Tokyo Philharmonic and Myung-whun Chung launch European tour in Berlin

By Elena Luporini, 30 October 2025

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“brisk tempi and knife-edged phrasing brought out the theatrical quality of Prokofiev’s score”

Reviewed at Philharmonie: Großer Saal, Berlin on 28 October 2025

Bernstein, West Side Story: Symphonic Dances

Gershwin, Rhapsody in Blue

Prokofiev, Romeo and Juliet: excerpts

Brahms, Hungarian Dance no. 1 in G minor

Makoto Ozone, Piano

Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

Myung-whun Chung, Conductor

Will Tuckett's Nutcracker for National Ballet of Japan is delightful

Naomi Mori, 19th December

National Ballet of Japan premiered production of Nutcracker choreographed by Will Tuckett, that features a stylish and dramatic Act 1 and a hilarious, colourful and unique Act 2.

****1

National Ballet of Japan revives Ashton's beloved Cinderella

Naomi Mori, 18th October

The National Ballet of Japan gave an excellent rendition of Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella, in spite of many new faces and role debuts.

****1

Wheeldon's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland dazzles again in Tokyo

Naomi Mori, 12th June

Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland returned to the National Ballet of Japan, a marvelous production that amply displays the many talents of the company.

****1

National Ballet of Japan's revival of Giselle: a dramatic return

Naomi Mori, 10th April

National Ballet of Japan has revived their production of Giselle, ahead of their tour to the Royal Opera House in London, replicating the triumphant success it had in 2022.

*****

Unity in Sound: Myung-whun Chung leads KBS and Tokyo Phil in Mahler 1

SangKwon Lee, 3rd March

Like the grainy intensity of a high-contrast black-and-white photograph, these rugged edges accentuated Mahler’s expressive extremes, reaffirming the conductor’s innate flair for crafting a grand aesthetic narrative within the symphony’s expansive architecture.

****1

Back-to-back Beethoven: Myung-whun Chung and the Tokyo Philharmonic

Nahoko Gotoh, 25th February

Beethoven's Triple Concerto has a reputation of being a problematic work, but Myung-Whun Chung and the Tokyo Philharmonic prove otherwise in an emphatic performance.

****1

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Elena Luporini

After completing their Master's degree in Musicology in Rome, Elena has now moved to Berlin to dedicate themselves to more things musical. With a publication on Béla Bartók and a seminar at the Humboldt-Universität underway, their interests mostly veer toward 20th-century opera, with some forays into queer musicology. Some of their latest undertakings also include oboe lessons, stencil-making and tea-making.

Mambo! The Tokyo Philharmonic and Myung-whun Chung launch European tour in Berlin