Quantcast
Channel: Nobuyuki Tsujii International Fans
Viewing all 1157 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii & Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in U.S. 2016

June 19, 2016, 9:03 pm
$
0
0
Did you miss the live radio broadcasts of Nobu's two USA performances?  => Sound recordings

♪July 13 Talents on loan from God…
I was hoping to read just something like this from Minnesota, where Nobu performed at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival last month with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
Please click this link and scroll down to the post just below the  photo of loons (ducks) on one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes  => Talents on loan from God…
Minnesota Orchestra Usher of Mendota Heights: “I attended an outstanding opening concert on Saturday, June 25, at the Beethoven Festival in Winona. The performers were the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the soloist was a 27-year-old Japanese pianist, Nobuyuki Tsujii, who was born blind. He is slight in stature, his hands not very large, but is an absolute genius! He performed Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, and played with such clarity that it was amazing!

“Following the concert, I went with my cousin to Green Mill, and while we were sitting, in walked Nobu (which is the name he goes by) with the gentleman who travels with him. We went over to him to tell him how outstanding he was.

“Later in the evening, at the restaurant, I happened to be standing next to the gentleman who travels with Nobu — and as a piano teacher myself, I questioned him as to how Nobu learns and performs very difficult music. He told me that he has a teacher who performs eight measures at a time, records it with instructions, and that is how he learns all of his music — an amazing feat!

“The Minnesota Orchestra should try to engage him for a future season. He has performed all over the world, including Carnegie Hall. I’m sure anyone who attended this concert would agree with my assessment of it.”




♪July 8 A critic's review on the Central Park ConcertAlmost two weeks after Nobu's performance in New York's Central Park with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, a critic's review surfaced in The New Criterion, "a New York-based monthly literary magazine and journal of artistic and cultural criticism" (wikipedia). Coming from New York, this is a positive review for Nobu, although the learned reviewer could not refrain from making some jabs on Nobu, including that she thought Nobu played one encore too many!

See here => Nobuyuki Tsujii June 28 2016 Central Park Performance review

♪July 5  Nobu's Official Central Park Concert ReportNobu's website posted a report on the 6/28 Central Park Concert with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
No Nobu photo :-(, but take a look at the massive equipment entailed at the Naumburg Orchestral Concerts - Since 1905!
2016年6月28日（アメリカ）
アメリカ、ニューヨーク州ニューヨーク
セントラルパークのNaumburg Bandshellにて、オルフェウス室内管弦楽団とベートーヴェンのピアノ協奏曲第5番「皇帝」を演奏しました。
初の野外コンサートで、いつもと会場の音響が違いましたが、蛍が飛び、鳥の鳴き声が聞こえる中、大勢のお客様にも来て頂いて、気持ちよく演奏が出来ました。
演奏は、ニューヨークのラジオ局WQXRが収録してインターネット経由で全世界へ生中継されました。
June 28, 2016 (USA)
New York, New York State, America
At the Naumburg Bandshell in Central Park, I played Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 "emperor" with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
In my first open-air concert, the sound of the venue was different.
Fireflies flew, while cries of birds can be heard. We had a large audience, and I was able to play comfortably.
The concert was recorded and broadcast live to the whole world via the Internet by a New York radio station WQXR

♪July 1  Central Park concert can now be listened to whenever you wishA big thanks to Nobu fan Yuki, who noticed that the WQXR live broadcast of the June 28 Central Park concert of Nobu with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is now listenable on demand, perhaps indefinitely.
The entire concert can now be listened to whenever you wish, thanks to the generosity of WQXR!
Bookmark this link =>http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/listen-live-orpheus-and-nobuyuki-tsujii-central-park/ Click the small "listen" button just above the photo on that page to hear the concert


This pageis a collection of news, comments, photos and links to video clips of the two performances of Nobuyuki Tsujii on June 25 and June 28 2016.  Sorry about the clutter, but there was a lot of stuff that came up. Please scroll down to read.

June 28, 2016 7:30PM
Nobu performed Beethoven's "Emperor" piano concerto with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at the historic Naumburg Bandshell in New York's Central Park. 
http://naumburgconcerts.org/concert/orpheus-chamber-orchestra/
The concert was broadcast live on WQXR: http://ow.ly/teXD301FWnGThis was Nobu's first ever open-air concert performance.  The weather was 70+ degrees and there was some rain.  But Naumburg Orchestral Concerts wrote on Facebook: Rain won't stop us!
"Our 111th year of Free Concerts. No tickets issued. 1,000 seats provided on a first come first serve basis. "
----------------
"Thank you Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, ‪#‎NobuyukiTsujii‬ and WQXR - what a special night!"  - Naumburgconcert on Facebook, June 29, 2016

---------------
July 1
This Facebook posting somehow didn't show up on my searches until now.
"Beethoven Piano Concerto #5 Op. 73 ~ many guests from Japan attended tonight showing their pride and support for Nobuyuki Tsujii (affectionately known as Nobu). What a force of nature this humble young man is! Awe inspiring when you consider he was blind from birth; began playing the piano at two (albiet a toy one) to the tune of do-re-me as his mother hummed. Although Orpheus uses no conductor, Nobu usually listens to the breaths of the conductor for his cues. As if that isn't amazing enough, he is also a composer from the age of 12.
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra wowed us this evening with their collaborative leadership style which requires no conductor; instead the musicians interpret the score.
There is no place in the world like New York City for the arts! Summers in the city are a treasured gift!"
https://www.facebook.com/1766819956878007/videos/1922043688022299/ <= with a video clip

June 30
 I was happy to  find a couple of nice comments on the Facebook page of  WQXR (the New York classical music radio that gave us the live broadcast of the Central Park concert).
"Thank you for this great concert. Being there close and up front was a wonderful experience. I had no idea Tisjuii was blind.  Were his two unlisted pieces by Gershwin, and Chopin or Liszt, and what were they? "  [I replied to the question.]
"Nobu is out of this world."
And 
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra posted this reply to my comment on their facebook page:
"Thank you! We are sad the tour has ended but are greatly looking forward to the next time we get to perform with Nobu. It is always special."

June 30
A tantalizing tweet from oboist and Broadway conductor 伊熊啓輔 Ikuma Keisuke,who was on the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra both in Japan and U.S. and has shared on Twitter a series of zany selfies of him and his friend Kemp, with Nobu in the background.
オルフェウスと辻井伸行ツアーの余韻に浸る間もなく、連日某映画サントラのレコーディング。なんと同じビルの別スタジオで録音中の辻井伸行氏に「2日ぶりの」再会。自撮りにケンプがいないのがサビしい😢#オルフェウス室内管弦楽団#辻井伸行 pic.twitter.com/uOwmUsnBZN
Now immersed in the afterglow of the Orpheus and Nobuyuki Tsujii tour, and recording a certain film sound track every day.  In another studio in the same building Nobuyuki Tsujii recorded "Two Days After" reunion.  Too bad [my buddy] Kemp is not here to take the selfie.

 

June 30
A couple of good Instagram postings found by Nobu fan Yura:https://www.instagram.com/p/BHOTIQgja7X/?taken-by=harukovsky_jpn
沢 山のお客様に囲まれた辻井伸行くん。「全盲なんて嘘だろ？」の観客。ベートーベンのピアノコンチェルト皇帝も良かったけど、アンコールのジャズ、リストの ラカンパネラ❤️さらに素晴らしかった！ Nobuyuki Tsujii, surrounded by a lot of customers.  Some audience wondered, "He is completely blind?"  Beethoven's Piano Concerto 'Emperor' was good.  Encores of jazz [Gershwin's Prelude] and Liszt's La Campanella were even greater!
[The gentleman behind Nobu, in black shirt, is Mr. Nick Asano -- Nobu's manager.] 


https://www.instagram.com/p/BHOFNIyDYgC/ with video clip
was my first time to listen to his #jazzy #piano #music like this! OMG it was #amazing as always! #FreeConcert in #CentralPark in #NY #newyork #orchestra #OrpheusChamberOrchestra with #NobuyukiTsujii #辻井伸行 #日本人誇らしい[Nobuyuki Tsujii # proud Japanese] #StandingOvation
辻井さん素晴らしいですよね！[Mr. Tsujii was great!] 

June 30
The performance of Nobu & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in Central Park yesterday was a great success, but that was not their first performance in New York City. In 2014, they performed at the Carnegie Hall (I was there). About a week before that performance, Nobu gave a mini-recital at The Greene Space at WNYC/WQXR, a video of which can still be watched in its entirety (58 minutes), including an interview with English interpretation.
(The arrow in the photo below doesn't work.)


June 29
Nobu's official site posted a concert report with 2 excellent photos, one of which we had seen before!
2016年6月25日（アメリカ)
アメリカ、ミネソタ州ウィノナ
June 25, 2016 (USA)
Winona, Minnesota, America.
ミネソタ・ベートーヴェン・フェスティヴァルのオープニング・コンサートに招かれたオルフェウス室内管弦楽団と、ベートーヴェンのピアノ協奏曲第3番を演奏しました。
アンコールに演奏したのは、ベートーヴェンのピアノ・ソナタ第8番《悲愴》第2楽章と、ガーシュウィンのプレリュード第1番。
この日のコンサートはミネソタ・パブリック・ラジオでインターネット中継されました。
今年のオルフェウス室内管との日米ツアーで11回目のコンサート。大阪でのコンサートから１週間ぶりの再会を、皆で喜び合いました。
写真：Kirk Fratzke
I performed with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, which was invited to the Minnesota Beethoven Festival Opening Concert; we played the Piano Concerto No. 3 of Beethoven.
For encores, I played the second movement of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathetique" and Gershwin's prelude No. 1.
The concert was transmitted on the Internet by Minnesota Public Radio.
This was my 11th concert with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on this year's Japan and US tour, and our first concert since we parted ways in Osaka a week ago. We were each happy to see each other again.
Photo by Kirk Fratzke

 
June 29
The concert is over, but it seems the filming of Fuji TV is ongoing, according to this tweet from Naumburgconcert posted late today
"Filming for @fujitv with @orpheusnyc and #NobuyukiTsujii as part of the @Naumburgconcert summer series!"
Nobu is not in the photo shown with the tweet

June 29
One more tweet with a zany photo from Orpheus Chamber Orchestra oboist and Broadway conductor Ikuma Keisuke. Once again, Nobu is in the background ;-).
千秋楽。オルフェウス室内管弦楽団 辻井伸行 ベートーヴェンツアー 最終コンサート、ニューヨークセントラルパークで。相棒のケンプとの別れ😢 #オルフェウス室内管弦楽団 #辻井伸行
"Final day. Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Nobuyuki Tsujii Beethoven tour final concert, in New York Central Park. Parting with buddy Kemp ..."


Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii (Nobu's mom) updated her blog
http://ameblo.jp/tsujii-itsuko/entry-12175636698.html
--my rough English translation is shown below
Outdoor concert in Central Park
2016-06-29
Today was the first open-air concert of Nobuyuki
In Central Park in New York, a concert on a band shell outdoor stage .
This open-air stage is in the shape of a clam shell, hence its name.

In the concert Nobuyuki co-starred with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor" was played.
There was also heard chirping of birds, and a nice feeling of the blowing of the wind.
A wonderful concert that melted together with nature.
A recording of the concert is scheduled to be broadcast on [Fuji] TV.
However, it is too soon to announce the broadcast date.
After the concert was over, when we walked through Central Park
Wow, we were able to see a lot of fireflies.

Almost like we got a modest bonusfor the playing of Nobuyuki,
It was a very nice memorable night
[Editorial: Apparently Nobu and his group walked through Central Park after the performance, and that's when the photo below, of Nobu surrounded by a group of fans, was taken.]

A poetic tweet:
昨晩の辻井伸行さんとオルフェウスのコンサート行って良かった。最後の運命の演奏が終わった後、バンドシェルの真上を流れ星がひとすじ。 "It was good that I went to last night's concert of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. After the final work "Destiny" was played, a shooting star was seen right above the band shell."

http://www.imgrum.net/media/1283097909134646509_1706648714
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra & Nobuyuki Tsujii performing an all Beethoven program - 4 comments; 32 likes

June 28 9PM New York time
Standing ovations and enthusiastic applause in Central Park!  Nobu played 2 encores: Gershwin's prelude #1 and La Campanella.  

Below: Nobu looking spiffy in his piano keyboard shirt , with adoring New Yorkers at Central Park after this evening's Naumburg Orchestral Concerts - Since 1905 with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - photo posted to instagram
 Nobu -- no tux tonight -- on-stage with Orpheus. Photo found here
 ‏
Here is a similar photo, posted by Naumburg Concerts on Twitter

@WQXR tweeted
Standing ovation for pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, now performing his second encore. #WQXRsummer


Tweet by Naumburg Concerts:
Applause for #NobuyukiTsujii and @orpheusnyc ! [Note the overflowing crowd]

Tons of tweets --
Check out the great audience braving the inclement weather! A great night for Orpheus and Beethoven! #wqxrsummer

Overflow crowd for #orpheuschamberorchestra and #nobuyukitsujii. All-Beethoven. #naumburgconcerts #wqxrsummer

German Consulate NY Verified account ‏@GermanyNY 2h2 hours ago
Soon to start all # Beethoven programm with @orpheusnyc at #NaumburgBandshell @CentralParkNYC #wqxrsummer


Fuji TV filming the Naumburg concert. - tweet


Until we get to see that Fuji TV documentary, here is a short video clip, compliments of a posting on Instagram => https://www.instagram.com/p/BHOYFCygFoK/

https://twitter.com/MusicwMaestroW/status/747950736886083584 <= click to see video
A stunning encore from Nobuyuki Tsujii

Another video clip -- this one shows Nobu well => https://www.instagram.com/p/BHN0q-sgwze/
"Nobuyuki Tsujii, born blind, began playing piano (albeit a toy one) at the age of two! What a force of nature!! Guest pianist tonight. @centralparknyc#WQXRsummer"


https://twitter.com/MusicwMaestroW/status/747894704113614849<= video with good sound quality
"Here early for the @orpheusnyc concert. Listening to the soloist rehearse.@WQXR"

https://twitter.com/MusicwMaestroW/status/747915298586628097<= another video clip
"An hour and a half til we are graced with a full performance by @orpheusnyc at @Naumburgconcert"
Yvette S from New York left a comment on the WQXR broadcast page:
Beautiful concert, spectacular performance by Nobu and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Naumburg Concert, Central Park, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra all Beethoven program. Splendid piano: Nobiyuki Tsiji WQXR   -tweet

The great halls are incredible, but there is no hall greater than Mother Nature for Beethoven #WQXRSUMMER -tweet 

@WQXR @TheGreeneSpace Thank you for sharing #Pianist #Virtuoso #NobuyukiTsujii 🎹🎼♫♬performance.. #NY #WQXRsummer  -tweet

Overflow crowd for #orpheuschamberorchestra and #nobuyukitsujii. All-Beethoven. #naumburgconcerts#wqxrsummer-tweet

@AnnieWQXR opens tonight's Naumburg Bandshell concert ft @orpheusnyc! Huge crowd despite rain threats! #wqxrsummer -tweet



小池美奈 Mina Koike ‏tweeted
昨日のご縁で、今晩はCentral Parkにて辻井伸行さんのBeethoven皇帝コンチェルトwith Orpheus室内オーケストラを聴いてきました。野外ステージということで空の色の移り変わりと鳥の鳴き声つき。贅沢な時間でした。 Following yesterday [see photo below], tonight I listened to the Beethoven Emperor Concerto with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra of Nobuyuki Tsujii at Central Park. The color of the sky of the transition and the singing with the birds came with the outdoor stage.
It was the luxury of time. 

http://ameblo.jp/babysleepsite/entry-12175527666.html 
Blog post,  by children's sleep consultant 愛波文who was at the Japanese Consulate reception for Nobu, has photos and video of the Central Park concert.  The blogger was at the concert with her two young children, whose distraction made it difficult for her to stick with the concert, but she had a good time and got to talk to Nobu's mother some more.


