Embedded Files
SEPTEMBER 2025
SEPTEMBER 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 10 19:00 Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 2 with Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrea Battistoni
September 19 - 23 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival
October 4 - 7 Suntory ARK Hill Classics
Oct 5 7PM? broadcast by Classical Radio KUSC August 26 6 Hollywood Bowl, California,. Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 4 with the L.A. Phil & conductor conductor Giedrė Šlekytė
NEWS
NEWS
August 2025
August 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 1-11 ARK Philharmonic Japan Tour
August 5 Nagasaki cathedral 80th anniversary concert
August 16 19:30 Rach 2 at Ravinia [summer music festival], Chicago, USA
August 21 Severance Hall, Ohio, USA. Cleveland Orchestra debut Chopin piano concerto no. 2, conducted by Dima Slobodeniouk
August 26 6 PM Hollywood Bowl, California, USA. Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 4 with the L.A. Phil & conductor conductor Giedrė Šlekytė
NEWS
NEWS
Aug 25 Posted by @losangelestheatre
"Los Angeles Philharmonic has a treat in store under the starry skies above the Hollywood Bowl! Giedre Slekyte conducts a magnificent all-Beethoven program featuring the composer's overture to Op. 84 Egmont, his Piano Concerto No. 4 - featuring the talents of the blind Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii - and, for the grand finale, his Eroica Symphony! "
The concert can be heard on radio on OCT 5 on Classical California Radio KUSC https://www.kusc.org/
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Hollywood Bowl, Summer 2025
Aug 22 Nobuyuki Tsujii's debut with the Cleveland Orchestra received a good review.
"... Tsujii treated every note like a precious jewel, giving his playing an ethereal quality. That approach felt especially apt during the beautiful second-movement Larghetto, which featured his exceptionally clear trills and arpeggios.... The orchestra takes somewhat of a backseat during this concerto. The spotlight remained steadfastly on Tsujii, creating a sense of awe both at how difficult the solo part is and how effortless the pianist made it sound."
August 21 the August 5 Nagasaki Urakami Cathedral concert to commemorate the historical atomic bombing is now viewable on Japan's streaming platform TV-er. Performers include Nobuyuki Tsujii, Fumiaki Miura, Takashi Kako Quartet, and others. The link to the streaming page is https://tver.jp/episodes/epe7o6zrzd
Sadly, the streaming is not viewable outside of Japan. Thanks to good friends, I was able to watch some short clips from the streaming, which I shared on this page: Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 commemorative concert for the NAGASAKI Urakami Cathedral
August 18 Instagram from the Ravinia Festival, with a fine photo of Nobu taking a bow
https://www.instagram.com/p/DNcbPK3ttNs/
"Nobuyuki Tsujii and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra were the purpose of my journey.
In the stormy night forest, Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 unfolded — a truly world-class, cathedral-level pinnacle of classical music.
Compared with the equally pinnacle performance of the London Symphony Orchestra with Valentina Lisitsa, tonight’s interpretation was far more tender and delicate, rather than a grand symphonic epic.
At the end, the entire audience rose to their feet, thundering applause echoing for thirty minutes."
More at Nobuyukii Tsujii in the USA, summer 2025
AUG 12 Next up for Nobuyuki Tsujii: 3 popular summer USA concerts with top orchestras:
* AUG 16 Rach2 at the Ravinia Festival with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra;
* AUG 21 Chopin 2 with The Cleveland Orchestra, Severance Hall, Ohio;
* AUG 26 Beethoven 4 with the LA Phil at Hollywood Bowl.
More at "Nobuyukii Tsujii in the USA, summer 2025"
Safe travels and great success, Nobu! 🙏
August 11 Nobuyuki Tsujii, Fumiaki Miura & ARK Philharmonic successfully completed their Japan Tour (8 sold out concerts) yesterday Aug 11 in Nagoya.
🔥
They will reconvene in October for #ARKclassics at Suntory Hall.
😊
Nobu next will be seen in the USA at 3 summer concerts (August 16 - 26).
Please stay tuned.
August 7 https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/1385482/
西日本新聞 West Japan News article [with one photo]
"On the 5th, a free concert by internationally acclaimed pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii (36) was held at Urakami Cathedral in Motoo-cho, Nagasaki City. The melodies of peace echoed through the cathedral's auditorium, which was rebuilt after being damaged by the atomic bomb.
It was the first time in 10 years that Tsujii performed at the cathedral. The concert, planned by Tsujii and others to mark the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, was intended to be an opportunity to reflect on the importance of peace through music, and was realized with the cooperation of fellow musicians, including violinists and flute players. Approximately 630 citizens and others listened intently.
Of the 11 pieces, Tsujii played four pieces by Chopin and Brahms. At the beginning of Wagner's "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral," he recalled imagining the sound of cathedral bells as he performed. After the performance, he said, 'War continues in the world. I think I was able to convey the purpose of this concert, which was prayers for peace and hope for the future, through my performance.' "
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 commemorative concert for the NAGASAKI Urakami Cathedral
August 5 ANA (All Nippon Airways), a major sponsor of Nobuyuki Tsujii's travels, announced a new edition of its Hawaii music festival, ANA Mele 2025. As in years past, Nobu will perform at Blue Note Hawaii, Honolulu; hold a music workshop for school children, and hold a ANA 'Aha Mele Concert with Nobuyuki Tsujii and Friends at the Waikiki Shell -- this year joined by some ARK Philharmonic performance artists, including Fumiaki Miura
Nov 19 18:45 Blue Note Hawaii Concert
Nov 21 Music workshop at an elementary school in Honolulu; closed to public
Nov 22 6 PM ANA 'Aha Mele Concert with Nobuyuki Tsujii and Friends. Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell, Honolulu, HI
August 1 2025 It is the first of August in Japan.
Today at 14:00, Nobu is back on stage.
