It's been a while since Nobu came to California on May 1 to perform in Sonoma's Green Music Center​ (see Nobuyuki Tsujii came to Sonoma.)

The day after the recital, Nobu was interviewed by American Japanese magazine QOLA (Quality of Life in Los Angeles).  I knew about the interview, which took place just before my happy lunch with Nobu in Sonoma. Somehow the article didn't show up on my Google searches.  But I found the article today on the magazine's site http://qola-la.com/

The original article was published in June.  It is in Japanese, and can be read here
http://qola-la.com/articles/470/
It is entitled "世界を股にかけて活躍するエンターテイナーたち〜音楽編〜｜ピアニスト・作曲家　辻井伸行氏 (Globally Active Entertainer | Music | Pianist-Composer Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii )"


It doesn't have any fresh photos, but there are some interesting tidbits in the text, shown below.
...
昨夜はソノマで初めてのリサイタルでしたが、地元の人たちで盛り上がっている会場の雰囲気の中、ピアノを弾いていて、とても幸せでした。拍手だけではな く、足踏みするお客さんもいて、エキサイティングな様子が瞬時に伝わってきました。アメリカ人のそういった素直な表現が僕は好きですね。Last night was my first recital in Sonoma; there were a lot of local people in the venue who seemed to be very happy to listen to my piano playing. Not only did they applaud, but they stood up for me as soon as I finished playing. I like the directness of the American audience. [I was there! please see Nobuyuki Tsujii came to Sonoma.]

アンコール曲の《ジェニーへのオマージュ》は、2011年にカーネギーホールでデビューリサイタルを行った際に、アンコールとして初めて披露した曲です。 アメリカ人なら誰もが知っているフォスターの《金髪のジェニー》をモチーフにして僕が作曲しました。なぜかアンコールでこの曲を演奏し始めると笑いが起こ るんです。クラシックのコンサートでショパン、リスト、ベートーヴェンときて、アンコールは何かと思えば…日本で言う《赤トンボ》を弾き始めた、といった ところでしょうか。いつもアンコール曲は、お客さんのノリを見て即興的に決めます。特にアメリカは、リストの《ラ・カンパネラ》のような華やか系の曲が盛 り上がって喜ばれますね。 I played "Homage to Jenny" for encore last night.  I played it for the first time in 2011 as encore at my Carnegie debut.  It is based on the motif of the song "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair" by Foster, as a tribute to the American audience.  Whenever I start playing it [in U.S.], the audience somehow always laugh, perhaps because at a classical music concert they expect to hear instead Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven for encores.  It is like playing "Red Dragonfly" [a Japanese folk song?] in Japan.  In the U.S. in particular, the audience seem to especially appreciate glamorous works such as "La Campanella."

海外での演奏会の楽しみは、地元の食べ物と飲み物なんです。10代でデビューしているせいか、未だに意外に思われることが多いのですが、実はお酒を嗜みます（笑）。ソノマでも到着翌日に、有名ワイナリーに招いてもらいました。特に、リサイタルの後は興奮しているので、お酒と食事は心身を落ち着かせる効果があるようです。Concert overseas are fun, I enjoy the local food and drinks. Perhaps because I made my debut as a teenager, some people seem to find it surprising that I can handle a drink (he laughs). The day after  arriving in Sonoma, we were invited to a famous winery. [Aside: I have seen a nice photo of Nobu relaxing in a lush vineyard, with a glass of wine in front of him.] In particular, food and drink seem to have the effect of calming the mind and body after the excitement of a performance.

食べることも大好き。各地で空港からホテルへ向かう時に、タクシーの運転手さんに地元の名物料理や旬の料理、おすすめのレストランなどをよく尋ねます。 2012年のデュッセルドルフでのリサイタルでは、アンコールに1時間も応えたので、終演後に着替えて街に出たらレストランはすべて閉店。名物のライン風 ザウアーブラーテンを食べられずに悔しい思いをしました。昨年ようやくリベンジを果たしたんですが、やっぱり美味しかったですね（笑）。イタリアのトス カーナで食べたニョッキやスペインのマジョルカ島で食べたイカスミのパエリアとかの味も忘れられないですね。　I do love to eat. When going from an airport to the hotel, we like to ask the cab driver about local specialties and seasonal cuisine, and recommendations for good restaurants. I was in Dusseldorf in 2012 for a recital, and, after the performance, we found all the restaurants were closed in town. It was frustrating not to get to taste the local specialty Sauerbraten. Last year we finally made it, and I still remember how delicious it was (he laughs). [Aside: I was in Dusseldorf for that recital, and along with his manager, we had a memorable meal at a local eatery recommended by Nobu's cab driver, although Nobu did not order Sauerbraten at the time - see My Time in Germany May 2014].  I also remember the squid ink paella that I ate in Mallorca of Spain and the gnocchi in Italy's Tuscany.

その他、叶うかどうかはわかりませんが、夢は大きく2020年の「東京オリンピック・パラリンピック」の開会式で演奏できたらいいなぁと思ってい ます。それからいつか、大好きな浅田真央さんにも会いたい。彼女の勝負強さや、失敗しても持ち直す気持ちの強さが僕と似通っている部分があると思うんで す。すごい根性の持ち主だけど、スケートをしていない時は可愛らしい感じがいいですよね。,
I don't  knowwhether this will come true, but I dream and hope that I could playat the opening ceremonyof the 2020  "TokyoOlympicand Paralympic."  Then one day I want to meet Mao Asada, whom I love.  I admire her competitive strength, her strength to pick herself up from defeat.  I think there is something similar in me.   It takes amazing courage to skate on a thin blade like that.


今年のツアーは、これからカナダやウィーンに渡り、日本に一旦戻って、秋にまたアメリカに帰って来るので、多くの在米日本人の方にもぜひ聴きに来ていただきたいです。This year'stours will now take me toCanada andVienna, and after returning to Japan, I willcomeback again tothe United Statesin the fall.   I would appreciate very much the support of  the AmericanJapanese.

Related articles:
Nobuyuki Tsujii came to Sonoma 
Nobuyuki Tsujii in Canada, May 2015 
Nobuyuki Tsujii in Austria, May 2015 
 

Nobuyuki Tsujii comes to Boston this fall.
He will play Beethoven's "Emperor" concerto at the season-opening concert of the Longwood Symphony Orchestra, whose members are "primarily healthcare professionals" and whose performances raise fund for community services. (This may or may not be relevant, but Nobu's father as well as grandfather are physicians.) The performance will take place in New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall (1,029 seats) on October 25.

The Longwood Symphony Orchestra in Jordan Hall  - image via Internet link


The official announcement is here-- text copied below:



Nobu with pianist Russell Sherman and his wife, after his April 9 2011 recital in Jordan Hall.

Dr. Masahiro Kawakami 川上昌裕さん is a professor who teaches music in Tokyo.  He was also a childhood piano teacher for Nobuyuki Tsujii.  I have not had the pleasure of meeting him in person, but I have great admiration for Dr. Kawakami.
It was Mr. Kawakami who, recognizing Nobu's perfect pitch, started recording music scores on cassette tapes for little Nobu to learn new works.  I have read that to make a recording as clear as possible, Mr. Kawakami would switch off the air conditioner in his Tokyo apartment even in sweltering heat.  And it was Mr. Kawakami who escorted Nobu at the 2005 Chopin Piano Competition

Nobu and Mr. Kawakami parted ways when Nobu became a 大学生 university student in 2007, although they kept in touch.  In the 2009 Cliburn Competition documentary by Peter Rosen, there is a scene of Nobu speaking excitedly on a cell phone after the announcement of the finalists.  The person he was speaking to is Mr. Kawakami, who said getting that phone call almost made him happier than later learning of Nobu's gold-medal victory.

I was deeply moved when I heard that in the last year and a half,  the two have resumed their relationship, and Nobu is once again taking lessons from Dr. Kawakami.  I believe the lessons started last year when Nobu was to conquer Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3

Dr. Kawakami was born in Hokkeido.   He traveled to his hometown with Nobu at the start of this month, when Nobu's Chopin-Liszt Premium Recital Japan Tour was launched.   And he was at Nobu's Tokyo performance in Kioi Hall on July 16/17.  He made a posting about the Tokyo recitals in his blog, presented below with English translation.  The posting gives a rare glimpse into the three professional people whose behind-the-scenes support figures largely in Nobu's career.

http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=780
2015-07-21 Tue
辻井伸行プレミアムリサイタルin紀尾井ホール
TsujiiNobuyukipremiumrecitalinKioiHall

この一連の国内ツアーは、先週16日・17日2日間の紀尾井ホールが一つの山場だったので、私もそちらには行ってきました。というのも、この日はリハーサルも含めてのレコーディング・セッションがあり、これまで辻井伸行の録音を多数手がけてきたフリーデマン・エンゲルブレヒト氏が今回のためにドイツから来ていたからです。彼にお会いできたのは大きかったです。私としても、これまでテルデックスで録音した辻井君の演奏は全部聴かせていただいていましたが、そのプロデューサー氏にようやく直接にお目にかかれました。 
This domestic tour came to Kioi Hall last week on the 16th and the 17th for two days.  As the tour was reaching its climax, I went.  On this day there was a recording session, including a rehearsal. 
Mr. FriedemannEngelbrecht, who hasworked on a number ofrecordingsofTsujiiNobuyuki, came from Germany for this recording session.  It was a privilege to get to meet him.  I have listened to all of Tsujii-kun's recordings made in the Teldex Studio, and now I finally met the producer in person.

フリーデマンさんは、すでにこれまでの仕事で辻井君の特質（その個性や演奏）についてかなり深く認識しており、レコーディング時は彼に的確で良い指示を出していたと感じました。本当に素晴らしい！ただ、ソナタの各楽章にけっこう繊細で細かい要求をしていたことはしていたので、夜に本番を控えている彼にとっては少し酷だったのではないかとは思いました。でも、本人はいたって大丈夫なようだったし、フリーデマンさんは経験豊富でアーティストのことをとてもよく分かっているのでまあ安心して見ていました。 
Mr.Friedemannis already quite deeply awareof the mode of operation(thepersonality andperformance) of Tsujiikun, I felt that during this recording session he gave him [Nobu] very accurate instructions. Reallygreat!However, since each movement of the sonata involved delicate requests, it occurred to me that the session was rather unkind [on Nobu] ahead of the performance that evening.  But [Nobu] seemed okay with it.  Mr. Engelbrecht has great knowledge from working with experienced artist, and is full of confidence.

そして録音が一段落すると、すぐに私のほうに振り返り、長年私に訊きたいと思っていたらしいことをたくさん質問し始めました。その内容があまりにも愛情溢れているというか、辻井君に対しての理解が深く、そして二人は気がつくとお互い熱く語っていて、1時間以上も喋っていました。あー、楽しかった。これほど話が深いところまで通じる人はあまりいなかったので、純粋に驚いたし、心から嬉しかったです。初対面でこれほど意気投合するなんて…。同じことは、エイベックス・クラシックスの辻井君のマネージャーの浅野さんにも感じますが、非常に親身になって考えている人たちで、しかも仕事はプロフェッショナルなのですから本当に素晴らしいと思います。
結局その日は夜まで楽しく話し込んでしまいました。
Then, when therecording hadwound down, he looked back towards me immediately, and it seems that for many years he had wanted to ask me some questions.  The content of our conversation was overflowing with affection for and deep understanding of Mr. Tsujii, as two people who share warm words and observations.   It is not often that people understand [Nobu's] story to such depth.  I was completely surprised and sincerely happy that we hit it off so well in our first meeting ...  It is the same feeling that I have for Tsujii-kun's manager, Mr. Asano, of Avex Classics: people who are highly empathetic, and with great professional ethics.  The day ended in a happy long conversation until evening came.

ちなみに、リハーサル時のセッションも素晴らしかったですが、夜のリサイタルでも辻井君は素晴らしい演奏を聴かせてくれました！
By the way, the rehearsal session was great, and Tsujii-kun gave an excellent performance that evening!
-------------------
This 2010 YouTube video shows Mr. Nick Asano (Nobu's Avex manager) guiding Nobu to the Teldex Studio in Berlin.  It is Mr.  Friedemann Engelbrecht who comes to the door for them.
 

"Impressions" Nobuyuki Tsujii 辻井伸行／印象派コレクション～テレビ東京「美の巨人たち」テーマ収録 NEW CD released in Japan, July 21, 2015 - Tower Records Japan listing
image via Internet link

Today my copy arrived from Japan, compliments of Amazon Japan.  But I just checked and the CD is actually now available on Amazon U.S.as well!  I am glad of that and I am happy to have my copy in hand anyway.

[It always amuses me that the cover of most of Nobu's CDs is in English, but everything else inside and on back is in Japanese.]

Purchasing this CD is an indulgence, as I already have most of the tracks on CD/iTune. But I like the selection of tracks, which include brand-new tracks of Ravel's Sonatine and Nobu's latest original compositions for a Tokyo TV show "Giants of Beauty."  I still listen to CDs while driving, and this one will be a good companion.  I am willing to pay for good quality, and to support Nobu in a small way.

The tracks are:
1. 美の巨人たち オープニング・テーマ[ピアノ・ソロ](辻井伸行) "Giants of Beauty" theme 1 (Nobuyuki Tsujii)
2. 美の巨人たち エンディング・テーマ[ピアノ・ソロ](辻井伸行) "Giants of Beauty" theme 2 (Nobuyuki Tsujii)
3. アラベスク第1番(ドビュッシー) Arabesque No. 1 (Debussy)
4. アラベスク第2番(ドビュッシー) Arabesque No. 2 (Debussy)
5. 月の光(ドビュッシー) Clair de Lune (Debussy)
6. 夢(ドビュッシー) Dream (Debussy)
7. 喜びの島(ドビュッシー) Isle of Joy (Debussy)

ソナチネ(ラヴェル)  Sonatine (Ravel)
8. 第1楽章 中庸の速さで Movement 1  Modere
9. 第2楽章 メヌエット Movement 2 Mouvt de Menuet
10. 第3楽章 生き生きと Movement 3 Anime

11. 水の戯れ(ラヴェル)  Jeux d’eau (Water Play) (Ravel)
12. 亡き王女のためのパヴァーヌ(ラヴェル)  Pavanefor aDead Princess (Ravel)
13. 美の巨人たち オープニング・テーマ[ピアノ&オーケストラ版](辻井伸行) "Giants of Beauty" theme 1 with Orchestra  (Nobuyuki Tsujii)
14. 美の巨人たち エンディング・テーマ[ピアノ&オーケストラ版](辻井伸行) "Giants of Beauty" theme 2 with Orchestra  (Nobuyuki Tsujii)
----------------
I have no objectivity when it comes to matters of Nobu, but I can say with a clear conscience that I do enjoy the new tracks, namely the "Giants of Beauty" theme music and Ravel's Sonatine.  Nobu's compositions are not for everyone, and even I concede that he has a lot of room for growth.  But to me, he has that elusive and highly desirable knack for creating catchy melodies.  High-brow music lovers will perhaps find fault with the simplicity of these theme music tracks, and they are well advised to stay away from this CD. But it is undeniable that Nobu has a bright future in writing theme music (if only for advertisements), which may prove important for him down the road.

Here is what I say: if you do not yet own the Debussy and Ravel tracks, this CD is well worth the money.  Otherwise, get the individual tracks of your choice on iTune or from other outlets .

And I hope Nobu will carry on with his compositions!  With his hectic schedule, it must be hard for him to find the time and the peace of mind to keep at it, but I am a firm believer that a classical pianist should compose a la Mozart/Chopin/Liszt/Debussy/Rachmianinoff, and, for someone like Nobu whose world centers around music, composing is a great long-term career goal.

Coincidentally, the release of this CD precedes Nobu's upcoming Own Composition with Orchestra Japan tour, with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, August 23-31.  Clever, isn't it? ^_^

---------------------------
Nobuyuki Tsujii;s new CD on display in @TOWER_Shibuya.

image posted by @TOWER_Shibuya

Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii辻井いつ子 -- the mother of Nobuyuki Tsujii -- is a well-known figure in Japan. A former and current radio announcer, Mrs. Tsujii is seen in numerous video documentaries about Nobu, and is a frequent speaker in Japan on the topic of child development.    

The story of how Mrs. Tsujii brought up Nobu is well known in Japan, and it has also been touched on in Peter Rosen's most recent documentary on Nobu, "Touching the Sound: The Impropable Journey of Nobuyuki Tsujii.  I thought it would be of interest to some people for me to share an article that appeared yesterday on Japan's http://4yuuu.com/site.  The original article, in Japanese, can be read at http://4yuuu.com/articles/view/558854 and seems to have received considerable notice in Japan.  The title of the article is 辻井伸行さんに学ぶ！子どもの才能を伸ばす教育法とは？ (Lesson from Mr.  Nobuyuki Tsujii! How should we teach our children to develop their talents?) [The Japanese seem to favor lengthy titles :-]   It is similar in contents to countless other Japanese articles that I have come across, but is of a manageable length so that I was able to [with considerable difficulty] make a very rough translation, presented below.
 
Mr.s Itsuko Tsujiiwith baby Nobuyuki, born in 1988

辻井伸行さんに学ぶ！子どもの才能を伸ばす教育法とは？

(Lesson from Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii!  How should we teach our children to develop their talents?)

by 笠原優愛花 Yuaika Kasahara
[This article was found at http://4yuuu.com/articles/view/558854] on July 27, 2015]

 ショパン国際ピアノコンクールにて「ポーランド批評家賞」を受賞、ヴァン・クライバーン・国際ピアノコンクールでは日本人で初めて優勝するなど、数々の華々しい経歴を持ち、もはや知らない人はいないほど有名な全盲のピアニスト・辻井伸行さん。
若くして見事に才能を開花させた彼は、一体どのようにお母さまから育てられてきたのでしょうか。
He was awarded the "Polish Critics Award" at the Chopin International Piano Competition, is the first Japanese to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, and he has a flourishing brilliant career. Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii is the famous blind pianist that everybody knows about.
The brilliant flowering of his talent was brought up from the ground by the will of his mother

1. 辻井伸行さん、才能への最初の気づき

The first awareness of the talent of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii

2. 辻井伸行さん、才能への二度目の気づき

The second time that the Talent of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii was noticed 

In my many years of observing the career of Nobuyuki Tsujii, I have come across very few truly thoughtful pieces from Japan about his performance.  This lengthy blog post came up on August 1 by a blogger who was at the first recital of Nobu's just completed 2015 Chopin/Liszt premium recital Japan tour.  It was his/her first time attending a concert of Nobu.
Although I do not agree with every thing expressed in the piece, I appreciate his/her sincerity and knowledge in classical music (and more impressively, in Nobu's career).  Above all, this blogger is well-meaning.

image via Internet link

The translation of this piece (shown below), by me, was difficult and is very rough, but I think the essence of the blogger's narrative can be gleaned from it.

http://open.mixi.jp/user/7846239/diary/1944676672

辻井伸行プレミアム・リサイタル＜ショパン＞＆＜リスト＞

Tsujii Nobuyuki premium Recital <Chopin> & <Liszt>

2015年08月01日16:12
August 1, 2015 16:12
【プログラム】
１　ショパン：　アンダンテ・スピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ　Ｏｐ．２２
２　ショパン：　ピアノ・ソナタ　第２番　変ロ短調　Ｏｐ．３５「葬送」
　　　　　～～～休　憩～～～
３　リスト：　ハンガリー狂詩曲　第６番　Ｓ．２４４－６
４　リスト：　ピアノ・ソナタ　ロ短調　Ｓ．１７８
《アンコール》
リスト　「愛の夢」から第３番変イ長調
ショパン：　「１２の練習曲」Ｏｐ．１０から第１２番ハ短調「革命」
辻井　伸行（Ｐｆ）
２０１５年７月１日（水），１８：３０～，旭川市大雪クリスタルホール
[Program]
1 Chopin:  Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Op. 22
2 Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35 "Funeral"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Intermission
3 Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 S. 244-6
4 Liszt: Piano Sonata in B minor S. 178
"Encores"
Liszt "love dream " No. 3 A-flat major
Chopin: "12 Etudes," Op. 10-12 in C minor, "Revolution"
Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano)
July 1, 2015 (Wednesday), 18:30, Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall

この公演は，７月１日から２６日にかけて，全国１０か所で開催された辻井伸行の全国ツアーの初日。「プレミアム・リサイタル」と銘打たれたこのシリーズは，「日本が世界に誇る音響抜群のクラッシック専用ホールで開催されるリサイタル・ツアーで，辻井伸行の繊細で美しいピアノの響きと，世界が驚嘆するテクニックとを余すところなく堪能できる，まさにプレミアムなコンサート」（リサイタルの「プログラム」から引用）がコンセプト。
This is the first day of a national tour (July 1 to 26) of Nobuyuki Tsujii, which took place in 10 locations in the nation. The series was billed as the "Premium Recital,""a recital tour to be held in world renowned preeminent concert halls in Japan with acoustics dedicated to classical music, for the very best enjoyment of the delicate and beautiful piano sound of  Nobuyuki Tsujii, and  his techniques marveled all over the world -- premium concerts. "-- (quote from the recital's "program notes").

