The seventh in the series of Masterpieces Performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra kicks off with a brand-new performance recorded in May 2022. Conducted by Fabio Luisi, who just began his official tenure as chief conductor, it is one of the pieces performed at the memorial concert commemorating the anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa to Japan after 50 years under American administration. It is our hope that this musical message from Okinawa by Luisi and the NHKSO will resonate around the world still mired in war and strife. Next, Tugan Sokhiev makes a first-time appearance in this series with this 2019 magical baton-work. Then the series concludes with a historical 2002 performance by Wolfgang Sawallisch, who is credited to have created the NHKSO's distinctive sound. In each of the introductory segments, NHK WORLD-JAPAN presenter Yamamoto Miki and music critic Katayama Morihide highlight the relevant details of each performance. Revel in the featured concerts of this summer special.

• Miki Yamamoto
• Morihide Katayama