The @orpheusnyc Beethoven concert made me fall in love with NY again. What an exhilarating performance! #WQXRsummer
 

https://www.zeroslant.com/m/J2Xipb6Wbqul [a collage of miscellaneious photos taken at the concert]
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
New York
June 28, 2016
Naumburg Orchestral Concerts presents Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Nobuyuki Tsujii. #wqxrsummer #orpheuschamberorchestra #classicalmusic #summer2016

---------------
June 28, 2016 before concert
A video clip showing Nobu & orpheus rehearsing =>https://twitter.com/MusicwMaestroW/status/747915298586628097
A big thanks to Naumburg Orchestral Concerts for posting this photo of Nobu rehearsing in the bandshell -- with a short video here=> https://www.facebook.com/naumburgconcerts/videos/1386601061366944/
No tuxedo for Tsujii-san tonight at Central Park​ -- very sensible and WAY COOL!
And we have only seen that outfit before at the "Pianist" concerts in Japan ^_^ ^_^


そして今晩は、ピアニストの辻井伸行さんが、セントラルパークの野外コンサートでBeethoven Piano Concerto No.3を演奏します♬ 辻井さんとはNYカーネギーホール公演の時にリンカンセンター付近でバッタリお会いしお話しました♪ とてもナイスなファミリーでした  And tonight, pianist Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujiiperforms Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 [no. 5] in the open-air concert in Central Park ♬  I ran into him near Lincoln Center at the time of his New York Carnegie Hall performance.  His is a very nice family!   -tweet

June 27
NaumburgConcertstweeted:
Honoring #NobuyukiTsujii at the Japanese Consulate who will be performing with @NaumburgConcert and @Orpheusnyc!
[Editorial: This brings back memories.  I was in that room in 2014, when the esteemed Consul hosted a reception for Nobu when he was there to perform with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at the Carnegie Hall. The Japanese Consulate is located not far from the Central Park, where Nobu will perform tomorrow evening.]

And a children's sleep consultant 愛波文。who was at the event shared this blog post:
2016年06月27日(月)
辻井伸行さんのピアノ教育
今日は辻井伸行さんのプライベートコンサートを日本大使の素敵な家で聴くことができました。辻井さんのピアノは鳥肌が立つほど心に響き感動しました。本人と直接お話しができる機会があり、色々と質問させて頂きました！
06 May 27, 2016 (Monday)
Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano education

Today we were able to listen to a private concert of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii in the lovely home of the Japanese ambassador [Editorial: actually, consul]. The sound of Mr. Tsujii's piano was thrilling and gave me goose bumps. There was a chance to speak to him directly, and I was allowed to ask many questions!
ピアノ以外に興味あることは？
水泳。食べたり飲むことが好きなため水泳で体調管理をいる。
What are you interested inother than the piano?
 Swimming. I use swimming as  a physical condition management because I like to drink and eat.
夢はなんですか？
夢はオリンピックで演奏すること
What is a dream of yours?
I dreamto play [at the ceremonies] for the [2020 Tokyo] Olympics
今まで一番感動した舞台は？
2011年のカーネギーホール 
What is the mostimpressed was the stage until now?
2011 Carnegie Hall
演奏する前に何を考えていますか？
お客様を楽しませること。自分も楽しむこと。
Whatdo you thinkbeforeyou play?
To entertain the customers. Also to enjoy myself.
なんでそんなに英語が上手なんですか？
学校で勉強しました。
Why is your English so good?
I studied at school.
お母様にも話しかけてしまい、子育てのアドバイスを頂きました！
子育てで気をつけたことは、何事も強制しないこと。ピアノを練習しなさいと言ったことがなく、とにかく褒め続けることが大事と言ってました。毎回すごいね！そんなのが弾けるの？と褒めていたみたいです！
I also talked to his mother, who gave me advice for parenting!  
In parenting one must be careful not to force anything.  Don't nag the child to practice the piano, but it is important to keep giving compliments.  It is amazing every time!  How was the playing?  They like to be praised.
心温まる夜でした❤︎
美味しいお食事も頂きました！！
It was a heartwarming evening.
We also enjoyed a delicious meal!! 
[Editorial: Sigh  -- I could have been there! ]

New-York based pianist 小池美奈 Mina Koike ‏@minakoike1216 tweeted:
ピアニストの辻井伸行さんがNYにいらっしゃるということでお会いするチャンスに恵まれました！小さな頃から注目を集め続けてき、そして今もなお挑戦・活躍し続けるお姿には同世代としてパワーをもらいます。
I was blessed with a chance to meet pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, who has come to NY!  He has continued attracting attention since he was small.  Those of us in the same generation are encouraged by his appearance to continue to accept challenges and remain active.
I asked the twitter and heard back: "We were at Mannes college in NY where I graduated. He was doing video shooting there!"

June 26
Did you miss yesterday's live broadcast?  You can still listen to it -- first half only; also available here
昨日のアメリカ生ライブはここで聴けます！有難い！😭✨辻井伸行×オルフェウス🌟ベートーヴェン《コリオラン》《ピアノ協奏曲第３番》アンコール《悲愴2楽章》ガーシュウィン《プレリュード1番》
Yesterday's American live broadcast can be listened here! Thankfully! 😭✨ Nobuyuki Tsujii × Orpheus 🌟 Beethoven "Coriolan""Piano Concerto No. 3"; encore "Pathetique 2 Movement" Gershwin "Prelude No. 1  -Yura tweet



♪June 27
I found this excellent photo in a posting on the "Rush Forum", by one who was at the opening concert at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival.
Saturday night, I had the pleasure of attending the opening concert of the 2016 Minnesota Beethoven Festival ... featuring Japanese phenom pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii
The much-praised Orpheus Chamber Orchestra earned many standing ovations for their concert, which was all about Ludwig van:
Beethoven: Coriolan Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 (featuring Japanese phenom pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii)
Encore by Mr. Tsujii: Beethoven: Sonata Pathetique, Mvt 2. and Gerswin's Prelude
Intermission
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has no traditional conductor. They employ a more democratic method of conducting their music. They don't miss a note or beat! They were spectacular!!
And finally witnessing the 5th Symphony in person was incredible! Let me tell ya..... Ludwig van Beethoven ROCKS!!

June 26
The Minnesota Beethoven Festival generously shared a Photo album on facebook, with many excellent photos of Nobu such as these =>
Photo album

June 25 Saturday 7:30 PM ((U.S.A. Central Time)  listenable online LIVE on Minnesota Public Radio.
Nobu & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival. 
♪ June 25 Brexit notwithstanding, the sky has not fallen.  There will always be BEETHOVEN.
We can all listen to these performances online -- LIVE and FREE!
Nobu's Beethoven Piano Concerto No.3 at the Minnesota Beethoven Festival, Saturday June 25th, 7:30 PM (USA Central time) on Minnesota Public Radio.
Nobu's Beethoven Piano Concerto No.5 "Emperor" at Naumburg Bandshell, Central Park, New York, June 28th, 7:30 PM (USA Eastern time) on New York's WQXR
---------------------

Nobuyuki Tsujii and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra first performed together in 2014, making highly successful tours in the U.S. as well as in Japan. In June 2016, they reunite to once again tour in the two countries.
Their just-concluded Japan tour ( June 7 - June 19) was a great success: 10 full-house performances, 8 cities, 4 programs, 50 encores.  Lots of photos and comments can be found on this page => Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Orpheus -- 2016 Japan tour
They reunite in the U.S. for two performances, on June 25 and 28.
This page is a collection of news, comments and photos on the two U.S. performances.

Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Orpheus at Suntory Hall, June 15 2016


June 25, 2016 7:30PM  The weather forecast calls for rain and 32°C (90°F!)
Minnesota Beethoven Festival opening concert with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
http://www.mnbeethovenfestival.org/orpheus-chamber-orchestra/ 
Minnesota"is a midwestern U.S. state bordering Canada and Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes. It’s famously home to more than 10,000 lakes,"

Image source: sheppardsoftware

Winnoa Middle School

8:40 PM Minnesota time: First half of concert just over -- full house audience gave Nobu and the orchestra standing ovations. Nobu played Beethoven's Pathetique mvt 2 and Gershwin's Prelude for encores. More later.
10:40 PM Minnesota Beethoven Festival tweeted:
Tonight's concert with pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra featured several encores - for those who were asking and couldn't quite place the melodies, Nobu played the second movement from Beethoven's Pathétique Sonata followed by Gershwin's Prelude No. 1, and Orpheus played an orchestral arrangement of the Scherzo from the Mendelssohn Octet.
A comment on the facebook page of the Minnesota Beethoven Festival:
Feeling blessed to be in attendance tonight. Absolutely amazing!
Minnesota Beethoven Festival replied:
We are so glad you enjoyed it - tonight was truly a special evening of music and a wonderful way to kick off our tenth season!
 Minnesota Beethoven Festivalon facebook: - it was an unforgettable concert!!
Comment on Festival FaceBook page:
"The first concert of the Minnesota Beethoven Festival season is finished-you've set the bar high Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Nobuyuki Tsujii!!! Thank you for a fantastic evening!"
Tweet during performance  by broadcast host Allison Young  @alisonyoungDJ
Braille music and a set of spectacular ears = stunning Beethoven from Nobuyuki Tsujii @orpheusnyc @ClassicalMPR NOW
Another tweet from host Allison Young:
A kind of innocence and completely in the moment. Nobu Tsujii/Beethoven @orpheusnyc @ClassicalMPR live



ネット中継のおかげで朝から辻井さんのピアノ聴けました。すごい幸せな休日 情報ありがとうございます。 I listened to the piano of Mr. Tsujii this morning, thanks to the Internet relay. Amazing happy holiday.   Thank you for information.  -tweet

Miyuki from Hiroshima listened to the broadcast and wrote: "I enjoyed it greatly. As the announcer of the broadcast said, it was a spectacular performance. The audience’s applause/cheering at the end of the concerto was so loud and then I was touched that they went into complete silence to listen to Nobu’s Pathetique so attentively. Just as all of you, I could tell the audience truly enjoyed the entire performance. How nice for Nobu to be loved by both the Orpheus members and the audience so much."

Another zany photo from oboist 伊熊啓輔 Keisuke Ikuma, who tweeted: "Minnesota Beethoven Festival curtain. Great performance by Nobu-san, who does not feel tired of the long journey. Tomorrow we travel to New York, 1,500 km away."

That's Nobu in the background. Yura made this close-up from that:




Yura in Japan, who listened to the broadcast, tweeted:
辻井伸行アメリカ生ライブ凄かった！大成功でしょ！大喝采でしょ！めちゃくちゃ音が綺麗でクリアーでパワフルで完璧！ベートーヴェン『ピアノ協奏曲第３ 番』いい演奏だった痺れた。アンコールの悲愴2楽章に泣けて来た。2曲めのガーシュウィンにはアメリカ聴衆のメッチャ喜んでる様子が伝わって来た  Nobuyuki Tsujii American performance live was amazing! A great success! Standing ovations!
Powerful and perfect in the beautiful and clear sound!
Excellent performance of Beethovens "Piano Concerto No. 3" was mesmerizing.
EncorePathetiquesecond movement brought tears.  A second encore Gershwin brought job to lots of American audience.

U.S. musician Linda wrote after listening to the broadcast:
it was totally awesome! ... I thought they had some really good things to say, and presented such a positive image of Nobu. ... What a marvelous show! ... The piano was great, and apparently they did sell out the hall. Awesome! It sounds like they all had a great time. It's so great that Nobu has such a wonderful relationship with the orchestra as well. I'm sure that helps to make him really comfortable. What a great guy! Everybody that works with him loves him.

Shinobu wrote from Japan:
Though I just listened to Nobu's Beethoven piano concerto No.3 at The Symphony Hall last Sunday, I was able to listen to it again this morning. It was like a dream. The sound of radio broadcasting was very clear and powerful. His performance became more refined and confident. It sounded for him to greatly enjoy the performance with the most well-matched partners Orpheus. His piano concerto No.3 was really appropriate for the opening day of Minnesota Beethoven Festival. I'm eager to listen it over and over again. His encores seemed to delight the audience, too. Not to speak of Pathetique mvt 2, Gershwin's Prelude No.1 by Nobu is prominent! I'm so glad he won a big round of applause and standing ovation from full house audience. Congratulations on a great success also in Minnesota.

Minnesota Public Radio posting
Join us for the live broadcast of the Minnesota Beethoven Festival opening concert
Classical Music Features
Jun 24, 2016
The 10th annual Minnesota Beethoven Festival begins Saturday, June 25, in the town of Winona, Minn., situated along the Mississippi River.

The festival opens with a concert by New York's Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. Join Classical MPR host Alison Young for the broadcast of this festival-opening concert, live from the Winona Middle School Auditorium, starting at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, June 25.

Concert Program
Beethoven: Coriolan Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5


Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii performs on May 31, 2014, in Tokyo. Koji Watanabe/Getty Images

♪ June 25  Minnesota time 4PM
Oh, I smell a Nobu TV-documentary coming!
The Minnesota Beethoven Festival just posted this photo -- it seems Nobu has been in Minnesota, and I see a TV camera man (far left) on the boat in the photo, then the Festival Director Ned Kirk (a pianist who performed the 'Emperor' concerto at the festival in 2014), Nobu and Mr. Asano in life vests. Minnesota is famous for its thousand lakes. I hope they catch the crooning of a loon (Minnesota state bird)serenading Nobu.

Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii took some time to relax out on the Mississippi River with Festival Director Ned Kirk before tonight’s concert. You can hear him perform Beethoven tonight with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - the concert starts at 7:30 and will be broadcast live on Classical MPR: http://www.classicalmpr.org/story/2016/06/24/listen-to-the-minnesota-beethoven-festival-opening-concert
I see in the photo a camera man in the bow of the motor boat -- me think there is another Nobu documentary coming to Japan!
The photo drew these comments:
Hope the boat ride went well and our featured pianist made it back in time. We are here and ever so excited for this concert to start!
Oh my gosh! I hope he enjoyed it! Hot and humid day for that!
Minnesota Beethoven Festival responded:
Minnesota Beethoven Festival He had a great time - it was a perfect "Minnesota" experience!
And I stand corrected on my statement "Minnesota is famous for its thousand lakes", per this comment posted on June 27:
"Glad he enjoyed the boat trip on the river. Minnesota is called the 'land of 10,000 Lakes' but it actually has 11,842 lakes!"
♪ June 25 
Mr. Kawakami updated his blog to mention the radio broadcasts of Nobu's U.S. performances
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=821
2016-06-25 Sat
たった今、アメリカから連絡が入りました。
辻井伸行✕オルフェウス室内管弦楽団の現地コンサートがインターネット生中継されるようです。
二回の公演はどちらも日本時間で朝のようですので、時間が合えば聴ける人もいるのではないかと思います。
Just now, I was contacted from the United States.
Nobuyuki Tsujii ✕ Orpheus Chamber Orchestra  concerts there seem to be being broadcast on the Internet live .
Since both performances happen in the mornings in Japan time,  I think some people may want to take a listen.
情報を以下に載せておきます。
それぞれのURLをクリックしてください。（ストリーミングするにはボタン（おそらく"LISTEN"とか"PLAY"とあるボタン）をクリックすれば聴けるのではないかと思います。）
Please click on the respective URL. (Click on the "LISTEN" button to start the streaming.)
ミネソタ・ベートーヴェン・フェスティバルでの演奏
曲目：ベートーヴェン：ピアノ協奏曲第3番
現地（米国中部）時間 6月25日19:30開演（日本時間＝6月26日09:30）
 Minnesota Beethoven Festival
Music: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Local (US Central) time on June 25, 19:30 curtain (Japan time = June 26, 09:30)
http://www.classicalmpr.org/blog/classical-notes/2016/06/21/on-the-air-this-week-70
ニューヨーク、セントラル・パーク（野外コンサート）での演奏
曲目：ベートーヴェン：ピアノ協奏曲第5番「皇帝」
現地（米国東部）時間 6月28日19:30開演（日本時間＝6月29日08:30）
New York Central Park (outdoor concerts
Music: Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"
Local (Eastern) time June 28, 19:30 curtain (Japan time = June 29, 08:30)
http://www.wqxr.org/#!/
（こちらは野外コンサートでPAを入れるそうです！）
(This is his first public appearance in an open-air concert!)