ちなみに，他の９会場は，札幌コンサートホールＫｉｔａｒａ小ホール，函館市芸術ホール，軽井沢大賀ホール，豊田市コンサートホール，三井住友海上しらかわホール，紀尾井ホール，福島市音楽堂，いずみホール，ノバホール。紀尾井ホールのみが２公演。いずれも，中規模の音楽専用ホールが，演奏会場に選ばれているようだ。
By the way, the other nine venues were Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara Small Hall, Hakodate Arts Hall, Karuizawa Ohga Hall, Toyota City concert hall, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Shirakawa Hall, Fukushima City Music Hall, Izumi Hall, Nova Hall, Kioi Hall (two performances) -- all  medium-sized exclusive music concert halls .

辻井伸行の演奏を聴くのは今回が初めて。別に避けていたわけではない。かといって，抜群の人気を誇る彼の演奏会のチケットをなにがなんでも手に入れたいという強い思い入れがあったわけでもない。だが，少なくとも一度は聴いてみる必要があると思っていたのも事実。今回，そのチャンスが巡ってきた。ご多分に洩れず，この公演もチケットは，早々に売り切れたらしい。
This was the first time that I listened to a performance of Nobuyuki Tsujii.  It's not that I avoided it previously, but his concert tickets are hard to come by due to his exceptional popularity.  But I thought I should try to listen to him at least once.  This time, the opportunity came around. As usual, tickets sold out early.

抜群の知名度や人気を誇る日本人演奏家の中には，率直に言って，世界の一流アーティストに匹敵する実力をともなっていない音楽家が少なくない。評判と実力とが一致しないのは世の常であるが，興行の世界では，なおさらこのような傾向が強くなるのは止むを得ない面もある。辻井伸行に関しても，このような側面を完全に否定することはできないにせよ，そうはいっても，こうした要素だけで切り捨てることもフェアーではないように感じていた。この点を直に確かめたい気持ちは以前からあった。
Some Japanese musicians boast outstanding name recognition and popularity. Frankly, most of these musicians are not accompanied by the ability to be comparable to the world's leading artists.  This mismatch of reputation and skills is common and is a strong trend that is unavoidable in the superficial world of box offices.  For this reason, my initial assessment of Nobuyuki Tsujii was somewhat negative, but I felt that I need to verify it directly, beyond the bits and pieces of footage that I saw.

今回のリサイタル・ツアーで，辻井伸行が選んだのはショパンとリストの作品。いずれもピアノのヴィルトゥオーゾで，辻井の好みを反映していると同時に，彼の持ち味を十分に発揮できる選択のように思う。さらに踏み込んだ見方をすれば，ショパン以上にリストとの相性が好いのではないだろうか。というのも，辻井伸行は，毎週土曜日の夜１０時からオンエアーされるテレビ東京の「美の巨人たち」のオープニングとエンディングのテーマを作曲していて，この番組のテーマ音楽を聴くたびに，辻井の音楽性はリストに通じるところがあるように感じていたからだ。
On this recital tour, Tsujii chose works of Chopin and Liszt, both are virtuoso pianists.   And at the same time it reflects the preference of Tsujii; I think the selection is a reflection of his characteristics as well.  On a deeper level, I wondered if his compatibility with Liszt is better or worse than with Chopin.  This is because every time when I listen to the opening and ending themes of the Tokyo TV program "Giants of Beauty," on air every Saturday at 10PM -- composed by him -- I feel that the music of Tsujii is in a direction leaning towards Liszt.

まず，この日，いちばん印象に残ったのは，アンコールで弾いた「愛の夢第３番」。弱音で弾いた箇所は，この上なく美しかった。リストの音楽の中でも，抒情味豊かなこの作品が辻井の音楽性に最もふさわしいようだ。リストの「ピアノ・ソナタ」も悪くはなかったが，辻井の演奏からはこの作品の前衛的な面がそっくり抜け落ちている。２０世紀の音楽を先取りするような先進性の代わりに，１９世紀のロマンチシズム一本槍の演奏で，なにか時代がかった解釈と言えなくもない。「ハンガリー狂詩曲第６番」は，超絶技巧を前面に押し出した演奏であるが，少し粗くなってしまった。多少乱暴な言い方になるが，おそらく，辻井伸行の内面に潜む音楽性そのものが，１９世紀風のロマンチシズムに近いのだろう。
First of all, on this day, I was most impressed by the "Love Dream No. 3" that he played for encore.  The soft tone was superb and it was beautiful. Among the music of Liszt, this seems to be best suited to Tsujii.  The Liszt "Piano Sonata" was also not bad, but the avant-garde aspect of this work is entirely missing from the performance of Tsujii.  Instead of the innovation that anticipates the music of the 20th century, the performance only dwelt on 19th century romanticism.  The interpretation does not reflect the era.  In the "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6", the performance in the beginning was virtuosic finesse, but became a little rough.  It became somewhat brute-force.  Perhaps the music lurking within Nobuyuki Tsujii is closer to the romanticism of the 19th century style.

ショパンの「アンダンテ・スピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ」も，ハンガリー狂詩曲に劣らず，ヴィルトゥオージティ全開の演奏だった。たしかに，演奏には粗い面もあったが，ショパンの作品の中に流れる感情の表面をなぞるような演奏がとても気になった。比較的若い時期に書かれたこの作品は，ショパンの作品の中でもとりわけ深い情緒を湛えているわけではないが，辻井の演奏には作品の底流に流れる感情の襞に届かないもどかしさがある。この点がより明瞭になったのが，「ピアノ・ソナタ第３番」。典型的なのが，有名過ぎるほど有名な第３楽章「葬送行進曲」だ。もちろん，技術的なキズはなくテンポも絶妙だ。しかし，音楽に重みが感じられず，沈痛な表情にも乏しい。「愛の夢」のように小手先で何とかなる作品とは違い，現在の辻井の音楽的世界が，ショパンの作品が持つ深く広大な情緒の世界をカバーしきれていない，そのような印象を受ける。
Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Op. 22 of Chopin was, as with the Hungarian Rhapsody, performed in full-blown Rachmaninoff style.  The playing has a rough edge, as if he was overly concerned about tracing the surface of emotions flowing in Chopin's work.  This work was written [by Chopin] at a relatively young age. While it is not among the works of Chopin with especially deep emotion, there is impatience in the performance of Tsujii that keeps him from reaching the folds of emotion flowing in the undercurrents of the work. This point becomes clearer in the famous, famous third movement of the third movement of  "Piano Sonata No. 3" [actually piano sonata no. 2].  Of course, the tempo was exquisite and there were no technical flaws.  However, the weight is not felt in the music, and the pensive expression is lacking.  My impression is that except in superficial works such as "Love Dream," the musical world of Tsujii is at present not deep enough to cover the vast emotions in Chopin's works.

このリサイタルも含めて，これまでに見聞きした情報を総合すると，辻井伸行には彼自身の確固たる音楽的な世界がある。だから，その世界を自分の音楽で表現するために，作曲にも手を染めているのだろう。だが，辻井が演奏家として揺るぎない地位を固めるためには，自分の殻を破る必要があるのではないか。つまり，作品を自分の世界に引き付けて表現することに加え，自分の世界から抜け出して，作品の世界に自分を合せる姿勢も欠かせない。
Based on what I have seen and heard, including this recital, Nobuyuki Tsujii exists in a strong musical world of his own.  And, perhaps to express the music in his world, he is also dabbling as a composer. But, in order for Tsujii to solidify his position as a musician, he needs to break out of the shell.  In other words, in addition to being able to express charming works in his world, it is essential that he should be able to break away from his own world and adapt to works outside of that world.

このリサイタルを聴いて，人気や知名度だけのピアニストではなさそうなことはわかった。アシュケナージ＆フィルハーモニア管やゲルギエフ＆マリインスキー劇場管弦楽団との共演，ロンドンのプロムスやサンクトペテルブルクの白夜音楽祭への出演，カーネギー・ホールでのリサイタルなどは，たんなる偶然や幸運の賜物でなく，自力で勝ち取った成果だ。ただし，これからも，世界の一流の演奏家に伍して，第一線で活躍し続けるためには，大きな壁を乗りこえることが不可欠のように思う。そのためには，自分の殻を破って，新しい世界を切り拓くことにチャレンジし続けなければならない。これからが正念場であり，そのことを自覚しているか否かがひとつの鍵になるだろう。もちろん，そのような途を選ばない自由も彼にはあるが。
Listening to this recital, I think this pianist has something beyond his popularity and name recognition.  His star turns -- such as costarring with Ashkenazy & the Philharmonia, appearing with Gergiev & Mariinsky Theater Orchestra in the White Nights music festival in St. Petersburg, the London Proms, and the recital at Carnegie Hall -- are not merely a gift of chance and luck, but results that he won on his own merits. However, I think it is essential that he must overcome a large wall in the future to become a leading musician of the world and stay at the forefront.  To that end, he must break out of his own shell, and continue to accept the challenge to open up to an unfamiliar world. Whether he is aware of it or not, he is at a critical stage.  But of course he is free to make his own choices.

ルーブル美術館に展示してある「モナ・リザ」は，多くの観光客にとって一度見れば気が済む。同様に，知名度や人気に魅かれて聴きに来る客の多くは，目新しいものを求めて移り気になりやすい。かといって，現状ではコアなファンを継続的に惹きつけるだけの懐の深さはなさそうだ。とにかく，アーティストとして活躍し続けるためには，人間的に成長し続けるしかない。才能に恵まれたアーティストゆえ，この難題に直面していると感じた。
The exhibition of "Mona Lisa" in the Louvre is seen by many tourists, but few retain it in their minds after one viewing.  Similarly, guests who come to concerts for a performer's name recognition and popularity tend to be fickle people in search of novelty.  On the other hand, at his present depth of expression, he will only continue to attract core fans.  In any case, in order to continue working as an artist, he must continue to grow.  This is a challenge faced by all artists blessed with talent.
--------------- end of blog post ------------

My thoughts

The Japanese are masters in understatements. Assuming that my translation is mostly correct, this blogger has paid Nobu quite a tribute. I cannot find a profile of the blogger on the blog site, but this blogger strikes me as a high-brow classical music fan -- what our friend Miyuki calls a "kura-ota" -- who typically take a dim view of Nobu and other "home-made" Japanese artists not schooled in the West or in Russia. Without saying so explicitly, this blogger is crediting Nobu with being talented and worthy of his recognition. I am especially impressed that nowhere is Nobu's blindness mentioned in the article.

I would post a response to the blooger, but doing so requires an account on the mixi website, and I fear that my comments in English may not be understood anyway.

After mulling it over, I would like to make these points to the blogger, if I could:

1. I have actually been tremendously impressed by the loyalty of Nobu's core fans in Japan.  It has been six years since his Cliburn win, and his popularity there has not waned.  
2. But I do share this blogger's concern about Nobu's future development and I agree that he is at a critical stage in his career. Nobu is at a very precarious juncture of his career.  It is romantic works such as Liszt's Libestraum No. 3 that Nobu excels in (as this blogger astutely points out), and they are perhaps what his core fans crave.  But for his "growth" and by sheer necessity (there are only so many great romantic works), Nobu is expected to move beyond these works.  I tip my hat to Nobu's loyal fans who go along with the unromantic Liszt works (Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 and sonata) performed on his just completed premium tour, but whether these fans truly enjoy those works remains a question mark.
3.  As for the necessity for Nobu to reach out beyond his own world: I am ambivalent.  A common thread among comments that come up in Japan is that people listening to his music enjoy being drawn into Nobu's innocent world, so that at least for a short while they are spared the frustrations and complexities of their everyday world.  I think this sentiment stems from Nobu's natural style of playing without exaggerated expressions.  Ironically, I think perhaps it is his straightforward style that leads to this blogger's opinion that Nobu does not yet have the depth "to reach the folds of emotion flowing in the undercurrents" of Chopin's works.  Nobu is unique, and I for one like that his music comes from a world unfamiliar to the rest of us.  Is it really better for Nobu to "break out of the shell" and become just like all the other dime-a-dozen virtuoso pianists?
4. The "Mona Lisa" analogy that this blogger brought up is brilliant.  Indeed, I cringe every time I read the line "I want to see him perform at least once" in Japanese postings (including this blogger's!), as if Nobu is some sort of world wonder that needs to be checked off  a bucket list.  Sadly, the analogy is especially apt outside Japan, where Nobu is still promoted as a pianist "born blind", a curiosity to be witnessed at least once.

In any case, I wish I could thank this blogger for sharing his/her thoughts so well.

The photo below appears in a quarterly financial report of Fuji TV that came up in July, 2015 -- the caption says: 

「今秋放送予定. 辻井伸行・世界音楽紀行シリーズ. ～ウィーン・ベートーヴェン・佐渡裕～. “いま最もチケットが取れないピアニスト”. 辻井伸行の人気音楽紀行シリーズ第5弾｣
"Scheduled broadcast this fall: Nobuyuki Tsujii World Music Journey Series -- Vienna, Beethoven, Yutaka Sado.  'The pianist who sells the most tickets.'  Fifth in the popular music travelogue series of Nobuyuki Tsujii." 

Here is Fuji TV's page for the music travelogue series of Nobuyuki Tsujii: http://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujii/, which currently does not include information on this new installment. 

Nobuyuki Tsujii traveled to Austria in 2015, during which he performed at the famed Musikverein (Golden Hall) with Orchestra Tonkünstler, under the baton of conductor Yutaka Sado.
We have known about this broadcast for some time. Nobu's own May 18 Recital Report mentions the filming
「2015 年5月18日（オーストリア）. ザンクト・ペルテン ... ウィーンには小学生の時に旅行で来たことがありますが、ピアニストとしてのデビューを飾ることが出来て、特別な感慨がありました。 live. 16日と17日の演奏はテレビ用に収録されました。 プロコフィエフのピアノ協奏曲はBSフジのドキュメンタリーの一部として今年の秋までに放送予定です。｣"I came to Vienna on a trip at the time of my elementary school, but to be able to debut as a pianist here, it is special. Performance of Prokofiev's Piano Concerto on the 16th and the 17th was recorded for television.  It is scheduled to be broadcast this fall as part of a BS Fuji documentary."

Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii also mentioned in her blog that Nobu visited "the central cemetery where Beethoven, Brahms and Strauss have their resting places." Nobu is not named in this photo, but that's him in his red pants ^_^ and most likely this will be a scene in the upcoming documentary.
 
The TV documentary is also mentioned in a news article from Pitten, Austria, where Nobu visited the Franz Schubert Regional Music School before his performances in the Musikverein.  We may expect to see some brief footage of the visit.

TO BE CONTINUED -- PLEASE CHECK BACK.

Related article
Nobuyuki Tsujii in Austria, May 2015

On August 7 (this Friday), Nobu appears in a "Music of Hope" free concert at the Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of the second World War.
♪ Here is the text on the event flyer, augmented with my translation:
"辻井伸行＆フレンズ　NAGASAKI浦上天主堂コンサート2015
Nobuyuki Tsujii&FriendsNAGASAKIUrakami CathedralConcert2015
辻井伸行 Nobuyuki Tsujii
平原綾香 Ayaka Hirahara
出演：辻井伸行　平原綾香　長崎交響楽団
Appearances: Nobuyuki Tsujii, Ayaka Hirahara, Nagasaki Symphony Orchestra
2015年8月7日(金)
開場 18:00 / 開演 18:30
会場:浦上天主堂
観覧申込受付は終了しました。
当選された方は、当日16:30～指定席券との交換が必要です。
当落メールは7/28に配信しています。
届いていない方はメールアドレスの記入ミスなどの可能性があります。 お問い合わせください。
August 7, 2015 (Friday)
Doors open at 18:00 / curtain 18:30
Venue: Urakami Cathedral
Ticket applications have concluded
People whose application have been accepted must claim their seats by 16:30 on the day.
Tickets have been sent by mail on July 28.
If you have not received yours, please contact us."Here is a rough translation of the piece, with two photos
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=781
平原綾香さん登場！
Ayaka Hirahara's appearance!
2015-08-04 Tue
今 日はまたまた辻井君と音楽のセッション（おもにガーシュウィンとショパン）を渋谷区の某所でやっていたのですが、そう頻繁に会っているわけではなく、もち ろん先日の紀尾井ホール以来です。この8月は私も日本にいない日が多く、さらに忙しい辻井君のスケジュールを縫っての短い時間の再会ではあったのですが、 彼はそのあと続けてちょうど他のリハーサルも入っていて、なんと私が帰る前に平原綾香さん登場となりました。
 I was once again having a music session with Mr. Tsujii (mainly Gershwin and Chopin)  somewhere in Shibuya today; we don't meet very often, and this meeting was the first since at Kioi Hall the other day.  Most of the time I am not even in Japan in August, but it was good that we could fit this short get-together into Tsujii-kun's busy schedule.  He was to have a rehearsal after the session, and before I took leave, Ms. Ayaka Hirahara showed up!
平原綾香さんとは、今回長崎での音楽イベントでコラボをすることになっているということで、今日が初合わせではあったとい うことですが、平原さんは私がいる前で辻井君のピアノ伴奏で素晴らしい歌声を披露してくれました。本番では『ジュピター』も歌われるのでしょう。（辻井君 のピアノが入るかどうかは確認できませんでしたが。）
Ms. Ayaka Hirahara and Tsujii-kun are performing a musical event in Nagasaki together, and today it was their first get-together.
Tsujii-kun previously played the piano to accompany Ms. Hirahara's wonderful singing voice in the performance of a song "Jupiter,"  (Although whether Tsujii-kun will be accompanying [in Nagasaki] could not be confirmed.)
今日は目の前で平原さんの『おひさま～大切なあなたへ』と辻井君作曲の『ジェニーへのオマージュ』（作品1）に『たんぽぽ』というタイトルと歌詞が付けられた新作のリハーサルを聴かせてくれました。エイベックスのスタッフさんたちと感動しながら聴いていました。
Today, as I looked on, Ms. Hirahara sang "The precious sunshine' Tsujii-kun's composition "Homage to Jeannie" (op1)  and "Dandelion," a new song.  As I listened, I was impressed with the staff of Avex.
平 原綾香さんも現在30回を超える全国コンサートの真っ最中で、その合間を縫ってのリハでしたが、今日辻井君とスケジュールが合って本当に良かったです。私 もとても素晴らしい瞬間に立ち会うことができました。いや、本当に歌が素晴らしかったです。普通のサロンなのにエコーがかかっているような美しい響きで、 不思議な感覚を受けました。近くで聴くとやはり違うものですね。
Ms. Ayaka Hirahara is  in the middle of her a national concert tour,  for more than t 30 times, and the rehearsal was stitched into her schedule.  I was able to witness a very great moment.  Yes, the songs were really great.  The sound was beautiful in spite of the common studio that we were in, which suffers from echoes.  Not for the first time I felt that it is special to listen to music performed in close range.
平原綾香さん、辻井伸行君と (photo caption: Ms. Ayaka Hirahara, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii)
このままずっと一緒にいたかったのですが、残念ながら私は大学へ急がなければいけませんでした
I wanted to stay on forever, but unfortunately I had to rush off to my university.
-----------
Please check back for more news and comments about this performance.

