Lats month (June 2020), Nobuyuki Tsujii held 4 online performances, billed as an Online Salon Concert, that were streamed in real time as well as shown on archive -- but available in Japan only.
The innovative undertaking has apparently been well received, garnering good audience response and media publicity.
Below is an English translation of a report on the 4th night performance, published in Japanese at the link https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/271744, with great photos.
Endless beauty in the long-awaited Beethoven program!
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Nobuyuki Tsujii's online salon concert was delivered via ePlus Streaming+ on weekend nights in June. The fourth, Sunday June 28, featured a long-awaited program of three major sonatas, "Pathetique,""Moonlight," and "Apassionata" by Beethoven, who would be 250 years old in 2020 .
There should have been concerts dedicated to Beethoven all over the world this year, many of which were canceled by the Corona Virus pandemic. This is a disappointment for classical miusic fans who were expecting the excitement of a big anniversary year, similar to the celebration of 200 years after the death of Mozart in 1991 and 250 years of his birth in 2006.
But it's still June. Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert of the three major Beethoven sonatas is a good prediction of the Beethoven's re-kick-off that will be held all over the world in the next 6 months. We can say, "At last, I met Beethoven! It was Tsujii's performance! "There were many viewers who were excited in front of the monitor [on which they watched the streaming].
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First of all, the first song, Beethoven's early masterpiece, Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathetique" . A joyful, light-sounding passage that appears in contrast to the desperate opening theme. The "bright light of hope" in agony is drawn with the delicate and delicate touch that Tsujii possess, and the grains of sound begin to shine.
This work is said to have been written by Beethoven around the age of 30, which coincides with a period of disappointment when his hearing was completely lost. From the beautiful and delicate fingertips of Tsujii, you can enjoy the joy of youth, but feel the anguish of your future life. It was overflowing.
Even in the melody at the beginning of the famous second movement (Adagio), the straightforward and sincere feeling of Tsujii has been transmitted unadorned. The song, which is created by restrained emotions without melodramatic exaggeration, meticulously depicts the heart of a young man who is at peace with all the pains and conflicts.
A clear, warm sound and melody exchange that does not use a lot of pedals throughout the entire volume. By now, I could feel the true understanding, the relentlessness, and even the humanity of Tsujii's Beethoven work.
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Piano Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight" was played subsequently . Tsujii plays each piece as if he loves it, with various expressions of delicate triplets drawn by the ever-changing harmony of the first movement and the melody of his right hand that keeps rising and falling. Even in the relaxed appearance, the inner depth unique to the music of the solitary composer Beethoven is precisely carved out, and it echoes straight to the listener's heart.
Even in the severe final movement, when turning off the dam is required, it was never belabored.
He spins the composer's subtleties in a calm and objective manner, as if he is a bystander.
The unobtrusive and quiet expression that suppresses the ups and downs of emotions.
Rather, I felt as if I was snuggling up close to the composer's sentiment.
The last work performed was the mid-term masterpiece, Piano Sonata No. 23, "Apassionata" . This work was composed in parallel with Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio", and the whole work is operatic and dramatic.
The first movement has long and breathtaking phrases scattered all over the place, with two motives reminiscent of the theme of Symphony No. 5 《Fate》, and the sound waves are inextricably and vertically intertwined. .. The emotional ups and downs (temperament) are even greater than the previous two works. Tsujii played this furious work without a break. I was overwhelmed by the powerful eloquence that is different from the previous two pieces.
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This is only my subjective opinion, but I think that Tsujii might have controlled the playing such that the previous two works are not overly eloquent, to set up the finale. It was a performance that I was impressed with, because there was a precise calculation unique to a continuous performance of three big works. Beethoven's disciple Czerny described this masterpiece as "a work that fulfilled a mighty and enormous plan like never before." Tsujii skillfully constructed and painted the real pleasure.
The second movements, filled with philosophical abyss, was different from the eloquence of the first movement, and especially in the meditative part, I was able to fully listen to the refreshing heavenly sound.This is the world unique to Tsujii.A state that can only be realized by this exceptional pianist: the moment (time) of a mental dialogue with the composer.
The third movement continues from the second movement without a break. I was screaming Bravo in front of the monitor at the finale, performed with utmost concentration and a fitting ending for this ambitious concert.
From the beginning to the end, a pleasure of adhering to the classical style with dignity and without crossing the line. Another key point of Tsujii is his versatility: [in addition to Beethoven] he is good at brilliant virtuoso works such as Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Chopin -- the true power of a pianist.
Tonight's online concert is the final solo performance in the series. According to Tsujii's surprising words after the performance, this is the first time that he has played three major sonatas in a single performance.
![]()
"This is a heavy program and I'm sure you're already full, so perhaps an encore is unnecessary. But in gratitude for your patience, I'll play "For a day with a smile"," he said. This is a Tsujii original song that was already performed on the first night. The message of Tsujii's own heart echoed beautifully in the afterglow of Beethoven.
An online concert that approaches the essence of the performer with high-definition sound quality that can cover all the dynamic range, in addition to great camera work. It's a real pleasure to be able to feel so close to musician Nobuyuki Tsujii, through the magic of streaming.
Next up on Saturday, July 4th, Nobuyuki Tsujii's online salon concert will be a duo with violinist and Fumiaki Miura. I look forward to Brahms's violin sonata No. 1 "rain song" and Franck's violin sonata.
A great opportunity to discover the new charm of pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii with the best partner.Why not relax and enjoy the best sound and images in your favorite place?
Text: Kumiko Asaoka 朝岡久美子
RELATED ARTICLES
A report on Nobuyuki Tsujii June 21 Online Salon Concert
A report on Nobuyuki Tsujii June 14 Online Salon Concert
The innovative undertaking has apparently been well received, garnering good audience response and media publicity.
Below is an English translation of a report on the 4th night performance, published in Japanese at the link https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/271744, with great photos.
待望のベートーヴェン・プログラムで有終の美を飾る! 辻井伸行のオンライン・サロンコンサート第4夜レポート
Endless beauty in the long-awaited Beethoven program!
Nobuyuki Tsujii's Online Salon Concert 4th Night Report