👏"Sekisui Heim presents Nobuyuki Tsujii, Fumiaki Miura, ARK Philharmonic" 🎶
Tokyo Opera City (Concert Hall / 1,632 seats) --
On program: Tchaikovsky's piano concerto no. 1
https://avex.jp/classics/arkphilharmonic2025/
Our best wishes to all performers & organizers for great success. 🙏
July 2025
July 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 4 Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 3 with the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, Gran Canaria, Spain
July 12 recital. Tel Aviv
July 17, 19, 20 Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 2 with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra & conductor Lahav Shani, Israel
August 5 Nagasaki cathedral 80th anniversary concert
NEWS
NEWS
July 14 'piano lover' wrote on Twitter/X: "Nobuyuki Tsujii's upcoming performance schedule🎹 In August, four concertos both domestically and internationally, and then in September, that extremely difficult piece, Prokofiev🎼 Piano Concerto No. 2 awaits❗ Tsujii-san memorizes a vast amount of sheet music without visual information; it truly feels beyond human capability😱" Indeed, the upcoming itinerary for Nobuyuki Tsujii is nothing less than a superhuman feat. A gamut of concertos: Tchai 1, Rach 2, Chopin 2, Beethoven 4, Prokofiev 2, Mozart 9. Plus, 2 music festivals in Japan, a challenging 2025-26 recital tour. All without the help of music sheets !!!
July 12 A good thing that will soon be gone is the BBC Radio 3 listening that we have enjoyed over the years, most recently an April 23 broadcast of Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital in Manchester, And, before that, a memorable Rach 3 performance by Nobu at the 2023 BBC Proms..
Sadly, those of us outside the U.K. will soon no longer be able to enjoy those broadcasts on demand. Starting July 21, we can only listen to the BBC radio programs while they are aired LIVE in the U.K. . No more "28 days to listen" afterward.
😮This is devastating news to me.
More at A good thing gone soon: BBC Radio 3 on-demand listening outside U.K.
July 5 Kudos to the Orchestra Gran Canaria OFGC, who promptly posted about the performance, with MANY great photos -- even on a Saturday. Nearly 3 dozen photos on Facebook!
" Nobuyuki Tsujii 'Nobu' debut with OFGC performing Rachmaninov’s Concerto No. 3 was simply unforgettable.
Accompanied by maestro Andrew Manze, who gifted us a magnificent reading of Vaughan Williams' Symphony No. 5.
During the evening Nobu gave us two encores:
🎹La Campanella by Paganini/Lisz
🎹Vocalist by Rachmaninov
Photo Credit: Sabrina Ceballos"
Bravos, bravos
July 7 UPDATE: The orchestra also posted a brilliant 1.5 minute video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7ELlC9nXgQ
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 3 in Gran Canaria, Spain July 4 2025
July 4 This announcement came out of the blue!
🔥Deutsche Grammophon is releasing a new album "Nobuyuki Tsujii The Verbier Debut Recital Beethoven | Liszt | Chopin | Wagner" on July 18, 2025.
It contains live-recorded tracks of Nobu's recital at the 2022 Verbier Festival
🎹Track samples can be listened to on Apple Music https://classical.music.apple.com/us/album/1821145103
A video of that performance is also scheduled to be streamed by Stage Plus video on August 2 & 3 -- see here
More at Deutsche Grammophon releases "Nobuyuki Tsujii The Verbier Debut Recital" July 18, 2025
July 4 Posted by the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra OFGC
https://x.com/ofgrancanaria/status/1941062731056168965
"[translated] The prodigious Nobuyuki Tsujii rehearses Rachmaninov's colossal Third Concerto with the OFGC, accompanied by maestro Andrew Manze, who also conducts Vaughan Williams' Fifth Concerto.
A full house today at the Alfredo Kraus"
With the affable Maestro Manze narrating over a clip of the rehearsal ."
The concert is underway as I write. Our best wishes and we hope to hear more about the performance!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 3 in Gran Canaria, Spain July 4 2025
July 1 The performances of Nobuyuki Tsujii in Israel this month (July 12, 13, 17, 19, 20) no longer appear on the calendar of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra ,
nor on his Avex Classics International page
The performances are still listed on his Deutsche Grammophon on-tour page.
This is a relief to some of Nobu's fans who worry about his safety performing in a country at war.
July 1 https://www.infotag.md/culture-en/325140/
JAPANESE AMBASSADOR INVITES PIANIST NOBUYUKI TSUJII TO PERFORM IN CHISINAU
Japanese Ambassador to Chisinau [Moldova] Yoichiro Yamada visited Bucharest to attend a concert of his famous compatriot - composer and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. The diplomat admitted on social networks that he had been an ardent fan of the pianist for many years, but had never listened to him live. This time the dream came true, and even managed to hear his signature encore performance of Franz Liszt's "La Campanella". “In the dressing room after the concert, I asked Nobuyuki Tsujii to think about a tour in Chisinau, when the new concert hall will be completed in a few years. I hope that day will come soon," the ambassador wrote. He recalled that when he was consul general in Seattle, he also spent a lot of time trying to organize a Tsujii concert, but that happened after his mandate ended. "The job of diplomats is like planting a tree: you plant a sapling in the hope that those who follow will take advantage of it. But it requires constant care, both from you and your successor," Yoichiro Yamada concluded.
[In 2018, I met Ambassador Yamada in Seattle. He kindly arranged for Nobu to perform in Seattle in 2020, which, unfortunately, was sidetracked by the COVID19 Pandemic.]
