ROCO joins the global celebration of the 2025 World EXPO in Osaka with Beyond the Rising Sun – A Musical Voyage, a cross-cultural evening honoring innovation, tradition, and international exchange. Hosted at Asia Society Texas Center, this concert features ROCO musicians Kana Kimura (violin), Maiko Sasaki (clarinet), Shino Hayashi (cello), and guest pianist Hiroaki Tokunaga in a program that bridges East and West.
The centerpiece is a new ROCO-commissioned quartet by Tokunaga, inspired by the reflections of Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who will join the ensemble as a guest speaker at the event. Paired with a Japanese fashion collection curated by Houston City College and a Suntory Toki whisky tasting, the evening promises a vibrant tapestry of sound, visual art, and Japanese culture.
This performance will also be livestreamed free at ROCO.org, Facebook, and YouTube.
Running Time:
7:00-9:00 pm
Tickets
Tickets are Pay-What-You-Wish; Suggested Ticket Price is $45
Location
Asia Society Texas Center
1370 Southmore Blvd
Houston, TX 77004, USA
View on Google Maps
Program
Kana Kimura, violin
Maiko Sasaki, clarinet
Shino Hayashi, cello
Hiroaki Tokunaga, piano
Richard Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra arr. for solo piano
Arvo Pärt: Spiegel im Spiegel for cello and piano
Antonín Dvořák: Song to the Moon from Rusalka arr. for violin and piano
Natalie Williams: Songs of Silent Earth: III. Nocturne. Lullaby to Mother Earth for violin, cello and piano
Taishi Ogura: Starry Highland arr. for clarinet and piano
Andrew E. Simpson: Nebula
Hiroaki Tokunaga: Commissioned quartet piece inspired by astronaut Koichi Wakata (15 min)
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