[Tokyo Bunka Kaikan] Talk event "Contemporary Music Project Josephine Stevenson Lecture" by an up-and-coming composer will be held on January 11th!

Josephine Stevenson, a composer who is attracting attention mainly in Europe, will talk about her works, and you can also enjoy a talk and cello performance by composer Mioko Yokoyama.

Josephine Stevenson, who has roots in England and France and studied at the Royal Academy of Music, is a composer, arranger, and performer whose work transcends the boundaries of classical music. He also regularly collaborates with films, plays, and bands, and in 2016 he received attention for arranging the BBC David Bowie Prom. In addition, he will be a resident artist at the Avignon Opera House from 2021 to 2023, and in May 2023, the opera “Three Lunar Seas” premiered to great acclaim.

We will be inviting Josephine Stevenson to hold the "Contemporary Music Project Josephine Stevenson Lecture" on Thursday, January 11, 2024.

On January 13th, the world premiere of “Kaguya the Daughter Tree'', in which she not only composes the song but also performs as a vocalist, is scheduled to take place. We are planning to present a work commissioned by the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.
At this event on January 11th, Keisuke Morita, a young and up-and-coming cellist, will perform their works.

contemporary music project

Josephine Stevenson Lecture

January 11, 2024 (Thursday) 19:00 start (doors open at 18:30)

Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall (in front of JR Ueno Station Park Exit)

Japanese interpreter included

[Event details]

https://www.t-bunka.jp/stage/19724/

Josephine Stevenson has this to say about working on “Kaguya the Daughter Tree.''

“I sometimes worried about how I, who live in Europe, should handle “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,'' which has been loved by Japanese people for a long time, but the fact that everyone in the audience knew the story made me think. I think it's a great way for people to listen to music for the first time."

What does the composer have to say about his new stage work, which will also feature Kaiji Moriyama, a leader in the dance world? This is a talk event that unravels the charm of the work.

[Tickets] Now on sale at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ticket Service and others

●S seat 2,200 yen A seat 1,650 yen Under 25 years old (common to all seats) 1,100 yen

●“Contemporary Music Project” set ticket (1/11 “Josephine Stevenson Lecture” & 1/13 “Kaguya”): S seat 7,920 yen S seat 25 years old and under 3,960 yen

*Set tickets and seats under 25 years old are only available at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Ticket Service. For seats under 25 years old, proof is required. When purchasing a set ticket online, please apply from "Set ticket reservation".

*Please refrain from allowing preschool children to enter.

*Please note that the contents may change due to unavoidable circumstances.

*Childcare service (reservation required, fee required, limited capacity, deadline 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 4th) is available. Event childcare/mothers: 0120-788-222

[Application] https://www.t-bunka.jp/stage/19724/

Sponsored by: Tokyo Metropolitan Government/Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for History and Culture, Tokyo Bunka Kaikan

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Josephine Stevenson Profile

Composer, arranger, and performer active in various musical genres. His music, which has been described as "a beguiling combination of dissonance and sweet cantabile" (Backtrack), has received commissions from the likes of the BBC, Radio France and Wigmore Hall. Works include London Sinfonietta, Aurora Orchestra, Sinfonia Viva, 12 Ensembles, Stargaze, Tenebrae, French National Radio Boys Choir, Hermès Experiment, Xplor Ensemble, Alan Clayton (tenor), Laura Snowden (guitarist) It is played by etc.

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Mioko Yokoyama Profile

He composes music to provide surprise and enjoyment to his listeners through music. Mainly active in instrumental music works. “It was something that gave me a sense of elation after hearing it for the first time in a while'' (HBL Newspaper). Completed master's program at Tokyo University of the Arts, Faculty of Music and Graduate School, and master's program in composition at Sibelius Conservatory of Music. Studied under Eisuke Tsuchida, Kenjiro Urata, Manabu Kawai, and Veli-Matti Poumala. His works have been commissioned by music festivals and famous performers throughout Europe. He has received grants from the Yamaha Music Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship, the Nomura Foundation, the Scandinavian and Nippon Sasakawa Foundation, and the Finnish Cultural Foundation. Part-time lecturer at the Sibelius Academy of Music.

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▼Click here for Josephine Stevenson's interview on "Kaguya the daughter tree" (world premiere)

https://www.t-bunka.jp/onmyaku/pdf/onmyaku_vol93.pdf#page=4

▼Interview “How did Josephine Stevenson connect “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter'' with Akiko Yosano? Talking about the new stage play “Kaguya'' that no one has seen before'' (music information site “Mikiki'')

https://mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/35861

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Contemporary music project “Kaguya”

Saturday, January 13, 2024 15:00 start (doors open at 14:30)

Venue: Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall (in front of JR Ueno Station Park Exit)

The first part is in the format of a chamber music concert. The second part will feature the world premiere of Kaguya the Daughter Tree, a new work created in collaboration between Josephine Stevenson and Japan's leading dancer Kaiji Moriyama.