AKIRA IFUKUBE IN CONCERT! Taking in an Orchestral Performance of the Maestro's Greatest Hits!

A display of personal pictures of the legendary composer Akira Ifukube. Photo by Brett Homenick.

Saturday, June 29, saw a performance of Godzilla and other Toho monster movie music composed by Akira Ifukube and Riichiro Manabe. The concert took place at Shibuya Cultural Center Owada's Sakura Hall, and it was attended by numerous genre luminaries. The guest of honor was Toho actress Kumi Mizuno, star of such films as Gorath (1962), Matango (1963), Frankenstein Conquers the World (1965), Monster Zero (1965), War of the Gargantuas (1966), and Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster (1966).

Guests of honor Teruyoshi Nakano and Kumi Mizuno pose for pictures. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

Also on hand as a special guest was longtime Toho SFX assistant director and director Teruyoshi Nakano, who helmed Toho special effects from Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster (1971) through Godzilla 1985 (1984). Right before the concert began, Nakano-san was interviewed onstage, and the recent passing of Tadao Takashima was noted. Nakano-san and the interviewer made sure to pay tribute to Mr. Takashima's memory.

Nakano-san officially kicked off the festivities by calling out "Action!" in Japanese from his seat in the audience. Once the orchestra got the OK from Godzilla's former director, the concert began with selections from none other than Godzilla vs. Megalon (1973). To be honest, I never thought the day would come when I would hear several cues from Megalon performed live by a full orchestra, but I couldn't be happier that I did.

Teruyoshi Nakano and Kumi Mizuno wave to the folks in the balcony. Photo by Brett Homenick. 

The orchestra went on to perform the Monster Zero march, several selections from both Frankenstein Conquers the World and War of the Gargantuas, as well as Godzilla vs. Destoroyah (1995). Prior to that, however, Ms. Mizuno was brought onstage to talk about her career with Godzilla and other monster movies. In fact, she sat onstage as the orchestra performed the Monster Zero march, so the audience could see her reaction to it.

The concert closed with a performance of "Godzilla and Jet Jaguar: Punch! Punch! Punch!" during which the audience was encouraged to sing along. Kumi Mizuno was sitting in the front row during the performance, and I couldn't quite make out from my vantage point whether she was singing along. I'd certainly like to think she was, or that she at least enjoyed it.

Kyoko Ifukube, after the concert. Photo by Brett Homenick.

In the audience, I spotted actor Shiro Sano (Godzilla 2000, GMK, Godzilla: Final Wars), composer Chumei Watanabe, as well as various members of the Ifukube family. I spoke briefly with Watanabe-san (who was seated very close to me), but after the concert, I spoke at length with Kyoko Ifukube, one of the composer's daughters.

Overall, it was a wonderful concert, and it was a joy to hear such an eclectic selection of music from the Godzilla series. I hope to attend the next one in Tokyo!