Notable web postings February 2020
Continued from Notable web postings January 2020
Older notable web postings are collected at Notable web postings archival
CONCERTS THIS MONTH
Japan recital tour performance #5 - #13
Double treat this Friday February 14 Valentine's Day ❤️
Release of "Ravel works" CD: Tonkunsler Orchestra, Yutaka Sado, Nobuyuki Tsujii
♪ Jan 24 Japan recital tour resumes
After the excitements of Paris and Oslo, it is back to work for Nobu in Japan.
He is not scheduled to perform overseas until in late April.
News, comments and photos about the Japan tour are collected at 2020 Japan recital tour.
♪ February 26 2020 Japan recital tour drawing to a close, threat of virus infection notwithstanding
Only two performances remain, and both are in large concert halls.
February 26 (Wednesday) 19:00 横浜みなとみらい ホールYokohama Minato Mirai Hall (2,020 seats).
Mar 1 13:30 札幌コンサートホールHokkaido Kitara Concert Hall (2,008 seats)
The organizers of each concert have announced that in spite of the threat of the COVID-19, the events are scheduled to take place.
This announcement seems to me very sensible and rational
http://www.officeone.co.jp/topics/index.html#news1344
日本国内における新型コロナウィルス感染症の発生により、現在様々な影響が出ております。
これから開催される「3/1辻井伸行ピアノ・リサイタル」「3/11チャイコフスキー・シンフォニー・オーケストラ」につきましては、現在のところ、出演者や招聘元と連絡を取り合い、又、関係諸機関からの情報収集に努めつつ予定通り実施に向けて準備を進めております。
また、札幌コンサートホールでは、ロビーに感染予防対策のポスターを掲示、消毒液を設置し感染拡大を防ぐための対策をとっております。
お客様におかれましても、感染拡大予防のため、体調不良の場合ご来場を控えていただくこと、咳・くしゃみ等の症状のある場合はマスクを着用して頂くこと等、何卒ご理解・ご協力をお願い申し上げます。
The outbreak of the new coronavirus infection in Japan has had various effects at present.
For the upcoming " 3/1 Nobuyuki Tsujii Piano Recital" and " 3/11 Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra", we have been in contact with the performers and involved parties, and have gathered information from related organizations. We are preparing to proceed the performances as scheduled.
Additionally, at the Sapporo Concert Hall, posters for infection prevention measures are posted in the lobby and disinfectants are installed to take measures to prevent the spread of infection.
Customers are requested to refrain from visiting the facility if they are unwell, and to wear a mask if they have symptoms such as coughing or sneezing. Thank you.
♪ February 22 Nerima Art Museum All Chopin Recital Sold out in 5 minutes
Tickets came on general sale today at 10:00 for this special concert, and reportedly were sold out in 5 minutes.
Nerima Art Museum Japan
https://twitter.com/sunsoon16/status/1231029925844414464 (sunsoon tweet)
嬉しいことに、チケット取れました…！ 一般発売は本当に一瞬、5分で予定枚数終了でした… でも取れて嬉しいです。#辻井伸行 #オールショパン #練馬文化センター
Fortunately, I got a ticket ...! The general release was really sold out in 5 minutes ... But I'm glad to got it. #Nobuyuki Tsujii # All Chopin # Nerima Cultural Center
♪ February 19 New April 15 concert
This concert announcement came up suddenly on Feb 19 2020, and seems to have been put together in a hurry.
https://www.ints.co.jp/ANAHONOLULU.html
ANA HONOLULU MUSIC WEEK Commemorative GALA Concert
April 5 15:00 Bunkamura Orchard Hall.
Tickets on general sale starting March 7.
Nobuyuki Tsujii will join singer Ryoko Moriyama at the ANA HONOLULU MUSIC WEEK Commemorative GALA Concert; April 5 15:00 Bunkamura Orchard Hall. ANA (All Nippon Airways) is a major sponsor of Nobu. This concert comes a day before Nobu's concert with the Okinawa Orchestra on April 6.
This concert comes the day before another concert on April 6 19:00 Suntory Hall with Naoto Otomo conducts Ryukyu Symphony Orchestra.
UPDATE
The concert has now been announced by Avex Classics International, with details and poster photos
https://avex.jp/classics/news/detail.php?cd=ACLSS&id=1081313
♪ February 19 Breaking News -- UK tour with Tonkunstler & Sado this fall!
