A festival of performances by the internationally renowned Australian Chamber Orchestra in the Japanese resort town of Niseko has provided the platform for the Japanese launch of Creative Australia, an Australian Government initiative promoting Australian creative industries in Asia.

The Niseko Winter Music Festival (15-17 January 2010) started as the brainchild of Artistic Director Richard Tognetti to showcase the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s unique performance style in Japan.

Richard Tognetti. Photo: Courtesy of Garry Heery

Richard Tognetti said: “Classical music is very popular in Japan. We wanted to build on the success of recent tours there to create an annual festival bringing together Australian and Japanese musicians and audiences. In Japan, they still don’t quite believe that great classical music can come from Australia. Like wine, they expect it to come from Europe.”

Recognised internationally as an innovative festival director, Tognetti is building creative connections with local musicians. The Australian Chamber Orchestra were joined at the Festival by the exhilarating Youtei Taiko Serve Association taiko drummers and one of the world’s greatest harp players, Naoko Yoshino. Highlights included Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4, music by tango master Astor Piazzolla and traditional Taiko drumming.

Koryu Taiko Drummers

Austrade’s Arts Industry Team Leader John Odgers congratulated the Australian Chamber Orchestra on their success and said that Creative Australia would provide a cross-regional marketing platform to promote music and other Australian creative industries in Japan and wider Asia.

“The ACO’s success in Japan is an excellent example of how Australian creative talent can win over audiences in the region. Japan is a sophisticated market. Consumers have money to spend on entertainment and will remain loyal followers when they see quality productions like the ACO. Niseko is also the perfect place to launch Creative Australia as nowhere else in Japan is the influence of Australian creativity and innovation more evident than in the Hokkaido ski resort."

Creative Australia was also promoted at the Korea International Arts Fair (18-22 September 2009) and in China at Shanghai International Creative Industries Week (15-21 October 2009).