Today (August 11) at 10AM Germany time, the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra started selling individual tickets to their concerts through this November, on the Munich ticket site. The seats available are those left over by the orchestra's subscribers, and the picking was slim. I stayed up till 1AM to make my purchase.  The first seat that I chose was gone by the time I clicked CONTINUE. And now, 14 hours later, many of the available seats that I saw last night have been taken. Whew!

Unlike in Berlin, classical music is very popular in Munich, where there are no less than three famous orchestras (Bavarian State Orchestra with Kirill Petrenko, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra with Mariss Jansons, and  the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra with  Valery Gergiev).  Their concerts are always well attended.

I have never been in Munich, and I plan to make a side trip to Salzberg on this trip.  The November 4 "Emperor" concerto  performance by Nobu with conductor Valery Gergiev at the humongous Gasteig (2387 seats) will be the highlight of my trip.
The Gasteig , image via Internet link

For Nobu, the performance at the Gasteig will be one of three stops in Europe this fall. The schedule for this mini-Europe tour is as follows:


This Europe tour will be preceded by Nobu's North-America tour in October.  I will see Nobu perform a recital in San Francisco on October 17, and in Munich on November 4.  What bliss!

TO BE CONTINUED

It was a year ago when I first heard that Nobu was giving a recital in Green Music Center, Sonoma County, California on May 1st this year.   I live in California, but at a good 5 hours' drive from Sonoma.  However, we crazies in this neck of the woods think nothing of driving for hours to a destination.  Then again, distance means nothing to me when it comes to Nobu.When single tickets came on sale in July, I was among the first to claim a seat in Weill Hall for Nobu's recital.  Then it was almost a year's wait for the day to come.

April could not come soon enough.  But just whenI was packing my bags for the short trip to Sonoma, word came that on April 28 Tuesday there was to be a showing of the film Touching the Sound in Schroeder Hall -- and Nobu was to be there in person!  How could I not be there?? So, off I went rearranging my schedule and reservations.  And, just like that, a quick weekend jaunt in Sonoma turned into a 5-day visit. 

The screening (on April 28) and the recital (on May 1) went like a dream. I was able to greet Nobu in person at both events, as described in a previous posting, Nobuyuki Tsujii comes to Sonoma, California.  And my trip would have been worth every effort at that. 

But ... the best was yet to come!  

In spite of those practice runs, I managed to nearly miss two left turns.  Rohnert Park has infuriatingly long red lights, and missing those turns would have required making cumbersome U-turns, something I desperately wanted to avoid -- with Nobu in my car.

It was a warm day. I cranked up the air conditioner. "Are you comfortable?" I asked, turning around towards my precious guests in the backseats. They both said they were okay. I turned on the CD player in my car, and music from Nobu's Chopin Works album wafted off. Interestingly, Nobu did not immediately recognize the music, which was recorded from his live performances at the 2005 Chopin Competition (when he was only 17). I mentioned that there is a visually-impaired Chinese pianist in the upcoming Chopin Competition this October, and when I mentioned that the Japanese female pianist Aimi Kobayashi (famous in Japan) has also made it into the competition, Nobu seemed quite excited.

At the Olive Garden, I asked for a quiet table and we were seated at a corner booth in a secluded section. Picture this: Nobu was seated directly across from me at the table.

 
Olive Garden, Rohnart Park, image via Internet link

As we browse the menus, I gathered my courage and put to good use my limited Japaneselearned from listening to Pimsleur CDs, and ventured to ask Nobu "Onaka ga suita (Are you hungry)" -- literally "Is your stomach empty", and he understood (!) and answered "いいえ (not)."  Mr. Asano said they ate a late breakfast.

I thought some appetizers would be a good idea, and ordered Artichoke Fritti ("Artichoke hearts lightly battered and fried and topped with Italian cheeses. Served with citrus aioli dipping sauce") and Calamari ("Lightly breaded and fried. Served with parmesan-peppercorn sauce and marinara").  Upon hearing "Calamari", Nobu lit up and repeated the word -- he likes Calamari! 
Calamari
 
Artichoke Fritti

Mr. Asano declined the sauces that came with the appetizers, saying that the Japanese are not fond of sauces.  It became obvious that Nobu much preferred the calamari over the artichoke.
Mr. Asano also ordered a healthy salad to share with Nobu.


Between bites, we chatted.  Nobu's not much of a talker (as mentioned in the film Touching the Sound) -- Mr. Asano did most of the talking to us in English, and would turn to Nobu to speak in Japanese from time to time.  I learned that, contrary to previous impression, Nobu's physician father is a big classical music fan, and his grandfather (also a doctor) has a large collection of classical music albums.  I asked if Nobu got to swim at the hotel, and the answer was no, as the pool is outdoor and small. Contrary to what I read, Nobu is not in the habit of swimming after performing.  And, no, he doesn't get tired from performing.

When the main courses came, Nobu tucked in his napkin.  Much to my delight, he polished off his plate of Seafood Alfredo ("Sautéed shrimp and scallops tossed with creamy fettuccine alfredo"). 


In spite of protest from Mr. Asano, I insisted on paying for the meal.  The reason is selfish, as I want to have the bragging right of having treated Nobu to a lunch.  Upon hearing my words, Nobu thanked me immediately.  I was never happier to pay for a meal.  Unfortunately,  in my excitement I didn't think of keeping the printout of orders for souvenir -- I am still kicking myself for that stupidity!

We brought our guests back to the hotel in good time, pulling into the same parking space that we had before the lunch -- right in front of the front entrance.  Nobu graciously posted for photos in front of the hotel.  I now have a precious photo of me with my "two sons" (my own son is to my right in the photo; he is not shown to protect his privacy). 

As parting gifts, Mr. Asano and Nobu graciously gave us each a copy of an autographed CD (see below).  At lunch, I had mentioned that my son is not into classical music.  As he handed the CD to my son -- with Nobu looking on -- Mr. Aanso said (as I had read) that Mr. Van Cliburn had told Nobu to carry on the task of spreading the love for classical music.  It is my regret that when my son was growing up, I did not make time to listen to classical music nor play the piano.  I do hope my son will learn to love classical music.


Courteous Japanese that they are, Mr. Asano and Nobu stayed on the curb as we drove off, and I was lost in a daze as I watched in my rear view mirror the two of them waving goodbye to us. 

I still have a hard time believing that Nobu was actually in my very own car.  What a privilege to have had a chance to play host to Nobu, if only for part of an afternoon.   Unbelievable.   And, let me say this: Away from the piano, Nobu is a polite and delightful young man -- there is not a grain of vanity in him -- he is a young man that any parent would be proud of.  I love him more than ever.

Thinking back, there is so much more that I wanted to say to Nobu and so many more questions that I should have asked Mr. Asano ... perhaps there will be another chance.

In America, this year's Mother's Day is this Sunday, but --believe me -- I have already had my best present from "my two sons". 
 
image via Internet link

 Related articles: Nobuyuki Tsujii in Canada, May 2015, Taking the Fifth


This review appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press, May 8 2015
The original article can be read here:
www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Move-over-Beethoven-Nobus-Emperor-brilliant--303156331.html
The text is copied below for preservation.
 
Nobu in rehearsal with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and conductor Alexander Mickelthwate May 8, 2015

CONCERT REVIEW
Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
Masterworks
Nobu Plays Beethoven’s Emperor
Centennial Concert Hall
Friday, May 8
Attendance: 1,625
Five stars out of five

Move over Beethoven: Nobu`s Emperor brilliant

By: Holly Harris
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Posted: 10:27 PM

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra closed its 2014/15 Masterworks season with two mighty works celebrating the sheer power and strength of the human spirit.
And who better to exemplify that noble ideal than its featured guest artist, Japanese-born pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii - simply known as "Nobu."

Friday night’s concert featured the astounding performer, blind since birth, who electrified the crowd of 1,625 with his performance of Beethoven’s "Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major, Op. 73, the "Emperor."

The 26-year old artist has cultivated a strong international following since first rocketing to fame after being named a joint Gold Medal winner at the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Nobu, who made his sold-out debut recital at Carnegie Hall in November 2011, is also a composer in his own right as well as being a dedicated humanitarian. He last appeared on the WSO stage in January 2013 performing Prokofiev's "Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major," with no inordinately virtuosic work seeming out of his grasp.

After first being guided to the piano by maestro Alexander Mickelthwate, Nobu first brushed his hands over the length of his keyboard to get the lay of the land. After that, he got right down to business with all guns blazing.

The opening movement "Allegro" became a fully energized charge, as Nobu pounced on its triplet runs and cascading figuration with every wave of music seeming to pulse through his own rocking body.

The pianist displayed his contrasting tonal palette including hushed, even tones and legato phrasing during the second, languorous movement "Adagio." But this was no hazy, dreamscape: Nobu shaped his overall arc to incorporate moments of burgeoning strength that connected this section to the first.

Then it became time for the rollicking "Rondo: Allegro," following the always delicious segue from the previous movement. Here, the soloist held nothing back, punching out its syncopated rhythms that electrified. The audience leapt to its feet with the loudest cheers heard in this concert hall all season long, demanding three curtain calls from the gracious artist who deeply bowed his thanks.
It’s notable that Nobu performs once more this weekend after his pair of WSO shows. The indefatigable pianist plays a full solo recital including works by Chopin, Liszt and Beethoven for Virtuosi Concerts this Sunday, May 10, 3 p.m. at the University of Winnipeg’s Eckhardt Gramatté Hall.

The program also included Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. in D minor, Op. 47, considered by many one of the greatest masterpieces of the 20th century. It’s also regarded for its ambiguity: composed by Shostakovich in 1937 as a musical peace offering to Stalin after he became criticized for earlier stage works, albeit still infused with sardonic wit and roiling irony.

Mickelthwate immediately set the tone for the first movement, "Moderato," allowing the strings’ brusque opening to establish a pensive world of brooding intensity. Its second theme of sustained string tones over a repeated rhythmic figure created taut suspense with the maestro scarcely moving a muscle. This section also provided the first spotlighting of individual players, with effective solos laced throughout performed by principal players: Jan Kocman, flute; clarinet Micah Heilbrunn, clarinet; as well as pianist Donna Laube until a final savage call to arms is issued by the percussion section.

The second movement "Allegretto" unfolds as a biting Landler, including concertmaster Gwen Hoebig’s flirty kit-violin solo during the "Trio" accompanied by principal harp Richard Turner’s delicately plucked strings.

Mickelthwate’s sensitive approach ensured that the hushed violins during the third movement, "Largo," composed in a mere three days, appeared to emerge from thin air. The maestro allowed this section that is the eye of the storm for the entire symphony speak with its voice of regret, with seemingly endless phrases and once again, highly expressive solos, with principal oboe Beverly Wang’s in particular as bleak as a Tolstoyan drama.

Finally, the finale "Allegro non troppo" breaks the spell; with plenty of forward thrust including explosions of brass. At times, the movement risked losing its own compass, despite strongly accented motives and timpani strikes that nevertheless propelled this work to a triumphant, crashing close.
The audience, as expected, gave all the wonderful players of the WSO and its maestro so clearly committed to this fearless work a rousing standing ovation.

The concert repeats Saturday night, 8 p.m. at the Centennial Concert Hall.
holly.harris@shaw.ca

On May 8 & 9 2015, Nobuyuki Tsujii performed Beethoven's "Emperor" concerto with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and conductor Alexander Mickelthwate.
The blog post below appeared at https://rebeccadanos.wordpress.com/2015/05/09/taking-the-fifth/ 
as well as in the Welsley Underground (a forum for "young alumnae" of the Welsley College)
It is not a critic's review, but I appreciate the comments from the heart from someone who is thoughtful and cogent, and want to preserve the piece here.  Please do visit the original posting to show your appreciation.  As one commenter wrote: "World class critique with powerful emotional tone."
Related article:  
Nobuyuki Tsujii in Canada, May 2015
Move over Beethoven -- Nobu's Emperor Brilliant

Taking the Fifth

May 9, 2015 ~ Rebecca Danos

Last week, the Afternoon on 3 program on BBC Radio 3 aired Nobu's debut performance of Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto.  The performance took place at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, U.K. on Oct. 31, 2014, with conductor Yutaka Sado and the BBC Philharmonic. And, as of this writing, it can still be listened to on demand HERE through mid-June 2015.

Today, I received a comment on the performance from a knowledgeable person in Japan, and I feel compelled to share it here.

The article does not say so explicitly, but Nobuyuki Tsujii  might have inspired a German university to train Master degree students to teach piano to the blind and visually impaired. Nobu is mentioned at the top of an German article that came up today, titled "Klavierunterricht mit Blinden an Weimars Musikhochschule" (Piano lessons for the blind at Weimar College of Music).  
Interestingly, the dean of the academy echoes what Nobu has said in media, that learning music works by Braille is too time-consuming, and the program therefore emphasizes auditory learning.  And the university started the project in 2009 (the year of Nobu's triumph at the Cliburn Competition.
The original article can be read here.
http://www.tlz.de/startseite/detail/-/specific/Klavierunterricht-mit-Blinden-an-Weimars-Musikhochschule-2021783215
A very rough translation of the text follows.

Image shown in article, with caption: "Piano lessonsfor theblind and visually impaired: A projectof theFranz LisztUniversitymaster's degree inpiano. Photo: Maik Schuck

Piano lessons for the blind at Weimar College of Music

Since his triumph in 2009 at the International Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Nobuyuki Tsujii has performed concerts all over the world and is celebrated almost like a pop star.  The story of the gifted Japanese with perfect pitch, "Nobu" Tsujii, is the story of a child prodigy.   Because Nobu Tsujii has been blind since birth, he plays by ear. But how can teachers teach other blind and visually impaired students?  This is an issue that the Music Academy of Franz Liszt addresses.

"The sighted teacher must very intensively deal with the clinical profile of the student," said Bettina Bruhn, Dean of Faculty II and professor for piano and piano teaching, speaking on the challenge for  teachers of visually impaired students. How much may be required to promote adequately? The teacher must set a level commensurate with what each child brings with him individually.

Starting in 2009, at the Academy of Music Franz Liszt Weimarthe there was the idea of preparing  Master​​ music students as future instrumental and piano teachers for these special requirements ...
"The child is promoted individually within his capabilities," emphasized  Bettina Bruhn ... The professor speaks to the immense intellectual demand. There is braille music that allows works to be learned little by little.   However, transcribing as well as reading is very time consuming. It is much easier to listen to the music and to remember it. The teaching concept at the Weimar Academy focuses on auditory operation - using a variety of technical possibilities - while the Braille music notation is taught at the same time ...

Students in the master's degree program will be equipped with basic knowledge for teaching the blind and visually impaired and gain teaching experience with these students. ..
Students that go through the program will be introduced to various areas of learning in the context of a blind or visually impaired through confrontations with its special requirements ...   It is  a challenging work field.

An informal audition will be held on June 4, 2015 at 16:00 in the Ballroom Furstenhaus for the pupils to present their learning publicly.

I admit that -- until I became a fan of Nobuyuki Tsujii -- I paid little attention to symphony orchestras. 

In my blissful ignorance, I used to  think of an orchestra as one big happy family -- a group of highly accomplished people who have the enviable privilege of making music together for a living.

It did not take long, however, for me to sense that perhaps being a professional orchestra musician is not all fun and game.  In the brief opportunities that I have had to visit backstage before or after a performance, there always seems to be a palpable sense of tension in the orchestra staff and the musicians.  On those occasions and to my amateur's eyes, orchestra players do not seem a particularly jovial bunch.  They look dead serious.  They often walk off the stage sullenly and seemingly in a great haste, as if they could not wait to get away from the concert hall.  On one occasion, I overheard musicians talking among themselves as I walked by, and although I was not privy to the topic, the rancor was unmistakable in their voices and their expressions.

So it did not come as a surprise to read about the sordid behind-the-scene business of some orchestras.  Even as others have been watching the Amazon series "Mozart in the Jungle", I have only recently stumbled upon the book that the series is based on.  Published in 2005, "Mozart in the Jungle" is a tell-all by oboist-journalist Blair Tindall.  While her autobiography is not exactly great literature, the book does vividly bring out a portrayal of the less-than-glamorous world of some professional orchestra musicians.  Contrary to the harmonious music that an orchestra makes on stage, behind the scenes -- as I suspected -- there are vicious bickering and unsavory behaviors, as told by Ms. Tindall.  And, things have apparently not gotten better since. A very recent article about an ongoing dispute that roils the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra has become fodder for gossips on social media.  The dispute paints a bleak picture of the pettiness and resentments that wreak havoc in a respectable orchestra.

A coveted position in a classical orchestra is hard-fought: you have to win highly competitive auditions and perhaps also pull connections.  But keeping the job, it seems, is even harder.  As a commenter put it: "When people work together so intimately for such a long period of time, personality conflicts are to be expected. The financial stress involved in working for a precariously funded organization only exacerbates the stress."  No wonder the musicians that I saw backstage seemed so glum.

I am afraid that this new awareness will make it difficult for me to, from now on, enjoy an orchestra's performance without thinking about the undercurrents among the musicians.  And it makes me wonder about how a soloist such as Nobu fits in with an orchestra.

