U.S. pianist Linda Kipps traveled to the Carnegie Hall for Nobuyuki Tsujii's September 20 performance with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
Linda, like Nobu, was born blind and musically gifted. She played piano from a young age and performs professionally for ballet classes. Linda regularly visits my site for the International Fans of Nobuyuki Tsujii. She owns many of his recordings, and follows Nobu's activities keenly.
Needless to say, the trip to New York City and to the Carnegie Hall was a memorable event for Linda. Here is a photo of her in the concert hall, just before the September 20 performance.
"I am here at my seat, very excited!... I have already met Nobu and everyone, and I will go backstage at intermission. It’s all been arranged! What a marvelous day!"
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Back home, Linda wrote:
She shared the text of the letter with me. I thought it is beautifully written, and her thoughts reflect those of many of us who admire Nobu from afar, but are not able to communicate our words to him because of the language barrier. I hope the letter has reached Nobu in some way.
With her permission, below you will find the contents of what Linda wrote in her letter to Nobu.
September 20, 2018
Hi Nobu,
I have some thoughts that I have wanted to share with you for a long time. First of all, there are many people around the world who so highly admire what you have done and what you have accomplished. I want you to know that I am totally in awe of what you have achieved as well.
You have not only been an ambassador for classical music around the world, but you have been a real inspiration to people with disabilities. You have shown all of us that “there are no barriers in music and that music crosses borders”. You not only have inspired people around the world, but you have been a total inspiration to me. You have taught me so much. I’ve become a lot calmer, a lot more tolerant, and you have shown me how to be at peace with who I really am.
You are an incredible artist. The sensitivity with which you play cannot be matched. You have impeccable technique, allowing you to play and express yourself in any way you wish because the piano is truly an extension of your body and you have a beautiful soul. Don’t ever forget that. The sky is the limit. Nothing can stop you now!
Thank you, Nobu, for being who you are, so courageous and brave. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent so generously and for being such an inspiration to all of us.
Sincerely,
Linda Kipps
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Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in USA
Linda, like Nobu, was born blind and musically gifted. She played piano from a young age and performs professionally for ballet classes. Linda regularly visits my site for the International Fans of Nobuyuki Tsujii. She owns many of his recordings, and follows Nobu's activities keenly.
Needless to say, the trip to New York City and to the Carnegie Hall was a memorable event for Linda. Here is a photo of her in the concert hall, just before the September 20 performance.
"I am here at my seat, very excited!... I have already met Nobu and everyone, and I will go backstage at intermission. It’s all been arranged! What a marvelous day!"
Back home, Linda wrote:
"I debated long and hard before I left for New York about what would be an appropriate gift to present to Nobu. I decided that flowers and such just didn’t cut it. I knew that he would get enough of that stuff, and that most of it would be left behind anyway.
So, as I have told you many times, I have had some thoughts that I wanted to share with Nobu for a long time, so I took the opportunity to write him a letter and give it to him. A friend of mine helped me to get it printed out, put into an envelope with my name, address and email. In the bottom left-hand corner of the envelope, I wrote Nobu‘s name in braille."
So, as I have told you many times, I have had some thoughts that I wanted to share with Nobu for a long time, so I took the opportunity to write him a letter and give it to him. A friend of mine helped me to get it printed out, put into an envelope with my name, address and email. In the bottom left-hand corner of the envelope, I wrote Nobu‘s name in braille."
She shared the text of the letter with me. I thought it is beautifully written, and her thoughts reflect those of many of us who admire Nobu from afar, but are not able to communicate our words to him because of the language barrier. I hope the letter has reached Nobu in some way.
With her permission, below you will find the contents of what Linda wrote in her letter to Nobu.
September 20, 2018
Hi Nobu,
I have some thoughts that I have wanted to share with you for a long time. First of all, there are many people around the world who so highly admire what you have done and what you have accomplished. I want you to know that I am totally in awe of what you have achieved as well.
You have not only been an ambassador for classical music around the world, but you have been a real inspiration to people with disabilities. You have shown all of us that “there are no barriers in music and that music crosses borders”. You not only have inspired people around the world, but you have been a total inspiration to me. You have taught me so much. I’ve become a lot calmer, a lot more tolerant, and you have shown me how to be at peace with who I really am.
You are an incredible artist. The sensitivity with which you play cannot be matched. You have impeccable technique, allowing you to play and express yourself in any way you wish because the piano is truly an extension of your body and you have a beautiful soul. Don’t ever forget that. The sky is the limit. Nothing can stop you now!
Thank you, Nobu, for being who you are, so courageous and brave. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent so generously and for being such an inspiration to all of us.
Sincerely,
Linda Kipps
---------------
RELATED ARTICLES
Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in USA