The other day I posted a piece titled "Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas" about some high-minded classical music connoisseurs who take offense to Nobu being the soloist for the 2017 Japan tour of the London Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Vladimir Jurowski.
Today, I came across this blog post, from one Pockn-san (Mr. Pockn), who -- judging from his manners of speech -- may well be a kurota, or at least one who shares their heightened passion. He was at the December 22 recital on Nobu's Bach/Mozart/Beethoven tour. Although he writes somewhat condescendingly of the audience, he seems respectful and appreciative. I would call him a "good" kurota. Below is the text of his post presented with my humble Japanese translation, which is very rough especially when it comes to musical terms.
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/pocknsan/e/6cd04c180dc6614a1897821e458cceff
12月22日（木）辻井伸行(Pf)
～辻井伸行 日本ツアー<バッハ・モーツァルト・ベートーヴェン>～
府中の森芸術劇場 どりーむホール
December 22 (Thu) Nobuyuki Tsujii (Pf)
~ Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour <Bach, Mozart, Beethoven> ~
Fuchu's Forest Arts Theater Drummer Hall
【曲目】
1．バッハ／イタリア協奏曲 ヘ長調 BWV971
2．モーツァルト／ピアノ・ソナタ第17番 変ロ長調 K.570
3．ベートーヴェン／ピアノ・ソナタ第14番 嬰ハ短調 Op.27-2「月光」
4．ベートーヴェン／ピアノ・ソナタ第23番 ヘ短調 Op.57「熱情」
【Song】
1. Bach / Italian Concerto in F major BWV 971
2. Mozart / Piano · Sonata No. 17 in B-flat major key K.570
3. Beethoven / Piano · Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor Op.27-2 "Moonlight"
Four. Beethoven / Piano · Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op.57 "Apassionata"
【アンコール】
1．ベートーヴェン／ピアノ・ソナタ第8番 ハ短調 Op.13「悲愴」～第2楽章
2．辻井伸行／ロックフェラーの天使の羽
3．辻井伸行編（即興）／クリスマスソング・メドレー
【Encores】
1. Beethoven / Piano · Sonata No. 8 H minor Op.13 "Pathetique" ~ 2nd movement
2. Nobuyuki Tsujii / Angel Wings of Rockefeller
3. Nobuyuki Tsujii (Improvisation) / Christmas Song · Medley
ヴァン・クライバーンコンクールで優勝して、世間で大きな注目を浴びた頃から辻井伸行のピアノには興味があったが、普段クラシックのコンサートに来ない人達が詰めかけ、恐らくそれでチケット代が跳ね上がるだけでなく、心静かに聴けない心配があったので、ほとぼりが冷めるのを待っていた。辻井君人気は相変わらず高いままだが、府中でのこのリサイタルは、場所は遠いけれど、わりとまともな料金設定だったのでこれはチャンス！と奥さんと初の辻井伸行のライブを体験した。
Although I have been interested in Nobuyuki Tsujii 's piano ever since he won the Van Cliburn Competition and gained a lot of public attention from the world, [I have been deterred by] those who do not usually come to classical concerts packing his concerts, possibly causing the ticket price to escalate.There was a worry that I could not listen quietly, so I was waiting for the fever to cool down.Even though the popularity of Tsujii-kun remains as high as ever, this recital at Fuchu was at a far away place, and the price was reasonable; so this was an opportunity! And so, the wife and I went to the first live performance of Nobuyuki Tsujii.
プログラムにはオーソドックスな名曲か並んだ。バッハとモーツァルトは辻井にとって初挑戦とのこと。演奏は明快で闊達。曇りのない伸びやかなタッチで躍動感に溢れ、楽しい気分を伝えてくれた。それだけでなく、バッハのイタリアン・コンチェルトの第2楽章では、静かな中に込められた情熱が伝わってきたし、モーツァルト円熟期のソナタでは、やはり第2楽章で温かく親密な語りかけが聴こえてきた。 The program is orthodox classical music. The Bach and Mozart are Tsujii's first challenge.The performance is clear and accessible. Full of uplifting feeling and transparency, and relaxed touch, his music conveys a happy mood. Besides that, in the second movement of Bach's Italian Concerto, a quiet passion was transmitted. In Mozart's vintage sonata, I was able to hear a warm and intimate dialogue again in the second movement.
