Happy New Year! We at PMF sincerely hope that 2024 will bring peace and joy to all of you.

Thanks to the impact of the highly successful December release of the film “Maestro,” we have recently been reliving many fond memories of Leonard Bernstein, who founded PMF in his final year. PMF could not have sustained itself this long without the generosity and dedication to the education of younger generations that Bernstein poured into it.

In Japan, the start of a new year is normally a cheerful time, but this year it has been overshadowed by the powerful Noto Peninsula earthquake and a string of subsequent destructive events. Recovery efforts are ongoing, and we hope that support from across Japan and the world will help the residents of impacted areas to stay resilient during this challenging time. Our hearts go out to all who are being impacted, and it is with great humility that we continue to prepare for PMF 2024.

PMF 2024 Auditions have closed!

Applications for the PMF 2024 Orchestra Academy were accepted from November through January 17, and the selection process has now begun. All results will be announced by March. We are grateful to all who applied!

PMF Digital Contents − concert highlights from PMF 2023

Performance videos from PMF 2023 continue to be released. Recent releases range from Bach to Shostakovich, and watch for more soon, including Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” Fantasy Overture with Krzysztof Urbański, and Bruckner’s Symphony No. 9 with Thomas Dausgaard!

“Maestro” and a PMF alumnus

The film “Maestro” gave many people who knew Leonard Bernstein the opportunity to reflect anew on his life and work. Among them is Alastair Blayden, current sub principal cellist of the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO), who speaks of his memories of studying with Bernstein, and how big an impact it had on him at the first PMF, in 1990. PMF was originally founded by Bernstein and his associates along with the LSO, and we consider it very important to pass on the legacy of the people who founded this festival, and to share the voices of people who experienced that special summer as students.

from 2019

PMF in their own words

In this series we share messages from PMF faculty members and more, as they address what PMF means to them. We hope that their messages will resonate, and that you will consider making a donation to help sustain the work of the festival.

In this issue, one of the longest-serving PMF faculty members, Stephen Rose, principal second violin of the Cleveland Orchestra, kindly shares his thoughts with us.

PMF is a non-profit organization, sustained by the generosity of individuals like you. It provides a uniquely multicultural learning environment for young musicians from all over the world, increasing international mutual understanding alongside musicianship.

Wonder Music Nights at AOAO Sapporo Aquarium

This month, Hokkaido Bank, a supporting company of the festival, will celebrate the new year together with their clients with music performed by a PMF alumni string quartet, and in February, Sapporo City Nishi Ward will present an alumni octet concert, with strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and piano performing a program including pieces specially arranged for the octet. Also, an alumni string quartet is scheduled to perform at the opening reception of this year's Sapporo Snow Festival!