An die Freude
In Japan, it’s a tradition for orchestras to perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony every year at the end of December. For freelance musicians, this often means playing the same Symphony over and over each end of year.
This annual ritual, imbued with the universal message of "all human shall be brothers," is an opportunity to reflect and pray that the coming year will bring peace and reduce conflict in the world.
For those of us living away from our homeland, the holiday season carries a tinge of nostalgia. But for me, it is also a moment to reaffirm the significance of music in life. In a world increasingly fraught with tension and discord, Beethoven’s "Ode to Joy," composed at the end of his extraordinary life, feels more relevant and necessary than ever.
"What can our music do for people?" This is a question I continuously ask myself. Cygnus Arioso is my canvas for exploring this question—it is both the draft and the realization of the answer.
If even one person feels grateful for the presence of music in their life because of what we do, or if our music brings a touch of color to someone’s world, I can ask for nothing more fulfilling.
As musicians, it is our responsibility to keep the flames of creativity alive, to remain emotionally attuned, and to dedicate ourselves fully to our art. To me, being a musician means living for others through this relentless pursuit.
Art is a way of life, and at Cygnus Arioso, we are committed to embodying and evolving this philosophy.
For me, 2025 begins with a private house concert featuring Schubert’s second Piano Trio in E-flat Major, one of his final masterpieces. Its heavenly length—nearly 50 minutes—offers ample time for reflection and growth during preparation. Schubert once said, “Whenever I tried to sing of love, it turned to pain. And again, when I tried to sing of pain, it turned to love.” This poignant duality of melancholy and beauty resonates deeply within his work.
Soon after, Cygnus Arioso String Orchestra embarks on its fifth Summer Camp. This milestone year promises a program that is both rigorous and inspiring, meticulously prepared over the past six months. We aim to elevate our signature one-on-one sessions and sectional rehearsals to even higher standards. I look forward to seeing many of you at the final concert.
Additionally, on February 16, I will perform Szymanowski’s "Myths" and Strauss’ Violin Sonata with the wonderful pianist Liam Wooding. It’s thrilling to revisit these works, which I studied nearly 20 years ago in Freiburg.
On April 27, I will reunite with Tommy Seah to perform all three Brahms violin sonatas. While I’ve played the first two numerous times, the third will be a new and exciting challenge, immersing us in Brahms’ emotionally rich world.
August 17 will mark a new initiative with CA Strings. Details will be shared soon, so please save the date!
Along with our performance projects, another major goal for 2025 is to further enrich Cygnus Arioso Music Studio. Together with our staff Momo Foord and Anika Collins, we’ve been reassessing our activities, identifying areas for improvement, and brainstorming new ideas. With a refreshed approach, we aim to bring even greater value to our students and their families.
Lastly, I intend to dedicate more time to my own violin practice. Plans are underway for an unaccompanied solo recital in the latter half of the year, featuring a program that is gradually coming together in my mind. One highlight will likely be a solo piece composed by my husband, Lachlan. Stay tuned for updates!
As we step into 2025, I wish you all health, happiness, and fulfillment. I look forward to sharing our music with you in more places and more ways in the year ahead.
26.12.2024
Akiko Miyazawa