"100 Amateur Orchestras Only in Tokyo"

"Across Japan, we have more than 600 orchestras composed of music-loving people. Only in Tokyo, we have more than one hundred. We`d like to share our love of music rooted in daily life with Koreans."

Tokyo Bunkyo Citizens` Orchestra, one of the most prominent amateur orchestras in Japan, is visiting Seoul with its leader Matsusita Isao (51). He is the only "professional" among the 90 members of this orchestra. His orchestra will perform various repertoire, including Stravinsky`s L`oliseau de Feu, at 3 p.m. on Nov. 23rd at Yensei Univ. Amazingly, it`s free of charge.

"My hobbit in my teenage days was `music.` When I became a professional, I lost my favorite hobby. When I met this orchestra in 1993 when the orchestra itself was founded, I got an opportunity to meet my hobby again. In fact, each and every member of our orchestra is a person who enjoys music."

Occupations of the members are various: lawyer, physician, regular worker, etc. Ito Yasyuki (72), the oldest member of it, praised Matsusita and said, "He has a charisma. Everyone follows him." What charisma does he have?

"Just enjoying together! We are an amateur orchestra. But the music we create is not different. We may differ from pro teams in that we need six months to practice a music a pro team does for three days."

Matsusita also said, "When professionals and amateurs meet with each other, both can learn from the other. Professionals regain their zeal for music, while amateurs receive technical advice. I wish Koreans would enjoy numerous opportunities to enjoy this type of happy exchange in the future."

He graduated from Tokyo University, and studied and performed in Germany. He is expected to teach at his alma mater.

Yoon-Jong Yoo gustav@donga.com