Pre-show posts
June 5
The first day of rehearsals has begun. We’re already excited about the all-Yamato program by Akira-san. There will also be a live broadcast on the day!
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Left: As expected, Shion is the best. As for me, I have already been taking electric piano lessons from Akira-san. I will absorb as much as I can and radiate it to the hall on the day! – Chiko Miyagawa
Right: So, what does this do? Look forward to it on the day…
June 6
A look at the second day of rehearsals. Akira-san’s passion for Yamato is apparent.
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June 7
It was the third day of rehearsals with some amazing guests. Isao Sasaki’s passionate singing voice was ringing out. The performers were also moved while playing. Tomorrow’s concert will be even more spectacular.
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Left: The 50th anniversary concert of Space Battleship Yamato is finally tomorrow! Today I was moved by Isao Sasaki’s singing voice. I was playing The Scarlet Scarf with sweaty hands. – Chiko Miyagawa (vocalist Yuuki in background)
Right: Merchandise will be sold outside the hall on the day of the event! It is expected to be crowded, so please come early!
June 8
Rehearsals will begin soon. The symphony hall’s pipe organ is also waiting for its turn! In the lobby on the second floor, there is are Yamato plastic models made by the model club Kikyoya!
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Today, in the cafe space on the second floor of the symphony hall, we are exhibiting Yamato plastic models made by the model club Kikyoya. To all who will be attending, please come and see!
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Report on the dress rehearsal of the 155th regular concert: 3 more hours until energy recharge is complete. We invite you to the world of Space Battleship Yamato. Please enjoy a touching moment that will bring you to tears. The show starts at 6pm!
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From the blog of vocalist Yuuki: This is definitely going to be an extraordinary concert, isn’t it? At the full rehearsal at the venue, I was like, “Eh, eh… this is… What’s going to happen next!?” Just before we went on stage, I felt the incredible energy of the audience rising steadily, and I felt like, “If I don’t hold my ground, I’ll get hit by a wave gun from the audience and be sent flying.”
Left: Woah. I came to symphony hall. I’m looking forward to it. There is also streaming! Yes, there’s a camera! – DSC Kwani (Daisuke Miyagawa, Hiroshi’s grandson)
Right: Rehearsal photo by of Miyuki Sasaki (see original post here)
Backstage with Daisuke Miyagawa, Yuuki, Akira Miyagawa, and Chiko Miyagawa
It’s been a while since we last performed together in a concert. Three generations of Hiroshi Miyagawa. It was an honor to be with you during this succession! – DSC_info
Showtime
The audience arrives at Osaka Symphony Hall (Photos by fwks7841 and Miyuki0107)
First stop: merch booth! (Photos by Akira Hoshi and The Udoneeds)
Yamato T-shirts were on sale. The large size sold out in an instant, so they sold the display item that was hanging there. I bought the red one, so I’d like to wear it to celebrate my 60th birthday in a few years. If I make it, that is. – The_Udoneeds
Commemorative bouquets in the lobby (photos by gong_kiti_kiti and Akira Hoshi)
Model display (Photos by Akira Hoshi and merumeru1701)
Photos by nyankomiyabi and seven_herbs_m
Photos by syun0627MHR and The Udoneeds
Audience to your seats! (Photos by Angelbell_jet and fwks7841)
That is one serious pipe organ. We already know what its purpose is here, but what does the program book have to tell us? (Photos by mahochyan and syun0627MHR)
Photo by hr_haratti
Act 1
Scene 1: Opening / The End of TV Manga
Space Battleship Yamato – Black Tiger – Taiga Yamato
Scene 2: Original Yamato BGM Special
BGM Medley
Original Yamato Theme – Silence of Space – Deserted Town – Suspense B – Yamato Bolero – Explorer Launch – Exploration Craft – Infinitely Expanding Universe – Yamato Sleeping in the Sunset
Scene 3: Shion’s Favorite BGM
New Cosmo Tiger – Iscandar (Crossing the Beautiful Ocean)
Scene 4: Isao Sasaki and Yamato
First Yamato Sasaki received – The Scarlet Scarf
A word of explanation: when Sasaki received the sheet music for the opening theme in 1974, it was mistakenly noted as being in C major instead of C minor. He thought it sounded strange, but he practiced it that way only to find out when he showed up at the studio that it was an error. 50 years later, Akira Miyagawa (rascal that he is) decided to fully arrange it for C major, just to see what it sounds like.
From here forward, notes in blue are from social media posts. Notes in red are from a blog by percussionist Mohetsuma (not a member of Osaka Shion).
The choir lines up, the lights drop, and here we go!
Isao Sasaki on lead vocal, Yuuki on backup. The Yamato theme kicks us off.
From Yuuki’s blog: Even from the first theme song, some audience members were in tears, so I laughed and cried. Even after 50 years, Isao Sasaki is singing in the same key as he did originally, with his low, deep, firm and glossy voice. It was a miracle to be able to experience it right in front of my eyes, beyond luxury, sparkling, sparkling, sparkling.
The song begins with a male chorus, the so-called first episode version. At this point, Isao Sasaki makes an unexpected appearance in a bright red jacket. A real surprise!
Isao Sasaki is 82 years old. He performed Space Battleship Yamato three times and The Scarlet Scarf once, live in the original key with no wavering. Is he a mythical creature? – re_reia
After singing one song, Isao Sasaki slipped and fell on stage, but that was no big deal. Later he said, “I traveled back in time.” His humor and quick wit were still intact. I was impressed by his professionalism in keeping with the original key. – hatchan_tuba
Dessler’s original theme starts with “Nyaaaan.” When I hear that sound, the line “Gentlemen of Yamato…” comes to mind.
