A New Path for the Study of Classical Music Festivals in Civil Society :

“Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto” and Its Social Activities

Abstract

  This study was aimed at discussing the relationship between society and classical music festivals in recent years, especially focusing on “Saito Kinen Festival Matsumoto” in Nagano, and its social educational aspects and civil cultural activities. So far, discussions on these festivals have focused on the perspective of its musical festivity and the prominent musicians involved. However, in Saito Kinen Festival, there exist many social educational aspects and civil cultural activities, and these assume a key role in the festival. With this background, the purpose of this study is to reveal the characteristics of classical music festivals from social educational activities and civil activities, in the age where culture is becoming ever more involved in socio-political matters. Through these arguments, the paper provides considerations how classical music festival and society are inter-connected and also discusses what is necessary to gain a good balance in the relationship between the music festival and society.