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June 2025
June 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 24 - June 7 2025 Japan Recital Tour
June 26 & 27 Ravel's Piano Concerto with the George Enescu Philharmoinic Orchestra & conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus (season closing performance), Bucharest, Romania
July 4 Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 3 with the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, Gran Canaria, Spain
July 17, 19, 20 Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 2 with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra & conductor Lahav Shani
NEWS
NEWS
June 28 No post-concert posts from Romania yet, but I found a comment to the orchestra's June 26 pre-concert post on Facebook, by an enthusiastic Filarmonica George Enescu @filarmonicaenescu supporter
[Translated] "... Thank you very much Maestro Casadesus, for your generosity, I saw how the Orchestra grew in the second part, after the great emotion of accompanying the angel that is Noboyuki Tsujii..." With clips and photos that include the one shown here of Nobu taking a bow as maestro Jean-Claude Casadesus looks on behind him.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Romania, June 26 & 27 2025
June 24 An announcement came today that Nobu is finally to perform in Germany again. (He last performed there publicly in 2019.)
Prinzregententheater. München
"Im Innersten der Klänge [In the innermost part of the sounds]"
Rachmaninoff: “Vocalise” (version for piano)
Rimsky-Korsakov: “Flight of the Bumblebee” (arr. Rachmaninoff)
Tchaikovsky: “Nutcracker Suite” (arr. Pletnev) and others
Monday, April 27, 2026, 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
The announcement also mentions that some of the pieces on the recital program will appear in a new Deutsche Grammophon album, to be released Spring 2026!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to Germany (since 2019)
June 23 From Rome, where he performed in the Armonie di Speranza (Harmonies of Hope) concert on June 21, Nobuyuki Tsujii travels to Bucharest, Romania, where he performs Ravel's Piano Concerto in season closing performances with the George Enescu Philharmoinic Orchestra & conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus, on June 26 & 27.
Tickets are available on www.oveit.com or directly at the link https://oveit.com/hub/org/l7PDAr7y More about these performances can be found at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Romania, June 26 & 27 2025
June 22 Nobuyuki Tsujii was one of 6 pianists who performed at the Armonie di Speranza (Harmonies of Hope) concert, directed by pianist Beatrice Rana, on St. Peter's Square at Vatican City last night. A big thanks to RaiPlay Italy for making a video of the concert viewable online for 8 days (registration required), athttps://www.raiplay.it/video/2025/06/Armonie-di-Speranza-4d5d2296-f367-439e-991a-d1fe7b3ddd82.html
The video starts with a before-concert gathering at which Pope Leo xiv appears, where he greets the performers seated in the front row. The Pope, in his regal white robe, makes a special effort to stop and hold Nobu's hand. Nobu receives bravos for his performance, and finally joins the other performers on stage to receive the audience's applause.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Vatican June 21 2025
June 20 This news came out of the blue.!
It seems Nobu is among 6 pianists called on by the newly installed Pope Leo XIV for a concert in Vatican tomorrow June 21, titled "Armonie di Speranza" (Harmonies of Hope).
This is according to a post on Norman Lebrecht's 'slipped disc' bloh , a tweet by pianist Gabriela Montero , as well as the Vatican News
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Vatican June 21 2025
June 19 Nobuyuki Tsujii is on schedule to perform Rach 2 with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) next month (July 17, 19, 20) in Israel. Today it came to my attention that a recital is also scheduled for July 12.
Sadly, all these engagements are now in jeopardy due to the ongoing political conflicts in Israel. The IPO has issued this announcement on their homepage: "Due to the security situation, all concerts and children’s performances scheduled through June 21 (inclusive) will not take place. We will provide further updates regarding future events." 🥺
June 15 👏👏👏On this Father's Day, I bow in admiration to a grandfather who has lived for 102 years🙏 and enjoyed the great success of his grandson Nobuyuki Tsujii.
Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii: "102 years old, proud father in law. Let's drink together again 🥂#Father's Day"
[Grandfather Nobutaka Tsujii is the dad of Nobu's father Takashi Tsujii. He is a very healthy looking 102-years old.]
June 14 Just announced: "Nobuyuki Tsujii, Pacho Flores, and Gil Shaham will be in Mexico with Ofunam, symphonic group in Mexico City ...
For the next season [2025-2026] of Ofunam, the figures that the UNAM Music Department will bring are undoubtedly trumpeter Pacho Flores, pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, and violinist Gil Shaham...
Japanese pianist and composer Nobuyuki Tsujii (1988) will make his debut in an extraordinary program with Ofunam on October 25 and 26 [2025], as a soloist in Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 2 .
June 7 Congratulations to Nobuyuki Tsujii on the closing of his acclaimed 2024-25 worldwide BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital tours. The Japan tour finale was held yesterday June 7 Saturday 14:00 Shelter Nanyo Hall
https://x.com/310blue/status/1931285784637972621
"At Nobuyuki Tsujii's performance at Nanyo Cultural Center 🎹
A spectacular performance and lots of encores.
Tsujii-san also said that today was the memorial day of the [Cliburn] competition. He also enjoyed a delicious meal and a hot spring in Nanyo 👏"
And don't miss his official instagram. "It feels like the tour has flown by and I'm sad that it's over, but I'm very happy that so many people came to see me, and I feel that the best part of the tour is that there are places I haven't seen in a while and places I've never been to before."
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 Japan Recital Tour: as it happens
June 1 The month of June is here!
This will be a relatively quiet month for Nobuyuki Tsujii.
He will close his very successful 2025 BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital program in Japan this week with 2 more performances Jun5 & June 7. This is the recital program he has also performed in Europe and USA to great acclaims.
