2013 North America Tour - 2

Continued from 2013 North America Tour, and continued on Nobuyuki Tsujii in Seattle, 2013, part 2

Jan 22, 24, 27 Seattle, Washington state, U.S.A.

For news and comments about events after January 23,  please see Nobuyuki Tsujii in Seattle, 2013, part 2

Nobuyuki Tsujii graces the front cover of the January program of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra - see a better photo of it on Nobu's own site

January 23

For me, the recital last night was a joyous occasion.  

I am one of the first who bought tickets for the recital, and chose a front row seat.  When I arrived at the recital hall, I was disappointed that a row of foldable chairs had been placed in front of the stage.  It turned out that the seats were for a group of visually impaired from an organization called "Lighthouse".  Because there were empty seats on that row (apparently not all the people from the group showed up), I moved after the intermission to take up one of those seats that gave me an excellent view of Nobu's hand movements.  It made all the difference - the second half was much more enjoyable to me for that reason.

recital Hall, image via Internet link

The venue was a disappointment to me.  When I was shown the interior of the Nordstrom Recital Hall yesterday morning, it looked as it does in the photo, a neat little auditorium.  But in the evening, when every seat was taken, the place frankly looked messy.  And, the piano on stage was, to my shock, a Steinway that seemed of the kind that one would find in backrooms rather than on stage - it bore many scratches and scars, and did not resemble the shiny grand pianos that I have grown accustomed to seeing on stage at Nobu's performances.

But the crowd was extremely friendly.  It was a diverse group, with a large presence of representatives from the Asian community in Seattle.  Some young people were in the crowd. 

The recital was sponsored by Acucela Inc., a company that develops treatments for blindness.   The president of the firm, Ryo Kubota, MD, PhD, ‏came to the podium to introduce Nobu to start the show.

Nobu's piano rang thunderously in that hall.  The fingerwork was unbelievable, as I knew it would be.  But being able to see it so close up and at a good angle was something else.  It couldn't be better.   I loved the more familiar pieces of Debussy (Arabsque, Clair de Lune) and I frankly think, like me, most in the audience were not especially fond of the other songs (although we were held spellbound just the same).

The Chopin, to me, was magnificent.  The scherzo No. 2 has always been my favorite and the audience just gasped at its ending. And the Grande Waltz Brilliant and Polonaise Heroique are both much improved from when I heard them on videos, with more colors and better tone.

The crowd stood as one to give Nobu a standing ovation at the end of the regular program.  He came back bowing a few times, before rewarding us with three encores.  The first one was exactly as I expected, Chopin's nocturne No. 8, as he did at the Winnipeg recital.  I knew the next one coming would be 「それでも、生きてゆく」"Still, we live", and indeed it was.  But what surprised me was that Nobu stood and spoke to us, without microphone, in clearly enunciated English.   This is roughly what he said: "The next song is my own composition.  I wrote it for the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Thank you for your help." I had seen Nobu attempt to say this at another concert a year or so ago, perhaps in Boston, and unfortunately it was very difficult to understand him at the time.  So, his English has much improved!

When he returned to the stage after the second encore, Mr. Asano -- Nobu's Avex manager who escorts him on overseas tours -- stood behind the piano while Nobu gave his deep bows, perhaps expecting Nobu to end the performance at that point, as he did in Winnipeg.   But, to his and my surprise, Nobu sat down on the bench again.  Mr. Asano hurriedly stole away from the stage, to the amusement of those of us who took note of his embarrassment. 

The third encore was Nobu's impression of American song writer Stephen Foster's parlor song "Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair", a favorite of mine.  Nobu also performed it at the Carnegie Hall debut in 2011.