♪ June 25 
Some of us may remember tweets from oboist/conductor 伊熊啓輔 Keisuke Ikuma, who was on the Japan tour with Nobu & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. It seems he is in Minnesota today, and he tweeted:

オルフェウス室内管弦楽団と辻井伸行のツアー。今日はアメリカミネソタ州ウィノナのベートーヴェンフェスティバル。ニューヨークからミネアポリスまで2時間のフライト、2時間のドライブ、リハーサル、本番。#オルフェウス室内管弦楽団 #辻井伸行
"U.S. tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Nobuyuki Tsujii. Today at the Beethoven Festival in Winona, Minnesota, United States. Two hours flight from New York to Minneapolis then a two-hour drive, rehearsal, performance."
Ah, the glamorous life of musicians on tour!

Photo above:  oboist/conductor 伊熊啓輔 Keisuke Ikuma (leftmost) with Nobu backstage, Suntory Hall June 16
♪ June 24
Posting on Facebook page of Minnesota Beethaven Festival --
"The Festival piano embarking on its first of several trips around town over the next few weeks – today it is off to the Winona Middle School auditorium where pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii will play Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra tomorrow night."
 And,
"Website sales are closed for Orpheus Chamber Orchestra's concert tomorrow night - but procrastinators don't worry! There are a limited number of tickets still available that can be purchased at the door tomorrow (cash, check, or credit card)."

June 20
As of today, there are still tickets available for the Minnesota show -- it infuriates me that Nobu & the Orpheus just performed in 10 packed world-class venues in Japan, and here in this country we can't manage to fill the seats for them at a middle school auditorium.  It is a sad commentary on the state of classical music in this country.


June 28, 2016  7:30PM
Beethoven's "Emperor" piano concerto with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
at the Historic Naumburg Bandshell in New York's Central Park.
"Our 111th year of Free Concerts. No tickets issued. 1,000 seats provided on a first come first serve basis. [weather dependent] "
http://naumburgconcerts.org/concert/orpheus-chamber-orchestra/
WQXR radio will broadcast this concert live on 105.9 FM and via live stream at www.wqxr.org

Naumburg Bandshell in New York's Central Park
♪ June 24
I believe this is the first time that Nobu's name is mentioned by New York Times' classical music chief reviewer Anthony Tommasini:http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/24/arts/music/classical-music-listings-for-june-24-30.html

"Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at Naumburg Bandshell (June 28)... After the 'Coriolan' Overture, the pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii will be soloist in the exciting 'Emperor' Concerto. The program ends with Beethoven’s stormy Fifth Symphony. About 1,000 seats are provided, but many more people enjoy the music while sitting on nearby benches and patches of lawn."
♪ June 24
New York radio WQXR posting about next week's performance
Listen Live: Orpheus and Nobuyuki Tsujii in Central Park
On Tuesday at 7:30 pm, tune in to hear an all-Beethoven concert by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and pianist Nobuyki Tsujii broadcast live from Central Park's Naumburg Bandshell. WQXR's Annie Bergen hosts the concert, part of the 111th season of free performances at the bandshell.
The program opens with the Coriolan Overture, which is in the same key and invokes a similar expressiveness as Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, composed one year later. The Fifth Symphony closes the program. In between, you'll hear Tsujii, the joint winner of the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, as soloist in the Emperor Concerto. Tsujii has overcome his blindness to perform at the world's leading venues, including Carnegie Hall, the BBC Proms at Royal Albert Hall in London and Vienna's Musikverein.
Founded in 1972, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is known for performing without a conductor. Instead, it rotates musical leadership roles for each work and strives to perform diverse repertoire through collaboration and open dialogue. In addition to its annual series at Carnegie Hall, Orpheus tours nationally and internationally.
Listen to the interview with and performance by Tsujii from his 2014 appearance at The Greene Space: ..
♪June 23
Tweeted by Naumburg Concerts @Naumburgconcer‏t
Please join us in welcoming @TheCliburn winner Nobuyuki Tsujii next Tuesday at 7:30pm with @orpheusnyc on @WQXR.

This is Nobu's first ever open-air concert performance, in New York's Central Park on June 28th.
Let's hope it doesn't rain and, do bring insect repellents, Tsujii-san!
♪ June 19
Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii mentioned the U.S. performances in her blog post about Nobu's Suntory performance with the Orpheus.  The text is shown below.  Two photos (the group photos shown below) accompany the post.

http://ameblo.jp/tsujii-itsuko/entry-12171900867.html
2016-06-18
「辻井伸行＆オルフェウス室内管弦楽団”圧巻のベートーヴェン”」コンサート、
東京公演2日目の打ち上げに参加してきました！
"Nobuyuki Tsujii & Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Masterpieces of Beethoven " concert,
I was there for the second Tokyo performance!
この楽団は、 指揮者のいない独創的な演奏スタイルで演奏しています。
ソリストとしても活躍しているメンバー達の
強いエネルギーに満ち溢れた豊かな音楽が紡ぎ出されています。
The orchestra plays in an ingenious style without a conductor. The members are each active as soloists. They make rich music full of strong energy.
日本ツアーは残すところ大阪の１公演となりました！
The Japan tour will end with one performance [actually two performances] in Osaka
また、今月28日は、ニューヨークで
オルフェウス室内管弦楽団と伸行が共演します
場所はニューヨークのセントラルパークにある
バンドシェルの野外ステージで、19時半からです！
In addition, on the 28th of this month, in New York
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Nobuyuki will co-star
Location is in the Central Park of New York
In the open air stage of a band shell, at 7PM!
演奏曲目は、ベートーヴェン作曲の
ピアノコンチェルト第５番「皇帝」です
Repertoire is Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5 is the "emperor"
伸行にとって初めての野外ですし、
なんと、チケットも無料なので、
もしニューヨークに行かれる方はぜひいらしてくださいね
It is the first open-air performance for Nobuyuki [actually, he performed in a baseball stadium in Tokyo in 2014],
And, because the ticket is also free,
Please, by all means do come to New York!

Photo after a performance in Tokyo on June 16.  Nobu is surrounded by a bevy of beauties hamming it up -- but mother Itusko  (to Nobu's right) is there to keep it under control. :-)

Related pages:
Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Orpheus -- 2016 Japan & U.S. tour
Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Orpheus -- 2016 Japan tour news, comments and photos
Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3


 
↧
Search

Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, Winter 2017

July 3, 2016, 11:03 pm
$
0
0
In March 2016, Nobuyuki Tsujii toured with the Dresden Philharmonic in Germany: 5 concerts in as many days. It was a rousing success.  It looks like Nobu will be in Europe again in February 2017, with another orchestra and more performances. Please read on.

February 9-16, Nobu will be on tour as the soloist for Grieg's Piano Concerto with Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg and conductor Marco Letonja, on a program titled "Romantiques" (BERLIOZ Overture le Corsiare, GRIEG concerto, SCHUMANN Symphony No. 3).  Two of the performances will take place in Strasbourg, France; then Nobu will go on tour in Germany with the orchestra for 4 more performances of the program.
Additionally, there are two recitals in Germany, on February 22 and 26.

Six performances are listed in the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg 2016-17 season brochure(see images below)
February 9 20:00, February 10 20:00
Salle Erasme, Strasbourg, France (home of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg)

Salle Erasme, Strasbourg, France. Image source: Christoph Koenig

Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg 2016-17 season brochure

February 12 20:00
Graf-Zeppelin-Huas Friedrichshafen, Germany

Looks like a pretty fancy place!

February 14  19:30  Martinskirche, Basel
 
Martinskirche, Basel Image source: de.wikipedia.org

February 15 20:00 Tonhalle Düsseldorf
Tickets

Image source: http://www.musenkuss-duesseldorf.de/

February 16 20:00 Rosengarten, Mannheim
 
 Rosengarten, MannheimImage source: wikimedia

Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg 2016-17 season brochure

Additionally two other performances are listed on Germany's RTL ticket outlet.  The concert programs are not shown on that site.  However, upon investigation, these turn out to be recitals.

Wednesday February 22 19:30
Stadttheater Fürth (Bavaria, Germany. )
Bach-Mozart-Beethoven recital 
Concert Information

Stadttheater Fürth , exterior-- Image source wikipedia/

Image source: http://www.internationale-gluck-opern-festspiele.de/

Sunday February 26, 20:00
Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie (Berlin Phiharmonic Chamber Concert Hall)
Bach-Mozart-Beethoven recital
Concert Information


Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie - Image source: http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/

This will be Nobu's third performance in the Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie. For more about this recital, please visit => Nobuyuki Tsujii's daring 2017 recital: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven

PHOTO above: Nobu practiced for his recital in the Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie, on his Fall 2014 Europe Tour.


MORE TO COME, PLEASE CHECK BACK.
↧
↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii's daring 2017 recital: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven

July 4, 2016, 3:55 pm
$
0
0
Late last night, I poked around on the web and uncovered eight performances on Nobuyuki Tsujii's Winter 2017 Europe Tour.  Six of the 8 performances are listed in the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg 2016-17 season brochure.   During February 9-16, Nobu will be on tour as the soloist for Grieg's Piano Concerto with Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg and conductor Marco Letonja, on a program titled "Romantiques" (BERLIOZ Overture le Corsiare, GRIEG concerto, SCHUMANN Symphony No. 3). This is definitely something to look forward to.  But Nobu has performed Grieg before and so these performances are nothing out of the ordinary.

Of the other two performances, one is to take place on February 22 19:30 in Stadttheater Fürth (Bavaria, Germany), and I will soon be investigating what's on the program for that one.(As it turns out, this too is the recital -- same program - see  here.)

But the one slated for Sunday February 26, 20:00 in Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie (Berlin Phiharmonic Chamber Concert Hall) intrigued me. Given the venue, I suspected that the program would be a recital.

This will be Nobu's third performance in the Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie, where he gave recitals in 2013 and 2014.

PHOTO Nobu practiced in the Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie for his 2013 debut recital
Image source: The Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Site  

My curiosity got the better of me.  So, today I put on my Sherlock Holmes cap and did some more probing on the web and, voila, it seems our fearless young man, Nobuyuki Tsujii, is trying out a surprise of a program.

The program, revealed on this page => http://www.firstclassics-berlin.de/details/nobu-tsujii-klavier/show.html, is a doozy.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Italian Concerto BWV 971
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756 - 1791)
Piano Sonata in A major, K. 331 "Alla Turca"
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) .
Piano Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight"
Piano Sonata  No. 23 "Appassionata"
This program is far from the romantic music favored in Japan, and it is the first time (to my knowledge) that Nobu plays Bach in a public concert.

The Italian Concerto BWV 971is not performed often, although venerated pianist Andras Schiff seems to have the market cornered on it, judging from the videos posted to YouTube, such as this one of him performing in Japan some time in year 2011.
  

The other works on this program, by Mozart and Beethoven, are not new to Nobu, all of which he has performed in previous recitals.

By coincidence, it has come to my notice that Nobu has, uncharacteristically, not performed in a new recital program this year at all. In recent years, he typically goes on a premium recital tour in Japan during summer, and another recital tour there in fall-winter before giving recitals overseas. The premium recital program features more demanding works such as Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit and Liszt's Sonata No. 1 (which happen to be tracks on his upcoming CD), while the fall recitals feature more popular and accessible works (Chopin, Liszt, Debussy, etc.).

There will be no premium recitals this year, but I imagine this program for the Kammermusiksaal Philharmonie may well be what's on the offerings for Nobu's fall recital tour.  We shall see. In any case, this is quite a daring recital program, another high-wire act for Tsujii-san. These works require great techniques.  They are difficult for the pianist to interpret and to express, and it is a challenge for the playing to hold the interest of the audience.  This is a serious program for a mature pianist.  To borrow an expression from a Japanese writer who reviewed Nobu's Debussy album: this is a chest-thumping repertory.

Will our Nobu be up to it?  Only time will tell!  But I like this quote of Nobu that appears on the concert program page for the February 22 Stadttheater Fürth performance:
„Ich möchte das spielen, was ich selbst liebe“, sagt Nobu Tsujii. „Ich verbinde viel mit den Stücken. Und ich möchte dem Publikum zeigen, wie ich sie sehe.“
["I want to play what I myself love," says Nobu Tsujii. "I associate a lot with the works. And I want to show the audience how I see them. "]

More to come.  Stay tuned.
---------------------------- 
Stadttheater Fürth page
 

Nobu Tsujii, piano

When the name Nobu Tsujii is mentioned to the Japanese, they often stand on their heads. Almost like a pop star, the 26-year-year-old pianist, born blind, is celebrated in his homeland. Since he won the prestigious Van Cliburn Piano Competition in 2009, he has been inundated with interview and concert inquiries from around the world - making ​​it into the European and the American concert halls where Tsujii succeeded effortlessly. Two years later, he made ​​his debut at New York's Carnegie Hall -- opening all the doors for an international career. In his Munich debut it was clear that they no longer want to be without him again: Nobu's playing forces you to listen, sparks disbelief and leaves a moved audience. Every sound, every note is deeply touching. The keyboard being his favorite toy since early childhood, Nobu leanrs new works exclusively through his hearing. Perhaps it is this detachment from the fixed written notations that gives him a freedom that others do not possess.  His performance gives rise to the greatest hopes for the future.

"I want to play what I myself love," says Nobu Tsujii. "I associate a lot with the pieces.And I want to show the audience how I see it. "
The original German text is preserved below for preservation.

Nobu Tsujii, Klavier

Hören Japaner den Namen Nobu Tsujii, stehen sie oft Kopf. Fast wie ein Popstar wird der 26 Jahre alte, von Geburt an blinde Pianist in seiner Heimat gefeiert. Seit er 2009 den renommierten Van-Cliburn-Klavierwettbewerb gewann, häufen sich bei ihm Interview- und Konzertanfragen aus aller Welt – der Sprung in die europäischen und auch in die amerikanischen Konzertsäle gelang Tsujii mühelos. Zwei Jahre später folgte sein Debüt in der New Yorker Carnegie Hall – spätestens damit standen ihm alle Türen für eine Weltkarriere offen. Bei seinem Münchner Debüt stand fest, dass man auch hier nicht mehr auf ihn verzichten möchte: Nobus Spiel zwingt einen zum Hinhören, entfacht ungläubiges Staunen und hinterlässt eine bewegte Hörerschaft. Jeder Ton, jede Note ist zutiefst berührend. Die Tasten sind sein vertrautes Spielfeld seit frühester Kindheit, neue Werke erlernt Nobu ausschließlich über das Gehör. Vielleicht ist es diese Losgelöstheit vom schriftlich fixierten Notenbild, die ihm Freiheiten gibt, die andere nicht haben. Das, was man bisher von ihm hörte, gibt jedenfalls Anlass zu größten Hoffnungen für die Zukunft.
„Ich möchte das spielen, was ich selbst liebe“, sagt Nobu Tsujii. „Ich verbinde viel mit den Stücken. Und ich möchte dem Publikum zeigen, wie ich sie sehe.“
 -----------------

↧

Bach, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii???