After a brief rest, Nobu will be globetrotting again, starting with season-closing performances on June 26 & 27 Ravel's Piano Concerto with the George Enescu Philharmoinic Orchestra & conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus in Bucharest, Romania. After that, Nobu will perform on July 4 with the Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra, Gran Canaria, Spain, and on July 17, 19 & 20 with Israel Philharmonic Orchestra & conductor Lahav Shani
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May 2025
May 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 3-4 Miyazaki International Music Festival
May 8 - 12 Japan Tour with Vladimir Jurowski & the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
May 24 - June 7 2025 Japan Recital Tour
NEWS
NEWS
May 22 2025
Looks like another Avex labeled Nobuyuki Tsujii album will be re-released by Deutsche Grammophon soon -- the 18th such re-release so far: this one is his live performances of BEETHOVEN'S 'Emperor' concerto & MOZART'S piano concerto no. 26 with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. A sample video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRbYevyWjiM [not viewable in USA]
Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 26 in D Major, K. 537 "Coronation": I. Allegro (Cadenza: Tsujii) (Live) This will be the 18th such re-release. Nobu now has 19 titles in his Deutsche Grammiophon discography.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii albums re-released under Deutsche Grammonphon label
May 20
📢The final leg of the 2025 Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan recital tour resumes on May 24, to end on June 7.
6 more sold-out performances: Fukuoka, Tochigi, Fukui, Hachioji, Tagajyo, Yamagata.
The program is the one that has won Nobu acclaims in U.S. & Europe since part 2 of this tour.
https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002660
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 Japan Recital Tour: as it happens
May 20
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra announced their 2025-26 season at Carnegie Hall &
https://orpheusnyc.org/tickets-and-concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-at-carnegie-hall-2026
"The electrifying chemistry between Orpheus and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii is so special that the orchestra named him an honorary member! Nobu, who is blind, shares a deep musical connection with the ensemble that’s built on a decade of listening, trust, and unrivaled artistry. They reunite for a romp through the frisky Piano Concerto No. 2 that made young Beethoven a force to be reckoned with."
We wish the orchestra a great 2025-26 season.
May 13 ClassicNavi Japan concert review "Vladimir Jurowski conducting the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (RSB), Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano)" : "While imbued with the dark sounds of the German tradition, each voice part stands out clearly , and they weave music that is both structured and passionate - this is the current image of the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Jurowski. From Beethoven to Chopin and Brahms, these characteristics have been consistently demonstrated...." "Jurowski and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra worked in sync with Nobuyuki Tsujii as if they were empathizing with an opera singer, carefully supporting the melody."
More at ClassicNavi reviews Vladimir Jurowski conducting the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra & Nobuyuki Tsujii
May 9 Another Avex Classics album of Nobuyuki Tsujii has just been re-released under @dgclassics label: CHOPIN 12 ETUDES 4 BALLADES NOBUYUKI TSUJII.
🎹 This is the 16th re-release of the Nobuyuki Tsujii albums previously released in Japan only.
😊 Nobu now has 17 albums in the DG catalog.
More at Nov 29 2024 -- release of Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
May 6 On May 8 - 12 2025 , Nobuyuki Tsujii will join Vladimir Jurowski & the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin (RSB) (Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra) on a Japan tour . He will perform CHOPIN's Piano Concerto no. 2 in 4 performances in Nagoya, Tokyo & Osaka. https://avex.jp/classics/rsb2025/
The orchestra makes a stop in Taiwan before the Japan tour, and, after the tour, will perform the same program in Berlin on May 18, with pianist Yunchan Lim.
We wish them great success!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii on 2025 RSB Japan Tour, as it happens
May 5 Nobuyuki Tsujii joined his violinist friend Fumiaki Miurra, this year's artistic director, at the 2025 Miyazaki International Music Festival. On May3 they performed chamber music with cellist Jonathan Roozeman and violist Yasuhiro Suzuki, and on May 4 the duo performed a recital of Revel's works. Both concerts were great successes, sold out and enthusiastic audiences.
It's wonderful to see the joyous friendship of Nobu with other young music talents. Long may that friendship last!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2025 Miyazaki International Festival
April 2025
April 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 3, 5 & 6 Rach 3 with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra & conductor Aziz Shokhakimov
April 10 - 11 Ravel's Piano concerto with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BSO) (Spain) & conductor Tatsuya Shimono
April 13 7 pm Recital at Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, London
April 20 17:00 Congress Kursaal Interlaken; Rach 2 with Zakhar Bron Festival Orchestra conducted by Jiří Rožeň & Zakhar Bron
April 23 13:00 "Waldstein" sonata recording (from Feb 3 UK recital) aired on BBC Radio 3 'Classical Live' program
NEWS
NEWS
April 28 Next week (May 3 - 4), Nobuyuki Tsujii will join his violinist-conductor friend Fumiaki Miura at the 2025 Miyazaki International Music Festival. Nobu will participate in two chamber-music performances
Today, this news article came up
https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/863235
"A blind junior high school pianist who dreams of becoming a pianist who travels around the world is invited to a concert by Nobuyuki Tsujii; a local bank acts as a bridge to his dream."
"The concert will be held at 3:00 pm on May 3rd at the Medikit Prefectural Cultural Center. Meeting Tsujii is the realization of one of Shunsuke's dreams. And it will likely be a big step towards his next dream."
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2025 Miyazaki International Festival
April 25 The 7th Suntory Hall ARK Classics [festival] will be held this year October 4 - 7. Nobuyuki Tsujii & Fumiaki Miura are leaders; this year they are joined by renowned violinist Pichas Zukermann.
11 performances
Nobuyuk Tsujii solo Oct 4 'Romantic & Transcendental', Oct 5 Chopin.
Pinchas Zuckerman with Nobu, Fumiaki Miura & the ARK Philharmonic Oct 4 & 5 17:00; Oct 7 19:00 closing night.
And more.
Details at https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002776 .
April 23 🙏A BIG thanks to BBC Radio3 for broadcasting 3 masterpieces performed by Nobuyuki Tsujii in recent recitals. LISTEN NOW on demand for 29 days
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029xhb (April 23 program)
*BEETHOVEN 'Waldstein' sonata (time mark 0:0 ) * CHOPIN nocturnes no. 7 & 8 (time mark 47:15) * LISZT Mephisto Waltz (time mark 1:43:12)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029xjv (April 24 program)
* CHOPIN Sonata no. 3
* BEETHOVEN Pathetique movement 2 [encore]
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays 'Waldstein' on BBC Radio 3 April 23 2025
April 22
Double Nobuyuki Tsujii treats coming up in the next 24 hours !!
