A concert celebrating the words and songs of the late poet Shuntaro Tanikawa took place in Tokyo, featuring various choral performances and a touching moment from his son, Kensaku.
On the 22nd, a choral concert named 'Shuntaro Tanikawa, to the Horizon of Song - Words from Somewhere' was held at the Bunkyo Civic Hall in Tokyo, celebrating the works of the esteemed poet Shuntaro Tanikawa, who passed away in 2024. Organized by the All-Japan Choral Federation and Asahi Shimbun, the event featured performances by seven prominent choral groups from the Tokyo metropolitan area. The concert consisted of multiple sections, showcasing choral compositions based on Tanikawa's poetry, as well as a variety of songs from different genres, including 'Astro Boy' and 'End of Summer'.
In the final section of the concert, new compositions were premiered, inspired by Tanikawa's series 'Words from Somewhere,' created by six composers, including Tokuhide Niimi and Makiko Kinoshita. The event culminated with all participating choirs and nearly 1800 audience members singing Kinoshita's piece 'In Spring,' which elicited a resounding applause from the audience, illustrating the profound impact of Tanikawa's words.
Kensaku Tanikawa, the late poet's eldest son and a musician, expressed his emotions saying, 'I'm overwhelmed,' reflecting on the significance of the performance and the continuation of his father's musical legacy. He mentioned that he had many conversations with his father and hopes that these songs will keep his father's spirit alive for future generations.
