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2018. 08 - 11

The 14th Tokyo Music Competition 2016 Vocal Section Winner Ahn JeongMeen © Rikimaru Hotta

Takahiko Kozuka ×　Aya Kimura (Tokyo Bunka Kaikan)

Discovering what the Tokyo Music Competition and figure skating have in common

  • Kimura　 I’m Aya Kimura from Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. I’d like to talk about the Tokyo Music Competition, which we hold in order to discover and nurture new musical talent. This year will be the 16th competition, and will feature three divisions – strings, open to ages 15-30, brass, open to ages 16-30, and vocals, open to ages 20-35. Those who pass the preliminary rounds will be able to perform alongside an orchestra.
  • Kozuka　 I imagine performing with an orchestra will be quite nerve-wracking!
  • Kimura　For more than half of the competitors, the rehearsals will be their first time performing with an orchestra, so I’m sure many of them will be nervous. In addition to the judge’s scoring, there is a special prize chosen by the audience.
  • Kozuka　Awarding points for an artistic performance is like figure skating, isn’t it? It’s a bit like a combination of an ice dancing show and a competitive match.
  • Kimura　Originally, musicians were judged from recordings they made and submitted to the judges, but since the 13th competition, everything has been judged live from the first round. Each section has a set number of entrants – the brass section has 180!
  • Kozuka　Really! The judges have to listen to 180 performances?
  • Kimura　They do, over three days. The first round is closed, but from the second round onwards the performances are open to the public, who can enter for ¥500. The pieces for strings and brass are set, but for vocals they have to prepare their own program. Vocalists are partly judged on how they approach the challenge of creating a program that captures the hearts of the audience.
  • Kozuka　It’s the same with figure skating. Choosing where to add jumps and flourishes, finding a harmony with the music, and creating a flow between techniques – these aspects are judged as part of the “composition” component score.
  • Kimura　They’re quite alike, aren’t they! The final round is held a week after the second round, so it’s necessary to prepare both in advance. The final round is a concerto, and some of the pieces are as long as 40 minutes.
  • Kozuka　It must be hard to find a balance of where to dedicate your preparation work, from the first round to the final.
  • Kimura　There have been competitors whose first and second rounds were strong but their final round was less so. The challenge of choosing or controlling when they hit their peak is very great.
  • Kozuka　In a sports competition too, knowing when to hit your peak is very important. What’s in store for the winners after this competition?
  • Kimura　First off, the winners will put together their own program and perform at the “Ueno de Classic” event, where they will also give a talk. It’s not easy to have to do both, but in their future careers they’ll need that experience.
  • Kozuka　In a public field like performing, communication skills are really important, aren’t they? This competition could be life-changing for the performers, so I hope they’ll really focus and put it all on the line.
The 16th Tokyo Music Competition 2018

  • Second Round / Recital Hall
    Aug. 20 Mon. 11:00 Vocal Section
    Aug. 22 Wed. 11:00 String Section
    Aug. 24 Fri. 11:00 Brass Section

    Final Round / Main Hall
    Aug. 27 Mon. 18:00 Vocal Section
    Aug. 29 Wed. 18:00 String Section
    Aug. 31 Fri. 18:00 Brass Section

    Learn more

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