November 4
The first album by Nobuyuki Tsujii after his signing with Deutsche Grammophon is scheduled for release on November 29 this month.
https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/beethoven-nobuyuki-tsujii-13641LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN
Nobuyuki Tsujii
An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 (Arr. Liszt for Solo Piano as S. 469)
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, OP. 106 "Hammerklavier"
November 29, 2024
Also available in Dolby Atmos®
Label Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
UPC 00028948668946
Artists/Composer: Nobuyuki Tsuji,i Ludwig van Beethoven
The following is a posting by Japan's 毎日新聞 Minichi [Every Day] News. It was accessed at https://mainichi.jp/articles/20241101/k00/00m/040/098000c
[Translated from Japanese]
"This song is the deciding piece" and what lies beyond that...
Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii's interview
When I closed my eyes and listened to the performance, I can imagine a first-class orchestra.Deep and diverse tones, overwhelming presence.
Nobuyuki Tsujii (36) is a pianist who loves music and is loved all over the world.It has been about half a year since he signed an exclusive global contract with the prestigious classical music label Deutsche Grammophon.We spoke to him about his upcoming album, the songs he would like to play, and other honest thoughts.
He showed his true face in the interview. "Thank you, I look forward to working with you,"he accepts the Braille business card I handed him, bowed deeply, and his polite use of language reveals his gentle demeanor and humble personality.
It is surprising to think that the same person can dominate an entire hall with a single piano and become an artist who captivates countless audiences.
In 2009, Tsujii became the first Japanese to win the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in the United States.Since then, he has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Vladimir Ashkenazy and Valery Gergiev, and world-renowned orchestras such as the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin.
He began this year with a US tour and has already visited about 10 countries.This exclusive interview took place in Tokyo in early October, just before his new overseas tour. He looked back on the stage he visited as a guest before the interview, full of playfulness.
First, he appeared on stage as a guest at Suntory Hall ARK Classics, held a few days ago, where he serves as artistic leader with musician Fumiaki Miura.He appeared on stage in Akasaka, Tokyo, with a friendly smile and arm in arm with a staff member. After performing Chopin's masterpieces, Fantaisie-Impromptu, Scherzo No. 2, and Ballade No. 1, he played an encore with a mischievous attitude, saying, "In response to the thunderous applause."The applause continued even after playing two encores, and at the end, he quietly closed the lid of the piano.
When he performed with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in May, he played Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 and No. 3, successively, and the audience rose to their feet and applauded, cheering "Bravo." On stage, he said "I'm really happy." He exuded a cheerful personality and a fun-loving demeanor without any pretense, which made the audience happy.
When I told him my thoughts, Tsujii smiled."I love performing in front of people, and when I'm performing on stage and receiving the applause of the audience, I'm really happy. It motivates me to practice, and it's a moment when I think I'm glad I'm playing the piano."
The works he chose for his debut album is for Deutsche Grammophon is a familiar label to classical music fans, where Karajan and Bernstein (both now deceased) have made famous recordings.
Tsujii says he has listened to many CDs since he was a child, and does not hide his joy, saying, "I never dreamed that I would be able to sign an exclusive contract."
The core piece of the album to be released on November 29th is Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 29 "Hammerklavier."For Tsujii, it is the piece he played at [the International Cliburn Piano] competition 15 years ago, which brought him a sudden burst of attention."I received a good result, and I got the chance to play it in various places, which I never expected. So I approached this piece as a showdown work for me.""The more difficult it is, the more I'm fired up"...
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