July 5, 2016, 4:16 pm
$
0
0
Yesterday was a day of big fireworks in my country (U.S.A.), and in more ways than one for me.  Just before the sparkles and whistles showed up against our darkened sky, I discovered that Nobu will take on -- gulp -- the Italian concerto of Johann Sebastian Bach at two recitals in Germany next February.

Photo above: Program for Nobu's recital at Stadttheater Fürth (Bavaria, Germany) February 22

I hastily posted this surprising discovery to my International Nobuyuki Tsujii fan site and Nobu fans facebook page, and then scraped together a page "Nobuyuki Tsujii's daring 2017 recital: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven" about the recital, where I proclaimed:
... this is quite a daring recital program, another high-wire act for Tsujii-san. These works require great techniques.  They are difficult for the pianist to interpret and to express, and it is a challenge for the playing to hold the interest of the audience.  This is a serious program for a mature pianist.  To borrow an expression from a Japanese writer who reviewed Nobu's Debussy album: this is a chest-thumping repertory.
Will our Nobu be up to it?  Only time will tell! 

The reaction to this was swift from a couple of Nobu fans.
Jamie wrote: "Nobu will have no problems with it."
And Linda expounded:
"Bach, eh? I wondered when he was going to get around to it. What do you mean "is he up to it"? Why of course he's up to it! I wonder how he decided to play this? Nobu is up to anything! He says he wants to be the greatest pianist in the world, and he's well on his way! As far as I'm concerned, he already is! I hope he will be allowed to play what he likes, and what he wishes to play. I don't listen to a lot of Bach either, but Nobu will make me listen to anything! I wish I could hear him play the entire Moonlight [sonata by Beethoven]. I'm glad he's getting a little time off. He needs time to learn some of this new stuff!"

So, I feel compelled to explain my concerns. 

It takes guts to play a recital program of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.  If memory serves, there were snide comments at the 2009 Cliburn Competition about the absence of Bach/Mozart on Nobu's playlist.

PHOTO Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) - source wikimedia

Of course Nobu can handle Bach, technically.  But I worry about the reception that he will get.  My impression is that in Japan, any work older than Chopin's is at best tolerated and at worst avoided; Beethoven is as far as most audience there would put up with, it seems.  Overseas (and perhaps even in Japan), all Asian pianists are suspect when it comes to Mozart and Bach. Among critics and classical music purists, the prevailing wisdom seems to be that Asians just don't have the cultural depth and sentiments to interpret these vintage Western works properly.  To me, this is a kind of implicit racism, but who am I to say?

Nobu has performed Mozart before (2011-2012): in Japan, U.S., Turkey, and Europe (Austria and Germany), but received very little attention for his effort; one reviewer (in Monterey, California) wrote that "his Mozart playing was so loud and fast it sounded like a series of Czerny Etudes." I happen to have been at that recital with another Nobu fan, and we vehemently disagree with this opinion of the learned reviewer.

PHOTO above: Nobu's Mozart album, 2012

Objectively, I have to say that Nobu's style is not the best fit for Mozart and Bach, since he excels in sweeping passages of arpeggios. But Nobu is definitely capable of playing with great sonority, accuracy, clarity and patience -- although that's not necessarily something for which many of his fans (who are not classical music aficionados) go to his concerts, especially in Japan.

Taking on Bach is a big gamble for Nobu. Personally, I would be much happier if he had chosen to perform Chopin's nocturnes or preludes, but I guess Nobu must have made a decision to spend a couple of years on earlier music (Beethoven, Mozart and now Bach -- downright baroque).   Perhaps he does so to distinguish himself from the hordes of other young pianists who chronically perform Chopin and Liszt.  And this is probably a shrewd strategy for establishing himself in Europe, which, as I surmised in a previous post "Nobuyuki Tsujii, under New Management," appears to be where Nobu is being promoted in earnest.

The truth is, Nobu has reached a delicate juncture in his career.  He is no longer an upstart, and he has already performed most of the biggest hits in classical music repertoire.  I applaud him for seemingly taking the high road to play Bach at this point (while entertaining the fans and satisfying his record label Avex with crowd-pleasing concerts in Japan, such as the ones he's performing this summer.)  And of course I hope the gamble pays off.

Let's take it from Linda, who is a professional pianist in U.S.:
I think Nobu has the ability to sell anything that he desires to play to the public! His Mozart album is gorgeous! I think it's great that he doesn't want to be thought of as just a Chopin/ Liszt specialist. That's the other thing that makes Nobu so extraordinary! A lot of pianists have their little niche, and that is all they can do. Look at Nobu! He can play everything from baroque to jazz, and everything in between! There aren't a lot of pianist who can, or are willing to do that! I so love that Nobu is such a well rounded musician, and is willing to show us everything! And I love that he is not a musical snob! I guess I'm not very objective when it comes to Nobu! He can do no wrong!
 
In closing, let's hear it from Mr. Tsujii himself.   I like this quote of Nobu that appears on the concert program page for the February 22 Stadttheater Fürth recital:
„Ich möchte das spielen, was ich selbst liebe“, sagt Nobu Tsujii. „Ich verbinde viel mit den Stücken. Und ich möchte dem Publikum zeigen, wie ich sie sehe.“
["I want to play what I myself love," says Nobu Tsujii. "I associate a lot with the works. And I want to show the audience how I see them. "]
-------------- 

Related articles:
Nobu's Winter 2017 Europe Tour
Nobuyuki Tsujii's daring 2017 recital: Bach, Mozart, Beethoven

↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii June 28 2016 Central Park Performance review

July 8, 2016, 9:37 pm
$
0
0
Almost two weeks after Nobu's performance in New York's Central Park with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, a critic's review surfaced in The New Criterion, "a New York-based monthly literary magazine and journal of artistic and cultural criticism" (wikipedia). Coming from New York, this is a positive review for Nobu, although the learned reviewer could not refrain from making some jabs on Nobu, including that she thought Nobu played one encore too many!
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is New-York based, and the focus of the review seems to be on the local band.  We understand.

Please read the original article here => http://www.newcriterion.com/posts.cfm/Beethoven-in-the-wild-8180
Below is an excerpt of the part pertaining to Nobu's performance, preserved here for archival.

Beethoven in the wild

by Madeline Fortier
The New Criterion
Dispatch July 08, 2016 01:20 pm
...
The blind pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii joined for Beethoven’s sonorous “Emperor” concerto and established his technical prowess right away, arpeggiating and trilling at an adequately jaunty pace. As the theme passed to the strings, his performance grew livelier. But liveliness has its limits. As the first movement progressed, it became apparent that Tsujii was driving the orchestra, speeding through the movement’s most tender moments. Playing with this “democratic chamber group,” the soloist staged a coup. This movement would have benefitted from more feeling, dynamic contrast, and rubato from Tsujii (only during the second movement did he begin playing with emotion), but Tsujii’s forceful leadership was well received overall.

In a concerto, the conductor mediates between orchestra and soloist. If the soloist does anything unexpected, the conductor guides the orchestra, following the soloist. For the conductorless Orpheus, no intermediary was necessary. Tsujii essentially functioned as the absent conductor, and the group, already expertly attuned to visual clues from fellow musicians, followed Tsujii’s unconventional tempo choices with grace, despite Tsujii’s often-ambiguous cues.

The transition to movement three was seamless. Thanks to Tsujii’s leadership, the orchestra avoided the endemic awkwardness of the passage’s tempo fluctuations, and it perfectly matched Tsujii’s articulations. With resounding energy and synchronization, Orpheus championed the theme of the final movement. Beethoven’s “Emperor,” more than any other piece in the concert, highlighted the strengths of both the soloist and the chamber orchestra. At the grand conclusion of the concerto and before the applause, an audience member near me couldn’t help but murmur, “Wow.” I had to agree.

Tsujii proceeded to perform two solo encore pieces: Gershwin’s “Prelude No. 1” and the Liszt–Paganini “La Campanella.” Though the audience was enthusiastic enough for one encore, it certainly hadn’t called for a second. The ensuing mini-concert felt awkward and forced. Both the jazz and the étude showcased Tsujii’s incredible speed with virtuosic technique, but the initial Gershwin blues motif elicited giggles from the audience.
...

[Editorial: The giggling is a typical reaction to the "Gershwin" encore, even when Nobu played it in Japan, because it is such an unexpected piece after the "Emperor."  Nobu was eager to play this piece as a tribute to the host country (U.S.A.).  A similar reaction came up when he played a rendition of Foster's "Jeanie with Light Brown Hair" as his first encore in Carnegie Hall in 2011.   The 2nd encore was Liszt's La Campanella, and while this particular reviewer may not appreciate it, the audience seemingly did, judging from comments posted on the web.]
-----



.
↧
↧

Personal appearance, public Image, geniuses

July 13, 2016, 3:51 pm
$
0
0
Recently, I have been enjoying exchanging notes with a new-found fellow Nobuyuki Tsujii fan.
Linda, a trained pianist/soprano, American, is in a unique position to provide some insights about Nobu, for, like Nobu, she was born blind.

Linda's enthusiasm for Nobu is special.  Not only does  she love Nobu's classical music performances, but her admiration for Nobu extends to his own compositions as well as his jazzy music performances.  In her, I recognize another total Nobu fan who, like myself, "get" the brilliance of Nobu.

This week, our exchanges touched on a delicate topic: Nobu's public image.  This is a difficult topic for the blind and equally awkward for the sighted to bring up.  I was grateful for the insights that Linda shared with me, and thought others may enjoy reading about them.  Hence this post. 

Linda has a sighted friend who watched the video documentary Nobuyuki Tsujii on the River Seine 2013 and, to Linda's delight, described to her what she saw in details. However, Linda was troubled by her description of a specific scene.  "There was a place in the video where everyone was very well-dressed. She was concerned that Nobu was not dressed to the extent of those around him.  She said he was dressed in pink, and looked more like a kid. She just didn't think he looked professional when everyone else around him was well-dressed.'

PHOTO above: Still shot from documentary Nobuyuki Tsujii on the River Seine 2013

I can't recall exactly that particular scene (it is perhaps the one shown in the photo above), but it immediately brought to mind a scene in another, more recent, documentary, Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Vienna Golden Hall 2015, where Nobu is seen dressed in a eye-popping pink jacket over bright red pants when he visits a music school and then is escorted to a church where he is serenaded by a choir.

PHOTO above: Still photo from Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Vienna Golden Hall 2015

It is a curious thing.  The people around Nobu -- his mother Itsuko and his managers -- are always well dressed in public, as most people from Tokyo are.  But at times they seem to, somehow, neglect Nobu's personal appearance.

From "Notes from the Cliburn" published on May 31, 2009 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram(newspaper)
Tsujii's hair apparent
Some have commented on the appearance of blind Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, calling him "very shaggy." His manager, Fuyuki Kaburaki, said Tsujii has not had a hair cut in two months. The look was the pianist’s mother’s idea. -- Barry Shlachter

In 2011, Nobu was in this country (USA) not long after the earthquake/tsunami that devastated Japan, and I was shocked that he appeared in photos with his hair so overgrown that it almost draped over  his eyes.

Fast forward to Austria in 2015: Yes, someone around Nobu should have noticed that that pink jacket-red pants outfit does not belong in a church.

Added Linda:" I am not worried so much about what he does or how he dresses when he is just out with his younger friends. But I do worry about him being appropriate when he is in public and on the stage."  "It's kind of known in circles of the blind that blind people have something of a reputation of being shall we say unkempt.  All of my teachers, and my mom made sure that I was always dressed appropriately. My mom really cared about quality when it came to clothing and I think that has carried over with me. I don't wear fancy clothes all the time either, but I don't wear things that are not becoming or that just doesn't look good. I am very conscious of how I look and care about my appearance; having been around so many blind people in so many situations who don't dress and handle themselves well has made me very conscious of all of this. I don't care about the latest fashions. I'm a rather conservative dresser. I don't care about the latest fashion styles, but I do want to be dressed appropriately."

Her concern is palpable, and I completely understand.  In fact, over the years I have posted a few articles about my own concern for Nobu's public image.

Personal appearance -- and by extension public image -- is a manifestation of  our vision.  A person who cannot see, especially if they are born sightless, can be excused for not knowing what all the fuss is about.   For someone like Nobu, whose engrossment in music is almost total and whose life is so full, I imagine fashion and grooming are not exactly high on his priorities.  Plus, Nobu is still only in his 20s. I think about that whenever I see Nobu dressed in some outlandish outfits that some may consider inappropriate (although never offensive).  Yes, I cringe, but then I smile.  In all honesty, it does not bother me that much.  Partly, perhaps, it is because I myself place little value on exterior appearances.

Nobu can do no wrong as far as I am concerned, but I am aware that there are people who disapprove of Nobu's occasional sartorial transgressions.  Some summers ago, Nobu was filmed performing in Japan wearing suits of colors of pink and baby blue, an offense deemed so egregious to a French fan that I have not heard from him since.  In 2011, when Nobu made his debut recital in Carnegie Hall in 2011, I heard from a New Yorker who wrote: "How can they let him walk on the Carnegie stage with pants that drape above his ankles!" [She meant the pants were too short; I was there and have to agree.  To this day I don't understand why Nobu was not better groomed for that all-important debut.]

Image is everything, especially in this world of multi-media frenzy.  If web statistics are to be believed, my postings on Nobu reach far more people whenever a photo or video is attached.  More than ever, it seems, a picture is worth a thousand words.  And, let's face it, few people take time to look beyond the surface for inner quality.

Nobu, to me, is a naturally appealing figure.  No, he is not tall, dark and handsome, but he has a likeable appearance and, as often mentioned by Japanese bloggers, a radiance, sincerity and a friendliness that many find inviting.  On stage, Nobu earns the admiration of his fans not on glamour and showmanship (excessive gestures, provocative costumes, etc.) but through his engaging personality and his dedication to his music & his audience.

Part of Nobu's charm is his lack of pretensions.  I doubt if he pays much attention to his clothing and his haircut.  I am just speculating here, but I think if it were up to Nobu, he would probably prefer to wear sweat shirts and baggy pants at all time.  And I for one would have no problem with that.

To my eyes,  Nobu's personal appearance has vastly improved over the years that I have known him.  From the paunchy figure at the 2009 Cliburn Competition, Nobu has visibly become physically trimmer, thanks to an exercise regime that he sometimes mentions in interviews.  His on-stage clothing too has grown smarter, and his hair generally better groomed, especially when he performs in Tokyo.

PHOTO above: Nobu at the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

There are also people who are bothered by Nobu's mannerisms of the blind (sometimes called blindisms). He rocks his head and body, and he does not simulate eye contact when being spoken to by turning his head towards the speaker. According to Linda, these mannerisms could have been averted with training from an early age.

As a child, Nobu attended schools for the blind.  Japan is a sophisticated country, and so Nobu's mannerisms is perhaps not due to lack of training.  I recall what Miyuki -- a long time Nobu fan in Hiroshima -- told me a while back.  When Nobu's mother, Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, was asked why she did not do something about Nobu's swaying of his head, she reportedly responded that she did not want to perturb her son's ability to play in stride.

I am also reminded of something that I read about an indisputable musical genius, Fryderyk Chopin, as found on the Chopin Radio site. 
When Fryderyk Chopin was sixteen, he became a regular student of Jósef Elsner, a Polish composer of German extraction and head of the conservatoire in Warsaw, who was an accomplished and influential figure in Polish musical life. Elsner gave Chopin lessons in counterpoint and harmony and taught young Fryderyk to write out his compositions himself.
Elsner was canny enough to catch those glimpses and realize he was working with no ordinary student. When others criticized Chopin for breaking the rules, Elsner said, “Leave him alone, he follows an unusual path because his gifts are unusual. He does not follow any traditional method closely because he has a method of his own, and he will reveal in his works an originality that has never been met before in such a high degree.”

