TOKYO'S SUNTORY HALL: AN EXCLUSIVE BACKSTAGE TOUR

The facade of Suntory Hall in Tokyo's ARK Hills,
fronted by a wide plaza named after a
rather famous Austrian conductor.

Having been to some of the world's great concert halls, like the Berlin Philharmonie, New York City's Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre and London's Barbican Hall, it was a pleasure to add Tokyo's Suntory Hall to that list of hallowed stages of classical music. 

A rare opportunity to attend a Suntory Hall backstage tour on 16 May 2019 was afforded me when I visited Tokyo recently, and it proved a revelation. 

Opened in 1986, Suntory Hall still is Japan's most revered concert venue for classical music. Its central location, accommodating facilities and close-to-perfect acoustics have made it a must-visit place for all self-respecting ensembles (including all of Tokyo's professional orchestras and the world's leading orchestras) and discerning concert-goers. 

The organisation's very impressive outreach programmes have included overseas productions in Singapore, including the premiere of Himiko (celebrating Suntory Hall's 30th anniversary in 2016) and the Suntory Hall Chamber Academy involving Yong Siew Toh Conservatory students. That was how I was introduced to Suntory Hall in the first place, with those events taking place in Singapore.

However, this post is about the "mother ship" in Tokyo itself, and how impressed I was with its set-up, something I will not forget for a long time.

The imposing and sweeping foyer of
Suntory Hall, with entrances
to all the stall and circle seats.

The genetically engineered "Blue Rose",
elegantly suspended over the entrance to the
432-seater Blue Rose Hall,
where chamber concerts are held.

The Blue Rose Hall was where the tour started,
with a documentary film on the history of Suntory Hall.
Students of YST Conservatory have performed here
as part of the Suntory Hall Chamber Music Garden Festival.

The main foyer's scintillating chandelier,
crafted with Swarowski crystals.

Hall receptionists hold up an individual Swarowski crystal,
and Hibiki, the kanji word for sonos (sound), which 
forms the basis of the Suntory Hall logo.

As Suntory is an organisation based on the creation and
promotion of liquor and spirits, many motifs relating to the
raw materials of alcohol dominate the hall.
Here is a balustrade with a wheat / malt motif.

The climate-controlled piano storage room,
located under the stage holds at least two grand pianos,
a harpsichord and a fortepiano.

Here are the luxurious conductor and soloist
changing and resting rooms, located just 10 steps
away from the stage entrance.

Autographs of some of the luminaries
who have performed in Suntory Hall.
On the left is Leonard Bernstein, who conducted
a concert here during his final six months.

Two marble plaques, including an inscription by
Herbert von Karajan (left), who helped in the design
of the hall, and the notation of
Beethoven's Ode To Joy (right), which was performed
at Suntory Hall's opening concert.

Now we enter into the inner sanctum.
Suntory Hall has a vineyard design configuration,
inspired by the Berlin Philharmonie.
Yet another alcohol-related feature.

The wonderful Austrian organ (yet more wheat/barley motifs)
and overhanging lights which resemble bunches of grapes.

A look of the spacious 2006-seat main hall,
which is surprisingly intimate when one steps into it.

The tour included a free organ recital 
by Japanese organist Mika Noda
with music by Muffat, Dowland, Brahms
and Karl-Elert, attended by a large audience.
The wonderful acoustics are immediately evident.

Everyone of the tour now gets to step in the stage.
Here they test out the acoustics and reverberation
by singing Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music
in Japanese led by a young receptionist Shintaro Hirata
(with dreams of conducting here someday!)

Everybody wants to sing in Suntory Hall!

TBM Tokyo Edition!

With receptionist Shintaro Hirata 

& Suntory Hall PR Manager Shinsuke Inoue,

who was my friendly host and translator for the tour.

No real surprise, that the plaza fronting Suntory Hall
was named after Herbert von Karajan,
who was a consultant for the hall and conducted
here in 1988, one year before his death.

Suntory Hall in ARK Hills
is certainly a place for everybody.