Kirishima International Music Festival

Overview

The Kirishima International Music Festival is a classical music festival that began in 1980 in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture (formerly Makizono Town). Its distinctive feature is a format that combines master classes for young musicians with concerts open to the general public, led by internationally active musicians. The main venue is Miyama Concert Hall (officially the Kagoshima Prefectural Kirishima International Music Hall) located at 3311-29 Takachiho, Makizono-cho, Kirishima City, with the Hōzan Hall in Kagoshima City serving as a sub-venue.

This festival is not merely a series of performances; its core is an educational program where instructors and students live together and receive intensive instruction not only in performance techniques but also in stage manners and practice methods. Held annually for approximately two weeks from late July to early August, it is recognized as one of Japan's few international music festivals that successfully balances the promotion of classical music with the cultivation of the next generation of musicians. The festival has been organized by bodies including the JESC Music and Culture Promotion Foundation, the Kagoshima Prefectural Government, the Kagoshima Prefectural Culture Promotion Foundation, and the Kirishima International Music Festival Executive Committee, although the composition of the organizers varies from year to year. Please check the official website for the latest schedule and availability.

History and Origin

The first Kirishima International Music Festival was held on August 2, 1980, at the "Kirishima Kogen Youth Hostel" in Kirishima Taguchi, under the name "Kirishima International Music Festival and Masterclass." It was created by figures including Gerhard Bosse, a German conductor and violinist whose advocacy prompted the festival, and Saburo Nomura, a music sociologist based in Vienna. Adalbert Skocic, a cellist of the Vienna Philharmonic, was among the invited instructors, and Bosse served as the first music director from the inaugural edition. The inaugural event attracted about 80 participants, with four concerts and masterclasses held primarily in Makizono Town, culminating in a commemorative concert at the Kagoshima Prefectural Culture Center on August 10.

However, the first festival incurred a deficit of several million yen, and the entire membership of the Kagoshima Chamber Music Association, except for Saburo Nomura, withdrew, plunging the festival into a severe crisis. From the second year onward, Nomura took the lead in running the festival, and the venue was moved to the Hotel Kirishima Castle. Just before the 7th festival in 1986, local residents of Makizono Town, concerned about the festival's continuation, established a "Friends of the Festival" (Tomono-kai) support group. This led to the formation of similar groups in Kirishima Town the following year and in Kagoshima City, creating a community-wide support system. From the 8th festival in 1987, the Kagoshima Prefectural Government contributed 10 million yen in project expenses and became a co-organizer.

On July 22, 1994, the acoustically superior Miyama Concert Hall (Kirishima International Music Hall) was completed, becoming the main venue from the 16th festival in 1995. Following the hall's completion, participation and audience numbers increased dramatically, and the festival achieved a single-year surplus. The 21st festival in 2000 saw attendance surpass 10,000 people.

In 2001, world-renowned cellist Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi became the music director, with Gerhard Bosse assuming the title of honorary director. In 2016, the Friends of the Festival groups from the former Makizono and Kirishima Towns merged to form the "Kirishima International Music Festival Kirishima Friends Association," which continues to support the festival's operations. In 2019, the nationally broadcast TV program "Meidai no Nai Ongaku-kai" (Music Without a Title) on the TV Asahi network was recorded at Miyama Concert Hall and aired nationwide.

Highlights

Master Classes (Masterclass) The core of the festival is the masterclasses for selected young musicians from Japan and abroad. Instructors are world-renowned performers and educators, offering courses in violin, cello, piano, voice, and other instruments. Students live and study with their instructors, receiving not only technical guidance but also comprehensive training in artistic expression and stage deportment, fostering their holistic growth as musicians.

Public Concerts Multiple concerts are open to the public, showcasing the results of the masterclasses. At the main venue, Miyama Concert Hall, faculty members perform serious concerts, and the festival concludes with a final concert where students and instructors perform together. These concerts offer a rare opportunity to experience live classical music up close, drawing audiences not only from the local community but also from across the country.

Home Visit Program Initiated in 1992, this program addresses the shortage of practice pianos during the festival. Local residents voluntarily offer their home pianos and practice spaces to students free of charge. This initiative goes beyond merely securing practice locations; it fosters deep interactions between students and the local community, becoming an essential community-based system that contributes to the festival's success.

Open Café During the festival period, an open café is sometimes set up around Miyama Concert Hall, operated by volunteers from the Friends of the Festival. It provides a space where visitors can enjoy food and drinks while listening to music. Serving as a gathering place for participants and audiences between or after concerts, it enhances the festival atmosphere and fosters community interaction.