しかし、辻井が本当の意味で本領を発揮したのは後半のベートーヴェンだ。「月光」も「熱情」も、他を寄せ付けない集中力と燃焼度で熱くダイナミックに迫ってきた。「月光」の第1楽章は底知れぬ闇からわずかに差し込む一条の光のイメージ、第2楽章でも能動的な動きは抑えて、第3楽章で堰を切ったように一気に爆発した。ベートーヴェンがすごい形相で目を剥いて嵐の中を駆け抜けるような衝動とパワー。第1楽章の深い闇を抜けたところには、疾風怒濤の世界が待っていた。弱音のフレーズも常に高いテンションを保ち、一瞬たりとも緊張を緩めることなく駆け抜けて行った。
However, it was in the second half of Beethoven's "Moonlight" and "Apassionata"that Tsujii came into his full being, playing heatedly and dynamically, with impressive concentrating power and passion. The first movement of "Moonlight" was an image of a single light that is slightly inserted into unfamiliar darkness. In the second movement active movements were restrained, only to explode in the third movement. In the first movement, [he conveyed] the stunning impulse and power of a storm as seen through the eyes of Beethoven, sweeping through the deep darkness of the evils lurking in the world. The phrasing of the weak sound was always kept at high tension and the performance was carried out without momentarily loosening the tension.
「熱情」でもまさに熱いパッションが炸裂しまくった。辻井はピアノのタッチが非常にクリアでかつ深く、瞬発力に長けている。この音楽の持つスケールの大きさ、鮮やかなリアリティーを余すところなく表現し、「ベートーヴェンとはこういうものだ！」と見せつけた。ここまで壮大で深淵、激烈な「熱情」に出会える機会はそうはない。
The "Apassionata" was even more explosive. Tsujii touched the piano very cleanly and deeply. It was skillful, instantaneous power. The scale of the music was expressed in vivid reality without constraints. "This is Beethoven!" in grandness and abyss, an opportunity to encounter a furious 'passion'
アンコールでは転じて、辻井の純真な心が素直に表れる幸福な世界へ誘ってくれ、クリスマスを迎えるワクワク感が高まった。客席からは手拍子も。この純粋で豊かな感受性が辻井の大きな持ち味の一つで、これが聴く人に幸福感を与えてくれる。これからもたくさんのことを素直に吸収し、育み、深化し、成長していくことだろう。
In the encores, Tsujii invited us into his happy world where his innocent heart exists in obedience. He seems excited about Christmas. And the audience responded with enthusiastic applause. This pure and rich sensitivity is a major characteristic of Tsujii, conveying a feeling of happiness to the listener. He will continue to absorb lots of thing, being nurtured, mature, and grow.
素敵なリサイタルだったが、お客のマナーはやはり悩ましかった。辻井さんがピアノの前に座って弾く準備をしている時も客席のざわつきは収まらず、演奏が始まっても派手な咳やビニールのクシャクシャいう音があちこちから聞こえ、携帯の着メロまで聞こえてきた。最後のアンコールの演奏中、すぐ隣に座っていたおばさんの携帯が鳴り出したので、これは黙っていられず演奏後に「気をつけてくださいよ！」と注意した。演奏中に携帯を鳴らす「犯罪」を犯した人をお咎めなしにはしたくなかったので。普段クラシックを聴かない人がコンサートに出かけ、クラシック音楽に親しむこと自体は良いことだと思うが… It was a nice recital, but the customer's manners were bothersome. When Tsujii is sitting in front of the piano and preparing to play, the roughness of the audience could not be contained. Even after the performance has begun, there were loud coughs and sounds of vinyl crushing here and there, and I even heard ring tones of mobile phones. During the last encore performance, the cell phone of the lad who sat next to me rang. He did not seem to be able to keep it on silence. After the playing I warned him, "Please be careful!", not wanting to cast aspersion on people who commit the "crime" of not silencing a cell phone during performance. On the other hand, it is a good thing for people who do not usually listen to classical music to come to a concert.
12/25に行くつもりにしていた早稲フィルの定期演奏会のチケットが取れなかったので、このリサイタルが結果的に今年最後のコンサートとなった。
This recital eventually became the last concert of this year as I could not get tickets for the regular concert of Waseda Phil, which I was hoping to attend on December 25.
