In 2018, Nobu will be performing with Conductor Vladimir Ashkanzy and the the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, both in Iceland and in Japan.
![]()
Nobu fan sonsoon, who has apparently been combing the web for archival articles that mention Nobu, has come up with this article that mentions the genesis of these performances, which were apparently originally envisioned for 2015.
The article is a 2014 posting on the web site of the Embassy of Japan in Iceland. The original post is in Japanese => http://www.is.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/Kitagawa_4_00001.html
Below is an English translation of the text.
アイスランドの日本大使館から
![]()
[Photo posted with article. I believe Mrs. Ashkenazy is second left, then the ambassador and Maestro Askenazy]
The other day we had the opportunity to invite Mr. and Mrs. Ashkenazy to a luncheon at the official residence. He had just returned from Japan for a concert in the Harpa [concert hall in Iceland]. Although he is originally from the former Soviet Union, he is married to an Icelandic wife and acquired Icelandic nationality, and while being internationally active, he is a director of the country's symphony orchestra and concert, and was also devoted to the construction of the Hall (now the Harpa). Therefore, even after moving his activity base to Switzerland, many Icelandic people consider "Mr. Ashkenazi is a treasure of the country."
Meanwhile, he has a very long and deep relationship with Japan.
He said that since he first visited Japan in 1965, he visited Japan almost every year, and it is the reason why he traveled all over the country from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Recently he was the principal conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra 's regular performances in 2000, served as a music director from 2004 to 2007, and he is also active as an emeritus conductor of the orchestra after his retirement. He is also familiar with Japanese food, and he said, "I cannot stop when I eat sushi." When asked about Japanese pianists, the couple both praised "Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii is wonderful!" [Aside: Nobu;s favorite food is also sushi. ^_^]
According to Mr. Arna, a representative of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra who was present at the luncheon, the orchestra is considering a major overseas concert in Japan's major cities in the second half of next year, after the financial crisis, and they are hoping for Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii playing the piano and conducting by Mr. Ashkenazy.
We look forward to the orchestra's performances in Japan, which will engrave a new page in the history of music exchange between Iceland and Japan. And we express out respect and appreciation to Maestro Ashkenazy, who is contributing to the further strengthening of the ties between the two countries.
----
As it turns out, the Japan tour mentioned in the article did not materialize in 2015, the year after the article was published, but in 2018 instead.
http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/events/event/22365/
June 2 2017 -- Iceland Debut with Ashkenazy
http://en.sinfonia.is/concerts-tickets/ashkenazy-and-nobu
Iceland concert announcement. A November Japan tour with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra is mentioned.
![]()
Related articles
Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2018 ICELAND Debut
Nobu fan sonsoon, who has apparently been combing the web for archival articles that mention Nobu, has come up with this article that mentions the genesis of these performances, which were apparently originally envisioned for 2015.
The article is a 2014 posting on the web site of the Embassy of Japan in Iceland. The original post is in Japanese => http://www.is.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_ja/Kitagawa_4_00001.html
Below is an English translation of the text.
アイスランドの日本大使館から
音楽が紡ぐ二国間関係
Music that bridges a bilingual relationship
The current Japanese ambassador's residence is the former home of Mr. Vladimir Ashkenazi, a world-famous pianist / conductor. The house was built in 1972, where the maestro lived until he moved to Switzerland in 1978. For many Iceland people, it is famous as the "Ashkenazy House".
[Photo posted with article. I believe Mrs. Ashkenazy is second left, then the ambassador and Maestro Askenazy]
The other day we had the opportunity to invite Mr. and Mrs. Ashkenazy to a luncheon at the official residence. He had just returned from Japan for a concert in the Harpa [concert hall in Iceland]. Although he is originally from the former Soviet Union, he is married to an Icelandic wife and acquired Icelandic nationality, and while being internationally active, he is a director of the country's symphony orchestra and concert, and was also devoted to the construction of the Hall (now the Harpa). Therefore, even after moving his activity base to Switzerland, many Icelandic people consider "Mr. Ashkenazi is a treasure of the country."
Meanwhile, he has a very long and deep relationship with Japan.
He said that since he first visited Japan in 1965, he visited Japan almost every year, and it is the reason why he traveled all over the country from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Recently he was the principal conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra 's regular performances in 2000, served as a music director from 2004 to 2007, and he is also active as an emeritus conductor of the orchestra after his retirement. He is also familiar with Japanese food, and he said, "I cannot stop when I eat sushi." When asked about Japanese pianists, the couple both praised "Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii is wonderful!" [Aside: Nobu;s favorite food is also sushi. ^_^]
According to Mr. Arna, a representative of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra who was present at the luncheon, the orchestra is considering a major overseas concert in Japan's major cities in the second half of next year, after the financial crisis, and they are hoping for Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii playing the piano and conducting by Mr. Ashkenazy.
We look forward to the orchestra's performances in Japan, which will engrave a new page in the history of music exchange between Iceland and Japan. And we express out respect and appreciation to Maestro Ashkenazy, who is contributing to the further strengthening of the ties between the two countries.
----
As it turns out, the Japan tour mentioned in the article did not materialize in 2015, the year after the article was published, but in 2018 instead.
http://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/events/event/22365/
June 2 2017 -- Iceland Debut with Ashkenazy
http://en.sinfonia.is/concerts-tickets/ashkenazy-and-nobu
Iceland concert announcement. A November Japan tour with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra is mentioned.
Related articles
Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2018 ICELAND Debut