Non-sum: Beethoven in the Kokugikan

[Doreen Simmons <jz8d-smmn@asahi-net.or.jp>]

Hi folks!

At this moment the sumo-san are setting off for Osaka, while I am about to 
join the choir of 5,000 that will fill half the Kokugikan in a performance 
of the Choral Symphony this afternoon. This is the 19th time. The first was 
in February 1985 and was the final event in celebration of the opening of 
the fine new Kokugikan.  (No, it's not the 18th -- we started at year zero 
so there's one more performance that years.)

It's strange with the front rows of masu seats telescoped back into a wall, 
and the front staircases rolled around on castors until they are flush with 
the front wall. The hanging roof has been drawn right up to the top of the 
(real) roof, out of sight; only the big photographs are still there, 
looking down on the scene. The women of the chorus change in the Judges' 
Room, while the men have the Gyoji Room next to it (these are in the 1st 
basement, under the rear seats). The orchestra musicians use the 
shitaku-beya. The choir occupies all the rear seats, upstairs and down, and 
nearly half of the East and West as well. The front and the rest of the 
East and West re occupied by the audience. It's a sell-out.

Seid Umschlungen, Millionenen....

~Doreen Simmons
     <jz8d-smmn@asahi-net.or.jp>~