No.170-2
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　　 UNESCO Peace Concert 2000
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　　%　 　　~ Family concert to commemorate International Year of Culture for Peace ~　　%
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26th Meguro UNESCO Concert held in commemoration of the “International year of culture for peace”
on Saturday, September 30, 2000 at Meguro City Hall with 700 attendees
　　　　　Sponsor: Meguro UNESCO Association　
　　 Co-sponsors: Meguro City Educational Board, National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan　　　Supporters: Meguro International Friendship Association, Federation of PTAs of Meguro City primary and middle schools
♪　Mr. Nobuhiko Asaeda, a noted violinist who has performed throughout the world, is also known for his frequent engagement in cultural exchange programs with primary school children.　This time, he presented a wonderful concert for us by playing and chatting with children of Higashiyama Primary School Orchestra Club, which has been highly evaluated at many concerts. The accompanying pianist was Mr. Sou Tanaka, a college student and a Meguro UNESCO Association member.　Sixty of the Club’s children played music without a score underthe baton of　Norie Nagasue Sensei and received enthusiastic applause.
　♭　The concert began with a speech by our President Ms. Reiko Kato of Meguro UNESCO Association. Between the musical pieces in the program, Mr. Asaeda made a speech followed by questions and answers between him and children, Mr. Tanaka’s background was introduced, and the concert turned into a happy gathering.　Mr. Koichi Sugiyama, composer of “Rondo in Palace” was among the audience and Mr. Asaeda invited him to the stage, resulting in applause and cheers.
　♯　Mr. Nobuhiko Asaeda made the following statement during his talk:
“I have a special reason for playing this violin for today’s concert.　The violin was made by Amati, an Italian maestro, 360 years ago around 1640 before Bach, the famous composer, was born.　It is one of only 20 Amati’s violins remaining in the world at present and is a masterpiece which one might call almost a world treasure.　Thanks to someone’s kindness it was made possible for me to play it.　I wanted to share the wonderful tone quality of this instrument with many people rather than enjoying it all by myself.”
　♭　 Mr. Sou Tanaka, who accompanied on piano, told about himself as follows:
“I started my piano lessons at the age of 3, but I was more interested in soccer while I was a pupil at Higashine Primary School and Meguro 10th Middle School.　While I was attending senior high school, I was enthusiastic about ice hockey, but during my senior year I returned to the piano.　I suppose this was because I never stopped liking the piano.　I met so many precious friends through piano.　I am very happy to be on the stage today, for which I am thankful to my many friends as well as my parents.”
　♪　At the concert site many people extended their kind helping hands; people of Meguro Board og Education as receptionists, mothers of Higashiyama Primary School children as marshals, and staffs of National Federation of
UNESCO Associations as announcers.
　 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 ∮　　Concert program　　∮ 　
　 1.Moroder,　Flashdance,“ What a Feeling” (Orchestra)　　　　 2. Bach, Prelude　(Violin solo)
　 3.Bach, Gavotte　(Violin solo)　　　　　　　　4.　Paradise, Sicilian　(Violin accompanied by piano)
　 5.Dvorak, Humoresque　(Violin accompanied by piano)　　 6　Kreisler, At Minuet Tempo　(Violin
　　　accompanied by piano)　　　　　　　　　　7. Sugiyama Koichi, Rondo at Palace　(Orchestra)
　 8.Hisaishi Yuzuru, “Carrying you” in Laputa, Heavenly Castle　(Orchestra)
　 9.Suppe, Prelude of Operetta “The Beautiful Galathea”　(Orchestra)　　 Encore.　Vivaldi, Four Seasons, “Winter”
　　Mr. Asaeda acted as the concertmaster for the 7th and encore pieces, which added warmth to the concert.
　　After the concert, Mr. Asaeda, Mr. Sugiyama and the orchestra members conversed for a while on the stage. 　
　
　In order to inform the audience of what UNESCO is and what we in Meguro are doing, we solicited them during the concert to “sign for peace,” and to make “contribution to the bazaar” and “a cooperation donation.” We received strong and warm responses. The cooperation donation generated￥120,000 and telephone cards. So to everyone, thank you very much.
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