「全ての人々は兄弟になる」―。ベートーベン最後の交響曲「第九」は人類愛など、希望に満ちたメッセージを世界中に送り続けてきました。この第九を日本、そしてアジアで初めて奏でたのは、第1次世界大戦中のドイツ兵捕虜でした。1918年6月1日、場所は徳島県鳴門市の板東俘虜(ふりょ)収容所。敵国で、捕虜たちはなぜ第九を演奏できたのか。そこには心温まる〝奇跡〟のような史実があります。9月13日、そのことを伝えたくて、東京・二子玉川で鳴門の市民合唱団を含む関係者が、高らかに歓喜の歌声を響かせました。
Ludwig van Beethoven's final symphony "the Symphony No. 9" has been sending the message of the universal brotherhood and hope to the audience of all over the world. The first performance of this symphony in Japan or even in Asia was on June 1, 1918, which was by German prisoners of wars who were captured at the Bando POW camp located in Naruto, Tokushima, a small town in Shikoku island. What made it possible for them to perform the symphony even though they were prisoners of wars? You will be surprised to know the historical fact behind this event, which is nothing short of miraculous. To spread this historical event, a flash mob to perform the Symphony No. 9 was held in Tokyo, in which members of choral societies including those who are from Naruto became together to sing the Ode to Joy.
【指揮】平井秀明 【演奏】東京アカデミック管弦楽団
【合唱】 日本合唱協会、平井秀明オペラ合唱団、徳島『第九』合唱団、会津『第九』合唱団、公募有志 約80名
【阿波踊り】娯茶平(徳島)、飛鳥(東京 高円寺)約60名
【主催】徳島新聞社、福島民報社
Hideaki Hirai, conductor
Academic Orchestra of Tokyo
Professional Chorus NISSHO, Hideaki Hirai Opera Chorus, Tokushima DAIKU Chorus and Aizu DAIKU Chorus
Presented by Tokushima Shimbun and Fukushima Minpo (Japan)