The following is posted on the website of Master Pianist Series after the conclusion of the recital at the Concertgebouw by Nobuyuki Tsujii on December 15 2019. [I thank Yoshimi Kawai i-arts universe on Facebook for alerting me to the post.]
The page was accessed on December 19 at this link https://www.meesterpianisten.nl/newsletter/toegiften-en-recensies-nobuyuki-tsujii-beschikbaar/
The top of the page looks like this:
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Translated to English:
The posting lists the two encores played
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Followed by a collection of 5 reviews of the performance.
Review 1 (this review by Christo Lelie does not come up on Google; it is published on the website of the Master Pianist Series)
"Opperste concentratie en vertelkunst in het pianospel van Nobuyuki Tsujii"<=original in Dutch
Nobuyuki Tsujii Concertgebouw Review "Supreme concentration"<=an English translation
5 out of 5 stars
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Review 2 -- this review is posted on the Facebook page of an arts hournal De Nieuwe Muze"The New Muse"
NOBUYUKI TSUJII: VERLIEFD OP ELKE NOOT<== original in Dutch
Nobuyuki Tsujii: In love with every Note<== English translation
5 out of 5 stars
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Review 3 -- this review does not come up on Google, but the Master Pianist Series apparently transcribed it from a newspaper to a post on its site. It s by Erik Voermans and was published in an Amsterdam daily paper Het Paroo.
Blinde virtuoos Tsujii verbaast, maar ontroert zelden<= original text, in Dutch
"Blind virtuoso Tsujii surprises, but rarely moves (the heart)"<= English translation
3 out of 5 stars.
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Review 4 Het is de Japanse pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, zeg maar Nobu, om drama te doen
[It is the Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, called Nobu, to do drama], Merlijn Kerkhof, de Volkskrant "(The People's Paper). English translation here.
3 out of 5 stars
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Review 5 Blinde pianist Tsujii speelt virtuoos, maar zonder spanningsboog [Blind pianist Tsujii makes a virtuoso performance, but without any tension] Joost Galema, nrc.nl [an evening paper] English translation here
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It seems Nobu's selfless effort -- stepping in at the last minute for pianist Nelson Friere -- was not exactly rewarded with rave reviews in the Netherlands. These 5 reviews are all by male critics, the first three of which appear (judging from postings on the web) more senior in age than the last two. The two 5-star reviews are online publications, the other 3 appeared in Dutch newspapers.
All five focused on Nobu's blindness. One critic mentions that a [poor-taste] label of "‘De blind geboren Japanse pianist’ ['The born-blind Japanese pianist'] is written in capitals on the concert poster." Did the promoters emphasize Nobu's blindness in their zeal to drum up ticket sales on short notice?
The critics who wrote the favorable reviews acknowledge the monumental challenges that Nobu has overcome, and went into the concert willing to hear what he has to offer. These critics accept the limits that blindness poses on the mechanics of piano playing, but keep their eyes and minds open for the musicality such an extraordinary pianist has to offer in performing familiar masterpieces.
Is it possible that the other critics harbored a resentment induced by the "born-blind Japanese pianist" label? These critics, it seems, never got over Nobu's blindness. One wrote, cynically, "Nobu does the drama." Another dredged up the Cliburn Competition a decade ago and insinuates that Nobu owes his victory to his blindness. Small wonder that, for him, "Blinde virtuoos Tsujii verbaast, maar ontroert zelden" [Blind virtuoso Tsujii surprises, but rarely moves (the heart)]. Perhaps this learned critic did not wish for his heart to be moved in the first place?
I find little comfort in the afterword of the Master Series organizer, seen on top of this page. Well meaning as the brief paragraph may be, it speaks of "blind poet Homer", "miraculous virtuosity" and "master pianist from the land of the rising sun." I know Nobuyuki Tsujii will want to be invited to return to the Concertgebouw in the future. As his ardent fan, I hope so. But, please, on his own considerable merit as a virtuoso, and not as a "born-blind Japanese pianist."
----
Yoshimi Kawai i-arts universe, whose Facebook post alerted me to the Master Series Post, wrote this in response to that post:
Image below: Nobuyuki Tsujii practicing in the Concertgebouw. Source: Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii
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RELATED ARTICLES
Nobuyuki Tsujii debuts at the Concertgebouw
Collection of Nobuyuki Tsujii critics' reviews
The page was accessed on December 19 at this link https://www.meesterpianisten.nl/newsletter/toegiften-en-recensies-nobuyuki-tsujii-beschikbaar/
The top of the page looks like this:
Translated to English:
Ovations for a passionate debutant from Japan |
Dear all, Like the blind poet Homer, Nobuyuki Tsujii recounts the Ballades of Frédéric Chopin and conjures miraculously virtuosity, via the four Scherzi of this Polish composer, elves and gnomes with tinkling bells from the wings. A grand debut by this master pianist from the land of the rising sun. | ||
Followed by a collection of 5 reviews of the performance.
