SF Symphony & btrax Team Up For Yoshiki Concert

btrax has partnered with the San Francisco Symphony to help spread the word and give you discounted access to a night that you won’t forget. Unlike my opening tagline, Yoshiki’s concert is going to be far from cliché. Known for being the drummer of one of Japan’s most popular rock groups, Yoshiki will be performing his album “Classical” for only one night in San Francisco.

The album includes original pieces by Yoshiki Hayashi, orchestral arrangements of songs made popular by X Japan, and even a piece composed and performed at the request of the Japanese government at a celebration in honor of the tenth anniversary of Emperor Akihito’s enthronement. Join us on Monday evening, April 28th to witness a stunning collaboration of new, old, east, west and the passion of a world-famous rockstar.

Get 25%Off Tickets Here (Promotion Code: YOSHIKIBTRAX)

If I told you the drummer for U2, Larry Mullen, Jr., was going to perform and conduct a piece he composed for piano and orchestra how would you feel? Excited? Yea. We are, too.

X Japan has published four albums and sold out the 55,000 Tokyo Dome seating at least ten times since they formed in 1982. Having wild success in Japan in the 80s and 90s, the band only recently ventured outside of the homeland in 2010 when they reunited for a tour in North America.

Since the break up in 1998, each member has continued their music career. Yoshiki continued to be active in music, independently collaborating with Roger Taylor, the drummer for Queen, in order to produce the single “Foreign Sand” and provided the Japanese contribution to the international Kiss tribute album’s arrangement of “Black Diamond.”

During the day I’m keeping our office in SF a clean, productive, and fun place to do our daily grind, and while I constantly must communicate across borders in both Japanese and English, my bachelor’s degree is actually from the Kent State University School of Music. Like Yoshiki, my passion for music comes from classical training, so I like to think I know a thing or two about orchestral compositions. 

Listening to Yoshiki Classical for the first time was moving. He immediately sets the stylistic tone for his pieces with over-the-top romantic musical expressions nostalgic of Tchaikovsky’s bold themes and Beethoven’s large, full orchestral instrumentation including brass and percussion sections. What was most interesting to me about his album is that unlike many composers in the 20th and 21st centuries, he stays true to the romantic period composition style in his original pieces in both form and execution.

You’ll even notice a familiar, classic theme from one of the most well-known piano pieces, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor “Quasi una fantasia,” Op. 27, No. 2 — or more commonly known as “Moonlight Sonata” — in Yoshiki’s “Red Christmas.” Dabbling in piano, this is actually one of my favorite pieces to play; Yoshiki’s inclusion of this unmistakable theme could be a tribute to his early love for music in learning piano. 

His arrangements of X Japan songs feature solo performers that make me want to beg him to write a full-blown concerto, and I can only imagine his unique fingerprint in composing “Anniversary” brought tears of joy to Emperor Akiko’s eyes. There isn’t a single employee that isn’t excited that we’ve partnered up with SF Symphony to promote this event and we all hope to see you there to witness a truly creative and international individual’s masterpiece. 

Get 25%Off Tickets Here (Promotion Code: YOSHIKIBTRAX)

Notes: 25% off 4/28 concert only. Offer is valid in all sections except Loge, Side Box and Center Terrace. Discount available on Adult tickets only. Discount cannot be combined with any other offers. Not valid on previously purchased tickets. Other restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.

Photos by: SF Symphony