It was a great concert. Yamato‘s music is divine up until Be Forever, but I personally think The New Voyage is the peak. So I cried tonight. The audience was stunned by Isao Sasaki’s powerful voice. I always think it’s easier to sing live than karaoke. – The Udoneeds
In New Cosmo Tiger theme, the trumpet part that rises sharply, so cool!!
Iscandar, this time with a Fender Rhodes and three flutes (flute, alto flute, bass flute). The atmosphere is also different with the piano, which is wonderful.
I was happy that there were many songs selected from Be Forever. Isao’s live singing has such power that it’s hard to believe he’s over 80 years old. The final chorus was spectacular. – nyankomiyabi
To begin Act 2, Chiko Miyagawa and her father Akira double-teamed the pipe organ. This explained the mysterious rehearsal photo posted on the 5th.
From Yuuki’s blog: The young Akira, who was a high school student in 1978, recorded White Comet composed by his father, Hiroshi Miyagawa, on the pipe organ for the first time. Apparently, the foot pedals were played by a professor at a music college. This time, Akira is playing the keyboard and his eldest daughter Chiko is playing the foot pedals (bass part) in a father-daughter duet!! Akira played smoothly and freely on the two tiers of keys, and Chiko got on all fours in front of the foot pedals. In sync with Akira, she played the “frightening” bass notes with her hands. Applause, applause, applause. I’m so happy to be able to see this moment of tradition being passed down right in front of my eyes.
The recording of White Comet in the past must have looked like this. The purple vest Akira changed into was inspired by the color of the suits his father often wore.
Act 2
Scene 1: Miyagawa Family’s Yamato
White Comet, A perfect reproduction of the recording
The 18th Armored Division (teenage Akira’s first Yamato composition, heard in Yamato III)
He said he was happy that the song he wrote at his father’s request was included on the record. It’s a cool song!
Scene 2: Hiroshi Miyagawa’s Praise for Melody
Villains Medley
Dessler Appears – White Comet – Auto Planet Goruba – Dark Nebula Empire
Countless songs that faced off with the weapon of melody. You might think that Farewell would be the end, but the series goes on. A heartfelt word praise from Akira for these legendary songs.
Of all the great songs and performances at Osaka Shion’s all-Yamato concert, the one that struck me as the most impressive and amazing was, surprisingly, Auto Planet Goruba. – gen1law
Scene 3: From the New World of Yamato (the remakes)
The music of Yamato continues to be spun by Akira. The hall was filled with Yuuki’s singing of Love is still light, and it was a truly wonderful time!
Young people, be ambitious – Endless Battle – Yamato Into the Maelstrom – Love is Still Light (end song from Ark of the Stars) – Finale – The Birth of a New Galaxy – Space Battleship Yamato theme
Encore: theme with audience participation
And once again, Sasaki Isao performed Space Battleship Yamato in a blue jacket. The audience was still filled with endless applause. The excitement is still building. However, Akira-san said that they had already performed all the songs for today. So now it was time for everyone to sing Yamato together! At the last regular concert, they said to sing in their hearts or hum along, but tonight we’ll really sing together! It was my first time seeing an all-standing concert at Symphony Hall, and it’s an unforgettable memory.
Today’s concert was amazing and gave me goosebumps. At the end, we all sang together with guest Isao Sasaki. I thought I might never have the chance to do something like this again, so I sang really loud. I think Chiko Miyagawa’s piano is also very moving. It was a great night for Yamato. – mahochyan
The end of the performance was dreamlike, celebrating Yamato‘s 50th anniversary. The soundtrack was arranged by a brass band and Isao Sasaki sang powerfully. And at the end, the whole venue joined together in singing the theme song together! Everything was great! – scottmohechi
Everyone stood up for the encore, singing along in unison. It’s rare to see something like this in classical music. I can’t believe I got to sing with Isao Sasaki. Yamato is great! It’s the foundation of my life. – Chibichon
Osaka Shion’s concert ended with great excitement. I’m very satisfied with the wonderful performance and singing. I’ve been a Yamato fan for a long time, but this was the first time I got to sing along to the Yamato theme with King Sasaki, and it was a dreamlike moment. Thank you so much to all the performers. – Miyuki0107
The Osaka Shion regular concert was hot until the very end. The performance and singing shook the soul. It was truly wonderful! I don’t think you’ll ever see the entire audience standing up and singing along during an encore at any other concert, so thank you so much for today! – seven_herbs_m
From Yuuki’s blog: The faces of everyone singing along while clapping their hands were shining brightly. The sense of exhilaration and accomplishment after the song was over naturally led to a huge round of applause. “This is what thunderous applause means, please.” The generous applause that poured down from the heavens continued not only for the performers on stage, but also for the last member of the choir on the balcony until they left.
The 155th regular concert of Osaki Shion safely returned to Earth. Isao Sasaki’s passionate singing voice and the Nara X Shion sound was a stage of rippling tears inside the venue. Yuuki and everyone in the choir formed for this concert made the performance even more exciting. Thank you very much to everyone who came and tuned into the live broadcast. By the way, the live stream topped out at 5,700 people. Stay tuned for the next Space Battleship Yamato concert! – Osaka Shion Wind Orchestra
For another eyewitness account, locate your browser’s translate button and read all of vocalist Yuuki’s blog here.