【Learn from World-esteemed Musicians】Master class participants’ comments The 25th Anniversary Special Feature
In our master classes, lessons are given by world’s leading musicians with the aim of nurturing young musicians.
At the first Music Festival in 1998, the open master class led by Martha Argerich herself for the first time attracted a great deal of attention.
Since then, master classes have been held by world-renowned musicians including Ida Haendel, Fou Ts’ong, and Ivry Gitlis.
Here, musicians who took the master class and are currently active at the forefront of the music scene share the impressions of their master classes.
Uehara Ayako /piano
The 1st Music Festival (1998) Open Piano Master Class by Martha Argerich
For me, Ms. Martha Argerich has been someone I have always admired since I was a child, and it may be presumptuous of me to say, but she is also my role model and my favorite pianist. I had an opportunity to take a lesson directly from this person I admire in Beppu at the age of 18. It was such an irreplaceable, precious treasure for me, and I still vividly remember every moment of that lesson. I was simply overwhelmed by the power and aura of the sound she played beside me. Ms. Argerich is in good health and gives concerts in Japan almost every year, which makes me very happy as a fan. Despite always checking the ticket release date, I am always too late. I truly look forward to seeing her continuing to bring happiness to audiences around the world with her wonderful performances.
Kitaguchi Daisuke /cello
The 3rd Music Festival (2001) Open Cello Master Class by Mischa Maisky
It was the first time for me to have a lesson directly with such a world-renowned musician. The person I saw on CDs and TV was in front of me! – I was so nervous, but seeing directly Mr. Maisky’s personality and his performance, my tension immediately changed to enthusiasm for wanting to become such an artist myself. One year later when I happened to see him at Kyoto Station, he remembered me. I was so impressed by his personality. What I learned most of all was that “a first-rate musician has a first-rate personality.” The starting point is to acknowledge and respect one’s counterpart, and then, value each other’s music. It is no exaggeration to say that it was this master class that decided the direction of my cellist life.
Goto Ko /violin
The 10th Music Festival (2008) Violin Class for Children by Kashimoto Daishin
The 12th Music Festival (2010) Open Violin Master Class by Shimizu Takashi
（2019）Open Violin Master Class by Takezawa Kyoko
I have taken three master classes at the Beppu Argerich Music Festival, and every one of the lessons gave me great inspirations and made changes in my music life. Mr. Kashimoto Daishin showed me the joy of music I had never felt before, and Mr. Shimizu Takashi taught me how to approach making music. Ms. Takezawa Kyoko gave a lesson for a Shostakovich violin concerto, and after the lesson I was able to pass an audition of the NHK Symphony Orchestra. I feel that all three master classes were indispensable for my current performance activities, and I believe that it is because of these master classes that I am able to continue playing music today. I am truly grateful to the Beppu Argerich Music Festival for providing me with such valuable opportunities in my hometown of Oita. Thank you.
Takimoto Maiko /viola
The 11th Music Festival (2009) Open Viola Master Class by Yuri Bashmet
I participated in the Beppu Argerich Music Festival for the first time when I had a lesson from Mr. Yuri Bashmet. At that time I was studying under Ms. Kawamoto Yoshiko at Tokyo University of the Arts, and through that connection, I had the fortunate chance to take Mr. Bashmet’s master class.When I converted to the viola, I often listened to his CDs, so being able to have a lesson from him was just a dream-like opportunity. The lesson piece was a Brahms sonata. Mr. Bashmet pointed out how to feel and sing the phrases. He told me to put down my instrument and try to sing, so I sang the melody of the very first part. “You can do it if you sing!” said he, and everyone laughed.I remember well his saying that even when I play the instrument, to sing in the same way. This taught me that I should stick to sounds, and I continue to do so.When the lesson was coming to an end, Mr. Bashmet made a gesture of smoking. With this sign, my lesson ended. The audience chuckled.I was able to get a glimpse of Mr. Bashment’s humor and his personality, something I would have only been able to see through his master class lesson. This is a sense that still stays with me. I am truly grateful for this precious experience. I heard the Music Festival marks its 25th anniversary this year. I hope this Music Festival will continue to be a place where many splendid musicians gather and soar to the world.
Hirotsuru Sumire /violin
The 13th Music Festival (2011) Open Violin Master Class by Shimizu Takashi
Congratulations on the 25th anniversary of the Music Festival. Looking back now, being able to listen to world-esteemed artists perform in my hometown of Oita throughout my childhood certainly gave me great inspiration and was a blessing to me. I attended the music festival every year, and it is even frightening to think that I took it for granted at the time… At the master class by Mr. Shimizu Takashi in my third year of high school, I performed my favorite Shostakovich concerto. His lesson blew a new wind into the fixed way of playing that I had become accustomed to, and it opened my eyes to new horizons. It was around that time that I began to think carefully about the meaning and background of the piece I play. It is especially meaningful for my performance activities in the US, where verbalization is important. I am deeply appreciative.
Kagotani Haruka /trumpet
The 15th Music Festival (2013) Open Brass Master Class by Sergei Nakariakov
I would like to express my heartfelt congratulations on the 25th anniversary of the Beppu Argerich Music Festival. When I had a master class in 2013, I was a senior at university. In the master class, I chose my lesson piece from a compulsory one from a competition. In fear of making mistakes, I performed stiffly, focusing on stability. The advice I received was, “Music is always flowing, so free your breath and your body,” which allowed me to play freely and regain my true self. Also, in this opportunity of listening to world-class performances up close, I became interested in foreign countries, and it made me take on the challenge of competitions and studying abroad. I truly appreciate having had this valuable experience. I pray for the further prosperity of the Beppu Argerich Music Festival.
Tsuji Ayana /violin
The 19th Music Festival (2017) Open Violin Master Class by Ivry Gitlis
It was in 2017 when I took a master class by Mr. Ivry Gitlis. When I played J. S. Bach’s Chaconne in front of him, he told me I should express that the piece is “filled with love given from God,” and he was a man who was truly filled with love. He was considerate of many things, not just music, and I still treasure each and every one of the many words he gave me at that time.Thanks to my connection with Beppu, I performed in concerts in June and November 2022 as a tribute to Mr. Gitlis, and performed Franck’s sonata, which he often played with Ms. Martha Argerich, three times with her. It was a dreamlike experience, as I felt like I was taken to a world I had never experienced before. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at the Beppu Argerich Music Festival for giving me the opportunity to have a wonderful musical experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life, and for providing me with the very first connection leading to such an experience.