Review 1 (this review by Christo Lelie does not come up on Google; it is published on the website of the Master Pianist Series)
"Opperste concentratie en vertelkunst in het pianospel van Nobuyuki Tsujii"<=original in Dutch
Nobuyuki Tsujii Concertgebouw Review "Supreme concentration"<=an English translation
5 out of 5 stars
Review 2 -- this review is posted on the Facebook page of an arts hournal De Nieuwe Muze"The New Muse"
NOBUYUKI TSUJII: VERLIEFD OP ELKE NOOT<== original in Dutch
Nobuyuki Tsujii: In love with every Note<== English translation
5 out of 5 stars
Review 3 -- this review does not come up on Google, but the Master Pianist Series apparently transcribed it from a newspaper to a post on its site. It s by Erik Voermans and was published in an Amsterdam daily paper Het Paroo.
Blinde virtuoos Tsujii verbaast, maar ontroert zelden<= original text, in Dutch
"Blind virtuoso Tsujii surprises, but rarely moves (the heart)"<= English translation
3 out of 5 stars.
Review 4 Het is de Japanse pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, zeg maar Nobu, om drama te doen
[It is the Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, called Nobu, to do drama], Merlijn Kerkhof, de Volkskrant "(The People's Paper). English translation here.
3 out of 5 stars
Review 5 Blinde pianist Tsujii speelt virtuoos, maar zonder spanningsboog [Blind pianist Tsujii makes a virtuoso performance, but without any tension] Joost Galema, nrc.nl [an evening paper] English translation here
My Reaction
In his own concert report posted after the Concergebouw recital, Nobuyuki Tsujii wrote this [translated from Japanese]Before the performance, I had a complex feeling of expectation and anxiety as to whether my performance would be valid in front of a concert-rich Dutch audience in the venerable Concertgebouw. I sensed that I was being listened to in a concentrated manner, and I was able to make the performance as if I was united with the audience. I was really impressed with the standing ovations after the performance. For encores, I played Chopin's Nocturne No. 20 and La Campanella.
Being able to appear in this concert was a valuable experience, and I did my best to fulfill my Dutch debut performance. After the concert, I finally felt a little relieved.I wish Mo. Freire is able to recover quickly so that we can hear his wonderful piano again.
Being able to appear in this concert was a valuable experience, and I did my best to fulfill my Dutch debut performance. After the concert, I finally felt a little relieved.I wish Mo. Freire is able to recover quickly so that we can hear his wonderful piano again.
It seems Nobu's selfless effort -- stepping in at the last minute for pianist Nelson Friere -- was not exactly rewarded with rave reviews in the Netherlands. These 5 reviews are all by male critics, the first three of which appear (judging from postings on the web) more senior in age than the last two. The two 5-star reviews are online publications, the other 3 appeared in Dutch newspapers.
All five focused on Nobu's blindness. One critic mentions that a [poor-taste] label of "‘De blind geboren Japanse pianist’ ['The born-blind Japanese pianist'] is written in capitals on the concert poster." Did the promoters emphasize Nobu's blindness in their zeal to drum up ticket sales on short notice?
The critics who wrote the favorable reviews acknowledge the monumental challenges that Nobu has overcome, and went into the concert willing to hear what he has to offer. These critics accept the limits that blindness poses on the mechanics of piano playing, but keep their eyes and minds open for the musicality such an extraordinary pianist has to offer in performing familiar masterpieces.
Is it possible that the other critics harbored a resentment induced by the "born-blind Japanese pianist" label? These critics, it seems, never got over Nobu's blindness. One wrote, cynically, "Nobu does the drama." Another dredged up the Cliburn Competition a decade ago and insinuates that Nobu owes his victory to his blindness. Small wonder that, for him, "Blinde virtuoos Tsujii verbaast, maar ontroert zelden" [Blind virtuoso Tsujii surprises, but rarely moves (the heart)]. Perhaps this learned critic did not wish for his heart to be moved in the first place?
I find little comfort in the afterword of the Master Series organizer, seen on top of this page. Well meaning as the brief paragraph may be, it speaks of "blind poet Homer", "miraculous virtuosity" and "master pianist from the land of the rising sun." I know Nobuyuki Tsujii will want to be invited to return to the Concertgebouw in the future. As his ardent fan, I hope so. But, please, on his own considerable merit as a virtuoso, and not as a "born-blind Japanese pianist."
----
Yoshimi Kawai i-arts universe, whose Facebook post alerted me to the Master Series Post, wrote this in response to that post:
I went to this concert and felt a lot..., and still been thinking about the concert.
What is the music? How do we feel??
It’s not only one answer, and we can’t say it’s right or not.
Sometimes is hard to say with words.
There are so many feelings and it depends on the person.
It’s natural in this universe.
Just feel...
I appreciate each moment...
----What is the music? How do we feel??
It’s not only one answer, and we can’t say it’s right or not.
Sometimes is hard to say with words.
There are so many feelings and it depends on the person.
It’s natural in this universe.
Just feel...
I appreciate each moment...
Image below: Nobuyuki Tsujii practicing in the Concertgebouw. Source: Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii
***
RELATED ARTICLES
Nobuyuki Tsujii debuts at the Concertgebouw
Collection of Nobuyuki Tsujii critics' reviews