Monday
It’s 8am, and I have finally arrived in London after a gruelling 35-hour journey. The past week was a whirlwind, with my responsibilities as Chief Conductor of the Japan Philharmonic keeping me busy. Still, I managed to squeeze in a night at home with my family before flying from Tokyo to Singapore. A brief three-hour layover there allowed me to catch up with my parents at Changi Airport, which was a much-needed pause. From Singapore, it was a direct flight to Heathrow.
I spend the morning with close friends before taking the train to Manchester. Once there, I settle into my new office at Bridgewater Hall, unpacking and familiarising myself with my new team and surroundings—exciting times ahead.
Tuesday
Jetlag keeps me tossing and turning, and by 3am I decide to head to the gym for leg day. By 8am, I am in my office at Bridgewater Hall, only to be greeted by a fire alarm drill. It turns out to be quite timely, as I get to meet most of my behind-the-scenes colleagues, many of them for the first time. Our gathering point is at the Peveril of the Peak, a historic pub dating back to the 1820s. It’s also a regular spot for our players after performances—hard to believe such a place has been standing for so long.
Rehearsals begin with Mahler’s First Symphony which provides a familiar and welcome return to the Hallé sound. The preparation is intense but rewarding and allows me to memorise a few more names in the orchestra. After a long day, dinner is a microwaveable chicken tikka masala. Then, an early night. Here’s to more settled days ahead.
Wednesday
I wake up at 5am today, a slight improvement in my battle with jetlag, with sore legs reminding me that yesterday’s workout was a success. After a morning gym session, we dive into day two of rehearsals, tackling both Mahler and Britten’s Prince of the Pagodas in a special suite that Colin Matthews and I have put together. Like yesterday, all of our rehearsals this week are on stage at the Bridgewater Hall, which is a luxury.
Colin is a real darling—both a superb composer and a genuinely kind person. He’s always understated and deeply committed to serving music. His intense collaboration with Britten has made him an invaluable mentor, especially during the recording of our first album for the Hallé Label: Britten’s two-hour-long ballet, Prince of the Pagodas. I’m grateful to have him by my side.
Then, it’s dinner with David Butcher, the Hallé’s Chief Executive; we are very blessed with his leadership. We enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza, and I discover that Manchester was home to a large Italian community who has contributed to the city’s food culture since the 19th century.
Thursday
Today is a big day, and I start with a calm morning jog around the city to clear my thoughts. I then meet Jenny and Lucy from our Concerts team to discuss upcoming rehearsal services for the rest of the year. In the afternoon we have a dress rehearsal, which also serves as a soundcheck for BBC Radio 3, who will
be recording our performance this evening. The Hallé is sharp, and I can feel the collective focus tightening as we prepare for the evening.
The concert begins at 7.30pm, and the energy in the hall is palpable. The orchestra and audience are completely locked in. One of those rare, coveted moments of being in the zone. Every phrase, every nuance is charged with intensity. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so deeply connected to both the musicians and the audience. Afterwards, I share a pint with many of our musicians and patrons at the Barbirolli Room, before heading to a nearby casino for a delicious dinner with Colin, David and many other trusted colleagues. A truly unforgettable day.
Friday
After only three hours of sleep, the artistic team gathers for a morning meeting to discuss a range of programming matters, including the BBC Proms, the upcoming repertoire for our
Spain tour, and plans for our second season. We also touch on further recording projects with our very experienced and lovely Hallé label consultant, Anne Rushton, who attended our concert last night.
The rest of the day is spent in score study, preparing for upcoming performances of Mahler Sixth in Japan, Anna Clyne’s Clarinet Concerto with Martin Fröst in Dresden, and Richard Strauss’s very youthful and rarely performed Violin Concerto with Alena Baeva in Düsseldorf.
Saturday
Today, I’m heading to the countryside for some filming, sightseeing and much-needed rest—a working holiday for the weekend. The drive to the Lake District is filled with beauty and charm, and I can’t help but appreciate the stunning landscapes. Herdwick sheep grazing everywhere really adds such a unique touch to the scenery. Later, I can’t resist indulging in some Grasmere gingerbread—what a treat.
We’re staying at a lovely cottage in Whitehaven, which offers breathtaking views of the sea and the occasional train passing by. I’ve always had a special love of the sea. It reminds me of Debussy’s La Mer and the iconic Great Wave off Kanagawa [by Japanese ukiyo-e artist Hokusai]. My home in Kanagawa, Japan, is just minutes from the coast, where one can see a similar view to Hokusai’s famous woodblock print, not from the land, but as if one were surfing within the waves. It’s a beautiful reminder
of home.
Sunday
What a sunny day today. No rain—yay! I spend the morning by the beach, immersed in my Bruckner Ninth finale score. We will be performing Dr John Phillips’ completion this October, alongside the first three movements of the symphony.
I recently performed the three-movement incomplete version with the Japan Philharmonic, and the conclusion of the Adagio felt naturally inevitable and perfect. However, since this year marks Bruckner’s 200th anniversary and that Dr Phillips presents compelling arguments for revising the already successful SPCM [Samale-Phillips-Cohrs-Mazzuca] version (attributed to him) recorded by Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic in 2012; it was an easy decision to choose this completion for our concert.
For lunch, I enjoy a roast at a tavern by the beach—lamb cuts, Cumberland sausage and Yorkshire pudding—yum— and sticky toffee pudding, though I can’t decide between cream or ice cream. After a slow drive back to Manchester, I’m ready for the new week ahead.
