Nobuyuki Tsujii on horseback, Colorado 2009

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It is autumn 2020.  The world continues to be in the grip of  COVID-19 pandemic  Although concert performances seem to have returned to Japan, things are not looking too good in Europe and in the U.S..  This past week, Nobu should have been performing in Europe with his mentor Yutaka Sado and the Tonkunstler Orchestra.  But, given the virus surge on that continent, I think it was wise for Nobu to choose to stay put in Japan, where he has remained since January, when I had the fortune of seeing him perform his Scriabin-Schubert-Chopin recital at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris.

As I write, Nobu has just finished the first half of his All-Beethoven recitals, and it won't be until late next month before he kicks off his All-Chopin recitals in Japan.   Those of us outside Japan can only hope to see some footage of the performances, recordings of which were mentioned by some concert-goers.

So, ahead of us will be a month of quiet time with little news.  I suspect Nobu is busy practicing for his Chopin recitals, including 4 waltzes new to his repertoire.  

Meanwhile, I indulged in some nostalgia and came upon these photos from 2009.  I believe I "borrowed" them from the former Nobuyuki Tsujii official site, which is no longer accessible.  These photos I believe were taken in the summer of 2009, when Nobu was in Colorado to participate in a summer music festival. They show Nobu on horseback, in a scenic area, under the watchful eyes of a guide.  I had yet to "discover" Nobu at the time, but I am glad I found and kept these photos.

Photographs and memories.   These photos bring a smile to my face. Nobu on horseback, looking happy.  I thought others might also enjoy seeing them.  Hence this post.