From Japan: April 24 2:05 Tokyo time
NTV 「粗品と絶品クラシック」"Soshina and Exquisite Classical Music" program"
https://www.ntv.co.jp/yomikyo-classic/
BBC Radio 3 'Classical Live' program "Waldstein" sonata (recorded Feb 3 in Manchester)
LIVE at https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl8t
ON REPEAT afterward at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029xhb
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays 'Waldstein' on BBC Radio 3 April 23 2025
April 20 Easter Sunday Nobuyuki Tsujii 17:00 Congress Kursaal Interlaken, Switzerland completed.
This concert features 3 soloists: pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii (Rach 2), cellist Hayong Choi, and Violinist Eduard Dayan. Nobu will perform Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 2 with the Zakhar Bron Festival Orchestra, conducted by Jiří Rožeň.
Many photos. Encore Kapustin 'Prelude'.
Nobu now rests in Tokyo before his busy schedule in Japan starting next month
🙏 More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, April 2025
April 15 Last month, I was told by Nobu's manager that Nobu will be making 3 more performances in California this year (in addition to the La Jolla recital on March 28, which I attended.) I knew of two (Hollywood Bowl August 26) & Costa Mesa (Nov 2), but not the third. Today, news came that Nobu will make a debut performance Oct 30 at Cal Performances (UC Berkeley), with a recital of the same program that he will perform at Carnegie Hall on Nov 5. Other pianists performing for Cal Performances in the new season include Daniil Trifonov, Jeremy Denk & Víkingur Ólafsson.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at UC Berkeley, October 20 2025
April 15 Nobuyuki Tsujii has one last overseas performance before he returns to Japan. NEXT UP: April 20 17:00 Congress Kursaal Interlaken, Switzerland. Tickets at https://www.kulturticket.ch/11615/interlaken-classics/event/1295
This concert features 3 soloists: pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, cellist Hayong Choi, and Violinist Eduard Dayan. Nobu will perform Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 2 with the Zakhar Bron Festival Orchestra, conducted by Jiří Rožeň @jirirozenofficial
We wish them great success🙏 More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, April 2025
April 13 We have heard from London.
"a tour de force of Beethoven, Liszt and Chopin from the amazing Nobuyuki Tsujii "
"He looks happy. 4 encores. Beethoven Pathetique, Chopin Revolutionary etude, Tchaikovsky Nutcracker March;. After 3rd encore , his manager tried to steer him to stage exit, but Nobu suddenly turned to the piano, then started 4th encore, La Campanella of course... He was really in a good mood from the beginning "
I believe this is the last overseas performance by Nobu of his 2024-25 BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital program.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, April 2025
April 10
Instagram by @musicosdelabos (BOS musicians) "Today at 19:45 we will walk out. Sorry for the inconvenience, for a better orchestra. BOS. Fighting for a decent contract For the future of the orchestra." Sadly Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii is among the disappointed Japanese visitors who traveled to Bilboa :-(
April 10 This Spanish news item came up today: "The musicians of the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra will fall silent fifteen minutes after the start of the concerts scheduled for today, April 10, and tomorrow, April 11, at the Euskalduna Palace in Bilbao. The orchestra's works council has announced that the group will carry out partial work stoppages from 7:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., thus halting the concerts, which were announced to include Ravel's Concerto for Piano and Orchestra in G Major and Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique Op. 14 by pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, Nobu , and conductor Tatsuya Shimono ..."
:-( Ah well, let's hope Nobu get some much deserved rest, and some good Basque Country food!
April 6 Congratulations to Nobuyuki Tsujii on the completion of his North America tour, a roaring success. Next up: 4 performances in Europe:
April 10 - 11 Ravel's Piano concerto with the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BSO) (Spain) & conductor Tatsuya Shimono
April 13 7 pm Recital at Queen Elizabeth Hall, South Bank Centre, London
April 20 17:00 Congress Kursaal Interlaken; Rach 2 with Zakhar Bron Festival Orchestra conducted by Jiří Rožeň & Zakhar Bron
Safe Travels, Team Nobu! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, April 2025
April 5 Nobuyuki Tsujii is scheduled to perform on August 5 in the famous Urakami Cathedral in Nagasaki for its 80th anniversary -- this church was rebuilt after its destruction by the atomic bomb. 10 years ago (2015), on the 70th anniversary of the Urakami Cathedral, a "Nobuyuki Tsujii & Friends - prayer, music of hope" concert was held by Nobu & singer @AyakaHirahara1. A good quality video of that concert can be viewed on DailyMotion https://dailymotion.com/video/x373nyt More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 commemorative concert for the NAGASAKI Urakami Cathedral
April 5 I am now the proud owner of a copy of Nobuyuki Tsujii's BEETHOVEN CD by Deutsche Grammophon @dgclassics
Yes, I am old fashioned and still prefer CDs for my listening pleasure. And tomorrow I will be listening to Nobu's 'Hammerklavier' & 'An die ferne Geliebte' as I drive along the coast.😊
Notable is that there is an English essay in the liner notes, by British music journalist Michael Church (BBC Music Magazine, etc.)
Thank you, @dgclassics, @avexclassicsinternational, @universalclassics.jp, for providing the album in CD form 🙏
April 3 It has happened! The Nobuyuki Tsujii Liszt CD will be released TOMORROW April 4 under the Deutsche Grammophon - DG label, as I hoped it would be.
