NHK Symphony Orchestra Taiga Drama Concert 2026

NHK's Taiga drama series began broadcasting in 1963. The composers of its successive theme music condensed the turbulent lives of the characters and the energy of their eras into just two and a half minutes. This is a live album of the "Taiga Drama Concert" held in 2026 by the NHK Symphony Orchestra, which has performed nearly all of the theme music since the program's inception. In 2026, under the direction of the notable young conductor Nodoka Okisawa, the concert featured an especially impressive program, including collaborations with traditional Japanese instruments and chorus. The latest work "Toyotomi Brothers!" was performed in a special concert version with special instruments omitted, and "Minamoto no Yoshitsune," composed by Toru Takemitsu, who marks the 30th anniversary of his passing this year, was revived for the first time in 60 years in a unique reconstructed version by Koichi Sakata, composer of "Kasuga no Tsubone," as only fragmentary sketches of the score had survived. In addition to selections from the drama "Yumechiyo Nikki," bonus tracks include the customary classical pieces related to Taiga performed in the latter half of the concert. Familiar works such as "The Moldau" and the nostalgic "Danube Waves" promise a moment immersed in elegant melodies.

1963年に放送が始まったNHK大河ドラマ。歴代のテーマ音楽の作曲家たちは、登場人物たちの激動の生涯や、彼らが生きた時代のエネルギーを、わずか2分半という限られた時間に封じ込めた。放送開始以来、ほぼ全てのテーマ音楽を演奏してきた本家本元、NHK交響楽団が2026年に行った「大河ドラマ コンサート」のライヴ盤。2026年は、注目の若手指揮者・沖澤のどかを迎え、和楽器や合唱とのコラボを含む、ひときわ華やかなラインナップが実現。最新作の「豊臣兄弟!」は、特殊楽器を省いたコンサート用の特別バージョンで演奏、また今年没後30年を迎えた武満徹が作曲した「源義経」は、断片的なスケッチしか楽譜が残っていなかったため、「春日局」の作曲家・坂田晃一による独自の再現版で、60年ぶりの復活蘇演となった。さらに、ドラマ人間模様「夢千代日記」の他、ボーナス・トラックとして、コンサート後半に演奏された恒例の"大河"にまつわるクラシック音楽も収録。おなじみの《モルダウ》や、懐かしの名曲《ドナウ川のさざ波》など、優雅な調べに浸れるひと時をお約束します。