Nobuyuki Tsujii's online salon concert was delivered via ePlus Streaming+ on weekend nights in June. The fourth, Sunday June 28, featured a long-awaited program of three major sonatas, "Pathetique,""Moonlight," and "Apassionata" by Beethoven, who would be 250 years old in 2020 .
There should have been concerts dedicated to Beethoven all over the world this year, many of which were canceled by the Corona Virus pandemic. This is a disappointment for classical miusic fans who were expecting the excitement of a big anniversary year, similar to the celebration of 200 years after the death of Mozart in 1991 and 250 years of his birth in 2006.
But it's still June. Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert of the three major Beethoven sonatas is a good prediction of the Beethoven's re-kick-off that will be held all over the world in the next 6 months. We can say, "At last, I met Beethoven! It was Tsujii's performance! "There were many viewers who were excited in front of the monitor [on which they watched the streaming].

First of all, the first song, Beethoven's early masterpiece, Piano Sonata No. 8 "Pathetique" . A joyful, light-sounding passage that appears in contrast to the desperate opening theme. The "bright light of hope" in agony is drawn with the delicate and delicate touch that Tsujii possess, and the grains of sound begin to shine.
This work is said to have been written by Beethoven around the age of 30, which coincides with a period of disappointment when his hearing was completely lost. From the beautiful and delicate fingertips of Tsujii, you can enjoy the joy of youth, but feel the anguish of your future life. It was overflowing.
Even in the melody at the beginning of the famous second movement (Adagio), the straightforward and sincere feeling of Tsujii has been transmitted unadorned. The song, which is created by restrained emotions without melodramatic exaggeration, meticulously depicts the heart of a young man who is at peace with all the pains and conflicts.
A clear, warm sound and melody exchange that does not use a lot of pedals throughout the entire volume. By now, I could feel the true understanding, the relentlessness, and even the humanity of Tsujii's Beethoven work.

Piano Sonata No. 14 "Moonlight" was played subsequently . Tsujii plays each piece as if he loves it, with various expressions of delicate triplets drawn by the ever-changing harmony of the first movement and the melody of his right hand that keeps rising and falling. Even in the relaxed appearance, the inner depth unique to the music of the solitary composer Beethoven is precisely carved out, and it echoes straight to the listener's heart.
Even in the severe final movement, when turning off the dam is required, it was never belabored.
He spins the composer's subtleties in a calm and objective manner, as if he is a bystander.
The unobtrusive and quiet expression that suppresses the ups and downs of emotions.
Rather, I felt as if I was snuggling up close to the composer's sentiment.
The last work performed was the mid-term masterpiece, Piano Sonata No. 23, "Apassionata" . This work was composed in parallel with Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio", and the whole work is operatic and dramatic.
The first movement has long and breathtaking phrases scattered all over the place, with two motives reminiscent of the theme of Symphony No. 5 《Fate》, and the sound waves are inextricably and vertically intertwined. .. The emotional ups and downs (temperament) are even greater than the previous two works. Tsujii played this furious work without a break. I was overwhelmed by the powerful eloquence that is different from the previous two pieces.

This is only my subjective opinion, but I think that Tsujii might have controlled the playing such that the previous two works are not overly eloquent, to set up the finale. It was a performance that I was impressed with, because there was a precise calculation unique to a continuous performance of three big works. Beethoven's disciple Czerny described this masterpiece as "a work that fulfilled a mighty and enormous plan like never before." Tsujii skillfully constructed and painted the real pleasure.
The second movements, filled with philosophical abyss, was different from the eloquence of the first movement, and especially in the meditative part, I was able to fully listen to the refreshing heavenly sound.This is the world unique to Tsujii.A state that can only be realized by this exceptional pianist: the moment (time) of a mental dialogue with the composer.
The third movement continues from the second movement without a break. I was screaming Bravo in front of the monitor at the finale, performed with utmost concentration and a fitting ending for this ambitious concert.
From the beginning to the end, a pleasure of adhering to the classical style with dignity and without crossing the line. Another key point of Tsujii is his versatility: [in addition to Beethoven] he is good at brilliant virtuoso works such as Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Chopin -- the true power of a pianist.
Tonight's online concert is the final solo performance in the series. According to Tsujii's surprising words after the performance, this is the first time that he has played three major sonatas in a single performance.

"This is a heavy program and I'm sure you're already full, so perhaps an encore is unnecessary. But in gratitude for your patience, I'll play "For a day with a smile"," he said. This is a Tsujii original song that was already performed on the first night. The message of Tsujii's own heart echoed beautifully in the afterglow of Beethoven.
An online concert that approaches the essence of the performer with high-definition sound quality that can cover all the dynamic range, in addition to great camera work. It's a real pleasure to be able to feel so close to musician Nobuyuki Tsujii, through the magic of streaming.
Next up on Saturday, July 4th, Nobuyuki Tsujii's online salon concert will be a duo with violinist and Fumiaki Miura. I look forward to Brahms's violin sonata No. 1 "rain song" and Franck's violin sonata.
A great opportunity to discover the new charm of pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii with the best partner.Why not relax and enjoy the best sound and images in your favorite place?
Text: Kumiko Asaoka 朝岡久美子
RELATED ARTICLES
A report on Nobuyuki Tsujii June 21 Online Salon Concert
A report on Nobuyuki Tsujii June 14 Online Salon Concert