Concert Memo 5: December 2025 and Looking Back on the Year

November, a month where I went to concerts as if I were commuting, has ended, and it is now December.
Although not as many as last month, I still went to concerts this month.

Kyohei Sorita Produced JNO Chamber Music Series 2025: Viola Tomohiro Arita x JNO Chamber

It was a duo recital with the violist, Mr. Arita.

Although I had hardly ever listened to viola sonatas, perhaps because the selection of pieces was good, I was able to enjoy the performance for about two hours without being attacked by sleepiness.
As I felt last year, Mukawa-kun is also good at chamber music. He doesn't stand out too much, but he sings firmly where he should. That balance is exquisite.
Brahms's Viola Sonata was performed at the end of the program, and for a while, a certain phrase was spinning around in my head. A typical Brahms experience.
This recital was Mukawa-san's last concert of the year.

Kyohei Sorita with Berlin Soloists, Scharoun Ensemble, and Berlin Philharmonic String Players

The last concert of this year was a chamber music concert with Mr. Sorita and members of the Berlin Philharmonic.

It was a very luxurious concert with a program full of my favorite pieces and two encores.
I was more satisfied with this than last month's recital.

There was an earthquake during the concert. It was during the performance of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,' which I was very much looking forward to. Sorita-kun also lowered the volume and checked the situation.
He seemed to judge that there was no problem, so the performance continued and the concert went on, but I couldn't help but worry that a large earthquake had occurred somewhere, and I couldn't settle down for a while. I want to get revenge somewhere, but they don't play this piece very often, do they...

Depending on the selection, I prefer Sorita-kun in chamber music or performing with an orchestra rather than in a solo recital.
Even so, 'Pianist Kyohei Sorita' is still a presence I am curious about. I hope that a recital will be held next year as well.
That's it for this year's concerts.
One way or another, it started with Sorita-kun and ended with Sorita-kun.

Looking back on this year

The number of times I went to concerts increased from last year, and I went often this year as well.
Every concert was wonderful, but among them, the ones that really stayed in my heart were Aimi Suzuki's recital and Mukawa-san's Ravel-related concert. Also, although it was more of a festival-like event, the Star Classic at Minatomirai was also good. Yes, it reminded me that this is how music is supposed to be enjoyed.
It wasn't a concert, but Mukawa-san's public lesson was also good. Even now, I sometimes look at my handwritten notes and the score with markings to use as a reference for lessons.
I have already obtained several tickets for next year.
I am looking forward to Sorita-san's Chopin conducting and playing at JNO, which I will go to listen to for the first time in a while. And also Mukawa-san's Beethoven 'Appassionata' sonata.
Next year, I would like to go to recitals by Ushida-san and Kuwahara-san, but I wonder if I have the financial leeway (I'm sure I'll have the time).
First and foremost, it has been a very fulfilling year. Let's enjoy it again next year.