HIDEAKI HIRAI
Music Director and Conductor
Join the N Y "festival" Orchestra to Celebrate the Spirit of the Great Composers!
CARNEGIE HALL DEBUT! "Maestro Hirai made a remarkable Carnegie Hall debut in front of an audience of about 3,000 people who recognized his outstanding job with the New York Festival Orchestra."
- New York Cultural Examiner -
Concerts
～Let's Celebrate NYFO's Exciting Season!!～
New York Festival Orchestra (NYFO) will present an exciting series of concerts with everyone's favorite masterworks by great composers as well as unique repertoire. It would be our great pleasure to have you at our concerts.
Photo © Terufumi Ueno
Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor
Asako Tamura, soprano
"...Her voice is brilliant jewel of the voice..."
by Graeme Kay (British writer/broadcaster)
Tickets: $35
Available at:
Box Office: 212-501-3330
Booking/Operations: 212- 501- 3345
NYFO Office: Tel. +1-347-587-7174
E-mail: info@NYFO.org
The New York Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Hideaki Hirai, will present the U. S. premiere of the OPERA, "THE WHITE FOX" .
The Opera, “The White Fox” is based on the original English libretto by a legendary Japanese scholar TENSHIN OKAKURA (1863-1913), widely-known for his best-seller, “THE BOOK OF TEA”, published in 1906 (New York).
In 2013, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Okakura's death, Maestro Hideaki Hirai successfully completed as an Opera in 3 acts with Japanese translation, libretto and music.
The U.S. premiere of the entire opera will be held at MERKIN HALL of Kaufman Art Center, in collaboration with astonishing Atsuki Settangeli’s paintings as stage art.
NYFO is proud to present our Music Director, Hideaki Hirai's own acclaimed Opera, "The White Fox", featuring an internationally acclaimed Japanese Soprano, Asako Tamura, who appeared as soloist with the Three Tenors- Domingo, Pavarotti and Carreras , 4 other brilliant soloists from Italy, New York and Tokyo as well as New York Festival Chorus & Children's Chorus,
Members from Circle Wind Boys & Girls Choir and A Little White Fox Ballet.
It will absolutely be an unforgettable operatic evening not to be missed!
"The White Fox" by Atsuki Settangeli, painter
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Photo © Terufumi Ueno
Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor
A Special Gala Concert
~OPERA WHITE FOX Preview
Saturday, June 8, 2019 at 7:00 pm
Good Shepherd - Faith Presbyterian Church
152 W 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 877-0685
New York Festival Orchestra
Conductor: Hideaki Hirai
Special Guests: Asako Tamura, Soprano
Atsuki Settangeli, Painter
~An EXHIBITION of "THE WHITE FOX" & "SAMURAI SPIRITS"
<Program>
Handel: "Largo" from "SERSE" (Arr. by H.Hirai)
Handel: Aria, "Lascia ch'io pianga" from "RINALDO"
Ave Maria Selections
by Bach~Gounod, Caccini, Schubert and H. Hirai*
Bach: "Air on the G string"
Elgar: Serenade for Strings
Respighi: Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3: Siciliana, Passacaglia
Hideaki Hirai: Aria, "Kolha's Lullaby", Aria, "Song of the Moon"
from the Opera,"THE WHITE FOX" (in 3 Acts/Japanese)
- NY premiere
Seiji Kameda: "For The Future" (Arr. by H. Hirai) - NY premiere
Takeichiro Hirai: A Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes
*Dedicated to Pope Francis in 2017
This preview concert is supported by WhiteBox Harlem, its board members, friends, and Kyoko Sato.
Asako Tamura, soprano
"...Her voice is brilliant jewel of the voice..."
by Graeme Kay (British writer/broadcaster)
Tickets: $20
Available online at: nyfo_062019.eventbrite.com (or at the door)
NYFO Office: Tel. +1-347-587-7174
E-mail: info@NYFO.org
"The White Fox" by Atsuki Settangeli, painter
The New York Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Hideaki Hirai, will present a special gala concert ~ OPERA "THE WHITE FOX" Preview. A special program features works by J. S. Bach, Caccini, Elgar, Gounod, Händel, Takeichiro Hirai, Respighi, Schubert as well as the U. S premieres of 2 representing arias from Hideaki Hirai’s acclaimed Opera, “The White Fox” with 2 special guest artists, Asako Tamura (Soprano) and Atsuki Settangeli (Painter).