In classical music, a soloist is a guest of the orchestra.  He performs at the invitation of the conductor with -- I believe -- the approvals of the orchestra members via the principal players.   If a soloist does not get along with the conductor or the group, he would not be invited back.  Otherwise -- and let me stress that this is just my personal speculation -- my guess is that an orchestra is generally indifferent to which soloist they perform with.   In writings, an orchestra musician such as Ms. Tindall is more likely to rhapsodize about which orchestra(s) and members she plays with than which soloists, although she may mention some marquee-name soloists for the sake of name dropping.  A concerto, featuring a soloist, typically takes place in the first half of a concert, saving the spotlights for the orchestra itself in the entire second half.  To an orchestra -- I surmise -- a popular soloist helps to sell tickets, but otherwise soloists are interchangeable.

I am, admittedly, completely biased in this regard, but I hope Nobu may be an exception.  Perhaps, just perhaps, because he is so extraordinary, an orchestra would set aside their pettiness and resentments (if any) to embrace him, to give Nobu the best support.  Nobu's performances do not just move audiences, but also some orchestra musicians.  Case in point: take a look at the expressions on the faces of the members of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, in this photo from the 2009 Cliburn Competition.  (In Japan, the photo was the centerfold of a special issue of the Chopin Magazine.)


In the dozen or so performances of Nobu with an orchestra that I have had the privilege of witnessing, I have seen some similarly enthusiastic responses in orchestra members.  But I have also witnessed some indifference.  It seems to me that Nobu is an invaluable asset to someone such as Valery Gergiev, whose kindness towards Nobu gives the austere conductor a personal dimension otherwise hidden from the public.
 
Conductor Valery Gergiev guides Nobu to the piano in St. Petersburg, 2012.

Nobu's rapport with an orchestra seems especially strong in the U.K. .  The BBC Philharmonic toured in Japan with Nobu and Yutaka Sado (2013 Nobuyuki Tsujii - Yutaka Sado - BBC Phil tour) as well as performed at the 2013 BBC Proms with Nobu.  Principal Violinist Julian Gregory was (and is, I hope) especially supportive of Nobu and wrote about him glowingly in his web postings, including a very moving piece about their 2011 Japan tour that was rudely interrupted by the devastating earthquake that year.  As you can see in the photo below, the admiration for Nobu among the orchestra is unmistakable.
 
At the 2013 BBC Proms Debut, conductor Juanjo Mena took the effort to guide Nobu to shake hands with concert master Yuri Torchinsky.

Nobu's relationship with another U.K. orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, is still developing.  I was  in Liverpool last November when Nobu made his debut performances with the orchestra and Principal Conductor Vasily Petrenko.  Nobu was unusually nervous before the performances, but he was all smile afterward, and had nothing but praises for conductor Petrenko and the orchestra. In January this year, they reunited for a highly successful Japan tour.  And who can forget the amusing blog posts about the tour by Co-Principal Trumpet Brendan Ball, with frequent mentioning of  Nobu?

Nobu with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in November 2014

I have seen footage of Nobu waiting in the hallway, after a performance, to thank and shake hands with each orchestra member as they file by.  It seems that he does so whenever the opportunity affords.  Here, for example, is a still shot from the YouTube video Nobuyuki Tsujii Нобуюки Цудзи 辻井伸行 at the Mariinsky Theater, Russia 2012 that shows him thanking the members of the  Mariinksy's Theatre Orchestra after a performance in St. Petersburg.  In the footage that I saw, the orchestra members seem to be moved by this gesture of gratitude.

Nobu thanks the orchestra members of the  Mariinksy's Theatre Orchestra

Life is not perfect.  We all have our troubles and worries, regardless of our professions.  It is easy to jeer at orchestra musicians who act out like spoiled children in their darker hours.  But the frustrations and resentments are understandable when I imagine myself in the shoes of these musicians. Every one of them was a rising music star at one time; perhaps some of them now find themselves trapped in a fiercely competitive and unforgiving profession, performing the same works over and over again.

I wish them well.  Let's hope that we will always have the luxury of orchestral music to enjoy.   And may the goodness of Nobu forever keep him in the good grace of the orchestras that he performs with.

Nobuyuki Tsujii toured Canada in May 2015, performing in Edmonton and Winnipeg.  On May 8 and 9, he was in the Centennial Concert Hall  (2,305 seats) in Winnipeg, performing  Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) and conductor Alexander Mickelthwate.

I have previously reported a glowing review of the May 8 performance that appeared in the Winnipeg Free Press, May 8 2015.
But it turns out that there is another rave review that somehow did not get published until this month!   This one appeared on June 3rd in the Canadian newspaper La Liberte. The original article can be read here:http://la-liberte.mb.ca/blogue-du-journal/nobu-triomphe-encore-avec-losw
An English translation by me (with help from automated translator software) follows.

 
Winnipeg, May 8 2015, image via Nobuyuki Tsujii's official site

Nobu triumphed again with the WSO

Nobuyuki Tsujii, the young Japanese pianist, born blind, who made a triumphant debut with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in January 2013, once again roused the audience with a splendid interpretation of the Concerto No. 5  "Emperor" of Beethoven on May 8, 2015.

His mother recognized his talent at age of 2,  and made every effort to ensure that the unique gift of her son for music is cultivated and developed to its full potential. Van Cliburn said, following Nobu's performance at the International Van Cliburn Competition in 2009, where he (Nobu) won the first prize: "It was absolutely miraculous. His performance had the power of a healing ritual. It was truly divine. "

Since winning the award, Nobuyuki Tsujii has touched audiences around the world with his sublime music. He managed to memorize by ear a vast and challenging repertoire with such perfection and a very personal touch that it is beyond comprehension.

Life was difficult in Vienna in the early nineteenth e century. The Napoleonic army occupied the city after having conquered with such firepower that Beethoven, who was then beginning to lose his hearing, took refuge in the basement of the house of his brother to take shelter, covering his head with pillows to alleviate the deafening noises. Austria's economy was in crisis and Beethoven had to accept a reduction in salary paid him by the nobles who supported him. It is in these great torments that the majestic fifth and last piano concerto was germinated by Beethoven.  Beethoven did not name the concerto "Emperor".   A story circulated that a French officer who attended the premiere exclaimed "This is the emperor!" during a passage particularly full of nobility. But Anton Schindler, a longtime friend and biographer of Beethoven, believed that this title was awarded to the concerto because the first Viennese performance took place on the anniversary of Emperor Francis I of Austria, on 12 February 1812.

Beethoven was able to play this concerto himself but probably never did hear it, because of his deafness. 200 years later and without ever having seen the score, Nobu gave a masterful and sublime interpretation of this revolutionary work, which would have probably moved the composer. The concerto is more akin to a symphony than the traditional concerto. The piano holds an equal place as the orchestra, a position that Nobu held with great aplomb and gusto. From the outset, at the first linkup with the orchestra, he executed the ascending and descending arpeggios that introduce the first theme with accuracy, agility and impressive power. After the first exhibition of military theme by the orchestra, Nobu continued to develop with great sensitivity and expressiveness. Romantic and lyrical passages intersect with dramatic and aggressive passages, as if moments of peace and tenderness were temporarily respite from the warlike confrontations.

Nobu played the beautiful adagio of the second movement with an emotion which led us to close our eyes and let ourselves be penetrated by the sublime beauty of music. What delicacy and fluidity, musicality.  He brought forth music that seems to flow from the depths of his soul. It emerges from this almost mystical state to embark on a brilliant execution of the final rondo that brought the audience to tears.

Alexander Mickelthwate and musicians, inspired by the sublime playing of Nobu, gave a remarkable interpretation of the orchestral parts. The orchestra made beautiful music, though nuanced, full of sensitivity to phrasing. Nobu's ability to play with an orchestra without seeing the conductor is also beyond comprehension. He probably developed an extremely sensitive hearing allowing him to quickly perceive the smallest nuances of what is happening in the orchestra.   It also requires from the conductor a lot more attentive listening to the piano to adjust the pace with the soloist in the passages where the piano dominates,  and controls the volume of the orchestra so as never to stifle the piano.  Mickelthwate did that very well. He maintained a perfect coordination between the orchestra and the soloist.

It is a deeply moved audience who thanked the soloist and the orchestra at length for him to have made such a great live musical moment. An emotion that one could see on the faces during the intermission. We would have wished that the concert ends then, to continue to relish of the transcendent beauty of what we had just heard.

The excellent performance of the Symphony No. 5 in D minor, op. 47 by Dmitri Shostakovich in the second part of the concert has not managed to put out the emotion in the first part. This work contrasted too sharply with the Beethoven concerto and the audience felt that the mind and heart lied elsewhere.

In the 1930s, Stalin had imposed heavy restrictions on artistic freedom in the Soviet Union. Shostakovich had come under severe criticism for his "formalism", his personal and intellectual approach to art. He had managed to evade censorship and purges by his ability to stretch to the maximum under the guidelines of the Soviet system. The Fifth Symphony was to be a work of reconciliation and submission to the Soviet composer's objectives in the field of arts imposed by Stalin. Some saw it as a style and sense of resemblance to the 5 th and 9 th symphonies by Beethoven, whose works were tolerated by the regime. It saw a mention of a passage from darkness to light. While it is true that Beethoven was annoyed by the rise of Napoleonic imperialism and called for the emergence of a new world  reigned by a universal love in the spirit of the French Revolution, one feels even in the last bars of the Shostakovich's 5th the weight and power of the tyrannical Stalin, which prohibits any other light than his shine. Beethoven defied conventions and claimed his freedom while Shostakovich had to play tricks and to use irony to affirm a certain freedom while giving a tender look to the plan.

The symphony of Shostakovich had the effect of a wet blanket on the beautiful emotion felt at the end of Beethoven's concerto. It would have been preferable to present them in reverse order. For it is still the concerto that spoke more as we made our exit.

Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra
May 8, 2015, Centennial Concert Hall
Alexander Mickelthwate, conductor
Nobuyuki Tsujii, piano

Piano Concerto No. 5 in E flat major called "Emperor" op. 73    Ludwig van BeethovenSymphony No. 5 in D minor, op. 47   Dimitri Shostakovich

Pierre MEUNIER
--------------------------------------------------------
Following is a copy of the original article, preserved here for posterity.

Nobu triomphe encore avec l’OSW

Nobuyuki Tsujii, le jeune pianiste d’origine japonaise né aveugle qui a fait un début triomphal à l’Orchestre symphonique de Winnipeg en janvier 2013, a de nouveau soulevé l’auditoire avec une sublime interprétation du Concerto no 5 dit “Empereur” de Beethoven le 8 mai 2015.
Reconnu par sa mère dès l’âge de 2 ans, elle a tout mis en œuvre pour que le don unique de son fils pour la musique soit cultivé et développé jusqu’à son plein épanouissement. Van Cliburn a dit, suite à ses performances au concours international Van Cliburn de 2009, où il a remporté le premier prix : “ Il a été absolument miraculeux. Sa prestation avait la puissance d’un rite de guérison. Ce fut vraiment divin.” Depuis qu’il a remporté ce prix, Nobuyuki Tsujii a ému les auditoires partout dans le monde par sa musique sublime. Qu’il soit parvenu à mémoriser à l’oreille un aussi vaste et difficile répertoire avec une telle perfection et une touche très personnelle dépasse l’entendement.
Related articles:
Move over Beethoven: Nobu's Emperor brilliant - review Winnipeg Free Press, May 8 2015
Nobuyuki Tsujii in Canada 2015

辻井伸行さんのピアノ素晴らしいです。 世界で一番音の響き・軸・・・何もかもすごいです。Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano is great. The sound is world-class. Truly amazing. -tweet

Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Berlin Philharmonic's Chamber Hall, 2014

That tweet brightened an otherwise languid summer day.

I can't stop looking at the photo that comes with the tweet.  It captures so well Nobu's persona while he performs.

He has that child-like expression on his face when he is in a zone.  There is a nobility in his demeanor.  His fingers glide effortlessly on the keyboard.  The piano becomes a symphony orchestra.  The sound fills the concert hall.

He is at peace in his own world, seemingly oblivious to the audience surrounding him.

He is no arm-flailing, heaven-gazing showman.    He does not grimace as if in pain, nor is he drenched in sweat as he attacks the keyboard.   And he is certainly no scantily-clad image-is-everything diva. 

No, Nobu is Nobu.  He plays the piano to share his love of music with the audience, never putting himself ahead of the composer and the music.  Innocence and sincerity.   Amen.

Here are some more photos in my collection of Nobu on the piano.

CD liner notes photo, 2014

 
2005 Chopin International Piano Competition

White Nights Festival, St. Petersburg 2012

 
CD cover photo, 2010

 
Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, 2009

"Nobuyuki Tsujii has touched audiences around the world with his sublime music. He managed to memorize by ear a vast and challenging repertoire with such perfection and a very personal touch that it is beyond comprehension."  -"Nobu triumphed again with the WSO" ( La Liberte, 2015) 

2014 was a wonder year, during which Nobuyuki Tsujii ticked off one formidable work after another. Ravel's Gaspard de la Nuit: check.  Chopin's Ballade No 4: check.  Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3: check.   These works are deemed daunting for sighted pianists, and most people would consider them downright impossible for someone born blind.   Over the years, Nobu has also mastered virtuosic works such as Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1,  Prokofiev's Concerto No. 3, and of course Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 and Liszt's La Campanella, which he now routinely performs and with which he never fails to impress.


But, at age 26 (going on 27 in September), Nobu is at a classic dilemma of  young concert pianists. What should he play now?  What should he add to his repertoire that will (1) engage the audience, (2) satisfy himself AND (3) sell tickets?

Nobu has now successfully performed the requisite popular concertos -- Chopin 1, Chopin 2, Tchai 1, Rach 2, Rach 3, Prok(ofiev) 3, Grieg, Ravel, Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 and 5 ("Emperor").  Additionally, he will be performing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" later this summer.

Nobu is facing the same problem that his peers are dealing with. Simply put, there are not many other sure-fire concertos that are box-office favorites.  Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is considered a crowd favorite, but most people only love the 18th variation.  Brahm's Piano Concertos No. 1, Liszt's Piano Concerto No. 1 and Schumann's Piano Concerto seem to be second-tier favorites, and I think Nobu would be good at them.  But after that we are down to esoteric works (Bach, Bartók, Beethoven 2/3/4, Brahms 2, Prokofiev 1/2, Tchaikovsky 2 etc.) that are -- sadly -- hard sells.

I am happy that Nobu has now built up a concerto repertoire that will stand him in good stead for the rest of his career.  Nobu's popularity in Japan is such that he can sell out concerts performing Mozart's concertos (as is happening right now with Mozart's no. 20 and 27), but I think if you were to ask his Japanese fans, those works would not be their first choices.

What is more important, in the case of Nobu, is what he will choose to perform in his recitals.  Although audiences outside Japan prefer concertos, Nobu fans in Japan seem to differ.  There, Nobu's recitals sell out far more readily than his concertos.  And, if Evgeny Kissin is to be believed, concert pianists themselves prefer performing  recitals, citing "more control."

For other young pianists at a similar career juncture as Nobu, the trendy thing seems to be to pursue obscure virtuosic works: Scriabin, Balakirev, Stravinsky, Scarlatti, etc., that are more show-off pieces than ear candy.  This strategy perhaps makes sense for young pianists striving to distinguish themselves from the rest of the every-growing pack of virtuosos.

I am hoping that Nobu would not join that arms race.  I believe Nobu's situation is different from his peers.  Nobu's pianism is not in question.  And, after his efforts last year, I hope he has (once and for all) proved that he is as capable as any pianist, his blindness not withstanding.  Let's face it, these superhuman feats are unnecessary to Nobu's fans, and they are  not likely to change the opinions of his critics.  People who resent Nobu's fame would consider his fearless performance of daunting works such as Prokofiev's Concerto No. 3 no more than a circus act, and nothing would change those minds.

So, after some thinking, I offer below these unsolicited input to my beloved Nobu for his consideration for future additions to his recital repertoire:

• Chopin!  My own preferences would be the nocturnes (Op 15-2 in F-sharp major and OP 72-1 in E minor would be especially lovely in Nobu's hands) and the preludes.  And I do hope to hear Chopin's Fantaisie-Impromptu played by Nobu someday -- Nobu played it in Japan at a young age.  I know these pieces are considered trite by some people, but I don't care -- I want to hear Nobu play them.
• Grieg's Lyric_Pieces seem to be currently in vogue (several new recordings have come out recently, including one by Stephen Hough.)  I think some of these  pieces -- unpretentious and lyrical -- would suit Nobu well.  I wish Nobu would play To Spring again as he did in 2013.  
• Tchaikovsky's Seasons suite-- Lang Lang has been performing them.  Nobu would be good at those.  Nobu has performed "Troika  (November)" often (see video below).
• Kapustin's etudes -- Nobu's childhood teacher, Dr. Masahiro Kawakami, is a champion of the music of Nikolai Kapustin.  I am aware that Kapustin's music verges on jazz, but I love the YouTube video of Nobu performing one ofKapustin's etudes (see below).

Above all, I hope Nobu chooses to perform works that he loves to play, not to impress.  
 Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Tchaikovsky's Troika



Tsujii Nobuyuki, aged 17, performs Kapustin/"8 Concert Etudes for Piano Op.40-2". 

Related articles
Nobu reached yet another mountain top!
A Wish List for Mr. Tsujii
Nobuyuki Tsujii, the global pianist

FOOTNOTE 
I thank U.S. Nobu fan Jamie for reading this piece and sending in her wish list:
Concertos
Beethoven No. 4
Mozart No. 24 and 23
Listz no. 1
Recital pieces
Tchai seasons collection
Chopin preludes
More Beethovin sonatas
 

Congratulations to Tsujii-san for yet another successful Japan tour. 
 ♪August 1

I will make a translation of it when I get a chance. The original article can be read here
July 30

http://ameblo.jp/cotona-blog/entry-12055441352.html
July 30, 2015
... 辻井 伸行さんのコンサート
心とつながっているような真っ直ぐな音で
これは彼のギフトだなあと本当に感動しました...
Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert
In straightforward sounds, such as those connected to the heart
I was really impressed and I admire his gift
July 29
This blog post came up a week ago but I came upon it just now.  It is always good to hear from a new Nobu fan.
http://ameblo.jp/smile-and-kindness06/entry-12055498081.html
辻井伸行さんのコンサートへ To the concert of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii
2015-07-28 15:04:23
先日、７月１６日に、辻井伸行さんのリサイタルへ行ってきました。
私の母が、クラシックが好きで、今回誘ってくれました。
（私の母は、とっても行動派で、オーストリアに行き、ウィーンフィルの演奏や
ウィーン少年合唱団の合唱を聴きに行ってしまう行動の持ち主でもあります桜 
The other day, on July 16, I went to Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital.
My mother likes classical music, and invited me along this time.
My mother is an avid fan; she went to Austria, was at a performance of the Vienna Philharmonic and listened to the Vienna Boys Choir.  
ピアノのリサイタルは久しぶりでした。
場所は、赤阪見附からほど近い、紀尾井ホールという、とても音響のいいホールで行われました。
演目は、ショパンとリストです。
ショパン
　　ピアノ・ソナタ　第２番　変ロ短調　作品３５≪葬送≫など
リスト
　　ハンガリー　狂詩曲　第６番
　　ピアノ・ソナタ　ロ短調
It has been a long time that I went to a piano recital.  It took place in Kioi Hall, a very nice venue near Akasaka Mitsuke. 
The repertoire was Chopin and Liszt, such as Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 35  "Funeral"; and Liszt's  Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 and Piano Sonata in B minor.
辻井さんの演奏は、とても耳に心地よかったです。
聴いていて、幸せだなぁと思いました。
そして、次に思ったのは、演奏の力強さです。
けして、荒々しい演奏ではありません。
ただ、生きる力強さというか、ピアノに対する情熱を感じました。
彼は、盲目のピアニストであることも、皆さんよくご存じだと思います。
でも、彼の演奏を聴いていると、感動せずにはいられないし、
盲目であることさえも、彼の個性なのかもしれないと思いました。
また、聴きにいきたい、そう思いました。 
Mr. Tsujii's playing is very comfortable to my ear.
Listening to his music made me happy. 
And I thought the performance was powerful, but the playing was not violent.
Some say it is the strength to live;  I felt his passion for piano. 
I think every one knows he is a blind pianist.
But, you can not listen to his playing without feeling the excitement,
More than his blindness, I thought it was his individuality.
Also, I want to go to listen to him again.  I think so.
自分が一生懸命になれることがあって、それによってあんな風に
多くの人が感動する。
そんな仕事ができることって、とっても素敵だなと思いましたハート
音楽って、素晴らしいですね
Through a lot of hard work, he thrilled us.  He works hard; he is a nice person and has a very good heart, and great music.