Lobby Concerts Spontaneous performances in informal spaces, such as the lobby of Hotel Kirishima Castle, are also a highlight. These impromptu concerts, free from the constraints of a program, offer a liberating form of musical expression. For audiences new to classical music, they serve as an accessible and welcoming entry point.

Community Outreach Programs The festival places strong emphasis on educational and outreach activities, including concerts at local elementary and junior high schools and family concerts. These programs have been conducted since the 1980s to deepen the local community's understanding of the festival, which was initially perceived as formal and inaccessible. Today, these efforts have fostered a culture where people of all ages feel a close connection to the festival, with classical music firmly rooted in the region.

Festival Information and Access

• Timing: Annually from late July to early August, for approximately two weeks. Please check the official website for the latest schedule and availability.
• Main Venue: Miyama Concert Hall (Kirishima International Music Hall) Address: 3311-29 Takachiho, Makizono-cho, Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture
• Sub-Venue: Hōzan Hall (Yamashita-cho, Kagoshima City), and other facilities in Kirishima City.
• Access (Miyama Concert Hall): The nearest train stations are Kirishima Onsen Station or Kirishima Jingu Station on the JR Hisatsu Line. A temporary paid bus, the "Cello Maru-go," sometimes operates from Kagoshima City. Local buses are also available. Parking is available (limited capacity; public transportation is recommended).
• Access (Hōzan Hall): About a three-minute walk from the Asahidori tram stop on the Kagoshima City Tram. Buses are convenient from JR Kagoshima Station. No parking is available, so public transportation is recommended.
• Contact Information: Please refer to the organizers or the official website.

Surrounding Area Information

Kirishima City, where the main festival venue is located, is an area rich in nature at the foot of the Kirishima mountain range. The Kirishima Mountains are part of the Kirishima-Kinkowan National Park, offering hiking and climbing spots such as Ebino Plateau and Mount Takachiho-no-mine. Additionally, Kirishima Jingu Shrine is a historic shrine dedicated to Ninigi-no-Mikoto, a deity from Japan's founding myths. Its majestic main hall, surrounded by cedar trees, captivates visitors. Exploring these natural and historical sites before or after the festival can enhance the overall travel experience.

The area is also famous for its hot springs, with the Kirishima Onsenkyo district hosting numerous accommodations. Various spring qualities, including sulfur and bicarbonate springs, are available, providing an ideal environment for relaxing after the festival. Hotel Kirishima Castle, which served as the main venue in the festival's early years, remains an active accommodation option. During the festival, many instructors and students stay at these hot spring inns, offering the possibility of chance encounters with musicians.

Local cuisine is another highlight. Kagoshima Prefecture boasts rich ingredients and traditional flavors, including Kurobuta (Berkshire) pork, Kuroge Wagyu beef, Satsuma-age (fried fish cake), and shochu (distilled spirits). Numerous restaurants in Kirishima City offer local dishes made with these ingredients. The buffet party held during the festival provides an opportunity to enjoy local food while interacting with musicians and participants. The fusion of music, food, and nature further enhances the appeal of the Kirishima International Music Festival.

Related Information

• Friends of the Festival (Tomono-kai): A volunteer organization supporting the festival. Established in 1986 in Makizono Town, it now consists of two groups: the "Kirishima International Music Festival Kirishima Friends Association" and the "Kirishima International Music Festival Kagoshima Friends Association." Member benefits include advance ticket reservations, discounts, and free access to masterclass rehearsals.
• Logo: The logo was redesigned in 1999 to commemorate the 20th anniversary. The current logo features the Kirishima mountain range, with white diagonal lines representing the cultivated tradition and blue diagonal lines symbolizing new winds. The old logo, depicting a green Kirishima mountain peak with a white treble clef-shaped cloud in a blue sky, continues to be used in the "Kiritomo" newsletter of the Kagoshima Friends Association.
• Television Appearance: On August 24, 2019, recording from Miyama Concert Hall was broadcast nationwide on the TV Asahi program "Meidai no Nai Ongaku-kai" (Music Without a Title). The episode featured Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Kaori Muraji, Doyama Fujiwara, and Kanji Ishimaru, introducing the festival's appeal to a wide audience.
• History of the Home Visit Program: Started in 1992 to address the shortage of practice pianos. Students visit local homes and practice on pianos provided free of charge. Some host families even provide transportation for the students.
• Participant Demographics: The masterclasses attract participants not only from across Japan but also from abroad. Recent data shows students from the United States, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, and other countries. This international environment contributes to the festival's high quality.
• History of Community Support: In the 1980s, when the festival faced deficits and existential threats, local governments from other prefectures proposed relocating the festival by offering to build a concert hall. However, the people of Kagoshima refused, and their local enthusiasm ultimately led to the construction of Miyama Concert Hall. This episode underscores how deeply the community values the festival.

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