Music Without Borders: Tomona Miyazaki Unites Cultures Through Music
On December 7, 2024, the Chamber Hall of the Novosibirsk Philharmonic hosted a remarkable concert by Japanese pianist Tomona Miyazaki titled «White Hieroglyph.» The day began with a creative workshop «Sakura with Children» — a project Miyazaki has been conducting during her concert tours across Russia, Japan, the USA, Mexico, France, and other countries since 2007. At the Novosibirsk workshop, young artists, inspired by Tomona’s playing, transformed their musical impressions into drawings while experiencing aspects of Japanese culture. These artworks will become part of the multimedia presentation at her upcoming concert in Tokyo.
The evening concert became a genuine dialogue between Russian and Japanese musical traditions. In the first half, Miyazaki demonstrated her deep understanding of Russian musical culture. Her interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s «Dumka» conveyed a special emotional warmth, while Glinka’s «Variations on Alyabyev’s Romance ‘The Nightingale'» showcased her virtuosic mastery. A particularly striking moment came in the juxtaposition of Nikolai Medtner’s «Primavera (Spring)» and Kobayashi Ginga’s «Variations on the Theme of Sakura.» While Medtner’s spring bursts forth with a vibrant stream of romantic feelings and energy, Kobayashi’s arrives unhurriedly, like the quiet awakening of nature in a Japanese garden. Miyazaki masterfully captured both of these moods.
In the second half, the audience embarked on a musical journey through Japan. The program featured works inspired by Japanese culture, including Miyazaki’s own compositions. These pieces brought to life images of serene landscapes, ancient temples, and the measured rhythm of Japanese life. The concert became a true immersion in Japanese culture for the Novosibirsk audience.
Tomona Miyazaki is known not only as a pianist but also as a cultural ambassador. She serves as the cultural attaché of the Nadezhda von Meck International Charitable Foundation in Japan and is one of the directors of the Japan-Russia Association «Tchaikovsky — Nadezhda F. von Meck.» Since 2014, she has also been the tourism attaché for her hometown of Takamatsu on Shikoku Island. Through her multifaceted activities, Miyazaki demonstrates that music has the power to transcend cultural boundaries and bring people together.