Perhaps, like Jósef Elsner, Mrs. Tsujii is wise in leaving alone her brilliant son whose gifts are also extraordinary, not burdening him with trifles such as personal appearance and mannerisms so that he may play the piano unconstrained.

In Nobu's world, personal appearance and mannerisms do not matter.  Personally, I have learned to accept Nobu as he is.  I just hope that he will stay healthy and happy, so that his talent may continue to flourish unfettered.

But the reality is that Nobu is in SHOW BUSINESS, and, like it or not, image is part of the package for a performing artist.  And, Nobu has the onus of being an ambassador for classical music, for the blind, and for his country Japan.  For these reasons, image does matter for Nobu.

Nobu cannot see for himself.  It is up to those around him to help him project a favorable public image.  Please do your best.  Thank you, thank you! どうもありがとう!

PHOTO Above: a healthy and radiant Nobuyuki Tsuii as he appeared in Munich's Gasteig in 2015.  I took the photo myself and this is exactly how Nobu looked  on that day. (Yes, he could have used a haircut.)

Related articles
Nobu needs a haircut (2011)
Why does Mr. Tsujii rock his head and body? (April 2015)
Image Making for Concert Pianists - a year-end musing (2014)
↧

"Talents on loan from God ..."

July 14, 2016, 1:31 am
$
0
0
Following is a posting on the bulletin board of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Minnesota, U.S.A., July 13, 2016.  It is the only posting that has come up about Nobu's June 25 performance with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra at the opening concert of the Minnesota Beethoven Festival.
Thankfully, it is a good one. 

PHOTO above by Kirk Fratzke : Nobu with the Orpheus at the Minnesota Beethaven Festival
Image source: The Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Site 

Talents on loan from God…

Minnesota Orchestra Usher of Mendota Heights:

 “I attended an outstanding opening concert on Saturday, June 25, at the Beethoven Festival in Winona. The performers were the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and the soloist was a 27-year-old Japanese pianist, Nobuyuki Tsujii, who was born blind. He is slight in stature, his hands not very large, but is an absolute genius! He performed Beethoven’s Third Piano Concerto, and played with such clarity that it was amazing!

“Following the concert, I went with my cousin to Green Mill, and while we were sitting, in walked Nobu (which is the name he goes by) with the gentleman who travels with him. We went over to him to tell him how outstanding he was.

“Later in the evening, at the restaurant, I happened to be standing next to the gentleman who travels with Nobu — and as a piano teacher myself, I questioned him as to how Nobu learns and performs very difficult music. He told me that he has a teacher who performs eight measures at a time, records it with instructions, and that is how he learns all of his music — an amazing feat!

“The Minnesota Orchestra should try to engage him for a future season. He has performed all over the world, including Carnegie Hall. I’m sure anyone who attended this concert would agree with my assessment of it.”

The original article can be read => here, where you will also find a couple of comments posted by me.
---------------------

RELATED ARTICLE:
Nobuyuki Tsujii & Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in U.S. 2016
↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii 2016 CD "LISZT Sonata & Gaspard"

July 22, 2016, 10:42 pm
$
0
0
My copy of Nobu's new CD just arrived from Amazon Japan, right on time and, as always, in a meticulous package, requiring a signature on delivery.
PHOTO above: Album cover  -- photo by Yuji Hori; artwork by Megumi Funayanagi

リスト: ピアノ・ソナタ/ラヴェル: 夜のガスパール
辻井伸行
Liszt: Piano Sonata / Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit
Nobuyuki Tsujii
2016/07/20 発売 Release
AVCL-25903
JAN/ISBN 4988064259038

The CD features just two works on one disc: Liszt's Sonata in B Minor (30:23 in duration) and Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit  (6:42., 6:10 and 9:57 in duration),  These works were performed in Japan and in Europe during 2014 and 2015:

But Nobu never performed them in U.S., and I never got a chance to hear him perform those works live.  So I have been eagerly looking forward to this CD.

I am aware that CDs are considered old-school these days, but personally I am happy that we can still get a good old-fashioned album that comes in a neat case, complete with liner notes (shown in photo below)


Below is the text of the promotional blurb for the CD, in Japanese, followed by my English translation:
辻井伸行のベルリン・セッション録音最新盤は、「プレミアム・リサイタル」シリーズでとりあげ、国内外で喝采を博した超本格派の2作品。ピアノ・ソナタ ロ短調は、"ピアノの神"リストの唯一のソナタで、技巧的にも音楽的にもきわめて複雑・高度にして深遠なもの。夜のガスパールは、ラヴェルが「歴史上最も 難しいピアノ曲を書こう」と意気込んで作曲したもの。いずれも、技術面のみならず音楽表現力においてピアニストの実力が最高度に求められる。辻井伸行が世 界で高く評価されるゆえんが、ここに明らかになります。
Nobuyuki Tsujii's Berlin session recording of recent works performed in his "premium Recital" series, two classical standards that have gained acclaims at home and abroad. Piano Sonata in B minor is the only sonata of Franz Liszt, the "God of the Piano," profoundly artful and musically highly complex. "Gaspard de la nuit" was composed by Maurice Ravel, who wrote excitedly, "I want to write the most difficult piano music in history." Both works require the pianist with the highest degree in musical expressive power, and not just technical proficiency. Here it becomes clear why Nobuyuki Tsujii is highly regarded in the world.

I will be the first to admit that I do not have the background of a musicologist or the vast knowledge of a learned critic to expertly evaluate Nobu's performance of these difficult works.  As an amateur mid-level pianist, I fully appreciate the challenge that these pieces pose to a pianist,  both in  technique and in interpretation. I don't like to bring up Nobu's blindness, but the fluidity that Nobu demonstrates in these recordings truly belies his serious handicap and defies belief.

As with other Nobu's premium CDs (such as the 2015 Chopin Piano Sonatas 2 & 3 and the 2014 LISZT CD, these tracks were recorded in Berlin's Teldex Studio, under the guidance of Mr. Friedemann Engelbrecht, who can be seen in this 2010 video filmed when Nobu recorded his "My Favorite Chopin" album  in the studio. 

Mr. Engelbrecht, a renowned record producer in classical music, is practically a mentor for Nobu.  As seen in the video, he goes over every line in a score with Nobu before each recording.  He is so strict with Nobu that Mr. Masahiro Kawakami, Nobu's long-time piano teacher, wrote with concern when the two crossed path at a recording session in Tokyo (see photo below).  At his Wigmore Hall debut recital in London, April 16 2016, Nobu said in an interview that he was at the best possible form because he had just finished a recording session with Mr. Engelbrecht.


As I have come to expect, the sound on this CD is crystal clear and top quality.  Every note can be heard with great clarity, and the volume level is perfectly modulated.  

I have always considered the Liszt Sonata a composition of excess that invites over-dramatic interpretation.  I can honestly say that Nobu's rendition is wonderfully lyrical, unencumbered with excesses.   But my words and my knowledge are no match for that of an Italian music writer, Mr. Gianguido Mussomeli, who was at Nobu's Stuttgart recital last year.  He wrote (translated from Italian)
Personally I waited with great curiosity the execution of the Sonata in B minor, a piece in which the complexity of Liszt's composition is a very challenging test when it relates to the stature of the interpreter..
Nobu Tsujii addresses the Sonata in a manner that is clearly inspired by the famous seminal record of Vladimir Horowitz, who the young virtuoso Japanese artist has indicated in several interviews as one of his main models.
But there is no question of an imitation: Tsujii's interpretation is such that, in addition to a virtuosic quality, also reveals a personality of a musician who clearly understands the domain of' formal architecture..
Nobu gives beautiful expressive nobility to the so-called issue of Margarethe and his rendition is extraordinary virtuosity, with octaves that flashed like lightning
Tsujii resolved the final passages beautifully with really textbook tone. The sound gradually died away in almost twilight hues, with the final low sound reduced almost to a whisper.  It was an absolutely sublime execution.
I believe that not many pianists today are able to perform the Sonata in B minor with such expressive power combined with a technical mastery quite extraordinary.

I read these words again as I listened to the recording, and now I know what he means.

The second half of the album features 3 tracks for Ravel's "Gaspard de la nuit."  This work is one that is notable more for its technical difficulties than for the music itself.  The three movements --  Ondine, Le gibet, Scarbo -- go by quickly.  Ondine, about a nymph emerging from water to seduce and then disappears into the water again,  is the piece that is the most pleasing to the ears, and its arpeggios-rich water play is right in the powerhouse of Nobu. The Le gibet -- portraying the lone corpseof a hanged man seen in the light of  the desert's setting sun is, to my ears, less heavy-handed than other interpretations that I have heard.  The diabolical Scarbo, about the mischief of  a night-time goblin, is also right up Nobu's alley, and in his hands it is quite pleasant to listen to.  The notes dance with a vivacity and unpretentiousness that is Nobu's hallmark. 

Because these works are not tuneful, the music never gets familiar.  With every listening, the notes cascade with a freshness anew.  And there are a lot of notes in both of these works!  One might even be tempted to say "too many notes" (as Solieri supposed said of Mozart's work, in the movie "Amadeus").  But in Nobu's hands, the notes are sparkling pearls that tumble out of a magical fountain.  A veritable feast for the ears!

The liner notes of the album is all in Japanese, except for the cover page and the last page, on which I was happy to see the following people acknowledged -- I recognize most of the names as people who have worked with Nobu for a long time and have lent their support to Nobu tirelessly over the years.  Here they are -- I give them a round of applause!
Recording producer & editing: Friedemann Engelbrecht (Teldex Studio Berlin)
Balance engineer: Julian Schwenkler (Teldex Studio Berlin),
Interpreter: Sachiko Koyama [I have met her at many concerts; a wonderful lady; she can be seen in the video above.]
Recording coordinator: Nick Asano (Avex Classics International) [Nobu's "good father" while on tour; he can be seen at the beginning of the video above]
Advisor: Masahiro Kawakami [Nobu's long-time piano teacher; a saint]
Photos: Yuji Hori [who has given us so many great Nobu photos]
Artwork: Megumi Funayanagi
Executive Producer: Hiroyuki Nakashima (Avex Classics International) [He is the President of Avex Classics International; a humble and hardworking man.]

PHOTO ABOVE: Last page of liner notes showing list of people mentioned above

This excellent CD is worth every dime of its price.  But these works -- "Gaspard de la nuit" in particular --  cry out to be seen performed live.   I hope I will get that chance one day.

PHOTO above: My copy of the CD

The album is available from numerous sources, including the following:
CD Japan (in English)
HMV Japan
Tower Records Japan
Amazon Japan
Download from MySound

A review  from Japan [I am not sure how professional the reviewer is]
加藤幸弘  classicalcd.la.coocan.jp
@YukihiroKato
http://classicalcd.la.coocan.jp/etcetera/201607.htm#201607231
辻井伸行のリストのピアノ・ソナタと，夜のガスパール
　辻井伸行は，２００７年のＣＤデビュー以来，エイベックス・クラシックスから録音をリリースし続けているのですが，新譜として，今度はリストのピアノ・ソナタと，ラヴェルの夜のガスパールをカップリングした１枚が発売になりました。
Nobuyuki TsujiiLISZT pianosonata,  Gaspard de la nuit 
Since his debut in 2007, Nobuyuki Tsujii has continued to release CDs under Avex Classics.  This new album that has just come on sale, contains Liszt's piano sonata coupled with Ravel's "Gaspard of the night".
　いずれもベルリンのテルデックス・スタジオでのレコーディングセッションですが，録音データを見ると，夜のガスパールの方は，昨年発売されたショパンのピアノ・ソナタ第３番と同時に録音されたようです。
While both works were recorded in Berlin's Tel index Studio, the data [in the CD liner notes] indicates that theGaspard de la nuit was  recorded at the same time as the Piano Sonata No. 3 of Chopin that was releasedlast year
　両曲ともテクニックと表現力が要求される作品ですが，果敢に攻めるタイプの作品は案外辻井伸行には合っているのではないかという気もするので，これは期待できそうな気がしますし，ＳＡＣＤではなく，常のＣＤなのが残念ですが，楽しみに聴かせてもらおうと思っています
Both works require great technique and expressive power.  It is surprising that Mr. Tsujii would push himself to play these challenging works.   I expect these tracks to be released on  SACD [Super Audio CD] and I look forward to listening them.   It does not do justice to listen to them on ordinary CD.
-----------
I hope we will see more reviews from Japan.  Please stay tuned.
↧
Search

Nobuyuki Tsujii in Turkey, December 2011

August 3, 2016, 10:31 pm
$
0
0

Nobuyuki Tsujii in Turkey, December 2011 辻井伸行さん トルコの コンサート

" The Sound of a Miracle echoes in Antalya, Turkey - Turkish March & Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii "


In December 2011, Nobu traveled to Turkey to perform at a music festival (see Nobuyuki Tsujii in Turkey, December 2011 辻井伸行さん トルコの コンサート‎ ). A TV special was aired on Feb. 12, 2012 in Japan about his journey. The show has footage of the performances (including his "Turkish March" and the scenery from that exotic country. It was aired on. 2/12（日）21:00-23:00 BSフジ。辻井伸行。昨年のトルコ・アンタルヤ音楽祭出演。「トルコ行進曲」にまつわるイスタンブール各所の美しい映像やファジル・サイの声などと共に http://www.bsfuji.tv/top/pub/tujii.html
The show can now be viewed on your computer, in these parts
Part 1 => http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4n4aha
Preview of scenes from the show; scenery of Turkey;  famed Turkish Pianist Fazil Say, director of the Antalya Piano Festival.
Nobu met  Say at the Japanese Embassy in Turkey and spoke to him in English. Say recalled  that Nobu and mother came to his performance in Tokyo 10 years ago, and Nobu played Chopin for him backstage.  "I was so amazed, so I knew immediately that he was going to be big.""I was very surprised (that)  Nobu did a competition, which he did not need.   (Perhaps) just for pleasure, or for courage (smile).  But he won." Nobu played "Tribute to Jenny" for Fazil, who looked visibally moved.  Fazil asked Nobu how he composes.  Nobu replied that he records the music on cassette. Fazil played part of a symphony that he composed.  Nobu asked Say to play "Turkish March".  Say declined. but suggested that Nobu plays it, which he did.
Part 2  => http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4n4d3a
Nobu performed for Japanese school children and answered questions.  He waved at the children as he left.
(A Nobu fan very kindly provided this translation of the scene of the school children.  Before performing for children,Nobu spoke his message for children. saying that "never give up,be positive all times especially when you are having tough time."
There were three questions.
1. Why do you like the piano?
Nobu..Because he can express many things with playing the piano.
2. Have you ever thought about giving up playing the piano?
Nobu..he has been asked that question many times before.. he's never thought about giving up playing.
He's never felt that he didn't want to practice the piano either.
Nobu loves to perform for people,he is always happy to play for making people happy.  
3. Why can you play so well, how come?
Of cause practicing is important,but Nobu also lenjoys  doing other stuff for refreshing. like swimming, skiing and climbing.
Therefore you should take time to enjoy yourself doing whatever you like other than just music, it will help your music better.
Part 3 => http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4n4ej5
Nobu visited a Turkish restaurant center in Istanbul and enjoyed music performed for the patrons, getting up to dance at one point. On the way out, he stopped by a musical instruments store and played drums with a group of musicians, drawing a crowd of onlookers. (This interview https://sites.google.com/site/nobufans/nobuyuki-interviews/istanbul-december-2011 may explain some of the scenes.)
Part 4 => http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4n4fjr
The Anatalya Festival. Nobu's entire performance of Mozart's Sonata No. 11, including the Turkish March (3rd mvt); Nobu receiving warm applause and standing ovation from the audience; Nobu performs his own composition "Still We Live" as encore; conclusion.