This is to be confirmed.
But I just stumbled upon this page posted by IMG Artists, and it seems there is a UK tour planned for the Tonkünstler-Orchester this fall (October 26 - November 2), with conductor Yutaka Sado and Nobuyuki Tsujii as soloist!
TO BE INVESTIGATED. Please stay tuned.
https://imgartists.com/2020-21-season-touring/
IMG Artists Orchestral Touring
Vienna Tonkunstler
Conductor: Yutaka Sado
Soloist: Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano)
October 26 (Monday) 7:30 pm - November 2 (Monday) 10:00 pm
♪ February 18 Avex Wigmore Hall 2020 Series
Avex Recital Series tweeted
https://twitter.com/AvexRecitals/status/1229710220450041858
Announcement✨
We're back for 2020 to bring you leading classical talent from Japan to the beautiful @wigmore_hall in London!
23 May - Yu Kosuge
27 June - Nobuyuki Tsujii
28 Nov - Sayaka Shoji with Víkingur Ólafsson
19 Dec - Mao Fujita
https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/wigmore-series/avex-recital-series
Nobu's recital is
Saturday 27 June 2020 1:00PM.
Beethoven recital: ‘Waldstein’ and ‘Hammerklavier’ - 1 hour in duration, without an interval.
Tickets available now at https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/nobuyuki-tsujii-202006271300
And an article about the series appeared on BroadwayWorld
Avex Classics International Launch 5th Avex Recital Series
To mark their 5th season, the 2020 Avex Recital Series will host four concerts by a new generation of leading Japanese artists. 2020 sees the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth and 27th June will showcase Beethoven virtuoso, the highly-renowned blind pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. Other musicians in this year's series are pianist Yu Kosuge (23rd May), violinist Sayaka Shoji and pianist Víkingur Ólafsson (28th November), and pianist Mao Fujita (19th December).
...
Avex seek to showcase the incredible classical talents coming out of Japan and how these artists strive to be leading figures in the industry. The astounding breadth of talent highlighted in their 2020 series shows the incredible connections and collaborations being made by this pioneer in classical entertainment.
Hiroyuki Nakashima, President at Avex Classics International, comments, Avex Classics International is committed to nurturing the best young musical talent and giving them an international platform. From intimate recitals to huge multimedia presentations, we engage audiences of all ages and nationalities with the unique power of music. Celebrating its fifth season this year, we are honoured to present four recitals with four of the most sought-after artists in Japan who are forerunners in their respective fields.
♪ February 27 Congratulations ...
to violinist @FumiakiMiura 三浦文彰, good friend of Nobuyuki Tsujii 辻井伸行, for tying the knot [getting married] on Feb 22.
Nobu was performing in Niigata Japan recital tour on that day, but the couple showed up at the birthday bash of Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii the day before
♪ February 21 Happy birthday to Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii
Happy birthday to Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, ravishing at age 60💐‼️
https://www.instagram.com/p/B8y-FhlJLQT/
"February 21st is my birthday... For my 3rd coming-of-age ceremony, I wore the kimono that I wore when I was 20 years old."😍👍
with photos of guests including celebrities Uno Kanda, Junichi Ishida, and Sara Olein, spouse Dr. Takashi Tsujii & son Nobuyuki Tsujii.
I see why there has been another relatively big gap in Nobu's Japan tour schedule this week, and I imagine he played something on the piano for his mother.
I am so happy for the Tsujii family.
The event made news
https://www.msn.com/ja-jp/entertainment/story/
タレントの神田うの（４４）が２１日、ピアニストの辻井伸行さんの母・いつ子さんの還暦記念パーティーに参加したこと自身のインスタグラムで報告した。
うのは「３回目の成人式パーティーにお招き頂き伺って参りました。ピアニスト辻井伸行君をあそこまで立派に育て上げたいつ子さん。母として妻としてそして１人の女性として大変尊敬しております」とつづった。
... そしてパーティーの様子についても記述。「伸行君がお母様いつ子さんに感謝の気持ちを込めて贈られた（作曲された）曲をご披露されたりと、とても幸せな気持ちにさせて頂ける素敵なパーティーでした」と報告していた。
Talent Uno Kanda (44) reported on her Instagram that she participated in a birthday party for Itsuko, mother of pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, on the 21st..