July 26  15:00  茨城 【つくば】 Tsukuba, Ibarakiノバホールについて Novall Hall (1000 seats)
event announcement Ibaraki (prefecture) is a coastal area 1.5 hours by car from Tokyo.  This is the last of 11 sold-out performances on this tour.
茨城 【つくば】 Tsukuba, Ibaraki ノバホールについて Novall Hall


Super Nobu fan Shinobu Oyashikiwas at her third performance on this tour. She posted this report on my Nobuyuki Tsujii fans facebook page:  
2015年プレミアムリサイタル千秋楽のノバホールに澄みきったショパンとリストが響き渡り大喝采のうちに26日間に渡る11公演目の幕が閉じまし た。どれほど多くの聴衆がドラマチックなショパンとリストに魂を揺さぶられ計り知れない幸福感に満たされたことでしょう。伸君も11公演全力で弾ききって 無事終えられこと、どの会場でも万雷の拍手喝采を浴びたことに満足しきったのか、いつも以上に上半身を左右に大きく揺さぶって満面に笑みをたたえ舞台を降 りていきました。これほどの大喝采はピアニスト冥利に尽きるでしょうし、伸君の深々としたお辞儀と満足そうに去ってゆく後ろ姿を見送るのはファン冥利につ きます。ノバホールは初めてで素晴らしい音響とお客さんが集中して聴いてくれて気持ちよく演奏ができましたとのこと。大阪から昨日直接つくばに来てつくば 鶏を食べたそうです。いずみホールに続き、最後は美し過ぎるリストのコンソレーション第3番で締めて世界最高のリスト弾きを印象付けた感があります。プレ ミアムリサイタルお疲れさま。そしていつも本当にありがとう。伸君の存在にそしてピアニストでいてくれることにただただ感謝します。
The 2015 Chopin/Liszt recital tour came to a close to large cheers in Nova Hall after 11 performances  over 26 days.
Many of the audience will be filled with immeasurable happiness and come away with their souls shaken by the dramatic Chopin and Liszt.
With 11 performances safely played, Mr. Tsujii gave his best, drawing thunderous applause at the venue.  He seemed fully satisfied as he left the stage with a big smile, his upper body swaying left to right more than usual.
He bowed deeply to the fans, to express his appreciation.
He said this was his first time performing in Nova Hall and the great acoustics allowed him to play comfortably with the audience listening in concentration.
He said he came to Tsukuba yesterday directly from Osaka, and enjoying eating the the Tsukuba chicken.
As at the Izumi Hall,  he gave us the beauty of Liszt's Consolation No. 3 as the final encore -- it was the best performance to my mind.
Premium recital -- cheers for good work. And always, really, thank you.
Thank you very much, Nobu-kun!
--------------------------
http://sacorin11.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2015-07-27 [blog of a piano teacher]
2015-07-27 19:36
魂で奏でる音　[音楽]  Soundfor theSoul[music]
大阪にある、「いずみホール」というところは、クラシックのコンサート専用のホールです。
パイプオルガンがあって、なんとも荘厳な雰囲気のする素敵なホールでした。
"Izumi Hall" is a venue in Osaka dedicated to classical-music concerts.
There is apipe organ; it isa nicehall with adownrightsolemn atmosphere.
ここに、先日、辻井伸行さんのピアノだけのプレミアムリサイタルに行ってきました。
辻井さんのチケットはなかなか取れないのですが、運よく取れて、なんと、前から３列目でしたので、
指の動き等がとてもハッキリ見えました。
Here, the other day, I went to apremium piano recital of Mr.NobuyukiTsujii.  It is not easy to get tickets of his concerts, but lucky for us, we were seated in the third row from the front, with a clear view of his fingers.
辻井さんはもともと難曲を弾きこなすピアニストさんなのですが、この日の演目もショパンとリストで、ともにあまり知られていない長編で、ショパンは有名な「葬送行進曲」を弾いてくれましたが、これは第三楽章であって、実際は「ピアノ・ソナタ第二番変ロ短調　作品３５　葬送」という、四楽章からなる２２分の曲だったんだと初めて知りました。
Mr. Tsujiiis a pianistwhodoes not shy away from difficult works in his concerts. 
Repertoireof the dayisChopinand Liszt, featuring some works that are not well known.  But he played Chopin's famous "Funeral March," which is actually a third movement of Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35.  I learnedfor the first timethe the 22-minute work consists offourmovements.
もう、最初から最後まで常に指がまるでピアノにくっついているかのようにずっと高速回転で動いていて、彼はご存じのとおり、譜面は見えませんので、耳で聴いたものを自分の中で組み立てて心の目で弾いているのだと思いますが、そのせいか、何とも言えない優しい音色で、強く弾く部分もあるのですが、それもまた柔らかいタッチで、一音一音を大切に弾いている感じがしました。
From beginning to the end, his fingers were moving at a high speed on the piano.  And, as you know, he cannot see a music score.  I think he was playing what he heard by ear and assembled in his mind's eye.  Perhaps because of that, the tone is indescribably inviting.  Sure, he played some parts very strongly, but there was also a soft touch.  I felt that each note, each note was played with great care.
弾き終えたあと、退場する際に本当に嬉しそうにされているので、ピアノが本当に好きなんだなというのが伝わってきました。
After the performance, he took exit looking very happy, as if he really liked what he had conveyed on the piano.
圧巻はリストの「ピアノ・ソナタ　ロ短調」で、３０分間なんと、ぶっ通しで弾き続けたことです。
リストなのでもう、超難曲ですから、延々高速回転が続くわけです。
なんだかもう、辻井さん自体がピアノでした。
The highlightwas Liszt's  "Piano Sonatain B minor."  It requires 30 whopping minutes of playing without a break.   As always with a Liszt work, it is super challenging, requiring endless quick finger work.  It really seemed as if Mr. Tsujii was the piano itself.
で、何よりよかったのが、お客様がみなさんそれこそ咳払い一つもしないかのような静けさを保ちながら、
真剣に聴き入っているのが雰囲気でわかったことで、辻井さんにもそのことが伝わったようで、最後に「お客さんがみなさん真剣に聴いてくださったので、とても弾きやすかったです」とおっしゃって、アンコールに
みんながよく知っている、浅田真央さんが演じたこともあるリストの「愛の夢」と、ショパンの「革命」を弾いてくださって、すごく盛り上がりました
His playing was great while keeping the customers engaged, not even one throat clearing was heard.   Everyone was listening seriously, and it seems that Mr. Tsujii noticed that, saying during encores that "It was very easy to play, because the everyone in the audience was listening seriously."
He played Liszt's "Love Dream", often used in Mao Asada's figure-skating, and Chopin's "revolution" was very exciting. 
Everyone iswell aware, the "lovedream" on the list, sometimes Mao'sAsadaisplayed, withmeplaying the"revolution"ofChopin; it wasveryexciting.
最後にもう一曲「ノクターン」も弾いてくださいました。
テクニックの必要な難しい曲が今回は割と多かったですが、静かな曲が辻井さんには似合うかなという気がしました。
穏やかで、それでいて完璧さを追及する乙女座の辻井さんの魂の音でした。
The last piece was a very pleasant "Nocturne"[actually "Consolation No. 3" by Liszt].
Although by comparison this one was less challenging, but I felt that the quiet song was a good fit for Mr. Tsujii.  Itis calm, yettopursueperfection.  It was the sound of the soul of Virgo by Mr. Tsujii.
クラシックは何度か聴いていますが、ホントに息をするのもはばかられるぐらいの静けさの中で、まさに
「音を愛でる」という感じでした。
Although I listen to classical music often, but   in thetranquilityI really hesitated to breathe.  It was afeeling of"I love thissound."
辻井さんの奏でる音は本当に優しかったです。
日ごろのイライラが吹っ飛ぶような一日でした。
The sound of Mr. Tsujii's playing was truly inviting.
It blew away the frustrations of the day.
------------------------
This tweet was posted at 2:30PM Japan time on the day of performance
今日はつくばは猛暑日!ノバホールにて、辻井伸行さんのプレミアムリサイクルです。軽井沢とつくば、月に二回も聴けるなんて幸せです！ Tsukubainextremely hot day! Nova Hall -- a premiumrecitalofNobuyukiTsujiitoday.  I was at the KaruizawaMetropolitanTsukuba also, listening pleasure twice in a month.  -tweet



演奏自体は引き込まれる感じで素晴らしい。辻井伸行。今は休憩時間。 His playing draws a wonderful feeling . Nobuyuki Tsujii. Now it is intermission. -tweet 

♪ From a blog post that came up after the performance:
... すべての音がクリアにはっきり聴こえる演奏もめずらしいな。
１つ１つの音を大事にしてるような。
遠近法で音楽を聴くというより、 拡大鏡で音を聴いてるような流れ
。... 魂をすり減らして弾ききった辻井さんに割れんばかりの拍手がやみませんでした～こういった、多くの人から愛される演奏家って、本当にキセキ的です。...
... The sound that he emits is extraordinarily clear, flowing as if heard under a magnifying glass ... the soul-cleansing performance was met with thunderous applause, a performer beloved by many, it was truly miraculous ... 

ノバホールのプレミアムリサイタル最終日、強く心を揺さぶられた素晴らしい演奏でした。アンコールは愛の夢と革命、最後にリストのコンソレーション3番を。大サービス嬉しかった‼︎ Last day of Premium Recital in Nova Hall.  It was agreatperformance that strongly shook my mind.   Encores Love Dream, Revolution and Liszt's Consolation No. 3 at last.  I was happy with the generous service! -tweet

辻井伸行が奏でる「愛の夢」が最高に好き♡  Nobuyuki Tsujii's performance of "love dream" is the best -tweet

［つくば］今日の最高気温は34.8度まで上がった．ノバホールでの辻井伸行 http://www.nobupiano1988.com/ ピアノリサイタルが終わった．センター広場は夕方とはいえ，まだカンカン照りの猛暑が続いている．そこら中に呑んべの集団が．もう少し涼しくなったら，再出撃してƱ”…… [Tsukuba] Today's highest temperaturehas risento34.8degrees. TsujiiNobuyukipianorecitalatNova Hallhas finished, but afterward the Central Plaza remained exceptional sunny in the evening. People are drowsy drunkeverywhere. Will revive once it has cooled down ...  -tweet

辻井伸行さんのピアノリサイタルに行ってきた！圧倒的すぎて言葉にできない…また必ず行こう。 Iwent toNobuyuki Tsujii's pianorecital! I cannotinwordsdescribe howoverwhelmingit was ... I will always go to his concerts.  -tweet

http://blog.livedoor.jp/tanyogo/archives/45592936.html
2015年07月26日
辻井伸行さんのコンサート
今日は待ちに待った辻井さんのコンサート
辻井さんは、1万円のチケットがあっという間に売切というカリスマ的な人気者です
July 26, 2015
Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert
Today's concert of Nobuyuki Tsujii was long awaited.  His charismatic popularity is such that the ¥10,000 tickets sold out in the blink of an eye.
テレビやコンサートで引っ張りだこの辻井さんなので、出てきた瞬間から人々の期待が集中！
ハンディがあることを一掃させてくれる美しい音と、迫力ある強音でヴィルトゥオーゾ的で華やかな演奏でした！
Because Mr. Tsujii is sought after on TV and in concerts,
Expectations of people was intense from the moment that the concert was announced!
The beautiful sound makes us forget that he has a handicap.
It was a a colorful performance of great virtuosity in a powerful volume!
すべての音がクリアにはっきり聴こえる演奏もめずらしいな。
１つ１つの音を大事にしてるような。
遠近法で音楽を聴くというより、拡大鏡で音を聴いてるような流れ。
In his playing, the sound is heard with exceptional clarity, every and each note was played with care. Rather thanto belistening to musicin perspective [at a distance?], the flow was such that it was as if we were listening to the sound with a magnifying glass.
とまぁ、私のゴタクは置いといて・・・
大曲のプログラムを1時間。1曲1曲全神経をこめて、魂をすり減らして弾ききった辻井さんに割れんばかりの拍手がやみませんでした～
こういった、多くの人から愛される演奏家って、本当にキセキ的です。
Now, all  pretentious statement it aside ... It was a program of hour-long large works.
1 hour program of Omagari.  The soul-cleansing playing of Mr. Tsujii was met with thunderous applause that would not stop.  He is a performer beloved by many people, truly miraculous.
演奏後のトークがまた、お人柄を感じさせ、親しみのこもってましたね（＾＾）
ずっと応援したいピアニストです。
He also talks after playing, and I felt his personality -- it was cuddly friendly (^^).  A pianist for whom you want to cheer a lot.
 -------------
http://ameblo.jp/otaniemi/entry-12054919866.html
2015-07-26 22:22:41
辻井伸行さんのピアノコンサート
今日はつくばノバホールで開催された辻井伸行さんのピアノコンサートに行ってきました。生で彼の演奏を聴くのは初めて。録音された音だと甘い感じの演奏をされる方なのかなーと思っていましたが、実際に聴いてみると、男性的で端正、そしてかなりスピード感のある演奏で、良い意味で期待を裏切られましたねー。
Nobuyuki Tsujii's pianoconcert
TodayI went toNobuyuki Tsujii's pianoconcert, which was held in the TsukubaNova Hall.
For the first timeI listened tohis playinglive. WhenI heard him on recordings I thoughtit is the sweet sound of a nice person playing.  When Iactuallyheard him, it was [instead] masculine and neat, and the playing was at quite a tempo.  It was not what I expected, but in a good way.
アンコールは３回。本日の演目と同じくショパンとリストのメジャーどころを披露いただきサービス精神も満点という印象でした。
Encorethree times.  Just as the works featured in today's program they were perfect for showing off major works of Chopin and Liszt


このコンサートが、地元できけるのはトカイナカつくばの魅力ですねー。
Thisconcert was held in the charming local venue of ofTokainakaTsukubatohearlocally.
--------------------
http://open.mixi.jp/user/154869/diary/1944497024
2015年07月26日20:50
断念
今日も暑い。朝から暑い。
朝は母を美容院に送り、その足で商工会へ。原稿をチェックし、母を迎え。
July 26, 2015 20:50
Giving Up Hope
Today was hot again. Hot starting from morning.
In the morning, took the mother to beauty salon, and walked to the Chamber of Commerce. Check the manuscript, and picked up the mother.
高校野球「早稲田実業対東海大菅生」を見る。途中飛行機事故があって、５点差で東海で決まりだよねと言っていたら、投手が自滅。大逆転でマスコミの喜ぶ展開に。追いかけ続けた１年生の清宮が甲子園登場となるわけです。
[something about highschool baseball]
午後、次女バンド練習の送迎、そのあと、辻井伸行さんのコンサートに行きました。つくば市ノバホールです。素晴らしいタッチというかスタンウェイ・ピアノがキラキラが輝いて聞こえました。今日の選曲はショパンとリスト。アンコールに「革命」でした。
夕方から持続化補助金をチェックし、北条祇園巡回は断念となりました。
In the afternoon, drove the second daughter to band practice, after which I went to  Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert at Tsukuba city's Nova Hall.  Wonderful touch on the Steinway piano; the sound  heard was shining and sparking.  Today's selection of music is Chopin and Liszt.  "Revolution" was in the encore ...
----------------------
http://pnet.kawai.jp/514861/topics/73484/
2015.07.27
辻井伸行さんコンサート
こんにちは。
土浦市ピアノ教室　岡本音楽教室です。
Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert
Hello.
Tsuchiura piano classroom
Okamoto is a music classroom.
辻井伸行さんコンサートに
つくば市ノバホールに行って来ました。
プログラムは
ショパン　アンダンテ・スピナートと
華麗なる大ポロネーズ
リストのハンガリー狂詩曲第６番など…
I went to Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert in Tsukuba, Nova Hall.
Program was  Chopin's  Andante Spinato Polonaise and Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 , etc/
なんて繊細で愛情に満ちた音なのでしょう。
激しく所も、決して若さで押し切るような
荒々しさではなく、深みのある響きでした。
What a delicate  sound that is full of love.
Also sometimes quite forceful, as befitting his youth.
Rather than harshness,
It was a sound that is deep.
アンコールはリストの愛の夢
拍手鳴り止まず、ご本人がご挨拶
『……昨日、大阪からこちらに入りまして、つくば鶏を頂き（笑）おいしかったです。皆様の気持ちに応え、ショパンの革命を』
Encore is Liszt's dream of love. 
Thunderous applause.
In his Greetings
"...... Yesterday I was in Osaka and now I am here.  I was treated to  delicious Tsukuba chicken (laughs). In response to your appreciation, the revolution of Chopin "
ダブルアンコールにまたまた拍手鳴り止まず、
なんとトリプルアンコール。リストのコンソレーション３番。
Thunderous applause again after the second encore.
What,  a triple encore?
Consolation No. 3 by Liszt .
それでも拍手鳴り止まず、出てきてお辞儀
する事二回。最後はご自身でピアノの蓋を
閉めて『これで終わりですよ』という仕草に
笑いも。
Still, the applause would not stop,
And twice  he came out to bow
Finally he pull down the piano lid on his own,
The gesture of " This is the end"
Laughter [from the audience]  also.
うっとりな音色に暑さも忘れる一時でした。
素敵な演奏を聴いたあとは自分も
弾きたくなりますね。
あんな音がだせたらいいなぁ。
For once the hear is forgotten in the admirable.
After listening to the nice playing, even I want to play.
I wonder if I would be able to  put out that kind of sound.
----------------------
♪ July 25
昨日の辻井伸行さんのピアノリサイタル、第一部ショパン、第二部リストの難しい曲のあと万雷の拍手に答えてリストの「愛の夢」ショパンの「革命」リストの「コンソレーション」と3曲も弾いてくれた♪　さすがにお疲れだったのか、4回目のアンコールの後ピアノの蓋を茶目っ気で閉じられた(笑)
Yesterday at Tsujii Nobuyuki's piano recital, first part of Chopin, and after the second part of challenging works,  he even responded to the thunderous applause with 3 pieces:  Liszt's "Love Dream", Chopin's "Revolution" and Liszt's "Consolation"  Truly he had to be  tired, so he closed the piano lid after the fourth encore closed with mischief (laughs).   -tweet

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/halulu1151/35936329.html
2015/7/26(日)... 昨日のことでした。 Yesterday

場所は、いずみホール。
辻井伸行さんのピアノリサイタルでした。
期待通りの素晴らしい演奏でした。
The location, IzumiHall.
Nobuyuki Tsujii's was thepianorecital.
It was agreatperformanceas expected.
暗闇の世界の中で彼はどんな光を見ているのだろう。
音は彼の指を通してあふれる感情の煌めき。
In the darknessofhis worldheis probably seeing some kind oflight.
Sparkling sound ofemotion was overflowingthroughhis fingers
考えて、見て弾くのではないから・・・なお彼　その人そのもの。
そして、演奏が終われば
ひょうきんでチャーミングな青年なのでした。
I think because he cannot see when he plays ... he plays from his own true self.
Then, whenhe finishedplaying,
He was ajocularandthecharmingyoung man
曲の旋律と聴いている者の琴線が共鳴すると
何故だか
涙が　つー　っと出てくるのです。
His music struck the hearts and resonates with those who listen the melody of the song
Oh, why did tears come out anew?
アンコールをするたびにニコニコしながら何度も客席に向けてお辞儀をしてくれる辻井君。　（！）
３曲目のアンコール曲を弾き終え、会釈のあとピアノの蓋を自分で閉めてしまいました。
照れ笑いしながら舞台を去りました。
Tsujii-kunsmiled and bowed towards the audience many times after each encore(!)
After three songs he nodded, closed the lid on the piano himself, and left the stage with a shy smile.
いいね！素敵だった！こんな日本人のピアニストが居ること日本の誇りですね。
Marvelous!  Very nice!  He is the Japanese pianist of today and the pride of Japan
----------
http://halftone26.exblog.jp/24727782/
辻井伸行プレミアムリサイタルと櫓仁
水曜日はＨＩＳの日帰りバスツアーで、金曜日はいずみホールで辻井伸行プレミアムリサイタル。
そして、土曜日はいつものメンバーで貴船へ。
というわけで、今週は、とーーーーっても忙しかったのです。
TsujiiNobuyukipremiumrecitalandYagurajin
Wednesdayis adaybus tourof theHIS,FridayTsujiiNobuyukipremiumrecitalatIzumiHall.
And, Saturdayat the usualmemberstoKibune.
All in all, this has been a busy week ...

