"Statue of Beethoven" by Ryumon Yasuda
Bust of Chopin
"Statue of Kreutzer" by Toyoichi Yamamoto
In addition to statues of famous musicians, many statues of instructors who contributed to the university when it was founded are placed in the grounds of the Faculties of Music and Fine Arts.
Sogakudo of the Former Tokyo Music School, which was built in 1890, got older and its demolition was also planned, but, thanks to a conservation movement and cooperation of Taito City, it was relocated to the grounds of Ueno Park in 1984. The present-day Sogakudo Concert Hall was built at the site where the former Sogakudo once stood. It was designed to adjust the acoustic characteristics in accordance with the intended use by making the whole ceiling above the seats movable and altering the acoustic space. The Garnier organ made in France is installed on the stage. Sogakudo Concert Hall is used for the university's entrance and graduation ceremonies as well as concerts.
Erard's double-action harp (Gothic style) is placed in Sogakudo Concert Hall. This harp was brought back from Paris by Yoshie Abe (1904-1969) during World War II, who studied in Paris and later served as the first full-time teacher of harp at Tokyo Music School and Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, Faculty of Music. The harp was donated to the university by Kyoko Tanaka, a harpist and graduate from the university, who was the last pupil of Yoshie Abe. The sound of the harp, which is played by Japanese soldier Mizushima (played by actor Shoji Yasui) in "The Burmese Harp (1956)," a film directed by Kon Ichikawa, was actually played by Yoshie Abe using this Erard's harp.
Professor Kenji Watanabe (Trustee, Vice President), Department of Instrumental Music (Piano)
Since the piano can produce multiple notes at the same time and has a very wide dynamic range, it is a fundamental instrument in the Western music, which is used as solo, ensemble and accompanying instruments. Not only students majoring in piano but also many students majoring in other instruments study the piano. Many students win the first prize or any other prizes in competitions and auditions at home and abroad while they are still in the university, and they will work as pianists or teach students as educators at universities and other educational institutions after graduating from the university.
Although students take lessons on a one-to-one basis, since piano pieces are usually long, each student receives 1 hour of private lesson. Professor Watanabe gives private lessons to 6 students on Tuesdays and Fridays. During the pre- and post-World War II periods, musicians and students in Japan had usually followed Western musical performances, but, in the present time, ingenious performances that bring out the strength of sensitivity unique to Japanese are needed while being based on the understanding of the legitimate Western music. Therefore, Professor Watanabe keeps it in mind that he gives students lessons that do not spoil their individuality as much as possible.
Although Japan began to officially accept the Western music since the Meiji Period, in those days, the main activities were to create Japanese music that has both Japanese and Western spirits and train music educators. Then, excellent musicians began to appear in Japan, so the present-day prosperity of the Western music can be seen. Professor Watanabe said that we should transmit Beethoven or Mozart of Japanese version to the world in the coming years. Since pianos made by Steinway & Sons are usually used in competitions and concerts, in order for students to be familiar with the pianos, Professor Watanabe has students play the pianos made by Steinway & Sons during private lessons as well as practices. When students play pianos made by Steinway & Sons, their weak points are clearly shown, therefore, also in that sense, the pianos have significant educational benefits.
Although students take lessons on a one-to-one basis, since piano pieces are usually long, each student receives 1 hour of private lesson. Professor Watanabe gives private lessons to 6 students on Tuesdays and Fridays. During the pre- and post-World War II periods, musicians and students in Japan had usually followed Western musical performances, but, in the present time, ingenious performances that bring out the strength of sensitivity unique to Japanese are needed while being based on the understanding of the legitimate Western music. Therefore, Professor Watanabe keeps it in mind that he gives students lessons that do not spoil their individuality as much as possible.
Although Japan began to officially accept the Western music since the Meiji Period, in those days, the main activities were to create Japanese music that has both Japanese and Western spirits and train music educators. Then, excellent musicians began to appear in Japan, so the present-day prosperity of the Western music can be seen. Professor Watanabe said that we should transmit Beethoven or Mozart of Japanese version to the world in the coming years. Since pianos made by Steinway & Sons are usually used in competitions and concerts, in order for students to be familiar with the pianos, Professor Watanabe has students play the pianos made by Steinway & Sons during private lessons as well as practices. When students play pianos made by Steinway & Sons, their weak points are clearly shown, therefore, also in that sense, the pianos have significant educational benefits.
"Statue of Beethoven" by Ryumon Yasuda
Bust of Chopin
"Statue of Kreutzer" by Toyoichi Yamamoto
In addition to statues of famous musicians, many statues of instructors who contributed to the university when it was founded are placed in the grounds of the Faculties of Music and Fine Arts.