"Mrs. Tsujii brought up Nobuyuki Tsujii so well. I respect her very much as a wife, a woman, and a mother .."It was a wonderful party that made me feel very happy when Nobuyuki showed off a song that he composed in gratitude to her mother."
... She describes the party:"It was a wonderful party that made me feel very happy when Nobuyuki showed off a song that was given (composed) in gratitude to his mother.."
Below is an image of said instagram by Uno Kanda-san:
Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii https://www.instagram.com/p/B80uagvFRjV/-- with photos from her Feb 21 birthday party -- In the first photo she and son Nobuyuki Tsujii 辻井伸行 are seen with Mrs. Yukari & Mr. Masahiro Kawakami, Nobu's childhood piano teachers .
There is also a photo of Mrs. Tsuii with violinist Fumiaki Miura and some of his family.
UPDATE January 24
A photo posted by Japanese-Australian performer Sara Alainn, showing her with Nobu and his joyful parents.
Ms. Alainn has one hand wrapped around the shoulders of a smiling Nobu, stylishly dressed in black jacket over black shirt.
The parents stand next to Nobu, and you can clearly see where Nobu got his round face from :-)
It turns out that the photo seen above is from an Instagram album posted by Ms. Sarah Alainn on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/B88eGixllxr/, which includes photos of her with Nobuyuki Tsujii, seated side-by-side and looking happy.
There is also a photo that includes violinist Fumiaki Miura.
♪ February 29 Post by Ms Sarah Alainn on Tumblr
https://sarahalainn.tumblr.com/, with many photos.
"Performed some songs with Nobuyuki Tsujii for his mum's 60th birthday [Feb 21]... A beautiful night"
" 'Smelly whiskey' recommended by Nobuyuki Tsujii & FumiakiMiura"
"March events/shows have all been cancelled due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Health and safety come first and foremost, but it is still a big blow to all those involved. Can only hope that the virus dies down soon."
♪ February 17 CD (disc) now available from the orchestra's online shop
There is now a purchase button for the album -- a physical disc -- at EUR 15.00 (plus shipping € 2.50 in my case)
https://www.tonkuenstler.at/en/shop/shop/ravel-works?set_language=en
♪ February 17 Treasure re-discovered:
Doing my daily news search, I stumbled upon an archived audio "Young Generation Interpreters" broadcast by francemusique radio, of the complete Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in the Louvre in 2014, listenable here:
https://www.francemusique.fr/emissions/generation-jeunes-interpretes/nobuyuki-tsujii-piano-27590
(over an hour long)
Backstory at A rediscovered treasure: Audio broadcast of Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in the Louvre in 2014
♪ February 16 A career of her own
I am not sure many people outside Japan are aware of this, but Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, mother of Nobuyuki Tsujii, was a media presenter before Nobu came along.
Now that her son has a thriving career, she too remains active & has been -- among other activities -- giving talks on child development.
Yesterday Feb 16 she was on stage in Osaka while her son performed in Tottori.
Photos posted on her Instagram account shows a well-attended and happy audience at her talk.
https://instagram.com/p/B8nl3TzpEWC/
It seems she doesn't travel with Nobu as much these days, perhaps (I suspect) to encourage Nobu's independence.
As a mother myself, I know just how hard that is.
Kudos and flowers to Mrs. Tsujii!
♪ February 14 The Coronavirus
When I was in Paris last month for the recital of Nobuyuki Tsujii last month (photo below, taken by me backstage at the Theatre de Champs Elysee), the Coronavirus breakout was not yet on the news.
I'm now so glad I made that trip, but I am concerned about its effect on Nobu's upcoming concerts🙁. Suntory Hall concert goers in Japan have reported empty seats sighted in sold-out performances.
If the problem persist, it will be difficult for Nobu to travel to perform, and for audiences to attend his concerts.
There is now even concern about the Tokyo Olympics in July.
Let's hope for the best!🙏
♪ February 13 Play it again, RTE FM Ireland
Thanks 🙏yet once again to RTE FM Ireland for playing 辻井伸行 Nobuyuki Tsujii CHOPIN 1 track, 09:18 Thursday FEB 13 "Marty in the Morning" show.
I tweeted to notify them that Nobu does have a new CD from Tonkünstler-Orchester coming out tomorrow 2.14 Valentine's Day!