金曜日のチケットは、友達のお嬢さんが仕事で行けなくなったので私に回ってきました。
辻井伸行クンのコンサートは、数年前に１回だけ行ったことがあるのですが、そのあとはなかなかチケットが取れなくて、手の届かない遠い存在のコンサートになっていたのです。
なので、私にとってはかなりのラッキーチケットでした。 ...
Tickets for the Friday's Nobuyuki Tsujii concert fell into my lap because friends of my daughter had to work and could no longer go to.  I was at his performance only once several years ago.  And since then, the tickets had become out of reach, so this ticket was quite a windfall for me.
繊細で迫力ある演奏は相変わらずって感じでした。
初めて行ったコンサートの時もブログに書いたと思うのですが、辻井伸行クンのピアノってやっぱりJAZZっぽい。
だから私、眠くならないんじゃないかなー＾＾
His performance felt  as delicate and powerful as ever.
Although I wrote in my blog after I went to his concert for the first time,
his piano has a JAZZ feel to it.
So, I did not fall asleep ^^
[the blogger went on to describe a sumptuous meal taken before/after the performance]


♪ July 24 19:00   大阪  Osaka  いずみホール Izumi Hall(718 - 821 seats), the interior is modeled after the famous Musikverein (Golden Hall) in Vienna, where Nobu performed in May.

♪ July 25
http://souchi.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2015/07/post-457e.html [blog of labor law scholar, Shinya Ouchi ]
2015年7月25日 (土)
辻井さんのコンサート
July 25, 2015 (Sat)
Tsujii's concert
　近年は毎年どこかで聞いている辻井伸行さんのピアノコンサート。今年は，2年連続で大阪のいずみホールに行ってきました。天神祭の初日の喧噪でざわめく大阪の町の真ん中で，日本が誇る音響抜群のこのホールは，辻井さんとそのファンたちを包み込んでくれました。今年は昨年よりも良い席をとることができて，間近で辻井さんを見ることができました。とくに演奏中は，右手の動きがよく見えてよかったです。
In recent years, I have been listening to Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano concert somewhere every year. This year, I went to Osaka's Izumi Hall for the second consecutive year. In the middle of the noisy town of Osaka and the hustle and bustle of the first day of the Tenjin festival, this hall -- boasting Japan's finest in acoustics -- provided a shelter for Tsujii and his fans. This year, I was able to take better seats than last year, and we were able to see Tsujii up close. It was especially good to be able to see the movement of his right hand during performance.

　曲は，前半はまず，ショパンの「アンダンテ・スピナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ作品22」と「ピアノ・ソナタ第2番　変ロ短調作品35＜葬送＞」です。アンダンテ・スピナートは，研究室でいつも聞いているショパンのCD（演奏者はアルゲリッチ）の1曲目に出てくるので，私にはとてもなじみのある曲で，それを辻井さんの生演奏で聞くことができて感動しました（辻井さんのCDで聞くこともありましたが）。辻井さんの演奏は，力強さも技巧もどちらもすごいのですが，私には静かな部分の弾き方が，他の演奏者よりもdolce というか，やさしいタッチのように聞こえて，これがたまらないのです。
In the first half, the works were Chopin's Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante and Piano Concerto No. 2 "Funeral." I listen to the Andante Spinato often, as it is a track on the CD played in my laboratory (performer is Argerich). It was impressive to hear it  performed live by Tsujii. (And it can also be heard on his CD.)  Tsujii's playing is amazing for both strength and finesse. The quiet part is, to me, softer than the other player's. And his gentle touch that I heard is irresistible.

　＜葬送＞は，4楽章の構成で，Grave（重く）⇒Scherzo（元の意味は，冗談）⇒Lento（ゆっくり）⇒Presto（はやく）で，長編の物語を聞いているようでした。
"Funeral" is a four-movement structure, Grave (heavy) ⇒Scherzo (original meaning, joke)  ⇒Lento (slowly) ⇒Presto (faster); it was like listening to a feature-length story.

　後半はリストの「ハンガリー狂詩曲第6番」と「ピアノ・ソナタ　ロ短調」です。ハンガリー狂詩曲は，音の響きが冴え渡るもので，いずみホール向けの選曲だったのでしょうかね。「ピアノ・ソナタ　ロ短調」は，曲そのもののスケールが大きく，辻井さんがそれに立ち向かったという感じでしょうか。30分の大作で，おそらく疲れきったのではないでしょうかね。
The second half is Liszt's "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6" and "Piano Sonata in B minor." The Hungarian Rhapsody is a resounding lively work tailor-made for Izumi Hall. "Piano Sonata in B minor" is a large-scale work, and it felt as if Tsujii was standing up to it. It lasted an epic 30 minutes, and I guessed he would probably be exhausted.

　それでも，アンコールは，リストの「愛の夢」　ショパンの「革命」，リストの「コンソレーション」と，聴衆の喜ぶものを弾いてくれました。なお続く拍手のなか，鍵盤の蓋を閉じて，これでおしまいということを示したのは，ちょっと意外でしたが，「もう疲れたから勘弁して」という辻井さんの意思表示だったのかもしれませんね。
Still, for encores he gave us Liszt's "Dream of Love", Chopin's "Revolution", and Liszt's "Consolation" -- to the delight of the audience.  And this is notable:  amidst the applause he closed the lid of the keyboard to signify that the concert has ended. It was a little surprising; it may be Tsujii's way of saying "Pardon me, but I am already tired."

　お疲れ様でした。また今年もよい演奏をありがとうございました
Cheers for good work. Thank you for your performance this year.
 
♪ July 24/25
Nobu has a lot of fans in Osaka, including Yura, who posts on Twitter often.  She was at the concert last night, and posted a series of tweets to share her experience with us -- thank you, Yura!

辻井 伸行 ソロ《プレミアム・リサイタル》  6時開場と思ったら6時半やったー  去年みたいに雨降ってないから良かったわ TsujiiNobuyukisolo"Premium recital"  doors opened at 6:00 and at 6:30 it was not raining like last yearandI thought that was good.  -Yura tweet


 辻井伸行リサイタル 1部 「アンダンテスピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ」「ソナタ2番」美しくダイナミックが生で聴いてまた進化したかのような迫力。あちこちで「凄いね!」と語り合ってます。ノブ君の隣で伴奏してみたいわ。よお弾かんけど。 Nobuyuki TsujiirecitalPart 1Chopin "Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante: and "Sonata No. 2"  Beautifullypowerful, and I could hear an evolution in the dynamics.  Here and there people uttered "Geat!"  [translation of rest of tweet is beyond me.]  -Yura tweet

 
辻井伸行 第2部「ハンガリー狂詩曲第6番」軽快で凄いリズミカル!楽しそうに弾いてたネ！初めて生で聴けてこっちも楽しかったわー(^^) TsujiiNobuyukiPart 2"Hungarian RhapsodyNo. 6"islight anditisamazingandrhythmic!He wasplayinghappily! It was fun tolistento it live for the first time.  -Yura tweet

辻井伸行 第2部 リストの難解曲「ソナタ ロ短調」めまぐるしく変化する曲調を、約30分間なんとドラマチックに演じてきったか!YouTubeでかなり予習したけど、やっぱりノブ君の演奏はYouTube超えやわ。ちゃんと自分の曲にしてる。TheTsujiiNobuyuki recital Part 2featuredesotericwork "Sonata in B minor"by Liszt, dramatic playing for 30minutesdramatic!  Iprepared for this by watching others' performances onYouTube.  I think Nobu's performance was above those on YouTube.  I love this piece.  -Yura tweet

辻井伸行 アンコールの「コンソレーション」は、柔らか〜い優しい笑顔で弾いてくれて癒しの極致やったエクボも へっこんで(^^) 真正面からの表情が良く見えました。2階席でもいい場所やった。「大阪はおいしい食べ物が多くて」「やっぱりお好み焼きを食べました」で笑いが。今晩もありがとう！ TsujiiNobuyuki played "consolation" for encore, a perfect healing performance played gently and with a dimpled smile.  Nobu looked good directly in front of me. We have a good seat even though they are on the second floor.  Laughed and said, "I ate a lot of delicious Osakafood," and "I ateokonomiyaki."Thank you for this evening!  -Yura tweet

辻井伸行 アンコールにまさかのコンソレーション❗️最後の最後にまた癒された*\(^o^)/* Rainy dayandConsolationinTsujiiNobuyukiencore❗️  The lastof the last -- healed  -Yura tweet

------------
辻井伸行のピアノリサイタルなぅ。 PianorecitalofNobuyuki Tsujii  -tweet


今、辻井伸行さんのピアノリサイタル終えて帰宅途中～ 凄すぎる！感動！ そして、いずみホールの音響効果めっちゃええなぁ♪ 　余韻に浸りつつ帰ろ（今日は土産が何もない^^;）Now, on my way returning home aftera pianorecitalofNobuyukiTsujii's y-  Tooterrible!  Impressed! And the acoustics of the Izumi Hall is wonderful.  And I go homewhileimmersedin the afterglow(I didn't get buy any souvenirtoday.)  -tweet

辻井伸行さん素晴らしすぎ…  Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii was wonderful ...  -tweet

今日、辻井伸行さんのリサイタル行ってたんだけどもうなんというか素晴らしすぎて何も言えねぇ…(((((((((( ˙ ꒳ ˙ )))))))))))  Today, nothing more can be said, the whopping Nobuyuki Tsujii recital was toowonderful  -tweet

A tweet by a dissenter:
金曜はいずみホールで辻井伸行のリサイタル。ショパンとリストのソナタがメイン。プログラムは立派で大過なく弾いていたがさてA席8千円全席完売の価値があるのか？先月の上原は美しかったがこのホールのピアノは難しい。力任せだと混濁して耳が痛くなる。辻井にはまだ無理。嫌なら行くなということ。 Friday  recitalofTsujiiNobuyukiatIzumiHall. Chopin and Liszt sonata are the main things.  It is a fine program played without any serious errors, but now A seats are sold out at 8,000 yen?  Last monthUehara played difficultpiano in thishallbeautifully.  My ears are hurting from [Nobu's] brute force.  I still find it impossible [to like the piano of] Tsujii.  But if you do not want to you don't have to go.


And there is already a blog post --
http://ikko-cavacava.seesaa.net/article/422948552.html
2015年07月25日
今年も辻井伸行☆プレミアム・リサイタルへ！
昨年に引き続き、いずみホールへ聴きに行って来ました。
July 25, 2015
This year I went to the Premium recital of Nobuyuki Tsujii!
last year, I also went to listen to the Izumi Hall.
http://ikko-cavacava.up.seesaa.net/image/B236D423-0B6B-4718-BA1A-B917B273C583.jpg
繊細な音色を持ちつつも、ダイナミックさが増して以前よりパワフルになった辻井君の熱演を堪能しました。ショパンのソナタ第2番の第4楽章、今日の辻井君の演奏見事だったと思います！短い第4楽章に魅了されたのは初めてです！！ 
While his tone remains delicate, I enjoyed the dynamism in the enthusiastic performance of Mr. Tsujii today, he seemed to have gain power compared to before.  I think the fourth movement of Chopin's sonata no. 2 was played brilliantly today!!  It was the first time that I became fasciated by that short fourth movement
リストもスケール大きな堂々たる演奏でした。いつもミスタッチの少なさに驚かされます。ハンガリー狂詩曲も響きがクリアに際立ってる！！天神祭のお囃子に負けないくらいのノリに乗った演奏でした！（ちょっと比較対照違うかっ！！）
The Liszt was also a magnificent performance. I am  always surprised by the lack of erroneous touch. The sound of the Hungarian Rhapsody was strikingly clear! !It was a god-like performance and a great musical accompaniment! [remark in parentheses  I fail to translate]
サービス満点のアンコールは3曲でした。
○リスト　愛の夢第3番
○ショパン　革命のエチュード
○リスト　コンソレーション第3番
Three perect encores:
○ Liszt Love dream No. 3
○ Chopin Revolutionary Etude
○ Liszt Consolation No. 3
辻井君、極上の時間をありがとうございました(^^♪
Tsujii kun, thank you for the best of the time.
-----------------

♪ July 22
Dr. Masahiro Kawakami 川上昌裕さん, Nobu's piano teacher, was at Nobu's Tokyo recital last week. He made a blog post辻井伸行プレミアムリサイタルin紀尾井ホールthat describes what went on behind the scenes. It provides a moving account of three people  (Dr. Kawakami,  Mr. Friedemann Engelbrecht of the Teldex Studio in Berlin and Mr. Asano of Avex Classics) who care deeply about Nobu and work behind the scenes to support Nobu. It makes me happy to read this posting. So I made a translation of it to share, which you are welcome to read here: Dr. Kawakami at Nobu's Kioi Hall recital

Dr. Kawakami and Mr. Friedemann Engelbrecht in Kioi Hall -- image posted on blog of Dr. Kawakami


♪ July 20 14:00 福島 Fukushima 福島市音楽堂 Fukushima City Music Hall (1002 seats). 
This will be the 9th of 11 performances on this tour. The Fukushima prefecture was the epic center of the 2011 Earthquake that devastated Japan. Nobu has performed there often, including concerts to raise funds for the area's reconstruction.

July 16 and 17  19:00 東京 Tokyo 紀尾井ホール Kioi Hall ( 800 seats)
 
紀尾井ホール Kioi Hall image via Internet link
♪ July 17 comments
♪ A  posting on the blog of music writer Yoshiko Ikuma, with a photo of how Nobu looked after last night's recital in Tokyo.
http://blog.yoshikoikuma.jp/?day=20150717

♪A tweet from a big Nobu fan:

紀尾井ホール - Kioi Hall ‏@kioi_pr tweeted
2015年7月17日（金）【セキスイハイム presents辻井伸行プレミアム・リサイタル 《ショパン》&《リスト》】リスト：愛の夢第3番、ショパン：エチュードop.10-12「革命」、ショパン：ノクターン第20番　嬰ハ短調　遺作
July 17, 2015(Friday) [Sekisui HeimpresentsTsujiiNobuyukipremiumrecital"Chopin"and"Liszt"] encores: Liszt: love  dreamNo. 3; Chopin: Etudeop.10-12"Revolution, Nocturne No. 20 No. C-sharp minor posthumous work.  -tweet

辻井伸行さんのピアノ聴いて心を浄化させてる。Listening toTsujiiNobuyuki'spiano purifies the mind.  -tweet

♪ ブログを更新しました「辻井伸行プレミアム・リサイタル《ショパン》&《リスト》」 http://amba.to/1Lq690l I updated my blog "Nobuyuki Tsujii Premium Recital "Chopin & Liszt"  -tweet

And the blog post comes with 3 photos and this text:
2015.7.17  辻井伸行プレミアム・リサイタル
          《ショパン》&《リスト》@紀尾井町
アンコールは大満足。僕の葬送曲にしてある「愛の夢」もあり。
しかし、前半15分は補聴器なのかマイクなのか、酷いハウリングが起きていた。休憩中に他の人も係に告げていたから、間違いはないはず。日本一の音響（個人的には、サントリーホールや神奈川県立音楽堂の方が聞きやすい）だから開いたというリサイタルだが、ん～～。
2015.7.17 Tsujii Nobuyuki premium Recital
           "Chopin" and "Liszt" @ Kioi Hall
Very satisfactory encores.
I hope the "funeral" sonata and "Dreams of Love" will become available.
However, in the first 15 minutes of the  first half, there was a terrible howling sound coming from either a hearing aid or a microphone.  Other people also said the same during intermission, so there was no mistake of it.  Personally, I prefer the acoustics of Suntory Hall and even the Kanagawa Prefectural Music Hall ...

