国連加盟５０年で記念演奏会／支援忘れないと大島大使

国連加盟５０年で記念演奏会／支援忘れないと大島大使 (共同 2006/05/23)

　【ニューヨーク２２日共同】日本が１９５６年に国連に加盟してから５０周年を迎えるのを記念し、国連総会議場で２２日夜（日本時間２３日午前）、オーケストラ演奏会が開催された。

　演奏会は日本の国連代表部などが主催。ニューヨークの若いアジア系の音楽家に活動の機会を与えるため、２月に結成された「アジアン・アーティスツ・アンド・コンサーツ」（ＡＡＣ）が演奏した。

　ＡＡＣを発案した山田敦氏の指揮でシベリウスの交響詩「フィンランディア」やチャイコフスキーの名曲「交響曲第５番」などを披露、聴衆の大きな拍手を浴びた。

　大島賢三国連大使は冒頭のあいさつで、第２次大戦敗戦後に日本が国連などから受けた支援を「決して忘れない」と強調した。

（2006/05/23 12:18）

　２２日夜、ニューヨークの国連総会議場で開催された、日本の国連加盟５０周年記念演奏会（共同）


Tuesday May 23, 1:19 PM
Yamada conducts AAC orchestra marking Japan's 50th year in U.N.

(Kyodo) _ Japan's Atsushi Yamada conducted the Asian Artists & Concerts Orchestra during their debut performance Monday night at the General Assembly hall marking Japan's half century as a member of the United Nations and the international body's 60th anniversary.

In opening remarks before the crowded hall, Japanese Ambassador Kenzo Oshima told the audience that the concert celebrated both of the milestones.

The U.N. Charter was adopted in June 1945 when Japan was still at war, but by 1956 after Japan began to rebuild and recover from the devastation of World War II it had become a full-fledged member of the international body.

"In the postwar period our country received warm and generous support and assistance from the international community," the Japanese envoy said. "And this we shall never forget."

The ambassador, originally from Hiroshima Prefecture, also referred to Japan's emergence over the last half century from the "ashes of war" to become a contributing U.N. member.

As the second largest financial contributor after the United States, Oshima said that Japan over the last five decades has committed itself to some of the institution's greatest goals such as peace-building, enhancing stability and fighting poverty.

The AAC put on its first performance with 60 young Asian artists from countries such as Japan, China and South Korea as well as Asian-Americans.

The organization was established this year to help support Asian and Asian-American musicians as they transition from their studies to their professional careers by giving them opportunities to perform at prestigious places such as the General Assembly hall, where they can gain invaluable experiences.

"The Permanent Mission of Japan is supporting this occasion to promote the development of young Asian musicians as a means of enhancing cultural diversity in the arts and encouraging international exchange and dialogue in the universal arena of classical music," Oshima added.

The program, which was presented by the Permanent Mission of Japan, the AAC and Gorgeous Entertainment, featured "Finlandia, Op. 26 and "Arias of Famous Operas," which included "Romeo and Juliet," "La Traviata" and "Madame Butterfly" during the first part of the performance.

The second half was a presentation of Tchaikovsky's "Symphony No.5."

"It was great. The singers and the orchestra sounds much more professional than they say they are," said Jerry Landsberg, a retiree who was invited by business associates affiliated with Toyota Motor Corp. "I think this is a perfect way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan's entry into the U.N. It transcends everything by being put into music."

Akari Yamamoto, who plays the clarinet, was happy about her orchestra's first performance and was impressed that the group played at such a well-known landmark.

"We are just looking for opportunities to play anywhere," said the 29-year-old from Tokyo, who hoped that future musicians would be able to make the United Nations a venue where they play annually.

Their opening at the General Assembly was a testament to AAC President Roger McDonald, who believed that music could be used as a common language to bridge the gaps of misunderstanding.

"What more could we ask of this assembly here tonight, gathered not to debate on the things that divide us, but to come together in the music that binds us as people of the world?" he asked.

The AAC will have six more performances throughout the summer culminating in a concert at the Lincoln Center on June 22, which will also be conducted by Yamada, who is the organization's conductor, as well as its artistic and music director.

Yamada is well known in Manhattan as the first Japanese conductor at the New York City Opera where he will return again in 2007 to conduct "Madame Butterfly."

♪チェリストである故井上頼豊氏は著書「回想のカザルス」（新日本出版社）のなかで、1971年国連デーでのカザルスの「鳥の歌」を含む国連本会議場での演奏会について、次のように述べている。

「コンサートに列席した聴衆のなかに、日本代表団の姿はなかった。翌日の総会での中国代表権表決の多数派工作のため、全員が欠席したのである」