I hope they can get a hold of a copy! https://tonkuenstler.at/en/shop/shop/ravel-works…"
🎹 February 2 Nobu the calendar boy
Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii:
https://instagram.com/p/B8ELNH5pPig/
松尾楽器商会のカレンダー
いつもSTEINWAY&SONSを愛用してます
"Matsuo Musical Instruments Company Calendar. We always love the STEINWAY & SONS piano." A photo of her son Nobuyuki Tsujii 辻井伸行 is seen on the February calendar of the major Tokyo music shop.
With image of a framed photo of the shop's calendar for the month of February, adorned by a black & white image of her son Nobuyuki Tsujii on the piano.
Matsuo Musical Instruments is a major music shop in Tokyo, specializing in Steinway pianos.
In response to complimentary comments, Mrs. Tsujii wrote:
ありがとうございます😍アルゲリッチやペライアが出ているカレンダーなので本人も嬉しいそうです🎹
Thank you 😍 It is a calendar on which Argerich and Perahia appear, so he [Nobu] seems happy too 🎹
♪ February 2 "surly he ranks among the very best in the world"
This Facebook post from Massachusetts (according to the poster's profile) came up recently.
It has some religious overtone, but the thoughtful tribute to Nobuyuki Tsujii seems sincere and strikes many right notes to me.
January 18 at 8:00 AM · YouTube
Nobuyuki Tsujii the blind Japanese pianist performing full Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 op.18 with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in London.
Conductor: Juanjo Mena
Piano play: Nobuyuki Tsujii
I have seen Mr. Tsujii prior to Sarah Howys posted clip. I was impressed by his skills, but lack of time prevented me to research his countless performances dating back almost two decades. So, my opinion about him was that of a casual observer, trivial at best.
Since watching that performance and discussing his play with you guys, I decided to look further by watching several more of his performances in Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Vienna, Geneva, Tokyo, Boston, NY City, Iceland and London. After viewing several of his concerts I was passionately inspired by his terrific proficiency, his vastly developed musical standards and his pure artistic intensity. He is genuinely a meticulous musical prodigy.
The Lord took away his vision but gave back a hundred-fold. He was conceived blind deprived of light, but the Lord compensated this wonderful man with cognitive sensory of a genius. He lacks hand-eye coordination; though, he possess a light-speed synchronized ear-hand harmonization like no other human. He memorizes every single note in any given concerto including that of the entire orchestra, so when his marvelous fingers start playing the keyboard they touch the keys on time with robotic precision, yet honest to God heartfelt, precise and sweet. He never overplays a note, thus, the resulting sounds are immaculate as you hear it time and time again, no muffled sounds and no hiccups but perfect in range, beat, echo and duration and he does it infinitely.
He developed an amazing head movement to dissect the surrounding sounds and accordingly sensing exactly what’s next in his memorized score-sheet.
At this play and specifically at the last three minutes or so, he displays his splendid mind-power as he plays the accelerated high tempo melody and brings the piano to life, he performs the segment with awe inspiring beauty and plays the last 8 key notes to end the play with the orchestra to nano-second timing exactness. Piano concertos meant to be a duel between the pianist and the Orchestra even though in this concerto the piano has a complementary role mostly, unlike the prominent role it has in Tchaikovsky’s 1st Piano concerto for example. Still, no orchestra could beat this man, he is a charged particle that no force in the musical universe could overcome.
Even his bowing at the end of play is so sincere, his embrace of the conductor looks a lot like a little child embracing his dad seeking approval. He is so innocent as the Maestro whispers to him as how great he performed. So, his euphoria gushes and his child like rejoice of the triumphant end by clapping along the thousands of spectators all standing up applauding nonstop, a heartfelt sympathetic tribute for his dazzling arty performance. Pure art, a genuine enchanting performance from a remarkable blind gentleman called Nobuyuki Tsujii.
The Lord deprived him of an eyesight, but he gave back so much to this young man, he made him the most celebrated man in the music halls on earth. As a result, Nobuyuki Tsujii validates his merits to all mankind for receiving such boundless divine generosity and such blessing by performing to the highest standard whenever he plays. He got to the pinnacle by sheer will-power and unrelenting devotion to be the finest pianist he could be, and surly he ranks among the very best in the world.
Sarah Howy, for sake of fairness, his final score for this concert is 100.111% on a scale of 1:100. That should be enough to correct his last score of 99%, but the score lingers as an odd number.
The video referred to is one of many versions of Nobu's 2013 BBC Proms Debut performance -- this one has received nearly 12 million views.
...