Humoreske Orchestra Concert
Welcome to the World of Humor
📅 Sunday, August 24, 2025
🕒 Doors Open 13:00 / Concert Starts 14:00
📍 Fukuoka Civic Hall, Main Hall
Program
Mahler: Symphonic Poem "Totenfeier" (Funeral Rites)
The symphonic poem "Totenfeier" is one of Mahler's early works that shows the beginnings of his distinctive musical language that would later be found in his symphonies. The important themes of death and rebirth in Mahler's music are already present in this work. It is a compelling piece characterized by melancholic melodies and dramatic developments.
Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major
Symphony No. 4 is the most accessible and brightest of Mahler's symphonies. Beginning with sleigh bells in the first movement, it creates a pastoral atmosphere. In the second movement, an eerie melody evokes a "Dance of Death," while the third movement unfolds as a heavenly beautiful set of variations.
The fourth movement features a soprano solo singing "Das himmlische Leben" (The Heavenly Life), expressing childlike innocence and heavenly joy. Please enjoy Mahler's musical world that embodies Humoreske (the world of humor).
Featured Artists
Shinji Moriguchi (Conductor)
Born in Osaka Prefecture. Graduated from Kyoto University Faculty of Letters and completed the conducting course at the Tokyo University of the Arts Graduate School in 1995. Studied conducting under Yoshikazu Tanaka, Masako Endo, Francis Travis, and Hiroshi Wakasugi. Immediately after completing graduate school, he won third place (with no first place awarded) at the Prague Spring International Music Competition conducting division and conducted the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra at the Prague Spring International Music Festival. Since then, he has been a guest conductor for orchestras throughout Japan, including the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kioi Sinfonietta Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Sapporo Symphony Orchestra, Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, and Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra. Recognized by Hiroyuki Iwaki, he served as the resident conductor of Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa from 2003 for two years, achieving success in regular concerts, Austria-Belgium tours, and many other important performances. As an opera conductor, he has conducted close to 100 performances of over 30 works. He also served as Conductor-in-Residence for the Tokyo Mixed Chorus from 2002 to 2009. After serving as a lecturer at Tokyo University of the Arts, Kurashiki Sakuyo University, and the Nikikai Opera Foundation Institute, he joined Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture Department of Music in 2008. Currently, he is a professor at Oita Prefectural College of Arts and Culture, a part-time lecturer at Oita University, and a board member of Oita Nikikai.
Fumiko Yanase (Soprano)
Born in Fukuoka Prefecture. Started singing in the NHK Fukuoka Children's Chorus MIRAI. After majoring in voice at the Expression Education Course, Department of Music, Faculty of Music, Kwassui Women's University, she studied abroad for a short time in Mühldorf, Germany. She then advanced to the Master's Program in Music Research (Opera) at Showa University of Music, where she learned stage performance and singing techniques necessary for opera. Since then, she has expanded her activities to include classical music and musicals, performing actively mainly in Fukuoka, as well as in Nagasaki and Tokyo.
Takeshi Koreeda (Concertmaster)
Born in Kagoshima Prefecture. Graduated from Fukuoka University of Education, Arts Course, Music Program, and completed the university's graduate program in Violin Performance. Studied violin under Sumiko Masukado, Taeko Miki, Taishi Harada, and Kazutoyo Arata, and conducting under Taishi Harada. Studied under Hamao Fujiwara and Tomoko Kato in the Master Class of the 38th and 39th Kirishima International Music Festivals. Won the Gold Prize at the 36th and 37th Kagoshima Prefectural High School Music Competitions. Won prizes at the 7th and 8th Beethoven Music Competition National Convention. Performed at the 36th Kagoshima New Artist Concert. Currently, while performing, he also serves as a part-time lecturer at prefectural high schools and as a violin class instructor, teaching younger generations. Serves as a guest concertmaster and string instrument trainer for orchestras in and outside Fukuoka Prefecture, including the Fukuoka Film Orchestra. Performer for JR Kyushu Cruise Train "Seven Stars in Kyushu". Violinist of the Hibiki Hall Chamber Ensemble. Member of the Kitakyushu Music Association.
Venue Access
Fukuoka Civic Hall
1-5-2 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-0001