9 tracks : La Campanella; fountains of Villa d'Este; Isoldes Liebestod; Sonetto del Patraca; Faust Waltz; Liberstrom no. 1; Hungarian Rhapsody no. 6; Un sospiro; Paraphrase on Rigoletto,
This is by far my favorite album recorded by Nobu under Avex Classics International label, a copy of which I paid a lot purchased from Japan.
More at Nov 29 2024 -- release of Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
April 1 Nobuyuki Tsujii's performance of Beethoven's 'Waldstien' sonata at his recent recitals (U.K., Japan, Canada & U.S.A.) has consistently drawn bravos and raves.
This is almost too good to be true, but **IF WE ARE LUCKY**, we MAY get to listen to the recording of a performance of the sonata recorded on Feb 3 at @rncmlive - Royal Northern College of Music, U.K. , on @_bbcradio3_ 's 'Classical Live' program later this month
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0029xhb
LIVE Wed 23 Apr 2025 13:00
and on repeat afterward until BBC pulls the plug on Radio 3 overseas listeners 😢 reportedly some time in May, for financial reasons.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays 'Waldstein' on BBC Radio 3 April 23 2025
MARCH 2025
MARCH 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAR 3-16 2025 Japan Recital Tour Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, kamakura, Sapporo
March 21 20:00 Carnegie Hall Recital
March 23 3pm Sheslow Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa
March 25 20:00 BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital, National Arts Center, Ottawa, Canada
March 28 recital 7:30PM La Jolla, California
April 3, 5 & 6 Rach 3 with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra & conductor Aziz Shokhakimov
NEWS
NEWS
March 31
Paris Orchestra (Orchester de Paris) announced their 2025-26 season today.
Nobuyuki Tsujii has not yet performed in Paris' Philharmonie.
But he will be there next year (2016) on 4 consecutive night:
Monday May 4 Chamber music -- Schubert's 'Trout' Quintet, with Klaus Mäkelä and Musicians of the Paris Orchestra
May 5, 6 & 7 Grieg's concerto with conductor Klaus Mäkelä and the Paris Orchestra
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with Klaus Mäkelä in Paris, May 2026
March 31
NEW from Paris : Nobuyuki Tsujii to debut with Orchester de Paris in the Grand salle Pierre Boulez Philharmonie. Grieg's Concerto conducted by Klaus Mäkelä. May 7 8 PM 2026. Tickets available by subscription from Friday, April 11 at 12 p.m.
https://philharmoniedeparis.fr/fr/activite/concert-symphonique/28837-orchestre-de-paris-klaus-makela
March 30 I was at the March 28 recital in La Jolla, California. What a thrill it was! The venue, 'the Conrad', has an immersive atmosphere. I sat near people who knew little about Nobu, but fell for his charm almost from the start . They shouted bravos and stood up as one at the end of the performance, and lapped up Nobu's playful shtick of closing the piano lid & waving goodbye (after returning to stage as if he was going to play a 5th encore). A venue staffer said she had never seen such enthusiasm before. And a pianist seated next to me said he had never heard te 'Waldstein' sonata better.
Concert goers in Japan often mention an afterglow that they experience after a Nobu performance. I know exactly how they feel!
Bravos to Nobu and his Avex International managers! Thank you to the La Jolla Music Society for hosting the recital. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in La Jolla, California, March 28 2025
Nobu will next perform in Seattle April 3, 5, & 6.
March 26 Nobu's North American tour so far has been a roaring success. Standing ovations at Carnegie Hall March 21. Warm reception in Iowa March 23, and more standing ovation in Ottawa March 25. He is fearless and unstoppable, and I hope to see him in La Jolla soon!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in North America, Spring 2025
March 25 NEW: Nobuyuki Tsujii will perform Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 9 (Jeunehomme or Jenamy) November 27 - Dec 6, 2025, with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta & Candida Thompson (conductor & violin).
This work is new to Nobu's repertoire.
This performance comes after Nobu's November 5 recital at Carnegie Hall.
More later.
March 21 He has done it again😍 Standing O for Nobuyuki Tsujii at Carnegie Hall tonight, as shown in a clip accompanying this tweet https://x.com/chi_kvisa/status/1903275691954622515
"Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert at Carnegie Hall 🎵 The four encores were overwhelming, starting with Beethoven's Pathétique and ending with Liszt's difficult La Campanella. There was thunderous applause until the piano lid was closed."
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii March 2025 recital at Carnegie Hall -- as it happens
March 21 📢 Announced by @dgclassics on instagram
"Nobu’s intensely awaited debut album on DG is now available on CD globally! 🤩🌎
It features Beethoven’s formidable Hammerklavier Sonata and Liszt’s affectionate transcription of Beethoven’s An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98"
DG shop €18,99
U.S. Amazon $13.98
March 21 Nobuyuki Tsujii's Deutsche Grammophon debut album is mentioned by the U.K. Gramophone magazine as one of "The five unmissable new classical recordings this week" by James McCarthy . "Nobuyuki Tsujii's debut studio album for DG features Beethoven's mighty Hammerklavier Sonata alongside Liszt’s transcription of An die ferne Geliebte. Interestingly, Tsujii played the Hammerklavier in the semi-final of the Cliburn Competition in 2009 ... It will be fascinating to hear how this new studio recording compares with that live recording from 16 years ago. "
More at Nov 29 2024 -- release of Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
March 18
Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii: "[Nobuyuki] is performing overseas for a month and a half starting tomorrow, so I prepared a Japanese dinner with fresh bamboo shoots, rice, and a Hanami Nabe (a stew made with fried tofu and rape blossoms) ... The concert hosted by Carnegie Hall has become an annual event, and he is honored to have been invited twice this year." Ah, a mother's love 母の愛 :-)
Meanwhile, Carnegie Hall is offering stage seats for the recital. These are seats on chairs placed in the back of the stage. Tickets here . More about the recital at Nobuyuki Tsujii March 2025 recital at Carnegie Hall -- as it happens
March 16 Nobu has just wrapped up performance no. 11 on his Japan Tour. The tour now takes a break. He will be missed in Japan by his fans, but those of us in North America look forward to his arrival next week.
