20/05/2026
✨ A little letter from Michaela who‘s currently on Japan-tour with the orchestra: 💌
Two evenings at Suntory Hall are always a blast. Exactly 40 years ago, Karajan opened the venue; the plaza in front of it is named after him, and his legendary presence is still palpable today. 🫶
The audience is reverent and deeply focused—NO VIDEOS OR PHOTOS allowed 🚫📸😉
Janine Jansen 🎻 gives it her all as always, and the audience rewards her with thunderous applause and a standing ovation. Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 that followed was incredibly energetic, harmonious, and deeply compelling. A statement! Especially since so much Tchaikovsky is played here. Our local hero Kyohei Sorita delights his Japanese fan base with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3.
Backstage, as always, is extremely busy 🤪 countless guests and fans of PJ and Janine are there, and many are still waiting for him 90 minutes 🥹 after the concert in front of the venue or in the underground parking garage. ✍️📝 💗
Also, Happy Birthday to Marc (Violin) and Chris (Violin)!! 🎂🎉