RELATED ARTICLES
Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas
Today, I came across this blog post, from one Pockn-san (Mr. Pockn), who -- judging from his manners of speech -- may well be a kurota, or at least one who shares their heightened passion. He was at the December 22 recital on Nobu's Bach/Mozart/Beethoven tour. Although he writes somewhat condescendingly of the audience, he seems respectful and appreciative. I would call him a "good" kurota. Below is the text of his post presented with my humble Japanese translation, which is very rough especially when it comes to musical terms.
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/pocknsan/e/6cd04c180dc6614a1897821e458cceff
12月22日（木）辻井伸行(Pf)
～辻井伸行 日本ツアー<バッハ・モーツァルト・ベートーヴェン>～
府中の森芸術劇場 どりーむホール
December 22 (Thu) Nobuyuki Tsujii (Pf)
~ Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour <Bach, Mozart, Beethoven> ~
Fuchu's Forest Arts Theater Drummer Hall
【曲目】
1．バッハ／イタリア協奏曲 ヘ長調 BWV971
2．モーツァルト／ピアノ・ソナタ第17番 変ロ長調 K.570
3．ベートーヴェン／ピアノ・ソナタ第14番 嬰ハ短調 Op.27-2「月光」
4．ベートーヴェン／ピアノ・ソナタ第23番 ヘ短調 Op.57「熱情」
【Song】
1. Bach / Italian Concerto in F major BWV 971
2. Mozart / Piano · Sonata No. 17 in B-flat major key K.570
3. Beethoven / Piano · Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor Op.27-2 "Moonlight"
Four. Beethoven / Piano · Sonata No. 23 in F minor Op.57 "Apassionata"
【アンコール】
1．ベートーヴェン／ピアノ・ソナタ第8番 ハ短調 Op.13「悲愴」～第2楽章
2．辻井伸行／ロックフェラーの天使の羽
3．辻井伸行編（即興）／クリスマスソング・メドレー
【Encores】
1. Beethoven / Piano · Sonata No. 8 H minor Op.13 "Pathetique" ~ 2nd movement
2. Nobuyuki Tsujii / Angel Wings of Rockefeller
3. Nobuyuki Tsujii (Improvisation) / Christmas Song · Medley
ヴァン・クライバーンコンクールで優勝して、世間で大きな注目を浴びた頃から辻井伸行のピアノには興味があったが、普段クラシックのコンサートに来ない人達が詰めかけ、恐らくそれでチケット代が跳ね上がるだけでなく、心静かに聴けない心配があったので、ほとぼりが冷めるのを待っていた。辻井君人気は相変わらず高いままだが、府中でのこのリサイタルは、場所は遠いけれど、わりとまともな料金設定だったのでこれはチャンス！と奥さんと初の辻井伸行のライブを体験した。
Although I have been interested in Nobuyuki Tsujii 's piano ever since he won the Van Cliburn Competition and gained a lot of public attention from the world, [I have been deterred by] those who do not usually come to classical concerts packing his concerts, possibly causing the ticket price to escalate.There was a worry that I could not listen quietly, so I was waiting for the fever to cool down.Even though the popularity of Tsujii-kun remains as high as ever, this recital at Fuchu was at a far away place, and the price was reasonable; so this was an opportunity! And so, the wife and I went to the first live performance of Nobuyuki Tsujii.
プログラムにはオーソドックスな名曲か並んだ。バッハとモーツァルトは辻井にとって初挑戦とのこと。演奏は明快で闊達。曇りのない伸びやかなタッチで躍動感に溢れ、楽しい気分を伝えてくれた。それだけでなく、バッハのイタリアン・コンチェルトの第2楽章では、静かな中に込められた情熱が伝わってきたし、モーツァルト円熟期のソナタでは、やはり第2楽章で温かく親密な語りかけが聴こえてきた。 The program is orthodox classical music. The Bach and Mozart are Tsujii's first challenge.The performance is clear and accessible. Full of uplifting feeling and transparency, and relaxed touch, his music conveys a happy mood. Besides that, in the second movement of Bach's Italian Concerto, a quiet passion was transmitted. In Mozart's vintage sonata, I was able to hear a warm and intimate dialogue again in the second movement.
