HOME > Archive > 1990 - 1999
Tracing PMF's path to this point.
PMF International Orchestra was organized with one-hundred PMF Alumni members to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the festival. 132 young musicians from 28 countries and areas were selected among 1,397 applicants as the PMF Academy. PMF Orchestra participated in "August in Hiroshima '99" World Music Festival. The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra made a world premiere of the Bernstein Beat. PMF Vienna and PMF Orchestra members performed in the Odori Concert with approximately 4,000 audience members. 2 faculty members were invited from abroad.
135 young musicians from 24 countries and areas were selected among 1,522 applicants as the PMF Academy. " Piano Course" was renamed to "Keyboard Course" and harpsichordist and organist joined the PMF Academy. Vocal Course had its focus on chorus and started "Bach Program." 2 faculties were invited from abroad.
Sapporo Concert Hall,Kitarabecame the main concert venue for PMF starting this year. 130 young musicians from 25 countries and areas were selected among 1,312 applicants as the PMF Academy. PMF Orchestra made a charity performance in Kobe for its recovery from the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.
Opera became the theme for this year. 122 young musicians from 26 countries and areas were selected among 1,244 applicants as the PMF Academy. Junior Fellow Program started to increase more Asian participation. 10 Japanese singers participated in Special Open Lesson by Christa Ludwig. 2 faculties were invited from abroad.
140 young musicians from 23 countries and areas were selected among 1,282 applicants as the PMF Academy. PMF Orchestra performed at "Peace Concert Evening," and made world premiere of Tilson Thomas' "Showa/Shoah" for city of Hiroshima (August 6). PMF Orchestra participated in the commemorative concert to celebrate the United Nations 50th / United Nations University 20th anniversaries(Tokyo). The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra made Japanese premiere of Bernstein's "On the Town"(concert version).
138 young musicians from 23 countries and areas were selected among 1,170 applicants as the PMF Academy. PMF Orchestra with PMF Academy Singers took part in PMF Summer Concert '94 at the United Nations University. The Sapporo Symphony Orchestra made Japanese premiere of Bernstein's "Candide" (concert version).
Educational Seminar starts for music teachers in elementary, junior high and high schools. 138 young musicians from 23 countries and areas were selected among 1,011 applicants as the PMF Academy. Michael Tilson Thomas and other artists played an active role in fund raising campaign for people suffering from the Hokkaido South-West offshore Earthquake.
The festival starts to invite Composer-in-Residence. Picnic Concert in the Sapporo Art Park starts with regular concerts in and out of Hokkaido. Open-Panel Discussion by Japanese and American Composers with Toru Takemitsu was held. PMF Alumni participated in a concert to mark the completion of the new headquarters building of the United Nations University, Tokyo. 142 young musicians from 26 countries and areas were selected among 831 applicants as the PMF Academy.
Christoph Eschanbach has become co-Artistic Director and Vocal course started in the PMF Academy. 150 young musicians from 26 countries and areas were selected among 700 applicants as the PMF Academy. Principal players from the Wiener Philharmoniker joined as the faculty members. Auditors Program started, and rehearsals were open to the general public to observe. PMF Organizing Committee (a branch of the City of Sapporo government) assumed responsibility for PMF's financing and direction.
The international educational Pacific Music Festival (PMF) was founded by leading 20th century conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein, along with the London Symphony Orchestra, with the aim of fostering the young musicians of the Pacific region. The first PMF Orchestra was comprised of 123 young musicians from 18 countries and regions selected from among roughly 900 auditions. Bernstein and Michael Tilson Thomas served as Artistic Directors and the Academy program featured Schumann's Symphony No. 2. Other programs included the Pacific Composers Conference and a special joint performance by the PMF Orchestra and the London Symphony Orchestra at the Yokohama Arena.
On October 14, just 3 months after PMF had ended, Bernstein passed away at his home in New York, at the age of 72. On December 31, in the midst of uncertainty on the fate of the festival, Mr. Takeshi Itagaki, then Mayor of Sapporo, attended a Bernstein memorial concert in New York and gave a speech declaring his decision "to fulfill Mr. Bernstein's wish and hold the Pacific Music Festival every year in my city of Sapporo." PMF has been held in Sapporo ever since.