Daishin Kashimoto & Alessio Bax Duo Recital 2025
Interview: Asking Daishin Kashimoto
//Summary - Level-B2//
Violinist Daishin Kashimoto, the concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra for 15 years, will perform a duo recital with pianist Alessio Bax in June 2025, marking their first Japan performance in eight years. Kashimoto discusses his deep connection with the orchestra, his respect for conductor Kirill Petrenko, and his experiences studying in Japan, the US, and Germany. He highlights Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata and Grieg’s Violin Sonata No. 3, which hold personal significance. He looks forward to creating fresh interpretations with Bax, emphasising their long-standing friendship and shared musical growth.
1)
Kashimoto Daishin, whose splendid performance with Rafal Blechacz in December 2024 is still fresh in our memory, will perform a duo recital with his friend Alessio Bacs in June this year for the first time in eight years.
Before the Japan performance, Chiba Nozomi interviewed him.
2)
--It's been 15 years since you became the concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. You're now the most veteran.
Before I knew it, I was the oldest. The other day, one of the lead violinists retired, so now there are two of you, Noah (Noah Bendix-Balgley, also a concertmaster).
3)
I've performed with Petrenko many times, but I've never seen someone who thinks so much about music and lives for that alone.
Even after one performance, he's unsatisfied and says, "Okay, well done." Even when the last note is played, he is thinking about how to get closer to his ideals. He is a conductor I respect.
4)
--How do you feel about your growth since becoming concertmaster?
It's not just that 15 years have passed, but I feel that the fact that you have been in the role of Berlin Philharmonic is a big thing.
I have gotten to know the members of the Berlin Philharmonic well, and I have become accustomed to their way of making music. They have become accustomed to me, so I think the amount of work on stage has decreased accordingly.
5)
--You are in a perfect position in terms of knowing the music well. The other day, you performed Beethoven's Violin Concerto with Paavo Järvi and the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Orchestra, and it was clear that you were listening carefully to the sounds of each part of the orchestra while you were playing.
6)
In that sense, I think I am fortunate. Even when I'm playing as a soloist, I can clearly understand what is happening in the orchestra.
A concertmaster's job is to understand the orchestra as a whole, but I think it's better not to worry too much about it when playing solo, so I have to erase the orchestra from my mind to a certain extent.
However, just knowing what each instrument is playing and when makes a difference in how I play.
7)
--You will return to Japan in June this year for a duo recital with Alessio Bax. I'm looking forward to hearing you perform together again after a long time.
Alessio and I regularly perform recitals, so we are close friends. However, it's been quite a while since we last performed in Japan. It's a fun program with various works, including Mozart, Grieg, and Beethoven, but it turned out like this after Alessio's wishes were included.
8)
Grieg's Violin Sonata No. 3 (Op. 35 in C minor) is a piece close to my heart, and I have performed it many times since my debut. Rather than choosing it for this occasion, I think it suits me, so I would like to play it regularly.
I have played this piece with Alessio many times, and I believe there is music we can express now that we have both gained more life experience and grown.
9)
--The pianists at Daishin's recitals are always great, so it's fun to listen to them. Last December, you performed with Rafal Blechacz, which became a hot topic.
I enjoy it too. I'm used to playing with Alessio and Eric Le Sage because I often perform with them, but I respect them very much, so I want to play with them forever. I want to be stimulated on stage and enjoy challenging myself to reach higher heights by clashing with each other's music.
I'm also looking forward to seeing what kind of exchange I can have with Alessio this time.
10)
--The classic Beethoven's "Kreutzer" is included in the program.
If you play the same "Kreutzer" with different people, it will differ each time. I'm sure that playing it with Alessio will create something new. I'm looking forward to having you listen to it.
11)
--Daishin-san, you studied violin in Japan, the US, and Germany. You had two very different teachers, Russian teacher Zakhar Bron and German teacher Rainer Kussmaul. You have a rich soil for playing various kinds of music.
12)
Many excellent teachers have taught you. You went to Juilliard School in the US, then studied with Bron in Lübeck, Germany, and then with Kussmaul. Before that, you also studied with Japanese teachers.
13)
There aren't many people who can experience so many things, so I was fortunate. There are many different styles of playing the violin and other ways of making music and living. I think everything I have seen in various cultures has benefited my music.
14)
--Mozart is included in this program.
The main reason I decided to study with Kussmaul was Mozart. Mozart's music is like it comes from heaven, so it's difficult.
But rather than wanting to be taught specific ways to play, I just wanted to be close to my teacher. I learned a lot about him by getting to know him through our many conversations, performances, and meals together.
--I'm looking forward to feeling the fruits of that experience at this recital.
Interview: Asking Daishin Kashimoto
https://www.japanarts.co.jp/news/p9131/
Daishin Kashimoto & Alessio Bax Duo Recital 2025
https://www.japanarts.co.jp/concert/p2131/
Date and time: Saturday, June 7, 2025, 19:00
Venue: Suntory Hall
Performers: Daishin Kashimoto (Violin)
Alessio Bax (Piano)
[Message] Alessio Bax (Daishin Kashimoto & Alessio Bax Duo Recital 2025)
PIO piano miscellaneous notebook
https://piopiano.blog.jp/archives/38725133.html
