Deliver to the Disaster Area! The Tohoku Youth Orchestra, made up of children, held a concert.

The Tohoku Youth Orchestra, composed of children from fourth grade through university age who were affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake and hail from Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima Prefectures, held its first concert on March 26 at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall in Shinjuku Ward. (Organized by: Tohoku Youth Orchestra Executive Committee; Sponsored by: Fuji Xerox Advanced Technology, Isetan Mitsukoshi, Morinaga Angel Foundation; Cooperated by: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Yamaha Music Japan; Supported by: J-WAVE)

*Photography for images without credits: Ryuichi Maruo

This orchestra is a new reconstruction support project by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto. Founded in 2014 as a incorporated association with Sakamoto—founder of the Children's Music Revival Fund, which has conducted inspections and management of school instruments and music support activities in disaster-affected areas since immediately after the earthquake—as its representative and supervisor, and with conductor Hisao Yanagisawa, it began activities as a new orchestra. The project aims to foster "emotional recovery" in disaster-affected areas through music activities, convey "the memories and lessons of the disaster," and cultivate and produce world-class musicians.

Actress Sayuri Yoshinaga and jazz pianist Yosuke Yamashita, who support the project's mission, appeared as guest performers.

Before the performance began, Mr. Sakamoto stated, "Seeing the instruments in the disaster-stricken areas back then felt like a knife cutting into my own flesh." He explained that after the restoration efforts reached a stage of completion, this led to the establishment of the children's orchestra. "They've been training and practicing intensively for today," he said.

The opening piece was Sakamoto's composition "The Last Emperor," with Sakamoto himself participating on piano, performing alongside the 103-member orchestra. For the second piece, Ms. Yoshinaga took the stage against the backdrop of music Sakamoto composed for the film "Living with Mother." She recited poems by poet Ryoichi Wago and works by Fukushima elementary and junior high school students created through Wago's "Poetry Terakoya" program. The audience reflected on the disaster-affected areas. Yamashita performed George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" with the orchestra. His unique style, pounding his arms on the keys, electrified the venue. The finale was Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64. Known affectionately as "Tchaiko" among orchestra members, the children performed this beloved, monumental work—lasting about 50 minutes—with mastery. They received thunderous applause and wore expressions of pride.

For the encore, "Étude," composers Sakamoto and Yamashita performed a duet on keyboards, energizing the venue. Conductor Yanagisawa stated, "We shared the same passion and gave it our all." Yoshinawa, her voice choked with emotion, said, "I wish the people in the temporary housing could hear such a wonderful performance." Yamashita remarked, "I deeply respect Mr. Sakamoto for making this event happen."

Sakamoto concluded, "It was impossible to believe this was an amateur performance. I truly felt there is a sound only children can produce."

Official website: http://tohoku-youth-orchestra.org/