Related pages
Nobuyuki Tsujii in Turkey, December 2011 辻井伸行さん トルコの コンサート
Feb 2011 BS-Fuji TV Special
↧
↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii on "Kansai Net 10" show, August 12, 2016

August 12, 2016, 3:27 pm
$
0
0
On August 12, Nobu appeared on a local news show in the Kansai region.  The show was only view-able in that region, but thankfully Nobu fan of Osaka shared a series of clips from the show with us with her tweets.  Please read on.

♪ 8月12日 August 12
（金 読売テレビに　ピアニスト辻井伸行さん　辻井いつ子さん出演！
 Nobu to appear on TV August 12
8月12日（金）夕方から、読売テレビ「かんさい情報ネット ten.」内の
「ゲンテン」というコーナーに辻井伸行さんが登場します。
August 12 (Friday) evening, Yomiuri TV "Net 10."
Nobuyuki Tsujii will appear on the program "Origin" with mother Itsuko Tsujii,
http://wisdom-japan.co.jp/news/3511/
This appearance is now mentioned on both Nobu's official website and the blog of Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, his mother. According to Mrs. Tsujii, the show is about how a famous person turned a corner in their life to achieve success.

♪ August 12 "Origin"episode filmed in Steinway shop

松尾楽器商会（スタインウェイ正規特約店 Matsuo musical instrument company (Steinway regular distributor) tweeted
本日《かんさい情報ネットｔｅｎ.》の特別企画『ゲンテン』にピアニスト辻井伸行さんが登場。撮影会場に弊社西宮北口店をご利用頂きました。是非ご覧下さい。#ゲンテン#かんさい情報ネット
http.ytv.co.jp/ten/week/genten/160812.html
Today's "Kansai information net ten." pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii appeared in a special episode of the "Origin" Filming was made in our Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi store. Please have a look.
# Origin # Kansai information net


♪ Below is a series of tweets posted by Yura, with clips from the show -- we owe her a big, big thanks!
Tweet 0https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/764027111849865216
The start of the show; apparently the broadcast came on an hour earlier than expected but thank goodness Yura was there eagerly waiting
『かんさい情報ネットten.』 突然 放送が1時間早く始まる事になった💦 いい対談でした。30分ほどありました♫🌟辻井伸行×キャスター清水健
"Kansai information net ten." The broadcast suddenly began an hour earlier  💦 It was a good talk. ♫ It lasted about 30 minutes 🌟 Nobuyuki Tsujii × broadcaster Ken Shimizu

Tweet 1 https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/764072538997608448
カラオケは、氷川きよしとクレイジーケンバンド♫ 好きな女性のタイプは浅田真央ちゃん（ずっと変わらず♡）勝負師のところと、本番に強いところは僕にも似ている。 辻井伸行×キャスター清水健 対談
Karaoke, Hikawa and Crazy Ken Band ♫
Type of favorite women is Mao Asada (much unchanged ♡) competitive artist who, like me,  wants to produce strong performances.  Nobuyuki Tsujii talks with  broadcaster Ken Shimizu
Tweet 2 https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/764089565216841729
だからファンなん。音楽に対して誠実。演奏中腕を大きく上に挙げたり、身振りや表情で音楽を演出しない。大げさなパフォーマンスをしない理由。彼は見ていないから。影響を受けていないから。ものすごく音楽に集中しているから。辻井伸行マネージャー
Serious music fans have noticed that some pianist lift their arms high during a performance and make large gestures and facial expressions.  Why does [Nobu} not make such bombastic performance?  Because he cannot see and focuses on the challenge of music, says Nobu's manager [Mr. Nick Asano].
Tweet 3  https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/764115103247544320  
辻井伸行 音楽家は一生勉強と言われていますし、僕にもたぶん 一生ゴールは無いと思います。 キャスター清水健 『彼の感じる力が凄いんですよね』
Nobuyuki Tsujii the musician is said to be devoting his life to studying; I think that may be his life-time goal.  Broascaster Ken Shimizu says," The power of his sensitivity is amazing." [Rough translation]
Tweet 4  https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/764076771037712384
 『かんさい情報ネットten』辻井伸行と浅野マネージャーとの関係性
A video clip from the "Net ten" episode aired last night, showing the relationship between Nobu and his manager Mr. Nick Asano.
Tweet 5https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/764068622448807936  
『かんさい情報ネットten.』 対談 辻井伸行×キャスター清水 健🌟お父さんとは言い合いのケンカもしたそう
Nobu talks about his arguments with his father when he was younger

THANK YOU, YURA!!
-------------
♪ August 13 Transcript of what was said on the show?
This blog post filed under subject "Celebrities with disabilities" seems to be a transcript of an interview shown on the show. It is too lengthy for translation by me. Please use a browser with a language translator to read it.
http://nonbirilife.hatenablog.com/entry/2016/08/12/174707
辻井伸行さんインタビュー「僕には一生ゴールはないと思います」
関西ローカルのニュース番組「かんさい情報ネットten」では、金曜日に清水アナウンサーのインタビュー企画を放送しているんです。 ...
An Interview with Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii "I think that this is (not) a life-time goal."(?)
The interview is scheduled to appear on the Kansai local news shows "Kansai Information net ten" with announcer Shimizu
-------------
A blogger (an educator) wrote a piece after watching the show -- translation of his Japanese text is over my head, so please take it with a large grain of salt
http://www.leitmotiv.info/archives/49293993.html
辻井伸行さんのピアノ～パフォーマンス～
Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano of performance ~
[Something about the show disrupted his viewing of the ongoing Olympic broadcast]
パフォーマンスは見えません、
音しか聴こえません。
それが（僕の）音楽です。
結論としては、
辻井さんはそう明確に仰っています。
Performing without seeing,
He can only listen to the sound.
It is (his) music.
In the end, Mr. Tsujii said so to me clearly.
番組の中では、
指揮者との打ち合わせ光景があり、
演奏のタイミング（必要なこと）などは「（あなたの）息遣いで分かる」と。
In the program,
There is a scene of him meeting a conductor,
that touches on performance timing (necessary) and "seeing  (his) breath".
「盲目の天才的努力家」だから評価されているわけではありません。
しかし、
彼の思いとは裏腹に、
彼のピアノに対する絶賛の中には、
どうしてもそうした「音楽外の要素」が含まれることは否めません。
He does not want to be evaluated as the "blind genius hard worker."
Yet, contrary to his thinking, it cannot be denied that some of the critical acclaims for his piano
takes in to consideration "factors external to music.."
ボランティア（？）のかたの作成した「点字譜面」を読み取り、
作曲家の意図を解釈して、
「正確無比」の演奏をするんですよね・・・。
Reading scores created by volunteer (?) in "Braille music",
To interpret the intent of the composer,
He wants to play with "utmost accuracy" ...
[Editorial: Nobu does not learn from braille music scores, but from notes recorded on cassettes.]
でも実際、
彼自身の演奏時の「首振り」（失礼ながら日常生活そのまま）が、
内田光子さんの「顔芸」「オーバーアクション」（これも失礼ながら自然体そのまま：ラン・ランも同様）に、
まさに匹敵するのかも知れません。
But in fact, the "rocking of his body" during his performance (with all due respect to everyday life as it is) may just be comparable to the "exaggerated facial expression" of Mitsuko Uchida
辻井さんの、
「ラフマニノフ・ピアノ協奏曲 第2番 ハ短調」と、
「チャイコフスキー・ピアノ協奏曲 第1番 変ロ短調」とを、
今朝は、
もちろん音だけで聴き続けています。
リスト・パガニーニによる超絶技巧練習曲から「鐘」や
ショパンの同じく「革命」なども・・・。
This morning, I listened to Mr. Tsujii's
 "Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor",
And "Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor",
"la Campanella"
and Chopin's "Revolution."
コンチェルトとソロとで、
「音」はどう変わるのでしょうか。
そもそも「音はパフォーマンス」では無いの？
The sound differs in solo and concerto?   Is it foremost a "sound performance"
ＤＶＤやＢＲＤではなく、
ＣＤ・・・がよいのでしょうか。
[Translation eludes me]
音楽（ピアノ）の現在進行形は？
そして未来形は？
Music (piano) is evolving?
And future form?
（さて、「音」を聴き込んでいる間に、五輪「パフォーマンス」結果はどうなったかなあ・・・。）
Well, while I am caught up with the "sound", I wonder what happened to the performance results of the Olympics.
...
♪August 13/14 A blog post from one who saw half of the show
辻井伸行さんが　好きな女性のタイプは、浅田真央だって！
Nobuyuki Tsujii type of favorite women is still Mao Asada!
昨日だったか？
夜のニュースを見ていたら　読売テレビで
「＜ゲンテン＞辻井伸行×清水健・天才ピアニストの素顔とは？」を　途中から見て
その中のお話しだと、
Was it yesterday?
I watched the evening news on Yomiuri TV
I saw "<Origin> Nobuyuki Tsujii × Ken Shimizu -- the true face of a genius pianist?"
This is what I heard
Q　　恋人はいますか？
A　　まだいないです
Q　　どんな女性が好きですか？
A　　浅田真央さんです
　　　負けない強い心で立ち向かうところがいいですね
Q  Do you have a Q lover?
A   Not yet
Q  What types of women?
A   Some one like Ms. Mao Asada, who has the strength to confront a challenge and does not give up.
Q　　恋人ができたら何をしたいですか？
A　　曲を作ってあげたいです
Q  What do you want to do when you have a  lover?
A   I want to compose music for her.
この番組は、途中から見たのですが、お父さんは厳しかったと以前はなしていた。
ピアノばかり弾いていれば、ピアノばかりしているんじゃない、
もっと広く多くのものを学ばなくてはいけないと説教されてそれが悲しかったけれど、いまはその意味がよくわかり、感謝していると話していましたが。
I saw this program from the middle, and as before he talked about his strict father, who told him that he should not be spending all his time playing the piano but should try to expand his horizon and learn more things.  He didn't understand at first but now he is grateful to his father for the advice.
いつも一緒のマネージャーさんが、辻井伸行のことを語ります
・ほかのピアニストの弾く姿が見えないから、
余計なパフォーマンスをしないで
譜面に正確に、作曲家の心を大切に弾いているから　それが伝わるのだと思います。
His manager [Mr. Nick Asano], who always travels with him, says this of Nobuyuki Tsujii:  Because he cannot see, he cannot play with great theatrics like other pianists , instead he focuses his performance to accurately transmit the composer's intention.
コンサートにはいかないですが、テレビでイタリア、オーストリア、ロシア、アジア各国の演奏旅行の番組を見れば
観客はいつも涙を流している
感動するのです
辻井さんが弾いているピアノの音色か?その懸命な姿に
たしかに　感動するのです、いつも。
I cannot afford to attend his concerts overseas, but I am impressed that on TV programs of his concert tours in Italy, Austria, Russia, or Asian countries, the audience is always shedding tears.
And how about the piano tone of  Mr. Tsujii'splaying?  It is intense.
Certainly we are impressed, always.
♪August 15  What Mr. Asano said about Nobu's performances on the August 12 Yomiuri TV "Net 10 Origin"episodeThe Yomiuri TV "Net 10 Origin" episode aired on August 12 could only be seen in the Kansai region in Japan. Fortunately, Nobu fan Yura in Osaka generously shared many tweets with us, with short clips of the video, which you may view collectively on this page => Nobuyuki Tsujii on "Kansai Net 10" show, August 12, 2016
I am especially glad that Nobu's manager, Mr. Nick Asano, was interviewed on the show.  I just heard from a Nobu fan who wrote this after viewing the short clips posted by Yura.
Mr. A said that Nobu is faithful (誠実）to a musical piece. After  Nobu thinks about the piece very carefully, he shows the utmost respect to the musical score and plays it in the most beautiful sound.  Because he cannot see, he does not make bombastic performances by lifting  his arms high or making large gestures and facial expressions.   As Nobu does not make such a visual performance, we (audience) are drawn into the music itself. He has the power that makes us focus on listening to the music. 
A Nobu fan on facebook wrote:
This is (a) wonderful interview, I totally agree with Mr. Asano's opinion.
♪
↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii on radio, August 2016

August 16, 2016, 9:26 pm
$
0
0
Throughout August 2016, Nobuyuki Tsujii is the special guest on the Radio show「今日の風、なに色？」"What Color is the Wind Today"of Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, his mother.  The show can only be heard in certain regions in Japan, but below you can listen to segments of the broadcast during which Nobu spoke (in Japanese, of course), and a summary in English of what he said.

Nobu's appearance on the show is in celebration of the recent release of a "What Color is My Wind" book +CD combo package. The title "What Color is the wind today?" is supposedly a question asked by a very young Nobu to Mrs. Tsujii.




Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, Nobu's mom, posted on her blog about her show this Sunday August 7 at 7:15 on TBS Radio. She wrote that the show can be listened to online at http://radiko.jp/
パソコンやスマートフォンからでもラジオが「ラジコ」で聴けます。
こちら http://radiko.jp/をクリックして「TBSラジオ」を選択してください。


August 7 Sudio


"There was no direct conversation between Nobu and Itsuko. A few questions were made by a radio announcer; Nobu answered them, and Itsuko added some words. Nobu said he was so glad when his mother started her radio show. He said he was thankful that Itsuko brought him up with a lot of praisesv The theme music of the show, composed by Nobu, was made with images of a crisp morning and his mother's tenderness. Their talk can be enjoyed every Sunday this month (August)."
The theme music that Nobu composed for the show can be heard in the background at the end, after the "Ode of Joy" commercial.

In her August 8 blog post, Mrs. Tsujii wrote, partly
また、前回は、伸行が作曲してくれたこの番組のテーマ曲、
「今日の風、なに色？」の制作秘話も話してくれました。
さわやかな朝のイメージや、
昔から好きだった風を思い浮かべて作ったことなど、
家にいる時と変わらずのびのびと話していました
...
次回の放送でも、伸行に一問一答形式の質問をしていきます。
Also, last time, Nobuyuki talked about the untold story of how he composed the theme song "Today's wind, what color?"for this program,
The image of a refreshing morning of a long time.
He was talking freely, not same as when he is at home.
If my interpretation is correct, then Nobu may just be like many young people who open up more to strangers than to his parents ^_^ (Nobu was interviewed by a radio announcer on the show, not by Mrs. Tsujii herself.)

August 14 Audio

A summary of what is said, compliments of a Nobu fan in Japan: "Nobu talks about his father and Mr. and Mrs. Kawakami.  Nobu's voice sounds like he was having fun. The announcer says that Nobu is smiling all the time.
About Nobu's father: Nobu respects his father because he works hard as an Ob-Gyn doctor. He was strict when Nobu was a child.  Now Nobu understands that he was worried about Nobu. About the Cliburn Competition, he [the father] was not able to see on the Internet the moment that Nobu won the Gold medal because of [network access overload in Japan]. Nobu composed "Whisper of the river" after Nobu took a walk along the river with his father.
About Mr. and Mrs. Kawakami [Nobu's long time piano teacher and his wife are both pianists]: (Itsuko explains that Mr. K decided to make a tape recording of music score for Nobu because it takes three weeks to make a braille music score.) Nobu learned the joy of music from them. Nobu said he really appreciates their support."


