Toshiyuki Kikkawa (BSO violin, 1967-1968, exchange with Japan Philharmonic Orchestra) oral history interview: Kikkawa, Toshiyuki, interviewee, 1992-09-21T00:00:00+00:00, 2023-07-06T00:00:00+00:00

Cassette 37: Oral history conducted by William Moyer, September 21, 1992.

PARTIAL TRANSCRIPT

Tape 37, Side A

Interviewer: Bill Moyer Interviewee: Toshiyuki Kikkawa Location: Tokyo, Japan Date: September 21, 1992

0:09 INTERVIEW BEGINS

1:17-3:00 early life in Hiroshima Prefecture; Toshi's introduction to music as a child and early enthusiasm for the violin

3:00-5:25 studied with neighbor (Mr. NAKAMURA) through high school; attended Hiroshima Music High School; met wife while looking for an accompaniest in high school; went to Hiroshima University in 1950 to study under TAMURA, continued to study violin

5:25-7:33 was a middle school student during the war so was not greatly affected; witnessed the aftermath of Hiroshima bombing but was not hit; brother-in-law was killed by the bomb; wife was not directly hit but has dealt with radiation poisoning

7:33-11:17 joined JPSO in 1963; the orchestra was formed in 1956; discussion of Shigeo MIZUNO, the original founder of the orchestra; placed under Akeo WATANABE as the original conductor and music director

11:17-13:44 establishment of a Japanese exchange program spearheaded by George ZAZOFSKY; discussion of WATANABE as a person and a conductor; discussion of English studies; transitions to Boston via Logan airport

13:44-16:05 impressions of the first rehearasal and LEINSDORF; had not heard certain parts of the orchestra sounds in Japan (such as the tympany)

16:05-17:58 memory of guest conductors, including Karel ANCERL(?); LEINSDORF liked to play BRUCKNER and BRAHMS

17:58-22:23 BSO was his first experience as second violin, which was an adjustment since he was used to the first violin part; challenges of and experience learning to play pianissimo with MANUSEVITCH; memories of Max HOBART

22:23-23:27 enjoyed Tanglewood's chamber music playing; positive memories of William KROLL in Berkshires

23:27-26:14 memories of the Pops; reflections on why we have music and why we share it with audiences; differences between classical and popular music

26:14-33:08 in 1968, members' association at the orchestra in Japan held an election to choose a new committee; was selected as chairman for the committee; a challenging position to be in as the Fuji broadcasting company ceased support for the JPSO; introduction of a summer festival to the JPSO year; encouraged development of a Tanglewood-like program in Japan; became independent and self-governing via the summer festival

33:08-34:56 exchange program; experience for the family was very positive, felt it was the "best year of their life"; they created many friendships and had a very positive experience; daughters eventually returned to the United States

34:56-43:08 division of the JPSO in 1972; impressions of Seiji OZAWA, who saw unions in other countries and thought it was important for the JPSO too; OZAWA invited KIKKAWA to discuss the possibility of forming a union in 1969; OZAWA was always encouraging until conflict in May 1972, when he became cold and distant; broadcasting company refused to continue to support the JPSO, so 60 decided to continue without their support and work with little money, while the other 30 decided to sue the broadcasting company; challenges of low pay

43:08 RECORDING ENDS

Tape 37, Side B

Interviewer: NONE Interviewee: Toshiyuki Kikkawa Date: January 5, 1993

0:17 RECORDING BEGINS: TOSHI KIKKAWA CONT'D

0:25-1:05 introduction: Toshi is adding some notes of his own without an interviewer

1:05-3:30 corrections to side A: studied at Hiroshima University in 1952, not 1950; believes he began formal study in 1945; said that his English was not improved, but actually was, Sheldon ROTENBERG helped while in Boston; neighbors and colleagues helped him learn

3:30-4:58 benefits of exchange program: experiencing the sound of the BSO; understanding that BSO members were far more individual than JPSO; feeling that "music culture" affects life

4:58-6:38 in 1972, the JPSO was divided into two groups; OZAWA supported the union until April 1972 but Toshi seems to have had a different strategy [6:07-6:17 sound lost]

6:38-8:44 salaries after the split were about 43,000 yen; decided to stay despite working conditions because they were passionate about it, even though 30 members left (to form new JPSO)

8:58-20:07 worked very hard to spread fundraising efforts to reconstruct the JPSO; now have many local supporters for local concerts and made many local concert committees to support; in March 1984, the fight at the courthouse concluded with a victory for the JPSO; discussion of the shifting concert schedules to accomodate funding needs

20:07-24:59 continued interest in exchange between Japan and Boston; the value of the cultural exchange; desire to see "more understanding" between these two cultures;

26:16-28:23 postscript, message to Bob Ripley on the value of the oral history project: "it will be a great monument"

28:33 INTERVIEW ENDS