Tokyo Sinfonia
A dearth of works for string orchestra
The typical concertgoer would be able to cite his favourites from among more than a hundred major symphonic works, but only a small number of favourite works for the string orchestra.
Soon after his arrival in this country in 1981, Robert Rÿker recognized the need for a permanent professional chamber orchestra for Japan. Such an orchestra has several notable advantages. Its sonority is capable of great warmth, richness and flexibility. As a bonus, it is highly cost effective and portable.
The new concept
Maestro Rÿker formed the flexibly sized Japan Sinfonia and conducted a 1989 series of Connoisseur Concerts in Tokyo’s prestigious Suntory Small Hall. After an interval for other projects, including the formation of the National Philharmonic of India, the concept was revived in 2005 in the form of the Tokyo Sinfonia, a beautifully balanced chamber orchestra of 19 strings.
Rÿker Associates is dedicated to presenting programmes to raise the standard of performance, encourage the next generation, and develop new audiences for music.
In 2006, Maestro Rÿker established the Tokyo Sinfonia, a string orchestra of highly talented young Japanese musicians. Under his baton, the Tokyo Sinfonia has attracted new, dedicated audiences to such venues as Oji Hall in Ginza, Nagoya's newly opened Munetsugu Hall, the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, the Golden Hall of the Tokyo Masonic Centre, and the Great Hall of the Russian Embassy.
Filling a musical void
Maestro Rÿker and the Tokyo Sinfonia plan a full calendar of hallmark concerts. in Ginza’s Oji hall, a series of symphonies and concerti for strings features seminal contributions to the repertoire in the masterful arrangements of Robert Rÿker. in the foreign correspondents’ club in Yurakucho, an attractive and accessible series of dinner-concert serenades combines a nation’s great music with its traditional cuisine.
Filling a musical void
The String Orchestra is a vital, sensitive, gorgeous sounding ensemble. As a bonus, it is also highly cost effective and portable.
World premieres of magnificent symphonies
There is a dearth of major compositions for string orchestra around which to build compelling concert programmes. On the other hand, great composers have written major works for quintets and other ensembles of strings.
Conductor/composer Robert Rÿker has ingeniously scored a central corpus of magnificent chamber music masterpieces for full string orchestra to fill this void. The results are splendid. A special series of concerts in the elegant ambiance and intimate acoustics of Oji hall will feature Robert Rÿker conducting the Tokyo Sinfonia in the world premieres of these magnificent symphonies for strings.
The excellence of strings
The concert series featuring symphonies will be supported by a complementary series featuring maestro Rÿker’s presentations of concerti. The inaugural concert featured principals of the Tokyo Sinfonia in concerted works for violin, for viola, for violoncello, and for contrabass. The program shows off the excellence of the strings and provides a spotlight on the talented players who lead each section. The series has included a rare programme featuring the singing sound of saxophone with the 19 strings of the Tokyo Sinfonia.
Recent performances
Recently the Tokyo Sinfonia has performed in Oji Hall in Ginza, Nagoya’s newly opened Munetsugu Hall, the Great Hall of the Russian Embassy in Tokyo, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, and the Golden Hall of the Tokyo Masonic Centre.
Tokyo Sinfonia embodies the warmth and immediacy of Maestro Rÿker’s unique approach to music. Distinguished by its warm sound, lively expression and friendly rapport with the audience, the orchestra has won much praise for its imaginative programming and inviting approach.