辻井伸行さん。 最高の夜でした。 何時もだと、この手のコンサートは爆睡しちゃうのに、今日は、弾く姿と、ピアノの音色に固まりました。 ファンになりました。 また、見に行きたいです。 http://p.twipple.jp/MTAVH Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii. It was the best night.  Usually this kind of concert makes me doze off big time. But today, the figure of the performer, and the richness of the piano tone.   I became a fan.  I want to go [to his performances] again.  -tweet

辻井伸行@紀尾井ホール。一音一音の響きが本当に素晴らしかった。心より堪能。ショパンピアノソナタ第2番第1楽章、この大好きな曲を、辻井さんのピアノで聴けて幸せでした。リストも絶品。そしてまたしてもアンコールで涙止まらず。革命はもはや魔力を帯びてるよ。心震える素敵な夜をありがとう。Tsujii Nobuyuki @ Kioi Hall.  Sound of one sound one sound was really great.  My heart soared.   I love Chopin's first movement of Piano Sonata No. 2 ; I was happy to listen to it played by Mr. Tsujii .  Liszt is also a rarity.   My tears did not stop even in the encores.  "Revolution" is tinged with magic.   Thank you for a nice evening that made my heart tremble.  -tweet

♪  July 16 comments
あしたの辻井伸行さんのコンサート楽しみだなあ(*´ч ` *)何弾くかしらないけど、たのしみにしている。  And I hope to have fun tomorrow at Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert . It doesn't matter what he plays; I'm looking forward to it.  -tweet, July 15

今夜は久しぶりに辻井伸行さんのコンサート♪…と楽しみにしていたのに急遽出張の巻 (；ω；) 新幹線で大阪に向かっていますなうぅ…  ConcertofNobuyukiTsujii tonight, the first time in a long while ... I am looking forward to winding up a business trip.  Now off to theOsakabullet train -tweet, July 16 

Nobu's Tokyo recitals usually draw more comments than elsewhere. Here is a  facebook posting (followed by a tweet from its editor in chief) from the 音楽の友(Friends of Music) magazine:


https://instagram.com/p/5OBL74QIYf/
昨日は辻井伸行さんのピアノを聞きに紀尾井ホールまでいってきました。
クラシックって、普段はそんなに聞かないし、詳しくもないんだけど、好きなことは好きで稀に家で聞いたりはしてた。
Yesterday I wentto theKioiHallto listen tothepianoNobuyukiTsujii.
I do not usually listen to classical music very much, not in details, and I rarely enjoy it when listening at home.

昨日、初めてピアノソロのクラシックを体験したわけですが、音の迫力、立体感がすごくて圧倒された。
ものすごい集中力がないと弾き続けることはできないなと。
途中、観客が咳払いをしたり、ガサガサと音を立てたりする時があったんだけど、それがものすごく雑音に感じてピアノ以外の音は受け付けない空間だった。
Yesterday,  I experienced for the first time piano solo classical music, and was overwhelmed by the powerful sound with a very three-dimensional sense.  I can only imagine the tremendous concentration that it must take to play with such force for so long.  During the performance, there were awful noises of throat-clearing and coughing, unacceptable in such a space.

目が見えないのに弾いているっていうことがすごいのはもちろんですが、ピアノってあんなに体全体を使って表現する楽器なんだなと思った。指先から手首、肩、背中、頭と本当に全身でピアノと対話しているような。
Theamazingthing of course isthat he was playing without being able to see with eyes.  I thought he was really using his whole body to express himself, interacting with the piano using his wrist, shoulders, back -- really his whole body from his head to his fingertips.

途中、目を閉じて聞いていたらまったく別の映像が頭の中に流れてきて、なんとも言えない気持ちよさが身体中に溢れてきて鳥肌が立った。
In the middle, I listened with my eyes closed and an entirely different picture came to my mind, flooding my body with goose bumps.

なにがすごいとか、あそこがすごいとか、詳しいことはまったくわからないけどとにかく集中して最後まで楽しむことができました。
Whatistruly amazing, truly amazing, is that I was able to focus and enjoy all the way to the end, without being aware of it.

以外にもおちゃめなところがあったり、観客を笑わせようとしたり、クラシックってそういうのとは無関係なところだと思っていたから、それにもビックリした。
Also there is a mischievous moment that made the audience laugh, something I did not expect at a classical concert; I guess it shows his independence. [Probably refers to Nobu closing the piano lid to signify the end of the performance.]

また機会があれば足を運んでみたいと思う。最高でした。 I would go back again if I have the chance.  It was the best.
----------------
http://piano.cristal.babyblue.jp/?eid=14<- long, detailed report on the July 16 Kioi Hall recital
[This blog is devoted to Nobu's concerts. The blogger writes passionately about Nobu;s music, but her Japanese is far beyond my ability to translate.  Following is a very rough translation.]

2015.07.17
7/16　辻井伸行 プレミアム・リサイタル≪ショパン≫＆≪リスト≫　／　紀尾井ホール
2015.07.17 Friday 05:56
0
今日は三か月ぶりに、辻井氏のコンサートの日です。
朝からとても嬉しくて、午後も嬉しい気持ちで、紀尾井ホールに着くころには、「ああ、この世に辻井氏が生きてるって、本当にありがたいことだなあ」と謎の感謝をささげていました。

紀尾井ホールに入り、感謝を一通りやり終わったころ、辻井氏が舞台に入ってきました。
今日はチャコールグレイのタキシード、髪は3月のときほど固めてない感じだけれど、なんだかいつもより大人っぽく見えます。
余裕がある雰囲気というか、貫禄がある感じ。
拍手が終わると、今日の辻井氏はあまり椅子を動かさず、わりとすぐに弾きはじめました。

今日の曲目です。

ショパン：
アンダンテ・スピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ
ピアノ・ソナタ 第2番「葬送」

リスト：
ハンガリー狂詩曲 第6番
ピアノ・ソナタ ロ短調

1曲目は「アンダンテ・スピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ」です。
13年年末から14年3月までのツアーで演奏していた曲だけれど、そのときとは演奏全体の印象が違うって感じでした。
辻井氏は、13年夏くらいから14年夏にかけて、現在のバージョンに進化したと私は勝手に思っていて、その勝手な解釈でいくと、前回の演奏は進化の過渡期だったことになるのかな……。

たとえば出だしとか、以前は「きれい～！」という感じだったのが、今は余韻がお互いに引き立て合うような、奥行きある音で、一言では感想が言えないかもです。
きれいで、深くて、きりっとしてて、しかもふわふわで、見たことのないところへ連れて行ってくれる感じっていう……。

辻井氏はこの曲を、きれいめ＆のびのびした感じで弾いてくれるときと、情熱的＆攻めの感じで弾いてくれるときとがある気するけれど、今日は前者かもでした。
……なんて考えている余裕も実はなかったほど、演奏が素敵すぎで、途中で例によってぼうっとしてしまい、
「もう何弾いているか分からないけれど、とにかくありえないくらいすごい」
というだけの感じで、──細かいけれど、「ララシラ」を引き立たせるところの弾き方が、なんか好き、とかぼんやり思っている間に、──気付いたら曲は終盤になってました。

最後はＣＤと同じくらいか、それ以上にスピードが速くて、しかも澄んだ音で、芯の据わった音で、奇跡すぎると思いました。

ハンカチで鍵盤をふいた辻井氏。2曲目の「葬送」がはじまります。
これも、2013年年末から2014年3月までのツアーで演奏した曲です。
しかもあのときも、「アンダンテ・スピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ」の直後だったような。

でも第一楽章から、もう前のときと全然違うんだよね。
前のときもすごくよくて、このブログにもそう書いていて、情熱が伝わってくる感じだったけれど。
けどもう今日のは、情熱が伝わるどころじゃなく、いや情熱も伝わるんだけれど、よくわからない大きなすごいものが現れて、客席を圧倒してるような感じでした。

第二楽章からは、聴いているうちに、何か大きくて硬いものが心の奥まで刺してくる？　みたいな感じになってきました。
3月の「熱情」のときにちょっとそうだったけれど、今回ははっきりそういう感じです。（逆に、昔の音は、ふわっと心を撫でてくる感じだったような？）
その感触を味わったときに何となく、「辻井氏はもう誰が聴いても世界トップレベルのピアニストなんだろうな」という気がしました。

第三楽章は余韻同士の響き合いが美しかったけれど、これは最近の辻井氏の演奏では、もはや当たり前なのかな？
昔からの艶っぽい音と、最近の深い音が織り交ざって響いて、もうたまりません。

第四楽章は、辻井氏の解釈はやっぱり好きだなあという感じで、でももう少したってからの演奏も聴いてみたいな、というところで終わりました。

ここで休憩です。

トイレを待つ列で、マダム風のおばさまが、
「まあ～本当に柔らかい音でね！　しかも強くてねえ！」
と辻井氏の音を絶賛しておられました。
同感でございますと、心の中で頷きつつ、ふと気づくとトイレの中に、ホールのピアノを調律する音が響いていました。
今日はコンサート始まる前にも、舞台の上で調律やってました。
書き忘れていたけれど、ピアノはいつものようにスタインウェイでした。

後半の1曲目は「ハンガリー狂詩曲 第6番」です。
もともと辻井氏は、音が多彩だと思うんだけれど、音の種類がまた三倍くらいに増えた気がします。
なんか高音だけでも五種類はあるよね？（もっとか？）
この曲は、いろんな音色が気持ちよく混ざって、素敵でした。

一昨年の夏に河口湖でこの曲を聴かせていただいたときは、素敵な野外劇場だったんだけれど、すぐ外で花火が響いていて、ちょっと演奏がよく分からなかったので（でも辻井氏は全然花火に動じていなかったけれど）、あらためて聴けてよかったです。

2曲目は「ピアノ・ソナタ ロ短調」。
辻井氏の演奏は、豪華というか雄大というか、格式ある感じが加わりつつあるような？
この前の3月のときの「熱情」でもちょっと思ったけれど、この曲は間違いなくそういう感じでした。
あと、辻井氏の演奏は空っぽい感じが多いけれど、この曲は空っぽい広さもありつつ、水っぽかったというか、しっとり潤っている感じでした。

そして、アンコール。

1曲目はリストの「愛の夢」。
いつもよりダイナミックな「愛の夢」で、こういうのもいいですよね。
いつもの繊細な感じもあったし。
でもこのダイナミックなタッチで、むしろ「革命」を弾いてほしいなあと思ってしまいました。
辻井氏の「革命」は、誰よりも最高だと思うのです…。

と、「愛の夢」を聴きつつ、「革命」に浮気しているうちに、辻井氏のトークがはじまりました。

「紀尾井ホールは響きがいいので、気持ちよく集中して弾くことができました」とのことで、こちらも何となく嬉しい気分になってしまいます。
そして、「みなさまいかがでしたでしょうか」と言う辻井氏に、客席が拍手して、辻井氏が「みなさまの盛大な拍手にお応えして──」と、次の曲の名前を言うという、いつもの流れが来ます。
次は自作曲かな。
それとも次で最後なら、そしたらショパン？
と思っていると──
「みなさまの盛大な拍手にお応えして、ショパンのエチュードから「革命」を演奏します」

え？　……え？　……か、革命？

ということで、アンコール2曲目は「革命」でした。
嬉しかったです……辻井氏、ありがとう……。
素晴らしすぎて何も言えないというか、これほど魂に来る「革命」って、ないんじゃないのかってくらいでした。
去年2月の「革命」も最高によかったけれど、今日もよかったです…。
辻井氏のエキスのうちの、「艶っぽい」「かっこいい」「きれい」がちょうどよく混ざってる感じでした。
他にも何か秘密のエキスが混ざっているのかも。。。？

終盤で、なんか聴いたことのない不思議な音が響いてました。
なんだろう？
また、辻井氏進化の予感……なのかな？

という感じで、今日もとっても良かったです。
安定して素晴らしいっていう感じでした。

さっき、「辻井氏はきれいめ＆のびのびした感じで弾いてくれるときと、情熱的＆攻めの感じで弾いてくれるときがある」と書きましたが、だいたい、東京の1日目はのびのびで、2日目は攻めたダイナミックな感じが多いと、勝手に思ってます。
2日目の明日はダイナミック路線かな？　なんてね。

明日は行かれないけれど、きっとまた素敵なんだろうなあと思います。

7/16 Tsujii Nobuyuki premium Recital Chopin and Liszt / Kioi Hall
After waiting for three months, today is the day of Mr. Tsujii's concert. 
I was in a happy mood starting in the morning, which extended to the afternoon, and when I arrived at Kioi Hall, I said in appreciation, "I am thankful that I am alive when Mr. Tsujii is in this world."

Not long after giving thanks and entering the hall, Mr. Tsujii came on stage.  Charcoal gray tuxedo today, and the hair seemed not as stiff as in March; somehow he looked more mature than usual.
The venue has an atmosphere of dignity.
Today, when the applause stopped, Tsujii did not move the piano bench too much, but began to play almost immediately .

These are the tracks today.
Chopin:
Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante
Piano Sonata No. 2, "Funeral"
Liszt:
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6
Piano Sonata in B minor
The first track is "Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante" was also on the program of his 2013-14 tour, my impression is that the playing feels completely different from that time.
Tsujii said, I have evolved from the 2013-14 version to the current, I thought selfishly that I am going into my own interpretation more, and  the interpretation of the last performance was during a period of transition.
For example, in the beginning,  previously there was a "pretty".  But now there is more of a reverberation, a sound that adds some depth....
Clean, deep, crisp, yet delicate ... I feel that I was taken to a place that I had never been to.
Tsujii said when he plays this song, he  has a clean & was carefree feeling, but compared to previously, today he plays it with a passionate and aggressive feeling ... the middle part was stunning as usual.
...
The ending was still pretty much the same as on the CD, perhaps faster, yet in clear sound, with a firm sound in the core; I thought it was miraculous.

Tsujii wiped the keyboard with a handkerchief before the second work,  "Funeral".
This is also a piecr that was played on the 2013-4  tour, and it was also played after the same previous work.

But starting with the first movement, it was completely different from the previous performance.    As I wrote before, the performance was excellent, but this time there is a feeling of great passion and some intangibles that I cannot name; I feel that most of the audience sensed the same.
As I listened to the second movement, a feeling of something hard and large came stabbing at the back of the mind.  In the past, the feeling was more soft, stroking the heart.  Somehow, this time I felt that "I have heard a pianist who is at the world's top-level."
Third movement every sound was lingering and beautiful, which in recent performances of Tsujii is not unusal.  But the glittering sound from the past is now mixed with a deep sound.
Fourth movement;  Tsujii's interpretation I still love, but  it ended when I still wanted more.

Then it was the intermission.
In the queue waiting for the toilets, a lady gushed, "Oh, what a delicate sound!"  And people nodded in agreement.  I suddenly heard the sound of piano tuning in the hall.
There was piano turning right up until the beginning of the concert.  I forgot to mention that the  piano was a Steinway as usual.
In the second half of the first song is "Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6".
Mr. Tsujii said he thought the sound is colorful.  I feel that the sound is increased by about three times.   I think there are five types of just something treble? (More or?)
This song, various tones mixing comfortably, was wonderful.
When I listened to this song in the Lake Kawaguchi in the year before last summer, and though it was a nice open-air theater, there was sound of fireworks outside (but Tsujii the fireworks did not bother him).   It was good to hear it again.

The second song is "Piano Sonata in B minor."
Tsujii's playing, luxury and heroic,  and there is a feeling of formality?
I felt a little of that in the "Appassionata" last March, but this piece definitely has that kind of feeling.  [Translation of the rest of the paragraph is beyond me]

And, encores.
The first track is Liszt 's"Love  dream ."
A "love dream" more dynamic than usual, but it is also very good.
There is a delicate feel.
But when it comes to dynamic touch, I always think of his  "Revolution", his playing of which I consider better than anyone else.
And Mr. Tsujii spoke.
"Since the Kioi Hall has such a good sound, I was able to play to concentrate comfortably" he said in a happy mood.  And, "I hope everyone feels the same."  And, as everyone was clapping,  he said, "to meet the grand applause of everyone ──", usually this is when he names the next song. 
I wonder what it would be.
Chopin?
With that thought ──
"In gratitude to your round of applause, I will play the" revolution "from Chopin's Etude."
What? ...... Huh? ...... revolution?
Indeed, the second encore song was "revolution"!!
I was happy ...... I said thank you, Mr. Tsujii ....
It was too wonderful; he brought out the soul of "revolution" ...
"Revolution" of last February was good, and it was good today ....
Mr. Tsujii's extract is a mix of feelings of "Sensual", "cool",  and "beautiful" .
Maybe there is some other secret ingredients. . . ?

In the end,  I have heard some mysterious sound.
I wonder what?
Also, I wonder about my premonition of the "Revolution" by Mr. Tsujii?
It was very good today.
I feel wonderful ...
---------------------------------------

♪  July 15  <-- great blog post
[I really like what this blogger say about Nobu's egoless performance and how he has transcended his blindness.]
http://ameblo.jp/kazee-lifemaster/entry-12050650964.html

2015-07-15 10:07:49
辻井伸行さん
昨夜は
愛知県しらかわホールにて
念願の辻井さんのソロリサイタル
いやぁ～  震えました・・・
Nobuyuki Tsujii's long-awaited recital
Last night In Aichi Prefecture Shirakawa Hall
I was trembling with anticipation.
感動
という言葉が陳腐に思えるくらい
本当に素晴らしい演奏でした
Excitement,
The word seems so trite.
It was a really great performance
私は音楽に詳しいわけではないので
専門的な表現をしませんが
とにかく
なんというかエゴのない演奏でした
Because I'm not necessarily familiar with the music
This is not a professional opinion.
Anyway, I can say that it was an ego-free performance.
盲目のピアニストとして知られていますが
もはや
盲目であろうとなかろうと
それさえも超越している世界を
作り出していた感があります
He is known as a blind pianist.
But it really no longer matter whether he is blind or not.
I feel that he has transcended our world.
彼の演奏を聴き
プロとはこういうことを言い
他者に喜びと歓喜を与える人は
どれ程までの鍛錬を繰り返しているのか
それをまざまざと思い知らされました
And he has what it takes to give joy and pleasure to those listening to his playing.
I can only imagine how much practice it must take.
あなたは何者ですか？
と聞かれた時
私は◯◯です
と答えられる人は幸せだと思います
What are you?
When it is asked
I am ... not certain.
I think a person who can answer that is a happy person.
辻井さんは
私はピアニストだと言うでしょう
In the case of Mr. Tsujii
He can definitely say he is a pianist.
そして
その私とは何者であるということに
自信と誇りを持ち
その自分をさらに向上させる努力を
続けることができる人が
プロフェッショナルと言える人です
And a person who has the self-confidence and pride
who makes efforts to continue to further improve himself.
This is a person that can be called a professional
私は胸を張って
プロフェッショナルセールスマン
プロフェッショナルモティベーター
そう言えるだろうか？
と自分に問いかけた夜でした
Am I proud to be a professional?
Do I take pride in being a sales person?
I ask myself last night.