TO BE CONTINUED

↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Yatsugatake Kogen Salon Concerts 2016

August 17, 2016, 11:07 am
$
0
0
On  August 19, 20 2016,  Nobuyuki Tsujii appears in two "salon concerts" in the mountains of Nagano, Japan.
This is the third time that Nobu has held these premiumYatsugatake Kogen Salon Concerts at the 八ヶ岳高原ロッジ,  Yatsugatke Resort, at which he will perform an assortment of  his own compositions and classical music.  As in past years, the two concerts were sold out soon after tickets came on sale.
At these relaxed small concerts, Nobu pretty much plays whatever he is in the mood to play, and sometimes he performs an impromptu to the delight of the audience.  One such impromptu (of his impression of the birds trilling in the forest where he took a walk) can be heard on this YouTube video Nobuyuki Tsujii 辻井伸行 -- forest of Nagano (長野の森林) -- 2011:

↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii -- "Dont' call him the Blind Pianist"

August 21, 2016, 10:12 pm
$
0
0
Recently, an article entitled Nobu, la historia del pianista ciego [Nobu, the story of the blind pianist] appeared in the Spanish publication El Correo. The writer CÉSAR COCA gets the facts right, including Nobu's age, the way Nobu learns music, Nobu's composing career and his discography. He also explains well the difference between jazz piano playing and classical piano playing. And it is especially heartening to me that, unlike many other Spanish language web postings about Nobu that I have come across, there is no mistaken mentioning that Nobu is autistic or an idiot savant. The article apparently won the approval of the Japan Embassy in Spain, which posted a tweet about it.


 Yet when I mentioned the article to American Nobu fan Linda, her reaction surprised me:
"I totally understand that being blind isn't going to go away for either of us [Nobu and Linda were both born blind], it's just that I wish we were thought of as people first. I just wish we were recognized as people who do what we do well and who just happen to be blind. I wish that the blindness issue were not so much in the forefront. You know, Itzhak Perlman had polio and uses crutches to get on stage. He is generally not referred to as the crippled violinist, or the violinist on crutches. Yes, there have been articles about how he contracted polio at an early age, but he is basically thought of as a virtuoso violinist. And I would wish the same thing for Nobu."

Linda, you see, took issue with the title of the article, which refers to Nobu as "the blind pianist". I too cringed at the title of that article, and years ago I would have reacted to it just as strongly as Linda. Let me explain.

In Japan, Nobu was commonly (and still is, occasionally) referred to as the 盲目天才 ピアニスト "blind genius pianist."  I believe the term is not considered derogatory but is instead meant as a compliment.  Yet I clearly remember that not long after Nobu's Cliburn Competition victory, his mother Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii was quoted as saying "Don’t call him the 'blind pianist'" in an article published in the Japan Echo Magazine (Vol. 36, No. 5, October 2009).  That magazine article can no longer be found on the web; but in it Mrs. Tsujii decries her son being labelled as a blind pianist, and expresses her wish that he becomes recognized as a virtuoso pianist on his own merits, minus the label. 

I myself  seldom bring up Nobu's blindness.  There is simply rarely any need for that. Nobu is a complete musician whose achievements fascinate me regardless of his blindness.  I too hope Nobu will be able to shed the "blind pianist" label one day. But I have come to accept that we may have to wait for a long time for that to happen, if ever.

The truth is, outside Japan, Nobu is still mostly an unknown quantity.  Consciously or not, Nobu's blindness is a factor in how most people evaluate his performance.  Back in 2010 when his piano music first caught my ears and gripped my heart, I was not even aware that Nobu was blind (see How I Caught "Nobu Fever").  Still, I cannot deny that his performance is especially thrilling to me because I know just how incredible it is for someone to play that astonishingly well without the benefit of being able to see.

Another fact: virtuoso pianists are a dime a dozen these days. The competition for performance opportunities is cut-throat --  there are female pianists who perform half-naked to draw attention, and male pianists who take to bombastic gestures and outlandish costumes to establish their "brand." It cannot be denied that Nobu's blindness is a factor that distinguishes him from the rest of the pack, for him to get invited to perform on stages all over the world. Sure, there will always be people who go to see Nobu perform out of curiosity.  Even from Japan, it is not unusual that I come across tweets that says "I want to see Mr. Tsujii perform at least once in my life time."  But  I do know there are people who, once they get over the curiosity factor, come to appreciate Nobu for his  musicality and virtuosity.  Italian commentator Gianguido Mussomeli is a case in point.  In his blog post about Nobu's 2012 Stuttgart recital debut, he wrote (translated from Italian):
I do not deny that I went to the concert on the basis of a curiosity [about blind keyboard virtuosos.] That said, let the record stand that on this evening Nobu Tsujii put on display a high level of musicality and technicality of a first-class virtuoso.  A complete pianist who is capable of handling any thorny passage with a truly impressive nonchalance. The sound is powerful and resonant, albeit with some occasional sharpness and bitterness in touch.  The control in dynamics is really exceptional. Among the things that most impressed me is the stunning quality of halftones and pianissimo. Few pianists today can get the soft sounds made ​​with a "big" sound; usually many of them merely generate a rustling when they want to play softly. The young Tsujii, with his extraordinary sensitivity of touch and pedaling, is able to attain softness in  pianissimo sounds that projects without difficulty across the hall. From the point of view of interpretation, taking into account that this is a young musician and therefore still susceptible to developments, his musicality and balance of phrasing are those of a high-class musician.
Amen!  Mr. Mussomeli would go on to write another glowing review of Nobu's return to Stuttgart in 2014.

All things considered, I no longer take offense to postings that refer to Nobu as the blind pianist, so long as the writer is respectful, factual and not condescending. In terms of writing quality, the El Correo article that prompted this posting is head and shoulder above most of the other ones in Spanish that I have seen.  I hope the article brings Nobu some recognition in Spain, where he has yet to perform publicly (although Nobu has visited the island of Majorca at least twice, as a tourist; and he is apparently fond of Spanish music.)
Nobu and mother Itsuko in Majorca, 2009,as shown in a TV documentary

It  took Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Andrea Boccelli a long time to become recognized worldwide without the label "blind."  I hope the same will happen to Nobu eventually. It is already happening in Japan, where these days he is only referred to as the blind pianist very infrequently.  Nobu himself does not seem to particularly mind.  For example, in recent interviews he has said that it is his dream to perform for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics or Paralympics.  Let's hope by the time the next Olympics comes around, Nobu will fulfill his wish by having a part in the opening or closing ceremonies, and he will be introduced as pianist-composer Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, period.



↧
↧

Nobuyuki Tsujii 2017 Bach/Mozart/Beethoven Japan Recital Tour

August 24, 2016, 11:10 am
$
0
0
In 2017 Nobuyuki Tsujii embarks on a new recital tour in Japan and Europe.  On the repertory are works by Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, first revealed in concert announcements from Europe , where he will perform the same recital during the month of  February.  This page collects information about the Japan tour, which apparently starts in early January of 2017.
An official announcement of the tour has yet to come, but we now have details for what may be the first stop, in Fukuoka.
 ♪ August 24 Tickets coming on sale for Nobu's 2017 Bach/Mozart/Beethoven recital tourThe first such announcement comes from Fukuoka:
辻井伸行（ｐ）
バッハ＆モーツァルト＆ベートーヴェン
バッハ（イタリア協奏曲へ長調ＢＷＶ９７１）／他
2017/1/9(月・祝) 14:00 開演
久留米シティプラザ　ザ・グランドホール (福岡県)
2016/9/24(土) 10:00より発売
Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano )
Bach & Mozart & Beethoven
Bach (major key to Italy Concerto BWV971) / other
2017/1/9 (Mon) 14:00 raising of the curtain
Kurume City Plaza The Grand Hall (Fukuoka Prefecture)
2016/9/24 (Sat) Release 10:00
Concert info
Tickets from PIA (online ticket outlet)

TO BE CONTINUED
↧

Nobu on 『さんまのまんま』 the "Manma" TV Show 9/3/2016

August 27, 2016, 11:06 am
$
0
0
♪ August 27 Nobu's TV appearance on 『さんまのまんま』 the "Manma's Mackerel Pike" show has been announced
http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2016/08/27/096/
http://www.asahi.com/and_w/interest/entertainment/CORI2077477.html 
さんま、女子アナとの飲み会を計画!?「彼女がほしい」辻井伸行のため
Manma Planning a Drinking party with his Girl Ana!? "She wants" Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii
ピアニストで作曲家の辻井伸行(27)が、9月3日に放送される関西テレビ・フジテレビ系トーク番組『さんまのまんま』(関西テレビ13:56～14:25/フジテレビ14:00～14:30)に初出演する。
Pianist-composer Nobuyuki Tsujii (27), will appear on Kansai Fuji Television talk show "Manma's Mackerel Pike" ,to be broadcast on September 3.(Kansai TV 13:56 to 14:25 / Fuji TV 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
This is his first appearance.


On the show, Nobu is wearing the same outfit as he appeared on the PIANIST tour last month -- I suspect the show was filmed after the last performance on the tour, in Osaka.
 
This is apparently a very popular program. judging from the great number of tweets and postings.  And a high-minded show this is apparently not.

Other news articles:
http://natalie.mu/owarai/news/199703

さんまの引き笑いの音階、ピアニスト辻井伸行が絶対音感で解明
来週9月3日（土）放送の「さんまのまんま」（関西テレビ・フジテレビ系）に、ピアニストの辻井伸行がゲスト出演する。盲目のピアニストとして知られ、世界的な評価を受ける辻井。どんな物音もドレミファソラシドで聞きわけられるという辻井に対して、明石家さんまは手元のグラスをたたき、その絶対音感を試す。さらに辻井は、さんまの「ヒャー」というおなじみの引き笑いの音階を解明する。
終盤の「まんまコーナー」では、辻井がさんまをイメージした曲を即興で作ることに。アップテンポのその曲が気に入ったさんまは、バラード曲もリクエストする。
Mamna Draws Laughter out of Music Scale
Clarification of the absolute pitch of pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii
Next week, September 3 (Saturday), "Manma's Pike,"broadcast (Kansai Fuji TV system),  pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii to make a guest appearance.
...
At the end of the show, Mr. Tsujii was invited to play on the piano in "Manma's Corner"; he played an improvised song of his impression of Manma.  Manma liked the up-tempo of the song, and  requested a ballad.

http://news.mynavi.jp/news/2016/08/27/096/
http://www.asahi.com/and_w/interest/entertainment/CORI2077477.html 
[Very rough translation -- the writing style is very colloquial and way above my head.]
さんま、女子アナとの飲み会を計画!?「彼女がほしい」辻井伸行のため
Manma Planning a Drinking party with his Girl Ana!? " Nobuyuki Tsujii the "Babe Magnet"
 ピアニストで作曲家の辻井伸行(27)が、9月3日に放送される関西テレビ・フジテレビ系トーク番組『さんまのまんま』(関西テレビ13:56～14:25/フジテレビ14:00～14:30)に初出演する。
[2016/08/27]
『さんまのまんま』に初出演する辻井伸行＝関西テレビ提供
Pianist-composer Nobuyuki Tsujii (27), will appear on Kansai Fuji Television talk show "Manma's Mackerel Pike" ,to be broadcast on September 3.(Kansai TV 13:56 to 14:25 / Fuji TV 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.)
This is his first appearance.
4年に1回アメリカで開催される国際ピアノコンクール「ヴァン・クライバーン国際ピアノコンクール」で20歳の時に日本人として初優勝し、盲目のピアニストとして注目を浴びた辻井。お土産は自身のCDと行きつけの店の「メニューには無いカツサンド」で、そのカツの大きさは、さんまが「"サンド"の部分はほとんど無いもんね」と驚くほど。
He was the first Japanese winner of "Van Cliburn International Piano Competition" held in the USA every four years.  At age 20, Tsujiidrewattention as ablindpianist.  His CDs flew off the shelves and the magnitude of the win surprised Manma.
辻井がピアノを本格的に始めたのは4歳だが、生後8カ月にはすでにCDの音楽に反応していたという。その時の曲が「英雄ポロネーズ」。「どういう曲や?」と歌わせようとするさんまに、辻井は「歌はちょっと…」と照れる。また、どんな物音もドレミファソラシドで聞きわけることができる絶対音感を持つ辻井に、さんまはグラスをたたき絶対音感を試す。そして、さんまの「ヒャーッ」というおなじみの引き笑いの音階も判明する。
Tsujii started taking serious piano lessons when he was 4-year-old, but at ageeight monthshe had already reacted to the music of a on a  CD, "Polonaise in A-flat major. "  Manma asked: "Can you sing it?"  Tsujii answered in embarrassment: "Just a little."  In addition, Manma tested Tsujii's absolute pitch to name the notes that he generated tapping on a glass.  Also, Manma made fun of the familiar music scale.
辻井の目下の悩みは「彼女がいないこと」で、理想は「優しくて素直で明るい浅田真央さんみたいな人」だとか。盲目の辻井は、幼い頃から母親が美術展や花火に連れて行き、どんな様子かを説明してくれたので「全部心の目で見えています」と話す。本気と踏んださんまは、女子アナとの飲み会をしようと考える。「モテるコツを教えてください」と辻井も乗り気で、さんまは「君、女の子に関するトークはあつかましいね?」と突っ込む。
There are worries that Tsujii  does not have a girl friend, who is ideally, to him, "someone who
gentle and honest and bright like Ms. Mao Asada."  Tsujii speaks about his blindness, how his mother from an early age took him to art exhibitions and fireworks, with explanation to him so that he can see with his "mind's eye."  Manma pressed on, asking Tsujii to consider trying to invite a girl out for a drink.  "Please tell me your favorite trick."  Tsujii was reluctant, and Manma blurted, "You think it's impudent to talk about girls?"".
「まんまコーナー」では、辻井がさんまをイメージした曲を即興で作ることに。アップテンポのその曲が気に入ったさんまは、バラード曲もリクエストする。
At the end of the show, Mr. Tsujii was invited to play on the piano in "Manma's Corner"; he played an improvised song of his impression of Manma.  Manma liked the up-tempo of the song, and  requested a ballad.

 



 
 
↧
Search

Happy 28th Birthday, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii!

August 31, 2016, 11:25 am
$
0
0
PHOTO above: Nobu (age 27) with violinist Miura Fumiaki (right)  and conductor Christopher Warren Green
source: Feb 28 2016 tweet by Fumiaki Miura

"Japanese birthdays are not as big a celebration as they are in the West. In fact, there was no custom of celebrating birthdays in Japan until around 1950! Before this, there was only one day on which to celebrate birthdays (everyone's birthday) and that day was New Year's Day. This was because ancient people thought everyone got older on New Year's Day, not the day they were born. Since then, however, Japan has been influenced by Western culture, so they started celebrating people's birthdays on the date of their actual birth."  - Birthdays In Japan

Nobuyuki Tsujii was born on September 13, 1988.  Although I never read about any big celebration for Nobu's birthday, I have noticed that there always seems to be a gap in his performance schedule around that day.  I can imagine his devoted mother, Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, fussing over him on the occasion, and perhaps his hard-working father, Mr. Takashi Tsujii (OB-GYN), would spend some time with his son to share some good eats at one of their favorite Tokyo eateries.  And there might be treats from Nobu's doting grandparents, relatives and friends ...

PHOTO above: Nobu with his parents, circa 2010 
(In the photo, they are comparing the sizes of their hands -- Nobu has said in an interveiw that he takes after his father physically except for his own much longer fingers.)

It was six years ago -- on his 22 birthday -- that I created my web site for Nobu's International Fans, soon after I was seriously smitten.  How time does fly!   

Once again, what a year this has been for Tsujii-san! I am always amazed when I look back at the long list of his past concerts. Tour after successful tour in Japan, starting with -- only days after his 27th birthday -- the"Mozart of Sorrow"Tour with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa and Conductor Michiyoshi Inoue; a tour with Valery Gergeiv & Munich Phil in Novemeber, the "Ultimate Concertos" Japan tour with violinist Miura Fumiaki and Yomuira Nippon Orchestra in February;  part 2 of his own All-Chopin Recital Japan Tour in March; the Orpheus -- 2016 Japan tour in June and, most recently, "The Pianist 2016" Tour. I am always moved by the devotion and loyalty of Nobu's fans in Japan, and as always, it is my fervent hope that Nobu's popularity in his own country will never wane. 