Nobu's performance schedule on this North America tour is as follows:
March 21 20:00 Carnegie Hall Recital New York City
March 23 15:00 Sheslow Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa
March 25 20:00 Recital, National Arts Center, Ottawa, Canada
March 28 19:30 recital La Jolla, California
April 3, 5 & 6 Rach 3 with the Seattle Symphony Orchestra & conductor Aziz Shokhakimov
Safe travels, Tsujii-san, and great successes!
March 13 📢Freshly announced: 2025 Ravinia Festival, Chicago, USA -- Nobuyuki Tsujii plays RACHMANINOV piano concerto no 2 with conductor Peter Oundjian & the Chicago Symphony Orchestra 🎹August 16 19:30 .
Ravinia is a popular outdoor festival. I believe Nobu held a recital there in 2009, after receiving his gold medal at The Cliburn Piano Competition.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1891, and is considered one of the top orchestras in the United States. This performance precedes another outdoor festival performance on August 21, at which Nobu performs CHOPIN piano concerto No. 2 with another top U.S. orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra.
March 11 With so much going on in this world, Nobu's March 11 recital in Seoul, S. Korea, slipped my mind. But it was apparently another great success. A Korean concert goer shared this photo of Nobu taking a bow with a broad smile on his face. "He, who couldn't see, filled the empty space to the corners with his voice. Looking at him, my desire to live grew stronger."
There was also an official instagram posted before the performance: "Today is my first performance in Seoul in a year. It's also the first time I've performed at the Lotte Concert Hall", with two "which piano did I choose" video clips. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Lotte Hall, Seoul, March 11 2025
March 7 Today March 7 2025 @dgclassics has released 4 more albums by Nobuyuki Tsujii -- these were previously released under @avexclassics_jp label and available only from Japan.
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN
MOZART ALBUM
RACHMANINOFF · KAPUSTIN
BEETHOVEN 'Pathetique', 'Moonlight', Appassionata'
Track listing and sample listening at https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/artists/nobuyuki-tsujii/discography
There are now a total of 9 albums of Nobuyuki Tsujii in the @dgclassics catalogue.
March 3 The superb BBC radio broadcast of the Jan 30 2025 London concert has expired🙁
But recordings of the 3 pieces by Nobuyuki Tsujii (CHOPIN Piano concerto no. 1, LISZT La Campanella, LISZT Hungarian Rhapsody) are available for a short time for listening & downloading 👉 2025 Japan Tour & UK performance with the Philharmonia -- as it happens
******
FEBRUARY 2025
FEBRUARY 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb 1 7:30pm recital at 7:30 pm National concert hall, Dublin Ireland
Feb 3 recital at Royal Northern College of Music RNCM, Manchester, U.K.
Feb 9 start of 2025 Japan Recital Tour
FEB 9 (Sun) 14:00 Kumamoto Prefectural Theatre Concert Hall
FEB 11 (Tue) 14:00 Hozan Hall (Kagoshima Prefectural Cultural Center)
February 27 19:00 Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra Masterpiece at Suntory Hall concert- Shostakovich piano concerto no. 1 with Conductor Tadaaki Odaka
NEWS
NEWS
Feb 27 A gracious note from one of Nobu's Avex Classics managers:
"Nobuyuki Tsujii left the Harrison Parrott [Artist Management Group] at the end of January this year, and we, the London Office of Avex Classics International, have taken over his overseas management work. You can check upcoming performances at the following URL. Thank you for your continued support,
https://www.avexclassicsinternational.co.uk/nobuyuki-tsujii "
The page has contact information, discography, reviews, and more.
We wish Nobu & his new overseas management team great success 🙏
FEB 27 Posting by a thoughtful concert goer:
https://x.com/mofu075/status/1895131437172695492
"Tadaaki Otaka and the Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra .[FEB 27 at #suntoryhall ]
"Nobuyuki Tsujii Shostakovich 🎹 The tone of the left hand in the first concerto is heavy and solid, so the cluster chords and the sudden tempo changes can be heard clearly, and it goes well with Shostakovich.
"The second movement alone was so beautiful it was worth coming today 🥺
Even though I read the score before I started, I got lost in several places in the 4th movement 😵💫 It's difficult 🎼
Listening to Mr. Tsujii's straightforward and beautiful music, which revealed his sincere personality, helped me to let go of all the fatigue and worries that had been building up inside me ." Encore: Kapustin etude no. 1
FEB 26 Instagram by Civic Music Association CMA
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGdsr6Ksgll/
"Only ONE MONTH until we welcome the extraordinary Nobuyuki Tsujii to the CMA stage as part of the Lauridsen Great Pianist Series! Visit our website to learn more and purchase your tickets today! "
This performance comes after Nobu's BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital Carnegie Hall: March 23 15:00 Sheslow Auditorium Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa
https://civicmusic.org/nobu-march-2025/
The Sheslow Auditorium is a beautiful concert hall located on the campus of Drake University
We wish the CMA & Nobu great success🙏
FEB 24 Nobuyuki Tsujii is no longer on the pianist roster of the prestigious artist management firm @harrisonparrottgroup (HP) https://www.harrisonparrott.com/artists/piano
Nobu signed with HP in year 2016 for the management of his international performances.
I sent in an inquiry to HP and received a gracious note: "Many thanks for your email – that is quite correct that HP no longer represents Nobuyuki Tsujii. His general management is now taken care of in-house by the Avex team from the London office. You may continue to follow Nobu’s superb musicianship through the Avex website and thank you for your enthusiasm and support for his performances. "
FEB 23 Next up for Nobuyuki Tsujii is an orchestral performance on Thursday Feb 27.
He will perform Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the esteemed Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, in Suntory Hall (2,006 seats).