At one point during these repeatedly going back and forth backstage, Nobu stood on stage, not many feet away from where I sat, and put his hands up in air, coyly feigning frustration at the applause that would not stop (see drawing below, from a 2011 blog post.  Then, after the last encore, I got to see him waving goodbye to the audience as he was escorted off stage. (see photo below, from his performance on February 1 in Texas)  I knew then that was the end of the performance.  I had heard about this gesture -- which Nobu did not used to do -- and saw it on video,  but it was the first time that I got to see it.  It was cute beyond words :-)

And now we know that a critic from the Seattle Times was there and her enthusiasm for the night was less than mine.  Well, such is life.  But there is no denying of Nobu's star power.  To my eyes, Nobu has matured both as a person and as a musician during these short years that I have followed his career; I am especially impressed with the confidence and verve that he displays in abundance these days. 

Things are going well for our beloved Nobu.

-----------------------

Recital Report, Nobuyuki Tsujii

Nobu posted a  recital report about the performance: - the photo below is one posted with the report, shown here via Internet link - the piano is a Steinway but one that has clearly seen its share of wear and tear.

13年1月22日（アメリカ）

シアトル

シアトル交響楽団の本拠地ベナロヤ・ホールの小ホール

（ノードストローム・リサイタル・ホール、536席）でのソロ・リサイタル。

2011年11月のカーネギーホール以来のアメリカ公演です。

満席のお客様から熱い拍手を頂きました。（写真はリハーサル）

アンコールは

1）ノクターン第8番（ショパン）

2）それでも、生きてゆく（自作）

3）ジェニーへのオマージュ（自作）

January 22, 2001 (USA)

Seattle

Small Hall of Benaroya Hall, home of the Seattle Symphony

(Nordstrom Recital Hall, 536 seats) in a solo recital.

It was my first performance in the United States since November 2011 in Carnegie Hall .

A full-house audience gave me a round of enthusiastic applause. (Photo: rehearsal)

Encores

1) Nocturne No. 8(Chopin)

2) Still we live (my won)

3) Tribute to Jenny (my own)

http://ameblo.jp/haruko-seattle/entry-11455566719.html

シアトル生活３３６日目 Seattle life 336 days Blog

2013年01月23日 10時39分37秒

.. .

昨日、日本人ピアニスト辻井伸行さんのリサイタルへ行ってきました！

日本では、すぐにチケットが完売してしまい、一度も聴くことが出来なかったのに、

まさか、シアトルで聴けるなんて！

会場は満員御礼。

客層は、日本人半分のアメリカ人半分というところ。

収容人数２５０人程の小ホールだったので、辻井さんの演奏する姿をはっきり見る事が出来ました。

うっとりするような辻井さんの演奏に、前の席のアメリカ人ご夫婦、号泣。

ドビュッシーの『月の光』が流れてくると、

月並みな表現で申し訳ありませんが、

「この瞬間が永遠に続けばいいのに…」

と本気で思いました。

音や香りは、人間の脳や神経に直接働きかける重要な力を持っているんだなと実感。

短調の曲が流れてくると、なんだか悲しい気持ちになるし、

長調の曲を聴いていると、元気が出る。

自分の生活に、もっともっと音や香りを上手に取り入れていこうと改めて思いました。

アメリカ人の歓声は、日本人よりド派手です。

日本のクラシックコンサートでは、大きな拍手とスタンディングオベーションが一般的かと思いますが、

昨日のホール内では、拍手以外に、

「ヒューヒュー、ピーピー、ブラボー！！」

という大歓声が巻き起こりました。

クラシックっぽくない歓声ではありますが、アメリカンな雰囲気満点。

辻井さんもアンコールに応えて、４曲追加で演奏。

ショパンの『英雄のポロネーズ』は、馴染みのある曲だけに、聴いていてワクワクしました。

日本帰国後も、旅や音楽、笑いなど、様々な要素を自分の生活に取り入れて、

心身共に充実した生活を送れるよう、私なりに努力していこうと思います！

1/23/2013... Yesterday, I went to the recital of  Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii!

In Japan, his tickets sold out immediately and I was never able to listen to him.  So now that I am in Seattle, I got to do so.

The venue was packed; about half of the audience was Japanese.

Because it was a small hall with seating capacity of about 250 people,  I was able to clearly see the figure of Mr. Tsujii as he played <editorial: the published seating capacity of the recital hall is actually 536.>

Mr. Tsujii played like a dream.  An American married couple seated in front of me were crying.

When Debussy's "Clair de Lune" was being played,

they wore a sorrowful expression;

"I wish this moment lasts forever ..."

I really think that sound and smell have such an important force acting directly on the human mind.

When I hear a tune in a minor key, I feel sad somehow.  Listening to a a tune in a major key, I feel healthy.

In my life, I thought again that all theater performces should take into consideration of sound and smell.

The cheers of Americans are flashier than the Japanese.

In the hall yesterday, in addition to the applause,

"Whistling, Phi Phi, Bravo!"

There were roars too.

Although the cheers were not typical of classical music concerts,

The American atmosphere was perfect.

For encores, Mr. Tsujii, played  an additional four songs.<Editorial: actually, only three songs>

The only song that is familiar to me was "Heroic Polonaise" of Chopin; I was thrilled to hear that.

When I return to my nativeJapan, I will incorporated into my life journeys and music, and laughter, a variety of factors

I am inspired to attain a fulfilling life both mentally and physically, and will continue to strive in my own way!

------------------------------------------------------------

The critic spoke

The Seattle Times posted an online-only review of last night's recital, announcing the availability of the review in the hardcopy edition with this photo:

image via Internet link

Read the preserved full text of the article, plus my comment, here: Critics' review Seattle Times 1_22_2013

A Seattle community leader wrote, via email, in reaction to the critic's review:

(M)y reaction to Nobu's performance is (1) he is 24 and many years of development will be ahead of him, JUST like any other professional

pianists/classical musicians (Hip-Hop, Rock, etc are so different in this regard).  (2) many of the critics' opinions are constructive. And

<the Seattle Times> review is, I felt, constructive.  (3) music and personality touch people's heart.  Nobu has both, but many good pianists don't

have both, so his career will be long lasting. (4) As an Asian, I am so proud of him.

http://seattletimes.com/html/artspage/2020195711_2_more_chances_to_see_a_piano_superstar.html

This article appeared in the Seattle Times, the Arts section

January 23, 2013 at 1:00 PM

2 more chances to see a piano superstar

Blind pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii won his first piano competition in 1995 at age 7. Fourteen years later, he shared the gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. As you might expect, his career has rocketed since then, taking him to Carnegie Hall and on stages with the Tokyo Symphony, Mariinsky Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic, and, on Tuesday night, Seattle Symphony, where he was brought back for three encores. (Review here.) If you missed that performance (it sold out early) you might catch him two more times this week:

--He'll perform Debussy's "Pagodes" at 6 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 24) at Seattle's Central Library, kicking off a program previewing Seattle Symphony's upcoming performances of Messiaen's "Turangalila." Paul Schiavo, program annotator for the orchestra, will discuss Messiaen's life and his famous, colorful "love song." The event is free.

--He'll perform again as part of the SSO's annual "Celebrate Asia" program, at 4 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 27) at Benaroya Hall. Ticket info here.

January 22  

◆January 22 -- Nobuyuki Tsujii performed a recital in Seattle, Washington State, thrilling a packed recital hall.  Three encores were played: Chopin's nocture no. 8, "Still, we live" (after speaking to the crowd in clear English!), and "Tribute to Jeanie".  Yours truly got a hug and photos taken  backstage.  Nobu is magic.  Debussy's "Clair de Lune" and Chopin's Scherzo No. 2 were my favorite, but each song was played with tremendous verve and great beauty. Plus, his English has greatly improved. 

blogs.itmedia.co.jp/akemi/2013/01/post-c8f9.html?cid=54451499 <Blog of a Japanese who lives in Seattle>

圧倒されました：辻井伸行さんのリサイタル

2013/01/23

今夜はピアニアスト辻井伸行さんのリサイタルだった。ノードストロームホールは満席。

前半はドビュッシー、後半はショパンで、アンコールでは辻井さんのオリジナル曲も楽しめた。お友達が言った、「心が洗われますね。」…そのとおり。一曲一曲、心を込めて弾くその姿に、聴衆も思わず惹きつけられる感じ。この一体感はライブならではの醍醐味。

ところで、家に帰って来て辻井さんのオフィシャルサイトを見ているのだが、華やかな舞台とは裏腹に、そのスケジュールのハードなこと。世界を股に活躍している人の生活は甘くない。

どうぞ体には気をつけてくださいね。日曜日のCelebrate Asiaも、今から楽しみにしています。

I was overwhelmed: Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital

Tonight was the recital of pianist Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii . Nordstrom Hall was sold out.

Debussy in the first half  , Chopin in the second half.  I enjoyed Mr. Tsujii's  original songs at encore. Friends said, "It is his mind revealed" ... Exactly. One song one song, the appearance that tug at your heart; I felt that the audience was attracted instinctively. This oneness with the audience is a unique thrill of live performances.

By the way, coming back to the house, I looked up  Mr. Tsujii's official website and saw photos of gorgeous stages, contrary to that of a tough schedule. Lives of people who are active in the world are not always sweet as it seems.

Please be careful in the body please. He will appear in "Celebrate Asia" on Sunday as well; I'm looking forward to it now.

Before Jan 22 recital:

◆The Seattle Symphony Orchestra posted a blog for the January 27 event, Celebrate Asia: Inspiration & Collaboration.

http://blog.seattlesymphony.org/?p=4819   - Nobuyuki Tsujii will conclude with his performance of Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1

◆Tweets:

- Ryo Kubota, MD, PhD ‏@DrRyo tweeted Looking forward to attending tonight’s performance by pianist Nobu with Acucela friends & colleagues:  http://bit.ly/SgfvU1 @SeattleSymphony <Acucela sponsors the recital tonight>

- Have Fun in Seattle ‏@HaveFunSeattle tweeted: Don't miss Nobuyuki Tsujii Plays Debussy and Chopin at @benaroyahall #seattle - - http://ow.ly/h0LJM

- I tweeted: @seattlesymphony Nobuyuki Tsujii graces front cover of January program of the Seattle Symphony pic.twitter.com/uDkrtKV4 -tweet

- And the symphony replied: @mlliu2006 We're thrilled he's gracing our stage twice this week, too!

- Nobuyuki Tsujii - Amazing. http://instagr.am/p/U0PuZFBTfQ/  <good pic of Nobu on program cover> -

- Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Seattle tonight Jan 22. Packed hall. Standing O. 3 encores: Chopin Nocturne No. 8, "Still we live", & "Jenny".  

- Tsujii Nobuyuki is in town! how exciting to listen his piano. especially Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1. Can you believe this!?

- harmonia mundi USA ‏@harmoniamundi tweeted: Van Cliburn Gold Medallist Nobuyuki Tsujii to play in Seattle recital, ‘Celebrate Asia’ | The Arts | The Seattle Times http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2020157507_tsujiipreviewxml.html#.UP-0-tdPE2Q.twitter …

A little something for Mr. Tsujii, backstage after performance.

Jan 11/12

JungleCity <a site for the Japanese community in Seattle> tweeted:

ヴァン・クライバーン国際ピアノ・コンクールで日本人として初優勝したピ アニスト辻井伸行さんが今月シアトルで演奏します。1/22のリサイタルは完売ですが、1/27に出演するフェスティバル『Celebrate Asia!』は残席あり。詳細 http://bit.ly/YtuVXC  As the first Japanese pianist to win at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii will perform in  Seattle this month. Recital of 1/22 is sold out, but seats remain for his appearance at the "Celebrate Asia!" festival on t1/27. Details

あ～～～！！ 辻井伸行さんのピアノリサイタルが２２日にシアトルのベラノヤホールであるのを今日知って、すでにSOLD OUTと言われ。。。かなり悲しい。。。え～～ん ~ ~ ~ Oh! ! Today I heard that the recital of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii at Benaroya Hall of Seattle on July 22is already SOLD OUT. . . It is quite sad. . . Eh ~   -tweet

Seattle Symphony ‏@seattlesymphony tweeted:

We can't wait! RT @mlliu2006 Jan 22 Nobuyuki Tsujii Seattle recital sold out. Limited seats for Jan 27 performance w/Seattle Symphony

January 16

http://events.king5.com/Nobuyuki_Tsujii_Pianist/268853167.html  <Seattle TV station>

Nobuyuki Tsujii, Pianist

Tuesday, January 22, 2013, 7:30 PM

Known for his refined and effortless playing, Nobuyuki Tsujii's spellbinding performances at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition introduced him to hundreds of thousands of new fans around the world and elevated him to superstar status in his home country of Japan. Blind since birth, "Nobu's" achievements are even more remarkable because he has learned all of his music by ear. Despite this, he plays with unpretentious assurance, sensitivity and expressiveness.

Phone: (206) 215-4747

Venue

Benaroya Hall

Third Ave.

Seattle, WA 98101

Seattle Symphony Orchestra tweeted https://twitter.com/seattlesymphony/status/291707557762965505:

We stand in awe at the mad skills of pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, blind since birth. Hear him live at Celebrate Asia 1/27! http://bit.ly/WJKbbw

Junglecity Network ‏@seattlejapan tweeted

Seattle Symphony preview lecture on Jan 24 @ the Central Library will begin w a performance by pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. http://bit.ly/RUA6M5

来週、人生で初めてちゃんとお金を払ってプロのオーケストラを聴きに行く！ ピアノは日本人の辻井伸行さんなのでそれも非常に楽しみ。 Next week, I'm going to listen to the orchestra of professional paying properly for the first time in my life! It is also very fun piano Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii is a Japanese.  -tweeted by a Japanese studying in the U.S.

January 17

http://ameblo.jp/keis-would-be-in-us/entry-11450376023.html  <blog of a Japanese student at the University of Washington>

2013-01-16 16:52:54

辻井伸行のコンサート。

なんと、シアトルへ来ます。

リサイタルのチケットは取れなかったし、もともと授業があるからいけなかったんだけど、Celebrate Asiaっていうシアトル交響楽団の催しの一環として、チャイコフスキーのピアノ協奏曲第一番を演奏するやつのチケットが取れました。

大晦日のコンサートの時とはえらい違いで、二週間前ぐらいなのにリサイタルのチケットはもう完売。

やっぱり辻井さんすごいな ...

Nobuyuki Tsujii concert.

Wow, he is coming to Seattle.

I did not get tickets for recital, because originally there was supposed to be a class,

As part of the extravaganza called the Seattle Symphony Celebrate Asia ... he will  play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.

New Year's Eve concert in a time of great difference. Recital tickets are sold out already to such about two weeks ago.

Mr. Tsujii is amazing too...

January 18

Ryo Kubota,  CEO,  MD, PhD ‏@DrRyo tweeted:

Acucela is proud to sponsor pianist “Nobu” Tsujii who will perform Jan. 22 @SeattleSymphony.: http://bit.ly/SgfvU1

辻井伸行氏＠シアトル.RT @DrRyo: Acucela is proud to sponsor pianist “Nobu” Tsujii who will perform Jan. 22 @SeattleSymphony.: http://bit.ly/SgfvU1  -tweet

email from Seattle Symphony Orchestra:   

Thank you for purchasing tickets to

Nobuyuki Tsujii

Plays Debussy and Chopin

Tuesday, January 22, at 7:30pm

We recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the performance to allow for the greatest comfort, and for time to review your program before the concert begins. Late seating only happens at appropriate pauses in the performance.

For more information about this concert, please click here.  http://bit.ly/SgfvU1

Two articles showed up in Seattle publications today:

http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2020157507_tsujiipreviewxml.html <article in Seattle Times, Arts section, By Tom Keogh>

Nobuyuki Tsujii to play in Seattle recital, ‘Celebrate Asia’

Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, a 2009 Van Cliburn gold medalist and a superstar in his native Japan, performs Jan. 22 with Seattle Symphony and in the Jan. 27, 2013, “Celebrate Asia” program... <The last paragraph, about Nobu performing on the Ishinomake Piano salvaged from the tsunami, is quite moving.> <See full text here: Seattle_Times_2013

http://www.nwasianweekly.com/2013/01/blind-japanese-pianist-nobuyuki-tsujii-to-perform-in-seattle/ <This edited version of an article written by me appeared in Northwest Asian Weekly.  The headline is not mine; I object to the word 'Blind' in it.>

Blind Japanese Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii to perform in Seattle ...

By M.  L. Liu

Northwest Asian Weekly

The 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held in 2009 ended with a common scene, the winner cradling his trophy while simultaneously crying and laughing. However, the winner, then 20-year-old Nobuyuki Tsujii, is unlike any of the other competitors — he is completely blind.

In late January, he will be performing in Seattle.

Nobuyuki Tsujii was born in Tokyo, on Sept. 13, 1988 to a physician and television presenter, with a developmental disorder of the eyes called microphthalmia. Nobu’s musical talent was first discovered by his mother. Baby Nobu kicked his feet to the recording of Chopin’s Heroic Polonaise performed by Russian pianist Stanislav Bunin. One day, when Nobu was two years old, his mother Itsuko – making dinner and singing “Jingle Bells” in the kitchen — was startled to hear an echo of the tune coming from the next room, played by little Nobu on the keyboard of a toy piano, in chords played with both hands.

Itsuko Tsujii instilled in her only child the belief that he can see with “the eye in his heart.”

Growing up, his mother would take him to unlikely venues, such as museums and fireworks. Everywhere they went, Itsuko described the sights to her son. She guided his hands over objects and introduced to him the notion of colors by associating a specific hue with a favored food item: eggs for yellow and cherries for red. One day, when he was a child, Nobu asked his mother, “What color is the wind today?” That question became the title of a book about Nobu, co-written by his mother.

Nobu began his formal study of piano at the age of 4. In 1995, he won first prize at the All Japan Music Competition of Blind Students by the Tokyo Helen Keller Association. In 1998, at age 10, he debuted with the Century Orchestra in Osaka. He gave his first piano recital in Tokyo’s Suntory Hall at age 12, following which he made his overseas debut with performances in the United States, France, and Russia. In October 2005, at age 17, Nobu reached the semifinal round and received a Critics’ Award at the 15th International Frederic Chopin Piano Competition held in Warsaw, Poland.

At age 20, Nobu was a sensation at the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held in Fort Worth, Texas.  He thrilled judges and audiences with virtuosic performances of all 12 etudes of Chopin’s Opus 10 in the first round, Beethoven’s “Hammerklavier” at the semifinals, and Chopin’s Piano Concerto Number 1 in the finals.

“He was absolutely miraculous,” Val Cilburn said. “His performance had the power of a healing service. It was truly divine.”

Juror Michel Béroff, an award-winning internationally known pianist, told the Japanese monthly piano magazine Chopin, “The special thing about his performance is his sound. It has depth, color, and contrast, the genuine music.”

Since winning the Cliburn gold medal, Nobu has traveled around the world to perform in recitals and concerts, astonishing audiences everywhere.

On Tuesday, Jan. 22, Nobu will play a recital of Debussy and Chopin works. Then, on Sunday, Jan. 27, as part of the Celebrate Asia, Seattle will be treated to Nobu’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, accompanied by the city’s esteemed symphony orchestra.

In Japan, Nobuyuki Tsujii is revered. A biography about him was on this summer’s reading list for the nation’s school children. The popularity of Nobu in his home country is such that some of his concerts sell out in minutes and lotteries are held to distribute tickets. Although not yet as well-known outside Japan, Nobu’s fame is rising fast, and he is reportedly in great demand worldwide. (end)

Related articles

- Nobuyuki Tsujii rehearses with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Jan 24 Nobuyuki Tsujii in Seattle, 2013, part 2

- Celebrate Asia performance was a big success Nobuyuki Tsujii in Seattle, 2013, part 3

- More comments and articles Nobuyuki Tsujii in Seattle, 2013, part 4

http://bit.ly/11xhmqq