The Opera, “The White Fox” is based on the original English libretto by a legendary Japanese scholar TENSHIN OKAKURA (1863-1913), widely-known for his best-seller, “BOOK OF TEA”, published in 1906 (New York) and Maestro Hideaki Hirai successfully completed as an Opera in 3 acts in 2013 with Japanese translation / libretto and music. The NY / U.S. premiere of the entire opera will be held at WhiteBox Art Center, curated by Kyoko Sato, as a part of “PERFORMA Biennale 19” in November, 2019 (details to be announced) in collaboration with Settangeli’s paintings as stage art.
NYFO is proud to present “4 Ave Maria Selections”, including Hideaki Hirai's own, which was dedicated to Pope Francis and to the City of Vatican in 2017, as well as the U. S. premiere of the song, “For The Future” (Soprano Solo version) originally written for the world-famous English boys’ choir LIBERA by an award-winning Japanese music producer, Seiji Kameda, sung by an internationally acclaimed Japanese Soprano, Asako Tamura, who appeared as soloist with the Three Tenors- Domingo, Pavarotti and Carreras - in the 2002 World Cup Championship performance in Yokohama.
On June 1 and 2, Seiji Kameda will serve as Executive Producer of the newly-launching HIBIYA MUSIC FESTIVAL (www.hibiyamusicfes.jp/en/) at the so-called, CENTRAL PARK OF TOKYO, HIBIYA PARK. Hideaki Hirai will also present his own Opera, “KAGUYA-HIME” (Princess from the Moon) at the Festival.
Spring Celebration
Friday, May 25, 2018 at 7:30 pm
Good Shepherd - Faith Presbyterian Church
152 W 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 877-0685
New York Festival Orchestra
New York Festival Chorus
Conductor: Hideaki Hirai
<Program>
W. A. Mozart: Divertimento in D major, K. 136
Kozaburo Hirai: Fantasy for Strings - NY premiere
J. Haydn: Symphony No. 49 in f minor, "La Passione"
G. F. Handel: Largo
Hideaki Hirai: Ave Maria
- Dedicated to Pope Francis in October, 2017 -
<<CELEBRATED JAPANESE SONGS>>
Rentaro Taki: Hana
Teiichi Okano: Furusato
A choral medley, "Haru-no-Shirabe" (Spring Melodies)
Arr. and Composed by Hideaki Hirai
A choral medley, "Uta-no-Hanazono (Flower garden of Songs）" Vol. 1
Arr. by Kozaburo Hirai
- In celebration of 100th Anniversary of Japanese children's songs -
Tickets: $20
Available online at: http://ur0.link/JCmq
NYFO Office: Tel. +1-347-587-7174
E-mail: info@NYFO.org
Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor
Photo © Terufumi Ueno
The New York Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Hideaki Hirai, joined by the New York Festival Chorus, will present "Spring Celebration," a program of Mozart, Haydn, Handel, Kozaburo Hirai, Hideaki Hirai, and a collection of beloved Japanese childrens' songs, May 25, 7:30 PM at Good Shepherd-Faith Presbyterian Church, West 66th Street. Special features of the program will be compositions by conductor/music director Hideaki Hirai and his grandfather, eminent composer Kozaburo Hirai (New York Premiere).
The New York Festival Chorus will perform a delightful suite of Japanese folk songs, foreign songs and songs for children, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of original Japanese childrens' songs. Most were written by various Japanese composers, and some are adapted from foreign songs with added Japanese texts, including "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" and "Good Night Ladies." The compositions are familiar and sung by all Japanese youngsters.
Music Director and Conductor Hideaki Hirai was born into a celebrated musical family. His father is noted cellist and composer Takeichiro Hirai, protégé of Pablo Casals. His grandfather, Kozaburo (1910-2002) was one of the most prominent composers in Japan, and studied under Gustav Mahler's primary disciple, Klaus Pringsheim. Composer of more than 5,000 works, including many well known Japanese vocal works, Kozaburo Hirai's work will be featured in this program.
Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor
Early Summer Celebration
New Artist Showcase Vol. 2
Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 7:30 pm
Good Shepherd - Faith Presbyterian Church
152 W 66th Street
New York, NY 10023
(212) 877-0685
New York Festival Orchestra
Conductor: Hideaki Hirai
Soloists: Hina Khuong-Huu (violin)
Fiona Khuong-Huu (violin)
<Program>
W. A. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik
J. S. Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
Hampson Sisler*: Millennials’ Tribute To Strings - World premiere
*NYFO Composer-in-Residence for 2015-2017 season
Sibelius: Andante festivo
Edward Grieg: Holberg Suite
Takeichiro Hirai: Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes - NY premiere
Hina Khuong-Huu Fiona Khuong-Huu
The New York Festival Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Hideaki Hirai, will present "Early Summer Celebration," highlighting repertoire for string orchestra by Bach, Mozart, Grieg, and Sibelius, along with Hampson Sisler's Millennials' Tribute to Strings (World Premiere) and Takeichiro Hirai's Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes (New York Premiere).
Guest violinists for the Bach Double Concerto are violin prodigies Fiona and Hina Khuong-Huu, ages 10 and 12.
Hampson Sisler is NYFO's Composer-in-Residence for 2015-2017. The prolific composer/organist will premiere his Millennials' Tribute to Strings. The program will also see the NY Premiere of Rhapsody on Japanese Folktunes by Takeichiro Hirai, a noted cellist whom Pablo Casals designated as his successor.
The Orchestra is proud to present remarkable young violinists Fiona (10 years old) and Hina (12 years old) Khuong-Huu, playing Bach's Double Concerto for Two Violins. The New York City-born sisters have already won top prizes in the International Grumiaux Competition for Young Violinists in Brussels, and the Osaka International Music Competition.
Hampson Sisler is one of the most prolific American classical composers living today who was recently named "one of the significant composers of contemporary America" by The Organ Magazine, London. His first works were published at age nineteen starting with the H.W.Gray Co. and going on, with time, to Jos. Fischer & Co., Belwin Mills, World Library, Laurendale and Morning Star.
He has written more than one hundred works for solo instruments, organ, voice, choir and orchestra. His works have been performed and recorded world-wide with leading orchestras in his native United States as well as Argentina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hawaii, Hong Kong, Israel, Philippines, Portugal, Russia and the Ukraine, etc. The majority of his orchestral works have been recorded on the MSR Classics label.
Hampson Sisler
Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami
5th Anniversary Memorial Concert
Musical Prayers
St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Chelsea)
346 West 20th St., New York , NY 10011
Saturday, March 12, 2016 at 8:00 pm
Samuel Barber: Adagio for Strings
Antonin Dvorak: Nocturne in B Major
"5 Ave Maria Selections" by
Charles Gounod,
Giulio Caccini,
Franz Schubert,
Pietro Mascagni,
Hideaki Hirai - U.S. premiere
Edward Grieg: "Last Spring" from Two Elegiac Melodies
Hideaki Hirai: "Intermezzo" from the Opera,
"KAGUYA-HIME" (Princess from the Moon)
Hideaki Hirai: Lullaby of Sand (2011) - U. S. premiere*
Hampson Sisler: Cantata, "Japan Tragedy, 2011 "- U. S. premiere*
*dedicated to the victims of the great earthquake and tsunami
New York Festival Orchestra
New York Festival Chorus
Hideaki Hirai, conductor
Asako Tamura, soprano
Nobuki Momma, baritone/narrator
Hampson Sisler, organist
Photo: (c) John Rust
"...Her voice is brilliant jewel of the voice..."
by Graeme Kay (British writer/broadcaster)
Asako Tamura, soprano
Hideaki Hirai, music director/ conductor
Hamspon Sisler, composer/organist
Please come to share “Musical Prayers” in the Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami 5th Anniversary Memorial Concert, filled with many favorite musical jewels, under the baton of our Music Director, Maestro Hideaki Hirai.
A special program features works by Samuel Barber, Antonin Dvorak, Edward Grieg, as well as the U. S premiere of the Cantata, “Japan Tragedy 2011”, dedicated to the victims of the Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami, by a renowned American composer, Hampson Sisler, with 2 guest soloists, Asako Tamura (Soprano) and Nobuki Momma (Baritone), along with NY Festival Chorus and Mr. Sisler at the organ himself.
