburg, the Chamber Orchestra of Prague, the NHK Symphony Orchestra, the Japan Philharmonic, and the Korean National Orchestra.
Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2017