Days of Enthusiasm


The world is in the midst of a GW (which has nothing to do with me, however).
Yesterday and today I performed at “La Folle Journeé au Japon: Days of
Enthusiasm,”[1] a really huge classical music festival. It was a music
festival on an unbelievably large scale, and entirely classical music. Over
1,000 performers came from all over the world and held performances in all
kinds of places from early morning until the very last train[2]. The festival
was started in France in 1995, and this year came to Japan. And best of all,
the theme this year was Beethoven! Being absorbed in Beethoven for two days
was great. I was particularly moved by seeing missa solemnis performed live
for the first time. And no matter how many times I hear it, I’m always moved
by the Ninth symphony. Missa solemnis live, Daniel Reuss, Concerto Köln…I
was moved to tears. It was heavenly beauty. The performance was long but I
quickly lost track of time. Although there are lots of mass songs in the
world, I think that this one is the best.

Then, seeing [Akiko] Suwanai live. Her violin concerto was amazing. She’s
truly a beautiful and awe-inspiring violinist. (Even her way of walking is
beautiful and awe-inspiring…) And her violin itself is of course something
to see. It’s a Stradivarius “Dolphin,” and the tone is wonderful. It’s
both beautiful and “edgy.” [3] It feel both grounding and like a path to
Heaven. Of course it’s Suwani’s touch that’s so amazing, but at any rate,
it was a blissful sound.

The Ninth was performed by Inoue Michiyoshi and the Orchestre National des
Pays de la Loire from France. I’ve heard it so many times, but this was my
first time in Spring. (For some reason, it’s becoming normal to hear it in
the winter[4].) Even in the Spring, it was amazingly moving. It’s really a
song that Beethoven put his heart and soul into, a song of great joy. The
dawning of the 19th century. A time of war and strife. A time of charismatic
war heroes like Napoleon. During such an era, Beethoven struggled with doubts
and troubles but ended up with an ultimate love for humanity. I bet such a
message was pretty taboo at the time. He was writing about going beyond race,
class, and religion – about equality (also, Schiller’s poems are worth
reading). Beethoven was an innovator in a society of aristocrats, a liberal
artist who committed many taboos. I admire him so much. He was just too
amazing. I really think that he will be seen as the greatest musician that
ever lived throughout all of human history. And in the end, his masterpiece
Ninth symphony will be the greatest musical work ever.

My greatest hope is that someday, if all the countries on this planet become
one and a global nation is born, the national song will be “Ode to Joy.”
 That would be wonderful.

…it’s truly a dream of mine.

I’ve spent a lot of time talking about Beethoven. He was the most amazing
artist, and it was a great two days.


Steen, I really hate cigarettes. They’re bad for your body, they make your
breath stink, and it’s disgusting how the smell sticks to your hair and
clothes. They make places and your body feel really stagnant. I can’t stand
that, especially in the recording studio. It’s a place where I want to focus
and concentrate my energy, and the air is always stale. It’s bad for the
equipment too. Of course I used to do it also. But incense and sage are
really good for purifying or clearing your spirit. I use it all the time when
making music.

sakura, isn’t it great to start playing instruments at a young age? kenken
took up base when he was eight years old ! (The same one that he played in
SPANKIES, green with five strings.)

akkee, what an interesting train of thought. Absolutely people of the same
purpose are connected. And 969 is really nostalgic, isn’t it. If you can,
come see SHAG! SAK (you know him, right?) will be there. Will it be complete
destruction?[6]

Later.


Sugizo

Posted by SUGIZO : 04:18 AM




TRANSLATOR’S NOTE:

[1] For more information, see the English website of “Days of Enhusiasm”:
http://www.t-i-forum.co.jp/lfj_e/index.html
[2] The time of the last train varies by train line, but is usually around
midnight to 1 a.m.
[3] Maybe someone who is more familiar than I with Japanese music terminology
can help me with the following phrase: 美しくもすっごくエッジーで、流れるよう
でいてクイツキも素晴らしくオケの中、ピアニッシモでもメチャ抜けてくる。
[4] Sugizo literally said “the twelfth month” (師走、shiwasu) which is the
traditional name for the twelfth month by the lunar calendar. As such, it
does not correspond to our December. I have left it as “the winter” for the
sake of being vague.
[5] This was a pun on the words 全開 and 全壊, both pronounced zenkai. The
first means “opening” and the second “destruction.”