NYFO is proud to present “5 Ave Maria Selections”, including the U.S. premiere of Hideaki Hirai's own, sung by an internationally acclaimed Japanese Soprano, Asako Tamura, who appeared as soloist with the Three Tenors- Pavarotti, Domingo, and Carreras - in the 2002 World Cup Championship performance in Yokohama.
Program also includes "Intermezzo" from Hideaki Hirai's Opera, "KAGUYA-HIME" (Princess from the Moon), which has been enthusiastically praised in Canberra (2006), Prague (2009), Salzburg (2012), Los Angeles (2015) among many other cities in Japan. Please do not miss this fantastic concert!
Photo: (c) John Rust
A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
St. Peter's Episcopal Church (Chelsea)
346 West 20th St., New York, NY 10011
Friday, December 18, 2015 at 7:00 pm
Mozart: Overture, "Apollo and Hyacinth", K. 38
Gluck: Dance of the Blessed Spirits from "Orpheus"
Beethoven: Romance in F, Op. 50
Mozart: Symphony No. 29 in A major, K. 201
Bach: "Air on the G string" from the Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068
Hampson Sisler: The Divine Mystery from
"American National Holidays Suite"
Bach: Chorale, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring"
"Christmas Carols" ～Let’s Sing Along! ～
New York Festival Orchestra
Japan Choral Harmony ("TOMO")
Hideaki Hirai, conductor
～New Artists Showcase Vol. 1: Ari Boutris, violinist
Hampson Sisler, guest organist
Tickets: $20
Available at www.eventbrite.com Search for "NYFO"
or CLICK HERE
NYFO Office: Tel. 718-871-5041
Please come to enjoy our Special Holiday Program including some of our most favorite musical jewels by Bach, Beethoven, Gluck, Mozart among others. Program includes a Hampson Sisler's beloved piece (The Divine Mystery) from his ever-pupular "American National Holidays Suite", performed by the composer himself as guest organist.
Let's Sing Along "Christmas Carols" with the New York Festival Orchestra！
As a soloist, we will feature a 15-year-old talented violinist, Ari Boutris, a pupil of Patinka Kopec, for Beethoven's beautiful masterwork, "Romance" in F for Violin and Orchestra.
Please join NY Festival Orchestra to celebrate the spirit of the great composers!
Mostly Beethoven Festival
Merkin Concert Hall, Kaufman Music Center, New York
Thursday, March 5, 2015 7:30pm
Mozart: Overture, ”Marriage of Figaro” K. 492
Francesco Marino:"Misteri (Mysteries)" for Piano and String Orchestra, <U.S. Premiere>
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major Op. 73, "Emperor"
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92
Hideaki Hirai, conductor
Ivan Donchev, pianist
Tickets: Please visit http://tickets.kaufman-center.org
Box Office: Tel. 212 501 3330
Adult $30 Senior/Student $20
Main focus of the program is placed on Beethoven's two great masterworks, joined by Mozart's exciting, popular overture as well as the U.S. premiere of "Misteri" (Mysteries) by the Italian composer, Francesco Marino . After a sensational success at NYFO's debut at Carnegie Hall - Stern Auditorium, Maestro Hideaki Hirai returns to NYFO as its Music Director to launch our 2014-2015 season.
As a soloist, we will feature a brilliant young pianist, Ivan Donchev, a pupil of Aldo Ciccolini, who described him as “an artist gifted with extraordinary musical and instrumental skills”
Please join NY Festival Orchestra to celebrate the spirit of the great composers!
Educational and Outreach Concerts:
We are currently planning these concerts, please check our website regularly for further news about NYFO. To learn more about NYFO Educational and Outreach Programs, please clike here.
DATE: Saturday, MAY 2, 2015 at 1:00 pm & 1:50 pm
PLACE: Paramus Catholic School (Paramus, New Jersey)
Conductor: Hideaki Hirai
Program: W. A. Mozart: Eine kleine Nachtmusik
W. A. Mozart: Overture to the "Marriage of Figaro"
Kozaburo Hirai: Tombo-no-megane ("Dragonfly's glasses")
Teiichi Okano: Furusato ("Homeland")
L. v. Beethoven: "Ode to Joy" from the Symphony No. 9
J. Pachelbel: Canon
J. S. Bach: Air on the G string
Presenter: Japanese Educational Institue of New York