♪ July 15
http://bishita.jugem.jp/?eid=2201
2015.07.16 Thursday
辻井伸行　プレミアムリサイタル





[Encores are the same old :-( ]

辻井伸行氏のプレミアムリサイタルへ行ってきました。
今回のリサイタルは、全国の音響施設の整っているクラシック専用ホールで開催するという趣旨のものに加え、プログラムもショパンとリストという魅力的な内容でした。
We wentto the premiumrecital of Mr. TsujiiNobuyuki.
This recital was held in an exclusive classical music hall, and features an appealing program of Chopin and Liszt.
有名なピアニストゆえ、もちろん存じ上げてはいましたが、生の演奏を聴くのが今回が初！
とても楽しみにしていました。
Of course I am aware that he is a famous pianist, and this is the first time I am listening to him live.  I was very excited.
やっぱり生で聴くのがいい。
質感のある音はテレビなんかじゃ伝わりませんね。
もちろんプログラムにも寄るでしょうが、テレビ等で聴いているよりもずっとクリアで重厚感のある音でした。
And indeed it is good to listen live.  There is something of the texture of the sound that does not come through the TV.  Of course it depends also on the program, but there is a deep sense that the sound is much clearer than listening on TV, etc.
ある曲が終わり、辻井氏が一旦奥へ。観客がどよめいたのが印象的でした。
私を含め前のめりに聞き入っていました。
息を殺す、息を飲む・・・そして彼と観客の息が合う、そんな瞬間があったように思いました。
At the end of the performance, Mr. Tsujii returned to the stage.  The audience was very impressed.
We stoppedbreathing; it took our breath away.  And he and the audience breathing together.
Ithink thatthere wassuch amoment.
お誘いくださったお友達に感謝。
とても楽しかったです。
Thanks are due to my friendswho invited me along.
It was lots of fun

♪ July 14 18:45  愛知 【名古屋】 Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture 三井住友海上しらかわホール Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Shirakawa Hall  (421 - 693seats)
http://tokai-tv.com/event/sp2015/2_tsujii.html
Shirakawa Hall
 ♪ An hour after the recital was over, a happy customer posted 4 photos in this tweet


辻井伸行さん。（≧∇≦） / 辻井伸行さんのピアノリサイタルに来ています。 素敵な音色にうっとり癒されています。☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o  http://my365.in/mocco2010/p/51343742  I was at Nobuyuki Tsujii's pianorecital.   I was entranced and healed by his nice tone.   -tweet

 ♪ Another twitter wrote:
辻井伸行プレミアム・リサイタル 覚え [Nobuyuki Tsujii premium recital memorabilia]
with two photos -- Sadly, it really seems that Nobu is no longer making an effort to vary his encore pieces


 
♪ And this twitterwrote: リサイタルの後は〜。(^.^) / 辻井伸行さんのリサイタル後、鮎の懐石料理を堪能しました。 あまりの美味しさに、写真撮り忘れましたー。http://my365.in/mocco2010/p/51350469 （≧∇≦） [ After the concert of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, we enjoyed, we enjoyed the kaiseki cuisine of Ayu. Delicious.]
I myself have yet to try kaiseki (a lavish multi-course small-plate meal), but I just love the presentations of the dishes that captures so well the Japanese sense of esthetics, reminiscent of Nobu's piano music.
 
♪ July 12  I thank long-time Nobu fan Nobuko for spotting this blog post by Dr. Masahiro Kawakami dated July 6!  It is great to hear that he is working with Nobu on new works and that they were in Hokkaido (Mr. K's home prefecture) together at the beginning of this concert tour.
http://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/blog/index.php?e=779

♪ July 10
This blog post starts with a nice writeup, with photos, about the blogger's trip to Karuizawa  -- please visit the original page for that.
http://ameblo.jp/fujisan3216/entry-12048562069.html
2015-07-09 21:13:01
軽井沢旅行 （その２／辻井伸行コンサート編）
Karuizawa Journey (Part 2 / Nobuyuki Tsujii Concert Report)
[description of Karuizawa omitted for brevity, please visit the original blog post]

【辻井伸行 プレミアム・リサイタル】
極上の音響空間で聴く至上の感動
[Tsujii Nobuyuki Premium recital]
Impression of Supreme Listening in Superb Acoustic Space
日本には、世界中の名演奏家が称賛を惜しまない、抜群の音響を
誇るコンサートホールが数多くあります。「辻井伸行 プレミアム・リサ
イタル」は、日本が世界に誇る音響抜群のクラシック専用ホールで
開催されるリサイタル・ツアーで、辻井伸行の繊細で美しいピアノの
響きと、世界が驚嘆するテクニックを余すところなく堪能できる、
まさにプレミアムなコンサートです
Many world-famous musicians have lavised praises on outstanding acoustics of the many concert halls in Japan.   The "Nobuyuki Tsujii Premium Recital" tour is held in Japan's world-class acoustic halls dedicated to classical music.  On this recital tour, the delicate and beautiful piano sound of Nobuyuki Tsujii can be enjoyed at its best.  It is truly a premium concert.

※辻井伸行 プレミアム・リサイタル プログラムより
曲目は、
ショパンから２曲
１．アンダンテ・スピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ 作品２２
２．ピアノ・ソナタ 第２番 変ロ短調 作品３５　<葬送>
この曲の第３楽章は「葬送行進曲」として有名ですが、クラシックに
あまり興味のない私でも強く魂を揺さぶられ自然に涙が出たのには
驚きました！
※ Tsujii Nobuyuki Premium recital program
Two works from Chopin
1. Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante Op. 22
2. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor <Funeral> Op. 35
Although the third movement of this classic work is famous as the "Funeral March", I was initially not that interested, but it shook my sould strongly and my tears naturally came out.
I was surprised!
リストから２曲
３．ハンガリー狂詩曲 第６番
４．ピアノ・ソナタ ロ短調
Two works from Liszt
3. Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6
4. Piano Sonata in B minor
とにかく彼のテクニックは凄いのですが、それ以上に彼の弾くピアノの
世界に完全に引き込まれてしまいます、そして気がついたら偉大な
作曲家の音楽を共有することが出来ました♪
His technique is tremendous.
His piano playing completely draws us into the world of the composer
to share the music.
アンコールは２曲演奏してくれました
リスト　愛の夢　第３番
ショパン　革命
Fro encores he played us two songs
Liszt Love's dream No. 3
Chopin revolution
革命は最高の演奏で、途中から涙が止まりませんでした
何がどうなのか理屈はわかりませんが、彼のピアノには
心に響く音色があります
是非、次回も彼のピアノを聴きに行きたいと思い、
完全に彼のファンになってしまいました♪
軽井沢大賀ホールは全７８４席ですが、折畳み椅子の追加席、
立ち見席などが有り、超満員のコンサートでした♪
The "Revolution" etude is the best performance, and from the middle of it my tears did not stop.
I do not know the theory, but his piano tone really strikes the mind.
If he comes here again  I want to go to listen to his piano the next time;
I have completely become his fan.
There are 784 seats in the Karuizawa Ohga Hall , but they put out additional folding chairs,
and there were standing room also; it was a packed concert.

♪ July 9
Finally, a blog post!  I feel for this blogger, who got a seat where she could neither see Nobu's hands nor his face.  But her love for Nobu is clear.
Two of my concerns are illustrated in her description of the performance: (1) The Liszt works in this program are not audience-friendly, (2) Nobu has become less and less creative in his encores -- he is now playing the same pieces at every performance.   Why doesn't he play some Chopin preludes and Liszt's "A sigh"/Petraca Sonnet for variations?

http://ameblo.jp/voxvocalise/entry-12048414202.html
辻井伸行 プレミアムリサイタル in 軽井沢
2015年07月09日 14時01分02秒
昨日軽井沢大賀ホールへ辻井伸行さんのプレミアム・リサイタルを聴きに行ってきました‼️
TsujiiNobuyukipremiumrecitalinKaruizawa
July 9, 201514:01:02
I wenttolisten toMr.NobuyukiTsujii's premiumrecitalat theKaruizawaOhgaHallyesterday! ️ 
彼を初めて知ったのは、彼が高校生の時。ショパン国際ピアノコンクールで批評家賞を受賞したドキュメンタリーをＴＶで見たのが最初です。生まれつきの全盲ということにも驚きましたが、しっかりとしたタッチの心地よく響く明るい音色にすぐに魅了され、この子の音好きだな～と印象に残っていました。
The first time I got to know him was when he wasin high school, when I saw theTV documentary of him winning theCriticsAward at theChopinInternational Piano Competition.  I was surprisedthat he wasbornblind.  And I was  immediatelyfascinated by the comfortably firm and brighttone of the soundsofhis touch.  It left me with an impression of him as a youth.

それから１０年。ヴァン・クライバーン国際ピアノコンクールで優勝して以来、世界中で演奏活動を続けるピアニストとなりました。ずっと聴きに行きたいと思っていましたが、ようやく念願叶いました
Fast forward ten years.  Sincewinning theVanCliburnInternational Piano Competition, he has become apianistwho continuesplayingactivitiesall over the world. AlthoughI wanted togo tolisten to him verymuch, itwas only now that finallythe wishcome true
 ❤️
プログラムは、
《ショパン》
アンダンテ・スピアナートと華麗なる大ポロネーズ 作品２２
ピアノ・ソナタ 第２番 変ロ短調 作品３５ 「葬送」
《リスト》
ハンガリー狂詩曲 第６番
ピアノ・ソナタ ロ短調
Repertoire:
Chopin/Andante Spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante;
Chopin/Piano Sonata No.2;
Liszt/Hungarian Rhapsody No.6;
Liszt/Piano Sonata in B minor. アンコール
リスト 愛の夢
ショパン エチュード「革命」
Encores:
Liszt  Dream of Love
Chopin "Revolutionary" etude
ショパンの大ポロネーズが始まった時、想像以上に美しい音にびっくり。キラキラと光る眩しい音の粒が会場中に散らばって、まるで魔法がかかったかのようでした。ためらいのないストレートで澄んだ音から紡ぎ出されるきらびやかな世界に、聴衆も一曲目から大喝采！
When the GrandePolonaiseofChopinbegan, I was surprisedthat the sound was more than I expected. Grainsofglittering,dazzlingsoundarescattered throughout thevenue; it wasalmostas if magicis applied.  The glittering sound is spun clearly in the straight, without hesitation.  The audience gave a standing ovation after just one work!
２曲目の「葬送」は、第３楽章が一般的によく知られていますが、第１楽章は力強く速いテンポで始まります。好きで何度も繰り返し聞いていた時期もあり、細部まで自分のイメージが出来上がっている曲なので、辻井くんの音楽との違いを楽しみました。辻井くんの短調の曲をあまり聞いたことがなかったのですが、想像以上でした。特に第４楽章の疾走感が素晴らしかったです。
"Funeral" in the second track, whilethe third movementhas beengenerally well known, the firstmovementbegins with astrong andfasttempo.  I have heard this work many times, I enjoyed the details that Tsujii-san provided to complete the image.  Although I had heard Mr. Tsujii's shorter works, this was something different.  The fast-paced fourth movement was terrific.
２曲が終わって休憩に入り、その間私はただぼーっと会場内を眺めていました。大賀ホールは五角形をしており、ステージのすぐ横まで座席があります。全席９００に満たないコンパクトな会場で、合唱席を除き２階席は一列のみです。私の座席はステージを真横から眺める非常に面白い位置でした。大賀ホールへは３度目ですが、このブロックの席は初めてです。残念なことに、辻井くんの手はおろか、お顔もほとんど見えない位置。辻井くんといえば首をフリフリして演奏するのが特徴的なのに、ピアノの蓋のかげに、時折頭がぴょこぴょこ見えるくらい…。なので演奏中はずっと目を閉じて聴いていました。
After the two works, it was intermission.  I looked around the venue.  OlgaHallisapentagon, there areseats right next to thestage. It is  a compactvenue with less than900seats, and on the second floor except for thechorusseats thereisonlya single row. My seatwas a veryinterestingpositionto look atthe stagefrom the side.  This is my third time to Olga Hall, but the first time in this block.  Unfortunately,the handsofTsujii-kun, let alone his face, could hardly be seen from this position.  Even though Tsujii-kun swings his head during playing, it was only occasionally that his head can be seen in the shadow of the piano ... soduring much of theperformanceI waslisteningwith my eyes closed.
後半はリストです。ハンガリー狂詩曲６番は初めて聞きましたが、ソナタは一時期ハマってずっと聞いていた曲。リスト唯一のソナタで、単一楽章で書かれており約３０分間続く長大な曲です。３０分も続く超絶技巧の曲を弾きこなすだけでも大変なことなのに、聴衆を別世界に誘ってしまうほどのパワーが彼のどこから出てくるのかな？とただただ驚嘆します。
The second halfwas Liszt. HungarianRhapsodyNo. 6I heardfor the first time. The sonata that followed, I had heard once before.  It is Liszt's only sonata, a long work lasting about 30 minutes written in a single movement.  What virtuosity it must take to play such a serious thing for 30 minutes.  I have nothing but marvel for his power to draw the audience to another world.

偶然にも、今年の１回目の「アナザー・スカイ」のゲストが辻井くんだったんです。彼のちょっとポッチャリした体型からは想像できませんでしたが、トレッドミルで汗を流し、演奏活動のためにしっかりと体力作りをしていました。海外公演の時も同じです。隣で走るマネージャーさんがスピードをあげると、負けじとテンポを上げて汗だくで走ります。お酒も相当強いようで、酔うと「愉快な酔っ払い」になるそうです。バーで楽しそうにピアノを弾き、自分が中心となって周囲を楽しませる姿が収録されていました。
By the way, this January Mr. Tsujii appeared on the TV program "Another Sky" for the first time.  Looking at his chubby figure, I could not imagine him sweating on the treadmill.   But it strengthens his stamina for performance, even when he performs overseas.  His manager is seen sweating and running next to him at even higher speed.  They both drink strong alcohol, and become intoxicated and "funny drunk."  He plays the piano in a bar and becomes a center of attraction entertaining the surround. [These are scenes shown in the footage.]
自分の好きなものをうまい言葉で説明するのは難しいのですが、私が辻井くんの音が好きになった理由に、Open heart というキーワードを挙げることができます。彼の明るい性格と、純粋に音楽を楽しんでいる心がそのまま音に表れているように感じられるのです。今日のコンサートはあまりに期待しすぎていて、始まる前に緊張してしまったのですが、終わった時には身体が少し汗ばむくらいにあたたまり、リラックスと興奮のあいだの何とも心地よい気分で帰ってくることができました。
It is hard to explain why we favor certain things.  The reason I have come to like the sound of Tsujii-kun, I think can be summed up in the words "open heart."  And hisbrightpersonality, and the music that comes from a  pure heart enjoying the music.  I was expecting too much from today'sconcert, and I was nervous before the start.  When it was over, my body was warmed up and I sweated a little with excitement, but I returned home relaxed and in a pleasant mood.
次回は絶対センターで聴くぞ！
Next time I absolutely will listen from a seat in the center.

♪ July 8  Nobu performed the 4th stop on his Chopin/Liszt Premium Recital Tourat  軽井沢大賀ホール Karuizawa Ohga Hall ( 660 - 746 seats), in Karuizawa, Nagan.  あ いにくの雨模様ですが軽井沢大賀ホール、辻井伸行さんのコンサートに遠方から大勢の人が駆けつけ賑わっています。 It is unfortunately rainy at Karuizawa Ohga Hall,. A lot of people are crowded in a rush from afar to Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert.- tweet

極上の音響空間、軽井沢大賀ホールで辻井伸行さんの珠玉のピアノ演奏を聴ける幸せに浸っております。あの澄んだ美しい音色にうっとり、感動しました(*^_^*)  Best of acoustic space, we are immersed in happiness listening to to gems of piano playing of Nobuyuki Tsujii in Karuizawa Ohga Hall. Entranced by the clear beautiful sound, I was impressed  -tweet

♪ July 8  15:00   長野【軽井沢】Karuizawa, Nagano 軽井沢大賀ホール Karuizawa Ohga Hall ( 660 - 746 seats)
軽井沢大賀ホール Karuizawa Ohga Hall ( 660 - 746 seats)
 
Karuizawa is the setting of the riveting tale told in "A True Novel  by Minae Mizumura. 
One of the bonuses of my love for Nobu is the introduction to the richness of Japan's post-war literature. This book kept me entranced on the cross-Atlantic flights last year when I traveled to see Nobu perform in Liverpool, U.K.  .
♪ July 7
明日、2年ぶりに軽井沢にて辻井伸行さんのビアノの音色に包まれて全身デトックスが出来る(*´艸`) Tomorrow Nobuyuki Tsujii, the first time in two years, in Karuizawa to be wrapped in his piano tone for a whole body detox  -tweet

♪ July 5
昨 日の夕方のツイートの件。実は辻井伸行さんピアノを聴きに行ってきたんですよ。クラシックのピアノリサイタルは初めてでしたが、会場の函館芸術ホールの音 響もピアノ一台の演奏だとその良さが際立ち、辻井さんの演奏も相まって最高でした。ホール・リバーブの音作りの参考にもなりました。 This tweet is about something that took place yesterday.   I went to listen to Tsujii Nobuyuki's piano.  It was my first time at a classical piano recital.  The acoustic of the  Hakodate concert hall was outstanding for a piano solo. Tsujii's playing was  first rate.  It also provided a reference for the reverberation of the sound in this hall.  -tweet

辻井伸行さんちょい太りました⁉︎(*^o^*)今日はかなり近くで聞けたので辻井さんの息づかいがすっごく聞こえました。かなり迫力アリ。Mr. Nobuyuki  Tsujii is gaining weight⁉︎  I was SO close to him today, his breathing was heard.  Very powerful.  -tweet
[Nobu's weight does tend to fluctuate.  I hope it is not true that he has put on extra weight since I saw him in May in Sonoma]. 

♪ July 3
今日は、確かキタラに辻井伸行さん。チケット取れなかったけれど。。。行きたかった(´･_･`)いってきます。Today, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii coming to Kitara ... but I did not get a ticket ...  I wanted to go ('· _ · `)  I will see him some other time. -tweet

♪ July 2
Sapporo Kitara Hall posting
【小ホール】
2015年07月03日(金) 19:00開演 18:30開場
ピアノ／辻井 伸行
ショパン：ピアノ・ソナタ 第2番《葬送》
リスト：ハンガリー狂詩曲 第6番
　　　　ピアノ・ソナタ ロ短調　他
全席完売 

♪ July 1
The Chopin/Liszt Premium Recital Tour  appears to have started well, according to this tweet
辻井伸行さん、素晴らしかったです！ピアノの音も量も表情も、オケがいるかのようで、キラキラと指先から魔法が出ているかのようで、とにかくすごくて思わず涙。。。アンコールもブラボー！素敵な時間をありがとうございました♪
Nobuyuki Tsujii 's concert, it was great!  The  sound of the piano is so expressive, as if an orchestra is present, magic and glitter from his fingertips.  Anyway, I  shed tears uncontrollably.  Encore also Bravo! Thank you for a wonderful time ♪" 

The encores, as shown in the photo, are Liszt's "Love's dream" no. 3 and Chopin's "Revolutionary" etude.


辻井伸行さん、最高でした！！！！！！ Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, the best!!!

辻井伸行のリサイタル。札幌公演がsold outだったので旭川まで来てしまいました。至福の時間です。 #辻井伸行 #大雪クリスタルホール Nobuyuki Tsujii recital. And I have come to Asahikawa since Sapporo performances were sold out. It was a blissful time. # Tsujii Nobuyuki # Big SnowCrystal Hall  -tweet


MORE TO COME, please check back.

♪ June 29
Our best wishes to Tsujii-san for a successful start of his Chopin/Liszt Premium Recital Tour in Hokkaido this week
Nobu's Chopin/Liszt Premium Recital Tour kicks off in cool-weathered Hokkaido this week, with three performances in three different venues:

♪ March 27
辻井伸行 7月12日《プレミアム・リサイタル》豊田市コンサートホール（愛知）完売してますね   Tsujii Nobuyuki July 12 "premium Recital" at Toyota City concert hall (Aichi) has sold out    - tweetby Yura

♪ April 12
辻井伸行 プレミアム・リサイタル≪ショパン≫＆≪リスト≫
ほぼ完全に完売
Nobuyuki Tsujii Premium Recital (Chopin & Liszt) almost completely sold out.
http://avex.jp/classics/tsujii-premium2015/…  April 12 tweet
[On the Avex page, the only stops that have not been marked sold out are two that have yet to start selling tickets, and one in Nagoya which has actually been declared sold out on the online ticket outlet PIA.]