irina

...Are you aware of the Kammeroper? It could well be worth a visit to a performance there as it has succeeded in presenting a really musically respectable production. As soon as initial premiere nerves were out of the way, one was able to hear the conductor Joji Hattori (debut at the Kammeroper) achieve a remarkably compact ensemble. He charmed a graceful sound out of the little pit, adding well sprung accents and creating phrases always in accordance with the [...]

...Joji Hattori conducting the capable ensemble managed to shape out the orchestral parts well and with care: as a skilled violinist he was able to lead the string players in particular to a combination of lightness and beauty of sound, although the various solos played by the oboe, bassoon and horns were by no means less satisfying. All his tempi were chosen with great sensibility and the vocal ensembles were well prepared - a successful debut!... [...]

Impressive Quality ...Joji Hattori succeeded in creating a very effective start to the concert with the Vienna Chamber Orchestra. […] Hattori, conducting the VCO, was visibly excited and was - as a prominent violinist himself - most capable in his accompaniment. In Haydn's Symphony No.61 in D Major, he could become the "soloist" himself. And he did this with real excellence, passion and great tension. The orchestra scored with alertness, enthusiasm and a brilliant Prestissimo-Finale...

The Vienna Symphony Orchestra in the Konzerthaus Vienna – Some have called Brahms´ work the “concerto against the violin” and others a “symphony with obligatory violin”. Whatever the case, Joji Hattori played Brahms´ challenging piece with boldness and with the use of all his energy (not to mention all the hair on his bow!). Above all it was the “Viennese” passages in the third movement – played by Hattori with such spring and bounce that arsis became thesis - [...]