しかし、辻井が本当の意味で本領を発揮したのは後半のベートーヴェンだ。「月光」も「熱情」も、他を寄せ付けない集中力と燃焼度で熱くダイナミックに迫ってきた。「月光」の第1楽章は底知れぬ闇からわずかに差し込む一条の光のイメージ、第2楽章でも能動的な動きは抑えて、第3楽章で堰を切ったように一気に爆発した。ベートーヴェンがすごい形相で目を剥いて嵐の中を駆け抜けるような衝動とパワー。第1楽章の深い闇を抜けたところには、疾風怒濤の世界が待っていた。弱音のフレーズも常に高いテンションを保ち、一瞬たりとも緊張を緩めることなく駆け抜けて行った。
However, it was in the second half of Beethoven's "Moonlight" and "Apassionata"that Tsujii came into his full being, playing heatedly and dynamically, with impressive concentrating power and passion. The first movement of "Moonlight" was an image of a single light that is slightly inserted into unfamiliar darkness. In the second movement active movements were restrained, only to explode in the third movement. In the first movement, [he conveyed] the stunning impulse and power of a storm as seen through the eyes of Beethoven, sweeping through the deep darkness of the evils lurking in the world. The phrasing of the weak sound was always kept at high tension and the performance was carried out without momentarily loosening the tension.
「熱情」でもまさに熱いパッションが炸裂しまくった。辻井はピアノのタッチが非常にクリアでかつ深く、瞬発力に長けている。この音楽の持つスケールの大きさ、鮮やかなリアリティーを余すところなく表現し、「ベートーヴェンとはこういうものだ！」と見せつけた。ここまで壮大で深淵、激烈な「熱情」に出会える機会はそうはない。
The "Apassionata" was even more explosive. Tsujii touched the piano very cleanly and deeply. It was skillful, instantaneous power. The scale of the music was expressed in vivid reality without constraints. "This is Beethoven!" in grandness and abyss, an opportunity to encounter a furious 'passion'
アンコールでは転じて、辻井の純真な心が素直に表れる幸福な世界へ誘ってくれ、クリスマスを迎えるワクワク感が高まった。客席からは手拍子も。この純粋で豊かな感受性が辻井の大きな持ち味の一つで、これが聴く人に幸福感を与えてくれる。これからもたくさんのことを素直に吸収し、育み、深化し、成長していくことだろう。
In the encores, Tsujii invited us into his happy world where his innocent heart exists in obedience. He seems excited about Christmas. And the audience responded with enthusiastic applause. This pure and rich sensitivity is a major characteristic of Tsujii, conveying a feeling of happiness to the listener. He will continue to absorb lots of thing, being nurtured, mature, and grow.
素敵なリサイタルだったが、お客のマナーはやはり悩ましかった。辻井さんがピアノの前に座って弾く準備をしている時も客席のざわつきは収まらず、演奏が始まっても派手な咳やビニールのクシャクシャいう音があちこちから聞こえ、携帯の着メロまで聞こえてきた。最後のアンコールの演奏中、すぐ隣に座っていたおばさんの携帯が鳴り出したので、これは黙っていられず演奏後に「気をつけてくださいよ！」と注意した。演奏中に携帯を鳴らす「犯罪」を犯した人をお咎めなしにはしたくなかったので。普段クラシックを聴かない人がコンサートに出かけ、クラシック音楽に親しむこと自体は良いことだと思うが… It was a nice recital, but the customer's manners were bothersome. When Tsujii is sitting in front of the piano and preparing to play, the roughness of the audience could not be contained. Even after the performance has begun, there were loud coughs and sounds of vinyl crushing here and there, and I even heard ring tones of mobile phones. During the last encore performance, the cell phone of the lad who sat next to me rang. He did not seem to be able to keep it on silence. After the playing I warned him, "Please be careful!", not wanting to cast aspersion on people who commit the "crime" of not silencing a cell phone during performance. On the other hand, it is a good thing for people who do not usually listen to classical music to come to a concert.
12/25に行くつもりにしていた早稲フィルの定期演奏会のチケットが取れなかったので、このリサイタルが結果的に今年最後のコンサートとなった。
This recital eventually became the last concert of this year as I could not get tickets for the regular concert of Waseda Phil, which I was hoping to attend on December 25.
RELATED ARTICLES
Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas