In past interviews, Nobu has said that he plans to learn at least one new concerto each year. He has indeed done that since his rise to fame in 2009.
It is now midway in year 2016, and the new concerto that he is rolling out is Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. I am willing to bet good money that during this quiet month of May, Tsujii-san is busy learning and practicing that monumental work, which he will perform, very soon, on the upcoming (June 7-19) Nobuyuki Tsujii × Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2016 "Masterpieces of Beethoven" Japan tour and in Minnesota on June 23.
Moreover, further down the calendar, Nobu will perform this work in three consecutive performances, in his down-under debut with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House October 20, 21 and 22.
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Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 is not performed often. It is not one of Beethoven's most popular works and far less known than the other two piano concertos in the Sydney "Askenazy Celebrates Beethoven" cycle: piano concerto no. 5 ("Emperor") and no. 4 (to be performed by pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Jayson Gillham respectively.) It is long, almost 40 minutes, and to my untrained ears it has no particularly memorable melodies. BUT after I mentioned that on the Nobuyuki Tsujii International Fans site, I heard from Mr. Nick Asano, Nobu's manager!!
MORE TO COME, PLEASE CHECK BACK.
It is now midway in year 2016, and the new concerto that he is rolling out is Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3. I am willing to bet good money that during this quiet month of May, Tsujii-san is busy learning and practicing that monumental work, which he will perform, very soon, on the upcoming (June 7-19) Nobuyuki Tsujii × Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2016 "Masterpieces of Beethoven" Japan tour and in Minnesota on June 23.

Moreover, further down the calendar, Nobu will perform this work in three consecutive performances, in his down-under debut with Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House October 20, 21 and 22.

Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 is not performed often. It is not one of Beethoven's most popular works and far less known than the other two piano concertos in the Sydney "Askenazy Celebrates Beethoven" cycle: piano concerto no. 5 ("Emperor") and no. 4 (to be performed by pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Jayson Gillham respectively.) It is long, almost 40 minutes, and to my untrained ears it has no particularly memorable melodies. BUT after I mentioned that on the Nobuyuki Tsujii International Fans site, I heard from Mr. Nick Asano, Nobu's manager!!
Nobu and I disagree [with] your comments about Beethoven No.3 piano concerto.
Nobu says [the] 1st movement and 3rd movement are characteristic and impressive, I say 2nd movement is full of deep emotion, like a prayer.
To me, as I said, this is the most Beethovenian piece of all 5 concertos.
Try to listen.
Nobu says [the] 1st movement and 3rd movement are characteristic and impressive, I say 2nd movement is full of deep emotion, like a prayer.
To me, as I said, this is the most Beethovenian piece of all 5 concertos.
Try to listen.
Yes, I will certainly open my mind and listen! (Truth be told, I would do that even if Nobu were playing the phone book :-)
Meanwhile, here is what Beethoven's concerto no. 3 sounds like in the hands of pianist Krystian Zimerman, conductor Leonard Bernstein and the Vienna Philharmonic.MORE TO COME, PLEASE CHECK BACK.