Embracing Shostakovich's masterpiece―International students ventured out to NHK Hall

On Friday evening, June 16, international students at the University of Tsukuba gathered at NHK Hall in Shibuya, Tokyo. NHK Symphony Orchestra invites international students free of charge as part of its social contribution activities. The university received the first invitation in February this year, and this concert was their fourth invitation.

The concert program featured Symphony No. 8 by the 20th-century Russian composer, Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975). Composed in 1943 during the fierce war between Nazi Germany and the former Soviet Union, this symphony is one of his masterpieces and contains a message about the tragedy of war. The performance was brilliant and worthy of wrapping up the pre-summer season.

IMAMURA Keiichi, Chairman of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, gave us the following message. "I hope that the international students who attended the concert will have good memories of their study in Japan. When they return to their home countries and active on the international stage in the future, I hope they remember NHK Symphony Orchestra."

This concert marked the end of the NHK Symphony Orchestra's invitation series to international students. We express our deep appreciation to everyone involved in the invitations.