[Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture / August Event] Chamber Music Festival 'Affinis Summer Music Festival 2026 Takamatsu' Featuring Top International Players and Japanese Professional Orchestra Members! [July Pre-Event Information Included]

The Affinis Cultural Foundation (Chairman: Yoji Wakui) is pleased to announce that it will co-host the 'Affinis Summer Music Festival 2026 Takamatsu' in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, from Sunday, August 16 to Sunday, August 23, 2026, in collaboration with Takamatsu City, the Takamatsu City Culture and Arts Promotion Foundation, and Anabuki Enterprise Co., Ltd., the designated manager of the Kagawa Prefectural Citizens' Hall. 'Affinis Summer Music Festival 2026 Takamatsu' Flyer Front 'Affinis Summer Music Festival 2026 Takamatsu' Flyer Back Affinis Summer Music Festival Special Site Third Consecutive Year in Kagawa! What is the 'Affinis Summer Music Festival'? The 'Affinis Summer Music Festival' is a globally unique seminar music festival where Japanese professional orchestra members and world-renowned musicians gather to tackle masterpieces of chamber music. A distinctive feature of this festival is that the process of professional musicians from Japan and abroad exchanging ideas and creating music is made public, allowing audiences to observe over several days. The concentrated and refined chamber music masterpieces will be presented to the public in 'Chamber Music Concerts' and the 'Aiueo Music Concert'. 2025 Festival Open Rehearsal ©K.Miura Highlights 2025 Festival Chamber Music Concert ©K.Miura Festival participants step out of their respective orchestras to form 'first-time' ensembles, delving deeply into a single piece over an extended period. The festival is a special time spent together, immersed in music. You can witness the passion and intensity of professional musicians, from the rarely-seen open rehearsals to the actual performances. The 'Chamber Music Concert' is the 'culmination of once-in-a-lifetime ensembles and masterpieces.' Enjoy a special program that can only be heard here in the small hall of Rexam Hall. A Gift of Music – Making Classical Music More Accessible! The 'Aiueo Music Concert' offers a fun introduction to authentic classical music! It is a classical music introductory concert that families can experience together. This year, it will be held in the large hall of Sunport Hall Takamatsu. In addition, there will be many casual concerts in Takamatsu City, including foyer concerts by local musicians and mini-concerts by festival members. Why not spend a summer getting familiar with musical instruments and music? 2025 Festival Open House & Instrument Experience ©K.Miura Invited Musicians and Participants for 'Affinis Summer Music Festival 2026 Takamatsu' The performers for the 'Affinis Summer Music Festival 2026 Takamatsu' have been decided. Seven invited musicians from overseas and 26 participants from professional orchestras across Japan will bring the joy of chamber music to the people of Kagawa Prefecture. Violin Music Director: Yosuke Kawasaki (Concertmaster of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Guest Concertmaster of the NHK Symphony Orchestra) Henrik Hochschild (Concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra) Nanami Shioi (Gunma Symphony Orchestra) Reika Shimizu (NHK Symphony Orchestra) Hajime Tamai (Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra) Fuko Nakamura (Tokyo Symphony Orchestra) Yuri Mizutani (Tokyo Symphony Orchestra) Haruna Mikumo (Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa) Kasumi Kutsunai (Kyushu Symphony Orchestra) Mai Haishi (Kyushu Symphony Orchestra) Viola Teresa Rudolph (Assistant Principal, Toronto Symphony Orchestra) Yuko Hidaka (Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra) Mizuho Arai (Tokyo Symphony Orchestra) Naduki Ochiai (Tokyo City Philharmonic Orchestra) Ena Shike (Osaka Symphony Orchestra) Aken Tsuge (Hyogo Performing Arts Center Orchestra) Mariko Shibatani (Guest Experience) Cello Yves Savary (Solo Cellist, Bavarian State Opera Orchestra) Takato Nakamura (Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra) Masako Watanabe (NHK Symphony Orchestra) Yukari Watanabe (Tokyo Symphony Orchestra) Yuichi Hara (Central Philharmonic Orchestra) Akane Shibauchi (Osaka Philharmonic Orchestra) Double Bass Rintaro Kojima (Kansai Philharmonic Orchestra) Takahiro Inoue (Kyushu Symphony Orchestra) Flute Akihito Mitsumaru (Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa) Oboe Mizuho Yoshii (Associate Professor, Tokyo University of the Arts, former Principal, Mahler Chamber Orchestra) Yuka Asahara (Sapporo Symphony Orchestra) Clarinet Inhyuk Cho (Professor, Hanyang University, former Principal, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra) Suguru Haruta [from Kagawa Prefecture] (Geidai Philharmonia Orchestra) Bassoon Malte Refardt (Professor, Folkwang University of the Arts, former Principal, NDR Radiophilharmonie Hannover) Takao Kogo (Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra) Horn Kazunari Minase (Kyoto City Symphony Orchestra) (7 Invited Musicians, 26 Participants / Total 33) [July] Pre-Event Confirmed! Performances by members of the Affinis Summer Music Festival and local musicians. Hiunkaku Concert July 11 (Sat) 15:00 @ Hiunkaku, Tamamo Park, Sotetsu no Ma Performers: Affinis Summer Music Festival Duo: Nanami Shioi (Violin / Gunma Symphony Orchestra), Ena Shike (Viola / Osaka Symphony Orchestra) Kagawa Olive Children's and Youth Choir Brass Quintet Concert July 25 (Sat) 14:00-15:00 @ Yonden Plaza Sunport Performers: Sanuki Brass Laboratory Vn. Nanami Shioi (Gunma Symphony Orchestra) Va. Ena Shike (Osaka Symphony Orchestra) ©Iijima Takashi Sanuki Brass Laboratory 'Affinis Summer Music Festival 2026 Takamatsu' Featured Program Chamber Music Concerts From chamber music masterpieces to new works... Don't miss the special program that can only be heard at this festival! Chamber Music Concert [1] August 20 (Thu) 18:30 start (18:00 doors open) Rexam Hall, Small Hall G. Onslow / String Quintet in C minor, Op. 38 'The Bullet' Hindemith / Clarinet Quintet, Op. 30 (Intermission) H. Tomasi / Concert Champêtre W.A. Mozart / String Quintet No. 3 in C major, K. 515 Chamber Music Concert [2] August 21 (Fri) 18:30 start (18:00 doors open) Rexam Hall, Small Hall G. Jacob / Oboe Quartet K. Aho / Bassoon Quintet (Intermission) L. Farrenc / Nonet, Op. 38 Latest information on performers for each concert will be announced on the special site. Aiueo Music Concert August 23 (Sun) 14:00 start (13:30 doors open) Sunport Hall Takamatsu, Large Hall A classical music introductory concert planned by Music Director Yosuke Kawasaki. Designed to be enjoyable even for first-time listeners. Admission is possible from age 0. Takamatsu Symphony Orchestra, Kagawa Olive Children's and Youth Choir - Open House 11:00-13:30 Before the Aiueo Music Concert, there will be an instrument experience corner for families! You can also experience the sound of Sanukite stone. Cooperation: Takamatsu Symphony Orchestra, Takamatsu City Hall Wind Orchestra