Die Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen, and Artistic Director Paavo Järvi, perform 13 concerts across Japan and Korea in a truly mammoth tour this December. The Orchestra is joined throughout the tour by renowned soloists, pianist Rafał Blechacz, violinist Hilary Hahn, and pianist Yunchan Lim.

The tour starts in Japan at Kumamoto Prefectural Theater on 7 December, where Mozart’s compositions are celebrated in a dedicated programme to the composer’s works. The programme includes Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni, Piano Concerto played by Rafał Blechacz, and Symphony No.41. This programme is repeated at Yokohama’s Minato Mirai Hall on 8 December.

Joined by violin soloist Maria Duenas, the Orchestra now focus their attention on works by Schubert, Beethoven and Mozart. On 9 December at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall, they perform Schubert’s Overture for orchestra, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, and Mozart’s Symphony No.41. The next day, on 10 December, at Bunkyo Civic Center, the programme features the Schubert and Beethoven works again, but this time also with Schubert’s Symphony No.7 and Mozart’s Symphony No.31. This programme is repeated at the same venue on 12 December.

On 13 December, the orchestra and Paavo Järvi head to Muse Tokorozawa to perform Mozart’s Symphony No.31, Schubert’s Symphony No.7, and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No.41.

Travelling south, they are joined by Daishin Kashimoto at Nishinomiya’s Hyogo Performing Arts Center on 14 December, with works by Beethoven and Mozart; and then the Schubert, Beethoven and Mozart combination at Ōita’s Iichiko Culture Center on 15 December.

Journeying across the Sea of Japan, the Orchestra leaves Japan and heads to South Korea, where pianist Yunchan Lim joins them. At Arts Center Incheon on 17 December, the programme features Schubert’s Overture for orchestra, Chopin’s Piano Concerto No.2, and Mozart’s Symphony No.41. 

Heading north to Seoul Arts Centre, the Schubert is swapped for Mozart’s Overture from Don Giovanni on 18 December. The Orchestra perform here again on 19 December but with the Schubert, Chopin and Mozart combination. This programme is repeated on the 21 December at Daejeon Arts Center, and in the tour’s final concert on 22 December at Lotte Concert Hall.

This tour marks the Orchestra’s first tour to Japan and South Korea since 2022.