Symphony in a flat: coronavirus-defying Japanese orchestra plays from home and comes together online
- A 60-piece Japanese orchestra has been defying the coronavirus pandemic to play recitals in a ‘new work-from-home’ style
- Forced apart by the lockdown, the players are recorded separately in a couple of takes, then the parts are combined and played online
The members of the New Japan Philharmonic orchestra tune up for their latest recital, more than 60 musicians ranging from trombonists to violinists and percussionists – but this is no ordinary performance.
The on-screen mosaic shows some musicians performing in their tiny flats, others playing their instruments outside under a bright blue sky.
In scenes familiar to millions working from home globally, one veteran violinist has two toddlers – apparently his grandchildren – larking about in the corner. A trombone player has a pet bird perched next to him as the orchestra belts out not Beethoven or Mozart but Paprika – probably Japan’s most popular children’s song.
Tuba player Kazuhiko Sato said he was incredulous when the ‘play from home’ idea was floated. “I didn’t think this would work. I felt as if I was being tricked into something,” said Sato, 44. But with all orchestra members stuck at home and concerts cancelled or postponed, this was the only way to make their music heard. Sato confined himself in a soundproof room and used his smartphone to film his tuba part – mostly a rhythmical low-pitched “da-da-da”.
Second violinist Sohei Birmann, 35, was more bullish about the trial initially. “We have played together for years and years to create music, so I thought we could do it with no problem,” said Birmann. “The result was totally out of rhythm. Usually when we play in the orchestra, we harmonise ourselves using the breath or eye movements of other members,” he said.
They had to do several takes of their respective videos, he said, to fine-tune the rhythm and pitch.