The Munich Harp Quartet Performs Live at the Osaka Expo
From August 19 to 23, the Munich Harp Quartet, supported by the Yamaoka Memorial Foundation, gave live performances on the stage of the German Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai.
The Yamaoka Memorial Foundation supports young next-generation harpists active in and around Munich, Germany, with the aim of promoting cultural exchange between Japan and Germany.
Despite the sweltering heat, more than 100 people gathered, and the performance began in a lively atmosphere.
Among the pieces performed were familiar tunes for the Japanese audience, such as "Ue o Muite Arukō" and Matsuken Samba. Some spectators could be seen swaying their bodies and clapping along to the rhythm.
In the middle of the concert, the musicians engaged the audience in a lively quiz, asking them to guess which country was being represented through the variations on Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
For example, Austria was evoked with a waltz, Japan through slow, koto-like playing, and Brazil with samba rhythms created by tapping on the harp’s wooden body. This clever integration of different national styles delighted the audience.
Winners of the quiz received commemorative pin badges, making the performance feel even more engaging and interactive.
Toward the end, the quartet showcased a unique performance style, demonstrating how large harps are played in space-limited Japan, accompanied by humorous explanations: sometimes with two or even four players sharing a single harp. The unusual performance method drew exclamations of surprise from the audience.
Finally, as an encore, the well-known tune "In the Mood", familiar from TV commercials, was played. The stage ended in a lively atmosphere, with cheers and calls from the audience filling the hall.
Under the cultural philosophy of Yanmar’s "HANASAKA", nurturing and believing in human potential, the Yamaoka Memorial Foundation will continue to support the musical activities of the next generation of young people, not only in Japan but also in Germany.