Back up to Part 2

Photo at right posted on Twitter by mtama315

April 27: Siena Wind Orchestra concert

Siena’s first outing of the year under the baton of conductor Akira Miyagawa was an all-Yamato concert in Karuizawa city, Nagano prefecture, about as close as you can get to the geographic center of Japan. The performance took place at the picturesque Ohga Hall. Akira’s daughter Chiko Miyagawa (below) performed the organ part for the White Comet theme.

Photos posted on Twitter by hanohanohano and Chiko Miyagawa

The playlist, taped up for public view at the last minute, was broad and extensive with Hiroshi Miyagawa compositions filling up the first half (classic series), and Akira Miyagawa tracks in the second (remake series).

Photo posted on Twitter by htr_ymt and aoi2199

Fumi Fukakou, the scholar behind Yamato Music FE posted the following insights on Twitter…

The concert was held amidst falling cherry blossoms. It was my first time at the hall, but it had windows like the first bridge (and the shutters went down!), a seating arrangement that seemed to surround the audience, and the music pouring down from above. It was full of charm.

The program, which moved from the origin to the present and the future, was very interesting.

The first part was “Gekiban” (background music) from Space Battleship Yamato (1974), which Akira played as if spinning a story with music. (The original Yamato theme was included too!) It was like a great river or a big song that surged forward, and it really touched my heart.

The second part, Akira’s Yamato music, began with The 18th Armored Division (from Yamato III), in which Akira participated as a composer, and continued with the music from the remake series.

Chiko’s White Comet (Keith Emerson ver.) was thrilling! It’s been a while since I last listened to this song live, and no matter how many times I hear it, the way the sound goes down and up in the middle is just amazing!!

Sheet music for The 18th Armored Division, spotted by hanohanohano during intermission

For those wondering about The 18th Armored Division, I’ll write a little more.

It was born in the original Yamato III, which features the appearance of new forces such as Galman and the Bolar Federation (there was also originally a force called the United States of Zeni). There were new characters such as Domon and Ageha, new mecha, and even space adventure, one of the key elements of the 1974 Yamato.

A very large amount of music was needed. In the end, over 100 pieces were recorded. The composing period was also very tough, with the previous work Be Forever being released in the same year, and other things as well, so it was clear that Hiroshi Miyagawa was in desperate need of any help he could get.

In the midst of all this, Akira Miyagawa, who was 18-19 years old at the time, was chosen. Because it was a TV series, “versatility” was required. For example, “Battle Theme A” or “Planet Theme 1.” Akira started writing based on that. Among his compositions, The 18th Armored Division, which was written as a “battle” song, was adopted, and additional recording was done while Yamato III was being broadcast.

The score at the time was described as a “somewhat pop-style battle,” and from this we can see that it was neither meant for Yamato‘s side nor the enemy side.

This piece was included in the Yamato III symphonic album, and it was here that it was officially given the title The 18th Armored Division. Hiroshi Miyagawa praised the song, saying, “I think it’s pretty well written.” It was used for the first time in Episode 21 of Yamato III, where it decorated the scene with a strong impression.

In fact, Akira had been asked to compose some of the music for Be Forever, and I think Hiroshi sensed the potential there. 45 years have passed since then. The 18th Armored Division has not only not faded, but has been polished.

Photos posted on Twitter by powderskin and Sankei Sports

April 27: Super Robot Spirits 2025 concert

Music fans had a serious decision to make on the 27th you could EITHER the Siena Wind Orchestra concert OR the victorious return of Isao Sasaki to the stage in Tokyo. Tragically, they were too far apart to see in one day.

Reported by Sankei Sports:

Singer Isao Sasaki (82) appeared at the anime song event Super Robot Spirits 2025 Tokyo ~ Stage Terra held at Zepp Haneda in Ota Ward, Tokyo

Sasaki was diagnosed with acute exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia in January, and this was his first stage performance since being discharged from the hospital at the end of February. Sasaki, known for his anime songs such as Space Battleship Yamato and Galaxy Express 999, was greeted by about 2,000 fans with “Welcome back!” He thanked the medical staff involved in his treatment and promised, “I finally realized that people are happy that I’ve returned. From now on, I’d like to live in a way that makes everyone happy.”

This year marks the 65th anniversary of his debut. On this day, he sang the theme songs of robot anime such as Beglendizer, Gaiking, and Getter Robo. After the show, he responded to an interview about his physical recovery, saying, “It felt like I was still less than 50%, but if I try a little harder, I think I can make it in time for my 65th anniversary event on July 20th” (also to be held at Zepp Haneda in Tokyo). He felt confident in his complete recovery. A “best album” commemorating his 65th anniversary will be released on July 16th.

See moving pictures from Super Robot Spirits in a TBS news report here

Flashback: see Sasaki perform on an April 2024 TV program here

April 28: Today’s Science Beginners Vol. 9 video

Tokugawa continued his campaign to get Setsuden to solve last week’s riddle, then the video shifted over to an explanation of Dezarium’s Infinite Beta Cannon, wielded by the Grodez. Does the riddle get solved? See if you can figure it out.

See it here (closed captions and auto-translate ON)

April 29: Reminder article

Golden Week was still going, and the entire classic Yamato catalog was still streaming to meet the needs of anyone with more vacation time than they knew what to do with. The entertainment history website Reminder lived up to its name when it flew through the legendary story of how Yamato got its start.

Read the article here

April 29: Acrylic keyholders announced

Yamato keyholders are pretty common in the remake era, but this set of eight from the NIC company goes back to the classics for its images. Scheduled for release in August, they will retail for 300yen each or 2580 for the full set. If you have a friend in Japan, they can be preordered here.

April 30: 1/100 model on display

On the final day of April, this incredible month ended as it began, with the big display model warping in. Halfway through the third week of Chapter 3, it arrived at its newest destination, the Burg 13 theater in Yokohama. Superfan aoi2199 found it and posted these photos on Twitter.

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