"Darkness Concert" Darkness Cello Concert Report

On Sunday, December 2024, 12, the second "Darkness Concert" was held at the Dialogue Diversity Museum "Forest of Dialogue" in Takeshiba. The performer was Music Dialogue artist Tatsuki Sasanuma (cello).
Tickets for both performances at 16:30 and 19:00 were quickly sold out, and many customers attended, from children to those who had participated in previous performances.

The "Concert in the Dark" begins with a thrilling experience as you enter a pitch black space with no lights, leave your belongings in a locker, form a line of about 10 people, and enter together, each putting their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. Even in the short time before the performance begins, you wait in the dark, calling out to each other, "Are you okay?"

Because the performance was held in darkness, which was different from a normal concert venue, each audience member seemed to enjoy the performance and enriched their senses, saying things like, "The sound seemed to come down from above," "It felt like I was listening with my whole body," "I could feel the performers' breathing," and "Images came to mind from Sasanuma's story."
Sasanuma, the performer, himself said, "I was amazed at how beautiful string instruments sound! I was able to face the sound more closely and work in pursuit of the sound." He also said, "It felt like I was opening up my heart to myself, and reexamining my everyday way of life."

After the 30-minute performance and talk in the dark, we all filed out in the same way as we had entered, and headed to the bright lobby. After listening to the cello again, comparing it in darkness and in the light, we had a dialogue session, during which each guest shared their impressions of their new musical experience and empathized with each other.

- Customer comments (from dialogue) -

・The sounds sounded clearer in the darkness. It was as if the sounds were penetrating my body.

・The sound source felt larger in the darkness, and like it was close enough to be grasped.

・The sound felt like it was coming from above, circulating from the full moon.

・Playing in the dark gave me the feeling of mutual love, as if Sasanuma and I were one-on-one.

・The pain in my legs has disappeared, and I think I will be able to walk home without using a cane. This is music therapy.

- Thoughts from Itsuki Sasanuma (from the dialogue) -

By communicating through sound, customers gradually calmed down and started to listen to me, even though they were nervous and anxious when they first entered the venue. I felt a connection with the customers, and was able to connect with them more vigilantly than ever before. I always value the atmosphere between us and our customers, but I realized how much I was relying on them and how much I was being influenced by visual information.
It was a great experience as I was able to focus on the sound itself and what kind of sound I was making, and connect with the audience with my heart's content through a deep connection.

*This event was organized by Dialogue Japan Society, Inc., with special support from Seiji Yasubuchi (President and CEO of AXA Life Insurance).