This article, an interview of Nobu and violinist Fumiaki Miura, appeared in the Japanese U.K. News Digest, 19 January 2017 vol.1475
Please read the original article, in Japanese, here:
http://www.news-digest.co.uk/news/features/15967-fumiaki-miura-and-nobuyuki-tsujii.html
Below is my rough translation of the article, in English, with help from Google Translate.
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Last year, NHK aired the big TV drama "Sanada Maru" whose active actors and gorgeous sets were popular. In addition to the development of the drama, attention was drawn to two young musicians, Fumiaki Miura and Nobuyuki Tsujii, who played respectively the violin solo of the theme song flowing every time at the beginning of the program, and the piano solo "Sanada Maru Noriyuki" at the ending. It was a fresh sound.
Last year, the Avex Recital series held at Wigmore Hall in London enjoyed popularity, and will continue this year. This time, the series feature "Masamaru Sanada" duo Miura and Tsujii, as well as Berlin Phil's concert master Daisuke Kashimoto. In addition to their music activities, Miura and Tsujii are friends in private. I heard from the two.
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The Avex Recital series which closed curtains in popularity last year is coming back to theWigmore Hall in London again. This time, in addition to Nobuyuki Tsujii who participated last time, there will be appearances by Fumiaki Miura and Daisuke Kashimoto.They will perform a recital on Saturday afternoons in April, June and July respectively. Tickets are already on sale.
Nobuyuki Tsujii Piano Recital
Performer: Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano)
music:
Bach "Italian Concerto BWV971"
Mozart "Piano Sonata No. 17 in B flat major K.570"
Beethoven "Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor" Moonlight, ""
Beethoven "The Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor "Passion"
Miura BunAkira Violin recital
Playing: Fumikaki Miura (violin)
Itamaru-Golan (piano)
music:
Dvorak "Romance Op.11"
Stravinsky "Divertimento"
Beethoven "Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major"
Daisuki Kashimoto Violin recital
Playing: Daishin Kashimoto (violin)
Alessio Bucks (piano)
music:
Mozart "Violin Sonata No. 25 in G major, K.301"
Szymanowski "myth Op.30"
Grieg "Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor"
Please read the original article, in Japanese, here:
http://www.news-digest.co.uk/news/features/15967-fumiaki-miura-and-nobuyuki-tsujii.html
Below is my rough translation of the article, in English, with help from Google Translate.
Last year, NHK aired the big TV drama "Sanada Maru" whose active actors and gorgeous sets were popular. In addition to the development of the drama, attention was drawn to two young musicians, Fumiaki Miura and Nobuyuki Tsujii, who played respectively the violin solo of the theme song flowing every time at the beginning of the program, and the piano solo "Sanada Maru Noriyuki" at the ending. It was a fresh sound.
Last year, the Avex Recital series held at Wigmore Hall in London enjoyed popularity, and will continue this year. This time, the series feature "Masamaru Sanada" duo Miura and Tsujii, as well as Berlin Phil's concert master Daisuke Kashimoto. In addition to their music activities, Miura and Tsujii are friends in private. I heard from the two.
Could you tell me how the two of you got to know each other at first?
MiuraI met Mr. Tsujii for the first time on a tour called "The Ultimate Concerto Concert" with the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra held in February last year.We each played a concerto in turn, but at that time I was immediately touched by Mr. Tsujii 's music. There were about ten performances, but I was touched really every time and it was a very enjoyable tour.
TsujiiMr. Miura at "The Ultimate Concerto Concert" gave a wonderful performance; it was a lot of fun while traveling around the tour together. I didn't have much chance to meet young musicians, so I was happy that I could get to know each other like this. At that time, we played together at encores and we were really happy to be able to co-star with each other while we are in our twenties.It made me think that I hope to play duet in the future.
Mr. Miura said that his parents were professional musicians and took the first step to become a musician under the guidance of his mother. Meanwhile, Mr. Tsujii's parents are engaged in work not directly related to music. Do you believe that these environmental differences make a difference as a performer?
