Conductor Chuhei Iwasaki has fallen in love with Czechia

He speaks Czech very well, loves Czech culture, Czech classical music, Bedřich Smetana and kulajda soup. Chuhei Iwasaki, chief conductor of the Plzeň Philharmonic, comes from Japan, and besides his home scene, also works with leading orchestras and festivals. He enjoys taking a stroll through Prague and tells us about what brought him from Tokyo, where he was born, to the Czech capital, where he studied.

You were born near a fish market in Tokyo and have been playing the violin since you were a child. It was music that brought you to Czechia, where you found your second home. But why the Czech Republic?

Because I love Czech orchestras; Czechia has some truly excellent regional and small orchestras. And I like the way they play, the sound they have and how they approach the music. And so when I was a student, I naturally thought to myself that where there are good orchestras, there will be good music schools.

What was the first Czech composition you heard?

The very first Czech piece I came across was Vltava, from the series My Fatherland by Bedřich Smetana. When I was studying at grammar school, I borrowed a CD of the most famous classical pieces and one of the hits was Vltava by Bedřich Smetana. My second encounter with Czech music was a concert by the Czech Philharmonic, which played in my town when it was touring Japan. They played Janáček’s Symphonietta, Novák's In the Tatras and the New World Symphony. The famous fanfares in Janáček's Symphonietta were amazing! Then, when I was studying here in Czechia, I heard Martinů's Fifth Symphony played by the Czech Philharmonic. That was an incredible experience.

One of your favourite Czech composers is Bohuslav Martinů. Why is that?

I love his instrumentation, his tonality. I love his instrumentation, his colour. Martinů has such a special feel for the colour of a composition, especially for symphonic music, and when you fall in love with it, you never forget it.

As a music lover, you can't miss the Prague Spring International Music Festival. What do you think makes this event so special?

The Prague Spring is one of the world’s leading music festivals. It hosts a great programme every year, not to mention first-class performances. When I was studying in Prague, I wanted to go to almost every Prague Spring concert. It's just interesting, it's nice.

When you’re in Prague, what are your favourite places to visit?

I like walking around the Old Town at night. I don't have a particular place, but I really like how dark it is everywhere and the warm light of those orange lamps. It has a certain magic to it.

Where do you like to go for trips around Czechia?

I have a favourite place in the centre of Hradec Králové, where there's the river you can walk along. That’s magical. Another place I like is the confluence in Plzeň. That’s a really beautiful spot, too. Usually there's nobody else there. It's the perfect place for thinking things over and relaxing.