Classical music aficionados flocked to the cultural center to witness two of Japan’s famous musicians, cellist Ludovit Kanta and pianist Aya Tsurumi, perform live. The crowd was treated to 72 minutes of moving renditions of F. Chopin, M. Paradis, C. Debussy, Rentaro Taki, D. Popper and Joe Hisaishi, to name a few.
Kanta is a well known cellist both in Europe and Japan. He was born in Slovakia Republic, but moved to Japan in 1990 and became the principal cellist of Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, a successful international chamber orchestra. Performing as a soloist with the Orchestra, he tours all over Europe, the USA and Asia.
Among Kanta’s recordings are Haydn and Boccherini Cello Concertos and a solo album featuring works of Kodaly, Cassado and Ysaye.
Tsurumi, on the other hand, is a promising pianist from Japan. She started piano lessons at the age of four and studied at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music. She also performs as a soloist with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa. Since 2006, she’s been teaching at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
President Johnson Toribiong, Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Faustina Rehurer-Marugg and Japanese Ambassador Yoshiyuki Sadaoka were among those who graced the event.
Before the concert started, the Kanta Society, an organization formed by the music followers of Ludovit Kanta, donated one grand piano, four upright pianos and six organs to Palau.
Toribiong also presented certificates of appreciation to the Japanese delegations, which included Satoru Kadoya, Chairman of Kanta Society; Shiseki Yamakochi; Hiromitsu Takamatsu, Kyowa Shipping President who has helped ship the five pianos and six organs to Palau; Tokiyasu Takeda, Takeda Music Company; Izumi Hoshino, the owner of the grand piano; Dr. Shinichi Oka who did a lecture on HIV for the Ministry of Health; as well as musicians Aya Tsurumi and Ludovit Kanta.
The concert ended with three standing ovations, which earned the crowd a few more songs from Tsurumi and Kanta.
The event was supported by the Japan Embassy, Kanta Society, Slovakian Embassy, Kyowa Shipping Company Ltd., and WESPAC Palau.
After the concert, the Belau Music Association continued the party with more music.
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