著者

津上 智実

雑誌

論集

巻号頁・発行日

vol.52, no.1, pp.51-69, 2005-07-15

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Pianist HARA Chieko (1914-2001) is now under revaluation. She was the first Japanese pianist who completed the Conservatoire de Musique de Paris with Premier Prix (1932) and also won a special award at the Third International Concours de Chopin in Poland (1937). She was the most popular, most admired pianist in Japan around the-Second World War. HARA Chieko held a professorship at KOBE COLLEGE from April 1957 to March 1961. It is a mystery why she accepted it, because she refused all the other offers from universities in Tokyo including even GEIDAI (the National University of Fine Arts and Music). What made her decide to come to Kobe and make time to teach students? My research in programs of her concerts and articles and interviews in some periodicals and journals in her time has made the following clear. 1) She gave two concerts for KOBE COLLEGE in 1935 and 1951, through her mother's connection. Her mother Hisako was one of KOBE COLLEGE'S alumnae. 2 ) The autumn of the year 1955 was a turning point for her life. She noticed the necessity to hand down her skills and knowledge to younger generation as her master Lazar Levi did. 3) In the year 1956 KOBE COLLEGE earnestly asked her to join, offering her conditions which allowed her to continue her activity as a concert pianist. On 2 November 1956, she visited KOBE COLLEGE and gave a mini concert, of which many photos have been kept. 4) She selected three students as her pupils by audition for the academic year 1957, and one more for 1958. Her lesson took place once a month at Room M34. 5) In addition, four alumnae were given chance to play, as solists, piano concertos by Beethoven (Nos. 3 and 5), Ravel and Schumann with orchestra as 'HARA Chieko's pupils' in spring, 1958. 6 ) She wrote a letter to the President of KOBE COLLEGE on 1, September 1980. It is evident from this letter that she was proud of her contribution and her pupils, some of them were teachers of the College. HARA Chieko left Japan in December 1958 to marry the Celist Caspar Cassado. The curricula of the academic year 1959 and 1960 have her name in the list but with a comment 'now in France'. Her tenure was short, but her legacy is profound.