Japanese Consul General holds cultural presentation

Renowned Japanese pianist performs music event

ANGOLA, IN.- Tri-State University will host a day of Japanese cultural exchange on Tuesday, April 18 that will feature a seminar by Yutakawa Yoshizawa, Consul General from the Japanese consulate’s Midwest Region office, and a piano performance by Japanese artist Yashuko Furukawa.

Yoshizawa will launch the festivities with a discussion on Japanese culture with a question-and-answer session to follow. The presentation will begin at 4 p.m. at Best Hall 229.

Faculty, staff, students and guests are then invited to attend a ceremonial tree planting in honor of Yoshizawa and his Vice Consul General Ryusuke Shimada’s visit to Tri-State University.  A subsequent reception and buffet will be held at 5:15 p.m. in Whitmer Clubhouse.

Following the reception, piano-great Furukawa will play a recital at 7 p.m. in Best Hall with a reception following at 8:30 p.m.

The concert will feature piano classics by Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Godowsky. Furukawa’s music talents will be displayed on a new Yamaha CFIIIS Concert Grand piano, which has been provided by the Fred Myers Piano and Organ Company for the event.         

Furukawa, whose music is described as “dynamic, yet sensitive,” has played extensive concerts for Japanese nobles, as well as a special recital dedicated to the King of Brunei and his royal family. Classically trained at the prestigious Musashino Music Academy in Tokyo, her latest recording of Mahler’s “Songs of the Earth” is praised by music critics in her native country and abroad.

In addition to Tuesday’s private concert, the faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend a second free, public concert, which will feature different musical selections. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 at Fairview Missionary Church in Angola.

These events are sponsored by Tri-State University, Steuben County Economic Development Corp., and Steuben County Tourism Bureau. The Japanese guests visit Tri-State University in conjunction with a cultural exchange program between community leaders and their Japanese counterparts. These upcoming events will serve as a follow-up to the November trade mission trip to Japanese attended by members of Steuben County government and Tri-State University.  

Japanese pianist featured in free, public concert

ANGOLA, IN- The rare opportunity to see renowned Japanese pianist Yasuko Furukawa will be afforded to the area music enthusiasts next week. Furukawa will be playing a free, public concert at Fairview Missionary Church, located at 525 E. 200 N. in Angola. The musical showcase is scheduled for Thursday, April 20 at 7 p.m.  Furukawa visits Steuben County in conjunction with a cultural exchange program between community leaders and their Japanese counterparts. The event is co-hosted by Tri-State University, Steuben County Economic Development Corp., and Steuben County Tourism Bureau.

The public concert will feature piano classics by Balakirew, Rachmaninoff, and Kreisler. Furukawa’s music talents will be displayed on a new Yamaha CFIIIS Concert Grand piano, which has been provided by the Fred Myers Piano and Organ Company for the event.   

Furukawa, whose music is described as “dynamic, yet sensitive,” has played extensive concerts for Japanese nobles, as well as a special recital dedicated to the King of Brunei and his royal family. Classically trained at the prestigious Musashino Music Academy in Tokyo, her latest recording of Mahler’s “Songs of the Earth” is praised by music critics in her native country and abroad.

Tri-State University is a private, independent, co-educational institution offering associate, baccalaureate and master degrees in more than 40 programs to students in engineering, mathematics, science, computer science, business, teacher education, communication, criminal justice and social sciences. TSU is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and offers 19 varsity sports. Founded in 1884, TSU operates a 400 acre main campus in Angola, IN with off-campus centers in Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Merrillville, IN.