MiuraIn my case my parents are violinists, but I probably was listening to the sound of the violin since I was in her belly. Recently, I heard from my parents that, when her stomach became quite large, my mother was listening to a recital of Anne-Sophie Mutter. She seems to be playing Beethoven's "Kreutzer Sonata"; I was told that it was the first time that I kicked her stomach with a foot. But it happened that I started with the violin. I started with the Suzuki · methodology * in the same sense as learning everything such as swimming and soccer.After all I could not keep going if I did not like it, but I think that my mother taught me well in that respect. Well, it was terribly frightening and harsh (laugh).
* The Suzuki · Methodology conduct music education for children, with classrooms divided into several departments such as violin and piano
TsujiiI also feel like Miura-san, as I was listening to classical music from the time when I was in my mother's womb. And, about 8 months after birth, I loved Chopin music, kicking in rhythm especially when (Mr. Stanislav) Boonin 's "Hero Polonaise" was playing -- it seems my mother felt that I love piano.My parents are not musicians, but I thought that it was good because they let me do whatever I like, "Do you like learning piano?" There are some parts in common with Mr. Miura's experience.
Please tell me your impressions of each other as a musician. Is there anything that seems to be different, or similar to yourself?
MiuraMr. Tsujii impresses me with a beautiful tone, and I am touched by his heated performance at the concert every time. Speaking for myself, I think that [we both] love to eat (laugh).
TsujiiMr. Miura gives me a very bright impression, and he seems dignified and calm all the time. I admire his excellent stage performance and his perfect musicality and technology, which allows him to give a wonderful performance every time.
How about when you are away from music?
MiuraI usually go to various places on tour, but when I get together with Mr. Tsujii for example, we eat a tremendous amount after the performances (laugh). Eat delicious food, drink alcohol together, relax away from the tension of the concert. It's a fun time.
TsujiiAs with Mr. Miura, I also have a good time together with drinking alcohol and dining together, out of public eyes away from concerts.We also went to karaoke, and we sang various songs to each other. There are opportunities to see Miura san who is a happy drinker, for example, in privacy.We got to know each other so much, so I hope to continue playing music with him in the future.
MiuraI agree!
Both of you are involved in performances other than classical music. In recent memory, Mr. Miura was in charge of the solo violin of NHK Taiga Drama "Sanada Maru" main theme, and Mr. Tsujii was responsible for the piano of "Sanada Maru Noriyuki".
MiuraThat was the first time that I played music for a NHK Taiga drama. It is a great honor. The music composed by Prof. Takayuki Hattori was wonderful; in fact I do not think it is a completely different thing from classical music.Even though I am only studying the fundamentals of composition of classical music, ideas would come up steadily as I play. It was really nice to be able to play this time.
TsujiiI do a little songwriting, and I also worked for movie music and TV drama music, but the river drama was the first time. I was in charge of the subject of "Ending""Sanada Maru Noriyuki", but it was a relaxing and exquisite, really wonderful song. The main theme is also cool, so I am honored to be able to work with Mr. Miura in this way.
Mr. Tsujii has done concert activities in the UK many times in the past, has Mr. Miura played in the UK until now?
MiuraI have never played there before, so this is my first concert in the UK.
Have you visited the UK on your trips?
MiuraI have. I was playing the violin and I was involved with the musical instrument business people so often, so I went to the UK on a day trip.
Mr. Tsujii will be in a recital at Wigmore Hall following last year.
TsujiiI have had quite a lot of opportunities to play in the UK, and the first time was when conductor Mr. Yutaka Sado asked me to play with the BBC Phil as a soloist.I co-starred with the Philharmonia Orchestra under the direction of (Vladimir) Ashkenazi and I also appeared at the BBC Proms. Last year, I played at the Wigmore Hall for the first time but I am very happy to do a recital again in the same hall this time as well. The British audience listens intensely and I feel that it is very wonderful.
