 |
The groundbreaking performance
on June 17, 2001, was videotaped and will be released by Pony Canyon as a
DVD/CD package. Details will be posted in our News Flash section when
confirmed.
This performance featured: Yngwie Johann Malmsteen
(Electric Guitar & Acoustic Guitar); Taizo Takemoto, (Conductor); New Japan
Philharmonic Orchestra; Ritsuyukai Choir; Fumiaki Kuriyama (Chorus Master). The
orchestral score was transcribed by David Rosenthal.
Interview with Taizo
Takemoto, Conductor of the New Japan Philharmonic
| Concerto Suite
Premiere Performance, Interview (Q&A) with Conductor Taizo Takemoto,
22/June/2001 (by Yoko Miyazaki for Mega Fan Site, translation by Akira
Sogabe). |
 |
Mega Fan Site
(MFS): How do you do, Mr. Takemoto? On behalf of Yngwie fans,
heartily we congratulate you on your success in those concerts. Fans are giving
us a lot of comments saying those concerts were so great that they were moved
to tears and struck dumb. Frankly speaking, are you feeling relieved to have
finished your job at last?
Taizo
Takemoto: I'm rather feeling still excited than relieved. After two
concerts this time, I couldn't believe they're all over now, and I even feel
kind of sorry and unsatisfied, because of my desire that I can do much more
indeed.....
MFS: Yngwie
had been regarding those concerts as a realization of one of his biggest dreams
in his life, and had been engrossed in it. How were you impressed by Yngwie?
(With no compliments, please.)
Takemoto: I
first met Yngwie on the "day one" of our rehearsal, June 11th, 2001. I was on
the stage of Triphony Hall and Yngwie seemed to be watching us in the middle of
the seats. Then staff members introduced Yngwie and me to each other, and I
waved my hand wide to Yngwie on his seat far away. He answered me with open
arms as well. At that moment, I felt kind of indefinable "warmth" or
"friendliness" about him, and I was immediately convinced we would be able to
get along together!! In next day's rehearsal, there came the time when Yngwie
and the orchestra went together. As he easily played his same old terribly fast
passages, surprisingly he pointed out errors in the orchestra's tones one after
another. Besides, he soon adjusted himself to a classical orchestra's unique
way of timing, and he ran through orchestra sound at his command. Frankly, I
was surprised to find out he was grounded in music so well, and far beyond
walls of genres like classics and rock, I newly felt respect for Yngwie
Malmsteen, the great musician.
MFS: Not
only the tough compositions of "Millennium", but you also had to play several
orchestrated rock tunes (which fans love most and were glad to hear). It's said
Yngwie kept re-arranging to his heart's content until just before the show
started. Wasn't it harder to do with him than you usually do?
Takemoto: I
don't exactly know the circumstances, but as regards to musical arrangement, I
know for sure he was consulting with the arranger again and again. Even after
rehearsing with the orchestra, without showing fatigue for hours, actually
playing the guitar, he was discussing details with the arranger. I sometimes
heard him talk in an excited voice, but I think it showed a sign of his serious
attitude toward music. Meanwhile, he never stopped telling jokes, .....nor
saying "beer". (Laughing)
MFS: These
concerts, we think, contained a difficult theme of combining the electric
guitar with the wind and string instruments. What was the conductor to do to
achieve a good sound from them?
Takemoto:
How it actually sounded in the hall was up to the mixer at the public-address
system, so I wasn't in charge of it. (The mixer must have had various
hardships. I appreciate!) But when it comes to the previous step, that is
playing, what I was intending was not as easy as Yngwie and the orchestra
should merely synchronize their beats, but was that they should feel each
other's breath and create music, while displaying themselves.
MFS:
Weren't you being nervous while conducting the shows?
Takemoto:
Nervous about what? As you could see, I had unforgettable joyful
times.
MFS: Were
the tunes completed as you had been expecting?
Takemoto:
They were performed fairly good, weren't they? I believe it was New Japan
Philharmonic who did the best services to the concerts. In spite of the unusual
situation, the members achieved their best. I appreciate them from my heart.
Thanks to NJP, we succeeded in completing those tunes, that were difficult in
all aspects.
MFS: How
did you like the atmosphere in the hall?
Takemoto:
Great. The audience generally seemed to be a little bit uneasy at first. But as
the show went along, rock fans and orchestra fans became roused together, and
created a wonderful atmosphere. This experience may be a good chance for
orchestra fans to begin to go to rock concerts, and for rock fans to orchestra
concerts, more often. Then it'll be more pleasant.
MFS: Any
message to Yngwie?
Takemoto:
You are the greatest! I respect you from my heart! I hope we'll have
another opportunity to appear on stage together. I'll brush up my English by
next time we'll meet again. Thank you for wonderful music!!
June 30, 2001 - Taipei,
Taiwan
From BOB:
Hello, this is Bob from Japan, I am very lucky because my Taiwan
friend made arrangement for me to get the second row ticket of Taiwan concerto
show. Now I just get back to my hotel and finally success to connect the
internet and writing this. I am very happy to report the show was very nice and
I am very enjoyed with it. At first, Yngwie appear to the stage, many fans call
his name and shouting "Happy Birthday Yngwie ". Yngwie looks much more relaxed
than the Tokyo night, but his play was the same excellent as Tokyo. Just before
the encore, children gave the flowers to Yngwie and women bring to him huge
Birthday cake. During this celebration ceremony, Takao Orchestra was playing
"Happy Birthday to you" for Yngwie in the background. Yngwie makes very happy
big smile, and we are seeing Yngwie's success with happiness. I notice that in
Taiwan, Yngwie is very welcome by young people, it looks the same as Japan, I
feel very good. I saw in the audience, most of the band members were looking at
Yngwie with smiles. It's so nice. By the way, I will go to "one more Yngwie in
Taiwan " tonight, this Rock show will make me more crazy indeed. Play
Loud!!
June 15 & 17, 2001 -
Tokyo, Japan
Story and
Photos on New Japan Philharmonic Website: "New Japan Philharmonic
Rocks!"
- Original Japanese story
HERE
- English translation
HERE (thanks to
Mega-Fan Yngwie site)
June 17, 2001 - Tokyo,
Japan
From Jimmy Page -
Australia:
First off, I would have gone anywhere in the world to
have seen one of the first performances of Concerto Suite, but travelling there
I really fell in love with Tokyo! What a city, what a concert, what a trip!!
I have to say Yngwie's performance of Concerto
Suite on the 17th was magic. It was more than a dream come true!! And as a mad
surprise Yngwie kicked off the night with orchestral versions of Black Star,
Evil Eye, Brothers, Blitzkrieg and Trilogy Suite op 5. This to me shows that
Yngwie has a great respect for his fans - always doing more than is expected -
and as a fan it is something I really appreciate, like a personal thank you for
travelling from Australia. Anyway my friend's and my seats were on the aisle, 5
rows back, in clear view of Yngwie who was literally about 10 feet away!! It
was so close that we could hear the unamplified plucking of Yngwie's strings.
After a twenty minute interval, Icarus Dream
Fanfare echoed through Orchard Hall. I was once again in heaven!! It was great
to see such a large turnout as well. The second performance would have been
very near sold out [webmaster's note: by performance time, the show was Sold
Out.] and I felt particularly special to be one of probably 10 western
people in the audience. Anyway Yngwie can do no wrong in my eyes - his playing
was flawless. The performance kept getting better with Yngwie's energy electric
and so much fun. His acoustic playing divine. The night gained momentum
building to Vivace, Presto Vivace and Finale which really are some of the best
final movements of all time!! Yngwie received a long and well earned standing
ovation but the show wasn't over. We were blessed with an encore of Adagio and
Far Beyond the Sun. Absolutely magic!!
I hope Yngwie felt as empowered as he looked
onstage with those powerful strings and voices behind him. I also wish that it
fulfilled a dream for him as well as it did for me. The show was recorded and
although I will have the memories forever, I can't wait for the DVD to be
released. Yngwie Malmsteen is a master of his instrument and a beautiful
composer. I thank him for touching and inspiring me with his music! Until the
next time. Anne, it really was awesome. Thanks, see you - Jimmy Page
From Romeo Galleni -
Milan, Italy:
Last week I was in Tokyo to see Yngwie performing
the Concerto Suite. It was the 7th time I saw him on stage and I think
it was the best performance I ever saw.
All was great: Sumida Triphony Hall is amazing,
the Orchestra very qualified, the director charismatic and Yngwie was absorbed,
calm, and determined as I have never seen before. When the Orchestra started
playing Black Star, I flew in another dimension, - orchestration was great and
we all were waiting for Yngwie's entrance. Then the music stopped and Yngwie
appeared. The crowd was very excited and he seemed really relaxed and
fulfilled.
When Evil Eye started, I began crying as I was
so happy to be there. Then the other tracks, simply astonishing, although the
volume of guitar and orchestra were not always well balanced.
When the Concerto was performed, Yngwie and the
Orchestra gave their best. During the third movement I wanted time to stop as
it was amazing. At the end the crowd was completely crazy and when the theme
from Paganini's 4th Violin Concerto started, a strange kind of magic started
again, then Albinoni's Adagio, and Far Beyond the Sun closed this magic Tokio
night.
Since video cameras were installed, I hope for
a video release of the concert. I waited for Yngwie in the backstage entrance
but I could not see him. I really wanted to shake his hand and to thank him for
those fantastic moments he gave us. Thank You Yngwie, You are simply great, I
love Your music and I'm sure it will be always inseparable part of my
life.
From Yoko Miyazaki:
[this is a brief note from Yoko, who has kindly agreed to write a
longer review for the Fan Club newsletter]
The second night was
fantastic, too. We are very proud of him as Yngwie fans. He got a storm of
applause again. Today's set list was same. All of the audience are moved to
tears with his emotional playing. "Trilogy" was amazing, but the most exciting
play in the first section was "Blitzkrieg". This tune sounds like a true
classic masterpiece (orchestra arrangement is wonderful and thrilling too), but
fast and ardent. We all fell into Malmsteen's emotion. After the intermission,
Yngwie came backstage with a big smile. His face looks much more relaxed than
the first day; and then starts the most unforgettable "Millennium". The
orchestra sound had not even finished before the audience was already giving a
standing ovation. I don't have enough good words to explain to you how greatly
impressed we were with the encore tune "Far Beyond the Sun". It's historical,
amazing play. We are very happy to be witness of Malmsteen history. This
two-day event proves his talent is not ordinary - he has a gift - rock guitar
playing alone is not enough to show up his total talent. Only he can do this,
nobody can do this like him. A lot of fans want to send big thanks to Yngwie
and NJP for this wonderful moment and for making us so happy!
From Yasuyuki &
Hiroko Takata:
Dear Mr.Yngwie Johann Malmsteen, I have just come
home from Bunkamura Orchard Hall at Shibuya, Tokyo. My wife and I could also go
to the concert at Sumida Triphony Hall. Just want to let you know that we
really feel we are very, very happy to have had a chance to listen to your real
play.
I was born in 1963, and I am working in
automotive industry. I love rock music, especially guitar, and you are the
best. It was nice of my wife, Hiroko, that she made a great effort to get the
tickets for both nights.
Actually, it was the first time for us to see
you in concert, and we had a great expectation, but your play exceeded our
expectation. It seemed you were more relaxed and wilder tonight. We really
enjoyed it. I was really moved at your exciting and emotional playing with a
nice orchestra. I am really proud that this nicest thing happened in Japan.
And, Hiroko told me that it was your playing that let her know how the guitar
sounds so beautiful. But, I knew she loves your play, because while we are
driving our car, she ask me who is playing, only when I play your CDs in car
audio. I am sorry that my limitation of English ability does not allow me to
tell everything I feel. However, we will never forget the great concerts. By
the way, who was the gentleman who pass the guitars to you?
Anyway, thank you very much for giving us nice
opportunities to touch real music. Hope to see you at your concert soon again.
Sincerely yours, Yasuyuki & Hiroko Takata
June 15, 2001 - Tokyo,
Japan
From Daniel
Gross:
Hi Anne and everybody who may read this. My name is
Daniel. The first time that I went to a Malmsteen concert was in 1985 in
Frankfurt/Germany in 1985 when "Marching Out" was just about to be released.
Needless to say that it was a blast and that since that evening I am in love
with Yngwie's music.
Yesterday I have been to the Sumida Triphony
Hall to witness the Maestro play with the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra.
This was also the world premiere of his Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar
and Orchestra. And once again I was and still am awestruck. Am I right to
say that this was an historical event? The concert was opened by the orchestra
playing "Black Star" and then Yngwie himself entered the stage and what
followed was "Evil Eye", "Brothers", the first part of his "Trilogy Suite Op.5"
and an incredible version of "Blitzkrieg"!
After a short pause it was time for the
Concerto Suite... This guy must be a musical genius, who else plays with such
fire, emotion, and also accuracy as Yngwie? This is not about technical
ability, but art. Time seemed to stand still, believe it or not, the guy
standing next to me even cried during the concert! After the Finale, Yngwie and
conductor Taizo Takemoto (who also did an outstanding job) received standing
ovations. Then followed the encore. "Far Beyond the Sun"!!! It was the most
incredible version of this timeless masterpiece and it seemed that this piece
had been written to be played by an orchestra.
Well, it is not possible to put it into words,
if Yngwie should ever perform the Concerto Suite in the States or Europe or
anywhere else close to you, don't miss it. It is an experience
extraordinaire!!! If Yngwie should read these lines I would like to thank him
for the music and wish him all the best. I hope he will be around for many more
years to come. Best wishes to all of you. God bless!!! Daniel |
Link to Concerto Suite Performance
Photos
Link to Europe 2001 Concert
Photos
Link to USA Reviews 2001
Link to Concert Photos
2001
Tour Press Release
Reviews from Dio/Yngwie
Tour
Photos from Dio/Yngwie
Tour
|
