August 30, 2001: Chamber music in Yunohira spa |
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| We were invited to a chamber music concert at Shimizuya Inn in Yunohira spa. After 30 minutes drive we arrived at the inn. A wonderful bouquet of rose decorated the entrance. | |
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The concert will be held in the dinning room from 7:30 p.m. The room is already filled with the guests. The number of guests seems to be about 50 to 60. |
| Mr. Souji Shimizu, president of the Inn, makes a few words. This is the third time cello concert with the main cellist Shuuya Matsushita. |
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The first program of the concert is a requiem by Hopper paying a tribute to the memory of the former president who passed away last year.
Three cellos and a piano make a solemn sound. |
| Akemi Kuchira (flute), Sumi Koshou (piano), and Shuuji Matsushita (cello) play Weber's "G minor trio for flute, cello, and piano." |  |
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Cellist Shuuji Matsushita was once a concertmaster of NHK Symphony Orchestra. |
| Michiko Shimizu, the landlady of the Inn, serves herb tea for guests. |  |
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I found some staffs of Yufuin Music Festival (YMF), Mr. Kato General secretariat of YMF, and Mr. Yoshikawa. From left, Ken, Kato, Shimizu, and Yoshikawa. |
| The second half started with an unusual music, "From Makura-no-soushi, a fantasy of four seasons" composed by Kazumasa Munakata and modified by Shuuya Matsushita.
Cellist Shirasawa recites the poem of Makura-no-soushi on the background sound of the cello. The music was really fantastic. I felt to hear much more of it. |
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The last program was "Beethoven Highlights" by Shuuya Matsushita and Shuko Matsushita. Famous music were played with piano accompany. |
| After three encores, the concert was over. A buffet-style dinner party followed it in the tearoom. Mr. Kato and I, car drivers, drink a toast with tea.
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The design of the foods in the party was by Mr. Shine, the chef of Cottage Cosumosu in Yufuin. |
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| Sea bream (left) and eel flake are dished up on beautiful dish of Onta ware. | |
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| Octopus salad (left) and "Vegetable-only" sushi rolls were appealing to the guests. They vanished away from the dish before I knew. | |
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| Artists make a few word, Matsushita (center) and Shirasawa (right.) Guests enjoy the party. |
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| Oita's famous "cold soup" (left) and on-ice-tray dessert were also great. | |
| I found an unexpected friend in the party. |  |
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| Michiko Shimizu, young beautiful landlady of the Shimizu Inn is one of my closest friends. Thank you very much for your invitation. | |
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The president Shimizu and chef Sine relax in the lobby, thank you very much for your hospitalities. |
| It still rains. Kagono steep stream gushes down through the narrow valley of Yunohira spa. The heat of the summer was gone. I enjoyed a cool night of the valley.
Thank you very much for a wonderful concert. |
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