Weekend/ARTS & MORE: La Folle Journee offers fun, affordable classical concerts

Even if you don't have big plans for Golden Week holidays, don't be disappointed. There are plenty of ways to entertain yourself around Tokyo. You can do the usual museum-hopping and bar-hopping or--for something a little different--you can try classical concert-hopping.

Classical music is accessible to music fans of all levels during La Folle Journee au Japon.

The nation's largest classical music festival takes place April 29-May 6 at various venues in Tokyo's Marunouchi district near JR Yurakucho and Tokyo stations.

La Folle Journee was first held in 1995 in the northwestern French town of Nantes, and its name literally translates as "the crazy day."

Its Tokyo-version, now in its fourth year, hosts more than 500 paid and free concerts and events, from 9 a.m. to nearly midnight during the eight-day period.

More than 1,700 artists, both amateur and professional, will gather in Tokyo from around the world.

Each year's festival has a theme. This year focuses on Franz Peter Schubert (1797-1828), his hometown Vienna and related composers.

The 220 main-event concerts, each running about 45 minutes, will be held at Tokyo International Forum May 2-6. The concerts' reasonable prices (1,500 yen-3,000 yen) will suit classical music beginners, while first-class performances will satisfy music connoisseurs. The festival is also family-friendly, with a number of kids workshops as well as concerts that admit infants.

In addition to Schubert's signature works such as "Ave Maria" and "Erlkonig," the programs also include Symphony No. 7 in B minor. Known as the "Unfinished," the 1822 symphony was never completed, and contains only two movements. Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire led by Peter Csaba, at 2:30 p.m. May 5 (1,500 yen and 2,000 yen) and more.

Swiss master conductor Michel Corboz will lead Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne, Sinfonia Varsovia and others that will perform music written for Roman Catholic Mass. Including Schubert's Mass No. 6 (7:15 p.m. May 3) and Mozart's Requiem (5 p.m. May 6). 2,000 yen and 3,000 yen.

For something different: the Caribbean band Renegades Steel Orchestra will present its arrangement of Schubert's work with steel drums. May 3 (10:15 a.m.) and May 5 (10 a.m.). 1,500 yen.

For more information, call 03-5221-9100 or visit < www.t-i-forum.co.jp/lfj_2008e >.

The French festival also makes its debut this year in Kanazawa, a city of historic and aesthetic interest in Ishikawa Prefecture. La Folle Journee de Kanazawa will be held April 29-May 5 at Ishikawa Ongakudo and Kanazawa Art Hall near JR Kanazawa Station and the surrounding areas, with about 80 concerts and events. The theme is "Beethoven and his friends," featuring programs that include the German maestro's Symphony No. 3, known as the "Eroica," Piano Concerto No. 5 or the "Emperor Concerto," as well as piano and violin sonatas. Call 076-232-8111 or visit < www.lfjk.jp > for more information.(IHT/Asahi: April 18,2008)