Performing Mahler on March 11

May 12, Sat. 0:10/ 4:10/ 8:10/ 12:10/ 16:10/ 20:10 (UTC)

That day, 1800 seated Sumida Triphony Hall (Sumida ward, Tokyo) was to be seen full house for a concert with world renowned and eminent young British conductor Daniel Harding. But at 7:15pm, only 105 audiences had made their way to the hall. It was the day, March 11th. The performance of Mahler's 5th was made for the small audience of 105 people, an unforgettable night for those who shared the moments.

After the performance Harding quoted: "What happened that afternoon, and in the subsequent days, will colour the way I think of this music for ever."

With transportation and communication system disrupted, will the audience, or moreover, the members of New Japan Philharmonic make their way to the concert hall? Can they concentrate on their performance without confirming the safety of their family members? And most of all, will Harding, experiencing his first ever earthquake, be able to overcome his fears and stand to conduct the orchestra while the aftershocks keeps striking?

While many concerts were cancelled that day, the decision was made to keep the schedule at Sumida, and Harding gave his spirited performance to the 105 guests. Each face of the audience was recognizable from the podium. The 2 and half hour concert opened with grave funeral march and lead to the glorious finale. His sorrow, love, hope and deep emotions were crystalized in Mahler's 5th of that night, a historical excellent performance. Rapturous applause and countless curtain calls were given. Harding hurried to the lobby to clasp hands of every guest and called on to take a commemorative photo with everyone there. Those who were not able to reach home that evening spent the night together with the orchestra members in the hall of the concert building.

The day's happenings and the concert was filmed by the concert organizer. In this program, we reproduced the miraculous night of March 11th with their recorded film and the evidences. It asks oneself, what the true meaning of art is.