Is there a British composer that you particularly admire?
MiuraI have had the opportunity to perform (Benjamin) Britten's works quite well so far.I played his violin concerto for the first time in Warsaw this March, but it is a really wonderful song; there is a different charm from German music, and there is an impression that you are scaling the mountain of music to reach an emotional place.Actually, this year, I am scheduled to play (Edward) Elgar's violin concerto several times; I am also very much looking forward to it. It is a magnificent song that I love to listen, but I feel that there are similar places in Elgar and Britten.To my thinking, German music has made perfect transformation of music, but the English music is emotional and hot; I have a romantic impression, I love it very much.
What exactly does it mean to be emotional and hot?
MiuraIt is difficult to explain in words, but Britten and Elgar have a unique atmosphere in any of their works. Britten's work expresses the intensity of war, sometimes written at the beginning of the Second World War. Elgar's music is totally opposite, and in his own words "This song is really romantic and I love it."Needless to say, German music is always central to me, but recently I am attracted to the charm of these British composers.
TsujiiThere are some piano works by British composers, unfortunately I have not played them yet.But the orchestra works such as Elgar are wonderful and if I come across a piano work that fits me, I'd like to try it out.
MiuraNext time will you try to play the Elgar violin and piano sonatas with me?
TsujiiWell then (laugh)!
Please tell us anything you are looking forward to next time in Britain other than the concert, when you are in UK.
Miura I said before I was there "on a day trip", but in reality I was there for 1 or 2 nights and I visited the British Museum and other museums with tremendous displays. There are various wonderful places in England, so I think that I can find my favorite places in the future. I am looking forward to it.
TsujiiI have visited London many times and I also went to Manchester and Liverpool where the Beatles lived. Since Britain has an edge [a Japanese expression whose meaning I am not clear on], I would like to visit places that I have never been to.
Then, although it will be the last question, please tell us your enthusiasm for this concert.
MiuraIn addition to being a recital at the Wigmore Hall, a historic concert hall in London, I will also be making a London debut, so I am really looking forward to it.I have already co-starred with Itamar Goran in various places, and we made programs with songs that we enjoyed and played especially for each other, especially among the songs played with him in the past, so many. We would like to visit people.
TsujiiI will play my second Wigmore Hall recital same as last year. I am looking forward to being able to perform in front of a wonderful audience in a hall with an excellent resonance. This year I will also be playing Bach for the first time on the theme "Baroque and Classical."Bach is a composer who can also be said to be the origin of music, so I definitely want to convey that splendor to everyone
Avex recital series to be held again at Wigmore Hall in spring and summer 2017
Wigmore Hall
36 Wigmore Street W1U 2BP
Tel: 020 7935 2141
fee: each 20 lbs
nearest station: Bond Street Station / Oxford Circus station
http://wigmore-hall.org.uk
36 Wigmore Street W1U 2BP
Tel: 020 7935 2141
fee: each 20 lbs
nearest station: Bond Street Station / Oxford Circus station
http://wigmore-hall.org.uk
Nobuyuki Tsujii Piano Recital
April 1 (Saturday) 13:00
Performer: Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano) music:
Bach "Italian Concerto BWV971"
Mozart "Piano Sonata No. 17 in B flat major K.570"
Beethoven "Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor" Moonlight, ""
Beethoven "The Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor "Passion"
Miura BunAkira Violin recital
June 17 (Sat) 13:00
Playing: Fumikaki Miura (violin) Itamaru-Golan (piano)
music:
Dvorak "Romance Op.11"
Stravinsky "Divertimento"
Beethoven "Violin Sonata No. 10 in G major"
Daisuki Kashimoto Violin recital
July 22 (Saturday) 13:00
Playing: Daishin Kashimoto (violin) Alessio Bucks (piano)
music:
Mozart "Violin Sonata No. 25 in G major, K.301"
Szymanowski "myth Op.30"
Grieg "Violin Sonata No. 3 in C minor"