From Percussion Rooms of the World Vol.22 | Saki Fukui, Sichuan Province, People's Republic of China

Nice to meet you all.
My name is Saki Fukui, and I currently live in Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China, and am a percussionist for the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra. It would be like a dream to have my story published in the newsletter of JPC, which I have supported for many years since my student days.
By the way, when I received my JPC VIP card the other day, I was really excited. At the same time, I wondered how many times I had to stop eating my credit card and keep eating bean sprouts just to pay for it...I'm not exactly an emo person, but I was looking back on my 10 years filled with laughter and tears. Out of those 10 years, the last two years were the most profound for me and the time that led me to come to China. I would like to briefly touch on this and tell you about the current state of percussion instruments in China!

●What led you to go to China in the first place?

During the last two years I mentioned earlier, I decided to go to China and get a job with an orchestra in this country. However, until then, from high school to university, my only major was marimba. I love listening to orchestras! cool! I want to try it! But I don't have the opportunity, career, or skills to do that, so I thought it would be okay if I could play the marimba a little bit and have fun with it... Then I got a call from a senior from my university saying, ``Are you free that day? It's a Chinese orchestra (a fateful encounter)'' and asked me to appear as an extra. From there, the story progressed, I went for an audition, and here we are now. My first impression of China at this time was, ``Oh, the toilets are cleaner than I expected...but I still miss the washlet...after all...JapanLOVE”.

●What is a Chinese orchestra like?

When it comes to what life is actually like, there are many things you don't know until the day of rehearsal. This means that we often don't even know the order of the songs, the time allotted to each song, or even what song will be rehearsed depending on the day. In other words, it is unclear what instruments will be needed and how many players will be needed. I usually have all the scores ready 5 minutes before the ensemble starts, so my day starts by sorting them out with all my might. I thought about the main reason for this situation, and I think it's because the group's schedule is uncertain. Even amidst the coronavirus pandemic, we are gradually returning to our daily lives.JapanIn China, where there are still many concerns about the impact of the coronavirus compared to Western countries, if the number of infected people increases even a little, everything will come to a halt. This is because our schedule management becomes more variable as a result. Honestly, I feel a sense of emptiness and frustration when I'm constantly being pushed around like this, but I'm trying with a positive mindset, believing that thanks to you, I'll be able to become stronger even at my first experience...

Concerts are held 1-2 times a month on weekends, and we rehearse 3-4 times in preparation for them. There was also a very active period with tour work and chamber music concerts. The performance time for regular concerts is about 90 to 120 minutes, and depending on the content, it can be over in about 60 minutes, but the last concert ended without playing the encore song that was played at the GP. However, I am getting used to it as it is quite common for the program to increase or decrease on the day of the concert. (Laughs) Also, it will be interesting to see the reactions of our customers. honestyJapanManners are much worse. For example, there is always applause between the movements of a symphony, and when things get really bad, some people take photos and videos. But when that happens, a red laser pointer will fly towards the target customer. It soon became quieter, and these days I rarely see such scenes. I was quite surprised when I first arrived, but I think the laser pointer is extremely effective. I think this scene is one of those that can only be seen in China.

●Is the hole strange?

The halls in Chengdu are relatively clean and have good sound, but once you go to the countryside, all the doors disappear. Although the exterior looks very impressive, the stage wings and dressing rooms are only separated by curtains.Why did they choose this structure? ? ? ? I often come across situations like this.

Anyway, it's cold in winter... This was the first time I performed while my hands were shaking, not from nervousness but from the cold, as the stage and outside were completely exposed.

●What is the type and condition of the instrument?

Most of the instruments we own are ADAMS. Recently, new instruments have started arriving, mainly keyboard instruments and big-name instruments, but all of them except the cymbals are ADAMS. Also, there were many halls with permanent instruments such as ADAMS and Pearl.
Personally, I don't like this instrument unless it's from this manufacturer! That's rare, so anything is fine here, but I think the gongs are the real deal! ! ! ! ! I thought this for the first time the other day. I'm not very good at writing, but I was very moved when I came across a gong with a deep, low-pitched bell-like sound. That was amazing...

Also, the familiar Chinese gongs are sold everywhere, and there are many different sizes of traditional Chinese drums called banko. There is also a Chinese cymbal called a nyohachi, but I feel that it is more often used in lively scenes with a slightly silly atmosphere, rather than to create a gorgeous and big sound effect like the so-called Artisan. I think it would be interesting to play something like Trio per Uno with authentic Chinese gongs and drums, giving it a Chinese feel, so I would like to try it someday.

●Is it difficult to purchase musical instruments, mallets, and sheet music?

I recently learned that large percussion instrument specialty stores like JPC are only found in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, which is even more difficult.
Of course, it is not impossible to order overseas, but depending on the material, it may be difficult to pass through customs, so there is a risk.

Also, in some cases sheet music may be confiscated, so if there are things that can only be obtained in paper format, such as Shostakovich's scores,JapanI try to buy it when I return to Japan. PDF sheet music is something I'm grateful for at times like this. I've never really felt the practicality of it, but now that I'm in this environment, I feel that way again.

●Finally

When I looked back at my writing, I realized that I was quite dissatisfied with the current situation, but I don't regret it because it's my true feelings and reality (lol).
But it's not all bad. The food is delicious, and many Chengdu people are talkative and kind, like Kansai people, so I am often able to help them.

JapanSince I came here, I've never had a bad experience because I'm a human being, and above all, being able to continue trial and error in music is only a plus for me. I'm also really grateful that we have a good practice environment. That's why it's often difficult, but right now I'm just trying to absorb as much as I can in the given environment and keep moving forward. I want to focus on this and enjoy my second year in Chengdu as much as possible. If you could at least send me the sheet music two days in advance, I'd be able to enjoy it 70% of the time... (lol) Thank you for staying with me until the end.

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Saki Fukui Profile

After graduating from Kyoto Horikawa Music High School, he entered the Virtuoso Department of Musashino Music University.
Received the 20th KOBE International Competition C category percussion instrument excellence award and the Kobe Citizens' Cultural Promotion Foundation Award. Received the Encouragement Award in the percussion section of the 19th Matsukata Hall Music Awards. 3rd place (no 1st place) in the marimba division of the 21st JIRA Music Competition.
To date, he has studied under Yoshihiro Ando, ​​Akemiko Ito, Setsuko Kutsuno, Hitoshi Takuma, and Sumire Yoshiwara. Currently working as a percussionist with the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.