IN CONVERSATION WITH HEIICHIRO OHYAMA
Credit: David Bazemore
Heiichiro Ohyama’s storybook career is really a two for one calling that includes posts as Principal Violist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Assistant Conductor of the orchestra during Andre Previn’s stint as Music Director. This however represents only a tidbit of highlights in a lifework that began with early studies at the Toho Music High School and College, Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Indiana University where teachers included William Primrose and Josef Gingold. Ohyama’s musical journey took off after winning the Young Concert Artists International Auditions award in 1974 (as violist) that led to a Carnegie Hall debut and subsequent performances as soloist and chamber musician where he appeared internationally at the Casals and Sarasota music festivals among others – and has collaborated with artists such as Lynn Harrell, Gidon Kramer, Radu Lupu and Isaac Stern.
Ohyama’s globetrotting conducting gigs have included Principal Chief Conductor of the Kyushu Symphony, Music Director of the Asian American Symphony and guest appearances with the Hale Symphony, Royal Philharmonic, Baltimore Symphony, San Francisco Symphony and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra In 1983 he was appointed Music Director of the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra (SBCO) which he led for 34 years. Ohyama reflects on the decision to step away from responsibilities with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
“I left the position of Assistant Conductor and Principal viola to gain more opportunities to pursue the study of conducting. As an instrumentalist, I was fortunate to be given a chance to learn about the performance of music through chamber music and orchestral playing. By coincidence I was given an opportunity to conduct the string ensemble. This new experience suddenly led to opening up a different world in my mind. Even though I was looking at the same manuscript I realized that a different world existed and I needed more time to explore this new world.”
Ohyama’s fledgling musical adventure as conductor quickly gained prominence and he became Artistic Director of events such as Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, La Jolla Chamber Music Society SummerFest, Principal Conductor of Round Top Music Festival -and was on the faculties of University of California, Santa Cruz, University of California, Santa Barbara and Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences. And a variety of his recordings are on the Nonesuch, Philips, CBS and RCA labels.
During his tenure with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Ohyama played under Music Directors Carlo Maria Giulini and Andre Previn. He comments on the unique musical personality of these conductors. “If I can analyze the aspect of the performance style of two great maestros in the visual arts world, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maestro Giulini were a known sculptor and Maestro Previn was a painter, maybe a watercolorist. Giulini emphasized the out shape of the phrasing line to be solid and highly contrasted, with a profoundly blended sound. Previn searched for the flow of the music and phrasing with a well-explored, colorful tone. An exquisite English tea might be the right image.”
Looking back at his first and last season with SBCO Ohyama mentions that the group initially consisted of 15 mainly string players which after ten years grew to 22 strings, 12 winds and one timpanist. “We adopted an unusual way of developing personnel as the orchestra was interested in players who had a strong desire to learn about what a good music performance is all about. Despite my title as Music Director and Conductor I was also a group member, sharing the same goal as a beginning conductor. In other words, the performance level we produced at the final concert in 2017 was a wealth of musical experience we earned through this unique gathering of great players.”
Although dedicated supporters were not able to keep COSB fiscally afloat Ohyama recently returned to Santa Barbara to perform as violist on a chamber music program with Benjamin Beilman, Edward Arron and Lucille Chung (piano) in Dvorak’s so-called Dumky Trio and Faure’s Piano Quartet, Op. 15 (with Ohyama) – and more concerts are in the works. “Lobero Theatre Chamber Music Project was inaugurated in January 2020 with a festival format in mind. However, the unexpected Covid-19 interrupted the project activities and just last week we were able to come back in front of an audience. After reconsidering the situation we now wish to present a festival format concert in May 2023 and if possible do a few single concerts in the Fall 2023 and after the new year of 2024.”
Heiichiro Ohyama’s musical career once again includes an enduring connection to the Golden State and the cultural community of Santa Barbara. “The spirit of a quest for better music making was supported by the audience of COSB. This audience was the spiritual energy behind our growth. Thank you Santa Barbara from the bottom of our hearts!”