The sound of Mayumi Ohira’s cheerful violin and her warm smile enthrall the audience. Last year Ohira released two albums and has recently been providing music to various institutions, performing at hospitals and welfare organizations. She has been selected as an International Jury Member for the Sapporo International Short Film Festival 2009, which will take place this October.


- First off, could you tell us a little about the function of a concertmaster?

In an orchestra concert, the concertmaster is the violinist who sits closest to the conductor on the left side. This person leads the tuning for the orchestra before a concert begins, and becomes the connection between the conductor and orchestra during a performance.
They also stand up and shake the conductor’s hand as he/she enters. This is my eleventh year as concertmaster.


- How did you find yourself living in Sapporo?
 
When I returned from the US, I was living in Tokyo. It all began when I was invited as a guest to play with the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra.
During my Tokyo days, I played for the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, had solo performances with ballerina Yoko Morishita, and was invited as a guest to the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. I feel very lucky to have had all of these experiences.
When I visited Sapporo, the view from the sky reminded me of Chicago and the Midwest. I felt an immediate affection toward Hokkaido. I think its spirit and history is similar to the US’s. People gather there from all over Japan, and it always feels like something new is happening. I plan on staying here for a very long time.
Music has an amazing energy. I’d like to always challenge my self to find new ways of playing music.
Actually, I just thought of this, but there are people who play Mozart to their cows or sheep, or grow grapes and strawberries by playing them classical music, so I’d like to play my violin in front of a cow sometime.


- I hear you’ve been playing music for hospitals and welfare organizations?

Music heals a person’s heart, making them healthier, so I play because I want to spread that message.
When I go to hospitals, I always play songs that everyone knows.
I play some school songs selected by the Ministry of Education, but the melody of Japanese music is beautiful, so I always play some of those songs, too. Most people think the violin has a very high-pitched sound, but when I play the low strings, I can tell the audience loves the sound. Live music is beautiful, including the sound of the bow rubbing against the strings. I’d like to create more opportunities for people to enjoy my music.
Please come and see some of my concerts in Sapporo.


- Can we look forward to collaboration with other genres as well?

I recently played a Chaconne by Bach with a modern dancer from Hamburg, Germany. Actually, I was also dancing. Playing while dancing or while running is a unique skill I have.
In concert, I always walk back and forth in front of the audience as I play. When someone plays the violin, you can feel the vibration of the air. I want everyone to feel that. It might be absurd considering the classic style, but I’d like to do more things like that.


Profile: Sapporo Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Mayumi Ohira

Born in Sendai, she attended Tokyo University of the Arts, studying music. She was invited to the San Francisco Conservatory of Musicthree months into her schooling and traveled to America. While attending, she received first place in the Coleman Chamber Music Competition. In the Tanglewood Music Festival of Berkshire Hills, Massachusetts, she received the Silverstein award for best violinist. After graduating, she became a professor of music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and Stanford, while continuing performances with orchestras of the West. After returning to Japan, she played for the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, and many others. She has been concertmaster of the Sapporo Symphony Orchestra since 1998.
In March of 2008 she released her first album, “All My Love”, and second album, “From My Heart” in October, to warm reception.
She currently produces music projects in and outside of Japan. She also plays for hospitals and welfare organizations to share the joy that is music with people from all walks of life.