Photo above: Nobuyuki Tsujii & Vladimir Ashkenazy plays Rach 2 in Miyazaki on May 7 2016 Source: blog of Violinist 上村文乃 Fumino Uemura 

Overseas, Nobu traveled to my country (U.S.A.) in October and again this past June; to Stuttgart/Munich/Basel in November; to Germany on a 4-city tour with the Dresden Philharmonic in March; and U.K. and Russia this past April.  Every appearance was a rousing success -- I speak as an eyewitness at three of the performances, in San Francisco, Munich and London respectively.   I am grateful to Tsujii-san for giving me the incentives to travel; these performances were highlights of my trips!

Photo above: Nobu was an honored guest at a post-concert banquet in San Francisco hosted by the Japan Society of  San Francisco, September 2016.

Photo above: September 2016 in Boston, Nobu performed at a charity concert which benefiting the Booston Higashi School.

And it gladdens me that Nobu's exposure in Europe seems to be expanding, which I hope will even get better now that he is under the management of  the well-regarded firm Harrisonparrott.

Coming as it does in mid-September,  Nobu's birthday coincides with the beginning of a new season in classical music.  This coming year (Nobu's 28th), I look forward to seeing him at the Sydney Opera House this October, and again in Berlin next May. And, I  am excited about his forage into baroque music, performing Bach for the first time in February.   

At 28, Nobu has yet to, physically, reach a male's peak. The last time when I saw him in person -- at the Wigmore Hall debut recital in London, April 16 2016 -- Nobu still looked much like a high-school student, as vibrant as ever --  and healthy as a horse! 

PHOTO ABOVE: Nobu with me (eyes inadvertently closed) after his Wigmore Hall recital in April

Nobu's birthday was on the mind of his devoted mother Itsuko in this recent blog post of hers
http://ameblo.jp/tsujii-itsuko/entry-12192658828.html
八ヶ岳高原音楽堂でコンサート♪
Concert in Yatsugatake Concert Hall
2016-08-23 14:18:58
伸行のコンサートのため、
八ヶ岳高原に行ってきましたWハート
八ヶ岳高原音楽堂でコンサートをさせていただくのは、
これで３回目になります
For the concert of Nobuyuki, I went to Yatsugatake
This was his third time holding concerts at the Yatsugatake Plateau Concert Hall
大自然の緑に包まれたこのホールは、伸行と同じ年に誕生しました。
素晴らしい音響と、荘厳な建物が魅力の素敵なホールで、
わたしの大好きな場所の一つですハート
This hall is enveloped in a large nature of the green, and it was born in the same year as Nobuyuki.
And great acoustics, a majestic building with a nice hall of charm;
it is one of my favorite places.
都会の暑さをしばし忘れて、
鳥のさえずりに癒されました
The heat of the city was forgotten for a while,
We were healed in the twitter of birds

PHOTO above: The Yatsugatake Plateau Concert Hall

I like the idea of Nobu being born in the same year as a concert hall nestled in the mountains of Nagano.  Rugged, sturdy,  embraced by nature --  the Yatsugatke concert hall makes a good metaphor for  my beloved Nobu.  May Father Time treat them both with kindness, and may there be many, many more years of joy and successes ahead of them both!

Happy 28, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii!

     Image source: https://www.etsy.com/

    RELATED ARTICLES:
    Happy 27, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii!!
    Happy 26, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii!
    Happy 25, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii!
    Happy 24, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii! (A Year of Triumphs)
    Happy 23, Nobu! 辻井伸行君２３歳の誕生日おめでとう。
    ↧

    Nobuyuki Tsujii: Birthday and Charity Concerts

    September 12, 2016, 3:31 pm
    $
    0
    0
    Today, September 13, is the 28th Birthday of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii. As I write, the day is beginning in Japan, and soon there will be tweet after tweet mentioning his birthday. I have already written my annual piece of happy-birthday wish to my favorite pianist, so enough of that.

    But something else came to my attention yesterday. On September 11, Nobu quietly gave a charity concert in Tokyo, at his former university Ueno Gakuen, for the
    社会福祉法人あけの星会 Star Association of Social Welfare, according to a blogger who was there.
    And, the day before, a twitter mentioned a Benefit Concert for the AJU ( Association to Improve the Lives of People with SevereDisabilities in Aichi Prefecture), to take place on September 21.

    It made me wonder if it is a mere coincidence that these concerts (and perhaps others that I don't know about) are held around Nobu's birthday. Perhaps, just perhaps, these concerts are performed as Nobu's way of celebrating his own birthday?

    The truth is, Nobu has performed charity works regularly.  He is not in the habit of tooting his own horn, so I take the liberty of doing the tooting for him as a labor of love.  This is what I noted on Nobu's English wikipedia page:  
    Nobuyuki Tsujii was featured in an original short film "Lights of Japan" shown at the World Economics Summit in Davos, Switzerland, in January 2012. In the film, he performed [as a charity] on a grand piano restored from the ravage of the March 2011 tsunami that devastated Eastern Japan.  
    Additionally, he performed in numerous charity concerts on behalf of Japan's 2011 earthquake and tsunami victims, including a UNESCO concert held in Paris on March 11, 2012.  Part of the proceeds from his 2012 'Flowers Bloom' CD goes towards Japan's earthquake reconstruction effort.  In addition to his earthquake relief effort, Tsujii frequently performs benefit concerts, such as for children's hospitals, the Japanese Red Cross and the disabled.

    In the summer of 2012, Nobuyuki Tsujii contributed to a one-million rubles donation from the proceeds of an acclaimed concert, in which he performed on July 8 with conductor Valery Gergiev and the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra, to the victims of a flood in Kuban that occurred the night before.
     PHOTO above: conductor Valery Gergiev with Nobu in St. Petersburg, 2012.  Source: EuroArts Music
    On October 25, 2015, Nobuyuki Tsujii performed with the Longwood Symphony Orchestra in Boston, in partnership with the Japan Society of Boston and the Berklee College of Music, benefiting the Boston Higashi School and the Fukushima Youth Sinfonietta. On the next day, Tsujii paid a special visit to the Higashi School and "inspired children and staff alike."
    Photo above: September 2016 in Boston, Nobu performed at a charity concert benefiting the Booston Higashi School

    These charitable activities are completely in character.  As I come to know him more and more, I realize that Nobu is not in the business for self aggrandizement.  He is proud to have performed with world renowned musicians in top venues all over the world, but he is just as happy when he performs in small halls with local bands.  Nobu takes these parting words of Mr. Van Cliburn to heart: "Cliburn medalists like you, in addition to striving to deepen your own musical understanding, can make a strong impression on others to attract them to classical music."  Nobu is a tireless good-will ambassador for classical music, for Japan, and for charity causes.

    So, happy birthday to Mr. Tsujii.  The road is bright ahead of you, and the world needs you. Stay healthy, and carry on! 
    ↧
    ↧

    Nobu and mother on "Tetsuko's Room" 9/20/2016

    September 16, 2016, 9:31 am
    $
    0
    0
     📺TV出演情報   TV appearance information
    辻井伸行『#徹子の部屋』に出演  Nobuyuki Tsujii to appear on "Tetsuko's Room"
    9/20(火)昼12:00～テレビ朝日系列  9/20(Tuesday) noon 12:00  TV Asahi series
    http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/tetsuko/guest/0002/index.html

    天才ピアニストが結婚願望を告白
    先日２８歳になった辻井伸行さんと母親のいつ子さんが登場。奇跡の天才ピアニストとして世界的に活躍する辻井伸行さんは、生後間もない頃から音楽に触れさせてくれた母親に支えられ二人三脚で現在に至った。しかし数年前から母は子離れをして、息子も親離れをするようになり、コンサート活動で一緒にいることは少なくなった。最近伸行さんが想うことは「恋人が欲しい」ということで、好きなタイプを告白する。スタジオでは伸行さんが好きなショパンの曲、そして母親のために作った新曲を披露する。　　　　　
    Genius pianist confessed marriage desire
    Nobuyuki Tsujii and his mother Itsuko are our guests. Nobuyuki turned 28-year-old the other day.   The pianist became a world renowned  genius pianist of miracle on the support of his mother who
    developed his musical talent  since his birth. But with her own career and his desire to be independent, it is now rare for them to be together in concert activities. RecentlyNobuyuki thinks he has a "need for a lover" and proclaims his favorite type.  In the studio he performs music of his favorite Chopin and shows off a new song that he composed for the mother.　　
    ----
    ♪ September 20 Nobu and mother Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii to appear on popular TV show 徹子の部屋"Tesuko's Room"「徹子の部屋」に出演します。
    テレビ朝日系列：9月20日（火）昼12時～放送
    PHOTO above: Nobu appeared on the "Tesuko" room show last year.

    The host of the show, 黒柳徹子 Tetsuko Kuroyanagiis "an internationally famous Japanese actress, a talk show host, an author of a best-selling children's book, a World Wide Fund for Nature advisor, and a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF." She is one of the most popular and admired women in Japan. At age 83, she seems ageless, and has hosted the show for decades!
    The photo below is from an episode of the show aired in 2010.


    Nobu appeared on the "Tesuko's Room" TV show last year, on which he memorably played a tune with his back turned towards the piano, in imitation of Mozart.


    But his first appearance on the show was in 2010, which was filmed in the Tokyo home of Nobu's family, as seen on the video  辻井伸行 ON 徹子の部屋 on Tesuko no heya 2010, below:

    Some English explanation of the show can be found here: 辻井伸行 ON 徹子の部屋 on Tesuko's Room 2010 

    TO BE CONTINUED

    　
    ↧

    Nobuyuki Tsujii on "NHK Studio Park" TV show, September 28 2016

    September 20, 2016, 2:36 pm
    $
    0
    0
    Folks in Japan are seeing a lot of Nobu on TV this month (September 2016)!
    September 3 Nobu on 『さんまのまんま』 (Manma's show) (Fuji TV)
    September 20 Nobu and mother on "Tetsuko's Room"(on Asahi-TV)
    And, one more:
    "NHK Studio Park" TV show on September 28
    http://www.nhk.or.jp/sanadamaru/information/program/park0928.html (on NHK TV)
    2016年 9月28日 (水)
    スタジオパークからこんにちは
    ＜出演＞　辻井伸行 (真田丸紀行ピアノ担当)
    ＜放送予定＞
    2016年9月28日(水) [総合] 午後1時05分～
    September 28, 2016 (Wed)
    Hello from Studio Park
    <Appearance> Nobuyuki Tsujii (in charge of Sanadamaru Journey piano )
    <Broadcast schedule>
    September 28, 2016 (Wednesday) [General] 1:05 pm
    On this page: You can send in a question to the show for Nobu to answer => https://www6.nhk.or.jp/park/guest/guest.html?aid=20160928

    Image above: NHK Studio Park, Shibuya, Japan. Image source: Wikipedia

    MORE TO COME, PLEASE CHECK BACK
    ↧

    Mr. Kawakami on Nobu's Talent & Personality

    September 21, 2016, 4:08 pm
    $
    0
    0
    I came upon this blog post today, titled 五嶋龍氏の話と川上昌裕氏（辻井伸行氏の先生）の話 "The words of Mr. Ryu Goto and Mr. Masahiro Kawakami (teacher of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii)" => http://piano2010.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2016-09-21

    The interpretation of the blogger's Japanese writing is beyond my firm grasp, but the gist of it seems to be that the blogger takes issue with some remarks made by Mr. Ryu Goto (violinist who hosts a classical music TV show 題名のない音楽会"Untitled Concert" in Japan).
     Photo above: Ryu Goto with Nobu on 題名のない音楽会"Untitled Concert" February 2015.

    This blogger quotes Mr. Goto as saying that "he does not know the concept of something being too difficult",  which made him [the blogger]  think of Nobu, citing two posts from Mr. Masahio's blog
    http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=526
    http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=525

    The blogger wrote below these links:
    "Indeed, I noticed the rocking of his body during Tsujii's playing, and I was astonished that 'he never makes a mistake.'  Teachers usually poo-poo unnecessary movements, and I would have thought that he (Mr. K) would have been upset with the rocking."

    The blogger went on to mention that Mr. Goto did not go to music college and quoting him as saying that "conservatories are for fools," noting that Mr. Goto himself was a physics major at Harvard University.  It seems that Mr. Goto derided conservatories for teaching a narrow curriculum. 

    I am not clear on how these all relate, but it seems that the blogger (who went to a conservatory) rejects Mr. Goto's negative remarks and praises Mr. K's positive words.

    Out of curiosity, I looked up the two posts by Mr. K cited in the article, and they turned out to be highly interesting.  They were posted in the year 2010, before I was aware of Mr. Kawakami (or Nobu!).  In these posts, Mr. K talks about Nobu candidly from the point of view of Nobu's long-time piano teacher.  Mr. Kawakami writes at a level of Japanese beyond  me, so please take my interpretation below with a large grain of salt and as only a hint of what Mr. Kawakami wrote.

    http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=525
    This thing  called talent
    2010-06-20 Sun
    I don't think talent is only limited to those considered a genius, but is something that can be developed in all of us.  In the case of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, I did not consider him a genius when I first met him, because he was still a child and his personality was still in rough formation.  But it was clear that he possessed something unusual. So, to spot talent in someone, I look for something that distinguishes that person from others.

    Speaking of that, one thing that Nobuyuki is different from others is this matter of his rocking his body.  Some people consider that a poor reflection on his attitude in piano playing.  But a different perspective is that we adjust our thinking so that he can play to his full extent in a relaxed state.
    Moreover, it has always been said that his touch, such as keeping very close to the keyboard, is not the best, technically speaking.  But again, instead of looking for a weakness, let's consider this as his way of overcoming a challenge, playing in a unique way to bring out a unique tone.  Everyone is different, and it is important that we accept that some people develop in a different direction.  Instead of criticizing his way of playing, people eventually learn to appreciate the great tone that he generates.

    He has "optimism" and extreme "positive thinking." Even if he experiences a small failure in a concert, he does not fret about it.  Every performance is a success.  Some people consider that strange, and wonder if he is capable of objectively evaluating his own weaknesses.  But his talent is different from other people, and he is developing his personality in his own way.  His personality may not be readily noticeable, but his personality and talent are definitely there.

    People who are considered genius often seem to have something unusual about them.  For example, they may not adapt to school life, and might be seen by children as "funny."  It is important for those who guide them to allow the talent to develop unimpeded.

    http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=526
    "I can do it!" the edge of the talented
    2010-06-21 Mon
    Nobuyuki-kun has compellingly strong mental strength, and is always cheerful and positive.   When talking about him,  people often say they "never hear a negative remark coming out of his month."  It is natural for people to whine and gripe when dealing with realistic barriers such as blindness.  But Nobu's reaction is to calmly analyze the situation and although sometimes he comes to the conclusion that "I cannot go in that direction", he would often find a way to achieve what he wants.
    Nobu continues to succeed because he is willing to take one small step at a time, and rejoices at the progress, no matter how small.  He keeps moving forward in that way, and takes pleasure in doing so.

    Nobu-kun has a talent of pulling in all the better things around him. From the time when he was a child, even when the adults around him were downcast, he was always the one who smiled and said "It's okay."  He would always analyze things and look for a solution, and somehow things would move in the direction of his resolve.

    But in reality he is always facing challenge continuously. At the Van Cliburn Competition, when he was competing against everyone with a huge handicap, the challenge seemed insurmountable.  I  myself might have thought "This is impossible" and stopped trying.  But he believed in himself until the end.

    Such mental strength cannot be taught.   I feel I have learned from him as a human being, more than I was able to teach him on the piano.
    Photo above: Mr. Masahiro Kawakami and Nobu (age 7), 1995.

    ↧
    Viewing all 1157 articles
    Browse latest View live
    Search