This will be Nobu's third sold-out performance at Suntory Hall this month (FEB 2025), followed by a 4th performance to be held there on Monday MAR 3 (a third Suntory Hall performance of his ongoing 2025 Japan recital tour) , also sold-out!
As one commentator put it: "愛されてるな…♡ [ He (Nobu) is beloved]"
FEB 21 It has been brought to my attention that Nobuyuki Tsujii seems to have disappeared from the pianist roster of the prestigious artist management firm @harrisonparrottgroup (HP) https://www.harrisonparrott.com/artists/piano
Nobu signed with HP in year 2016 for the management of his international performances.
Sadly, his HP artist page no longer contains contents related to Nobu
I fear the partnership might have come to an end this year 😢 If so, I hope the parting of ways was cordial🙏
The question now: Who is managing Nobu's international performances? Does this have to do with Nobu's signing to Deutsche Grammophon last year?
Feb 19 Nobu must have been on fire (figuratively speaking) today :-) No sooner than the Suntory Hall matinee recital completed than a post came up: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGPvxMhSHcF/ "It was an incredibly moving performance, as if I could feel the touch of each and every note... This is the first time I've heard such a generous pianist. Thank you, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii! Thank you, God! "
With a photo that shows a list of FOUR encores: Beethoven 'Pathetique' mvt 2; Chopin 'Revolution'; Liszt 'La Campanella', AND Chopin's Bercuese! (Nobu might have played the Berceuse for his mother, whose birthday comes up on FEB 21.)
FEB 18 In year 2022, Nobuyuki Tsujii made a sensational debut at the Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles, USA), playing Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 2 with the LA Phil & conductor Louis Langrée, on a summer night.
Today, word came that Nobu returns this summer, on August 26 2025, to perform in an All-Beethoven program with the orchestra & Lithuanian conductor Giedrė Šlekytė.
https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/events/performances/3622/2025-08-26/beethoven-under-the-stars
Congratulations to Nobu!
Feb 14 2025 https://www.allmusic.com/album/MW0004406582
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 29 "Hammerklavier"; An die ferne Geliebte
Review by James Manheim
"Signed to the Deutsche Grammophon label, he could easily have led with a program of standard short Romantic pieces, and it's to his credit that he took on the thorniest of the Beethoven sonatas instead." "Not that the work was a stretch for him; his technical powers are fabulous. His interpretative choices here are intelligent ones, given the work's difficulty." It's well worth hearing, and it whets the appetite for future releases from this remarkable pianist, who has shown a capability for bold career moves. "
February 13 Posted by @dgclassics Deutsche Grammophon Japan
https://x.com/dgclassicsjapan/status/1889677134311899280
"Today, a talk session with Tsujii-san was held at Apple Omotesando.
He talked in depth about the appeal of classical music, which has become more accessible through Apple Music Classical, his latest album, and his own precious anecdotes 👀 The audience was filled with excitement as he performed four breathtaking songs, including an encore! 🔥 More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at Apple Classical event Feb 13 2025
Feb 12 Today, Carnegie Hall announced its 2025-26 calendar. Nobuyuki Tsujii will hold a recital on November 5 for the Carnegie Hall's "Great Artists II" series. "Hear four unforgettable concerts in Carnegie Hall’s most iconic venue. Pianists Nobuyuki Tsujii and Khatia Buniatishvili return as two of today’s most popular recitalists..." Program is Liszt-Beethoven-Tchaikovsky-Prokofiev, same as for previously announced for Nov. 2 recital in Costa Mesa, California.
This will be the second recital that Nobu will hold at Carnegie Hall this year, an addition to the upcoming March 21 BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital.
Feb 11 https://x.com/CleveOrchestra/status/1889344112454689141
"Summers at Severance is back for 2025! Experience unforgettable summer nights at Severance Music Center with world-class music and pre-concert cocktails.
https://www.clevelandorchestra.com/attend/seasons-and-series/2025-26/summer-25/ ...
August 21 – Dima Slobodeniouk conducts Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Nobuyuki Tsujii in his The Cleveland Orchestra debut, followed by Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. "
The Cleveland Orchestra is a prestigious American orchestra based in Ohio .
FEB 9 Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 Japan BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital Tour off to a good start in Kumamoto yesterday FEB 9. Three encores: BEETHOVEN Pathetique mv 2; CHOPIN 'revolutionary' etude; LISZT 'La Campanella'.
Some audience reactions:
"First day of the tour 🎹Just like last year, he spoke to the audience without a microphone ☺️When he started playing Liszt's La Campanella as an encore, the crowd cheered ✨"
"His piano playing was mellow and beautiful, emotional, lustrous and intense, and I was completely captivated. He's a wonderful pianist. I'd love to go to his concert again. His live performance is several times more satisfying than his CD recordings."
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 Japan Recital Tour: as it happens
Feb 9 Official Instagram from Kumamoto, with a clip of Nobu playing [I think] Liszt's 'In a Dream':
https://www.instagram.com/p/DF1uqFPxYPm/ "February 9, 2025 Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour 2025 #Beethoven #Liszt #Chopin @Kumamoto Prefectural Theater Japan Tour 2025 started today. This is my first recital this year. The Japan tour has 17 performances and is a tour where I can enjoy meeting people from all over the country. This time, I will be performing the nocturne "In a Dream" for the first time, and other pieces are also pieces that I really like, so I'm looking forward to playing them. See you all at the performance later #nobuyukitsujii #NobuyukiTsujii #kumamoto #Waldstein #Nocturne #MephistoWaltz #TwoNocturnes #PianoSonataNo3. " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 Japan Recital Tour: as it happens
Feb 7 💐Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Recital Tour 2025 starts this Sunday FEB 9 14:00 Kumamoto.
"Approaching the Essence of Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin ♪ Piano Music"
🎵17 SOLD OUT performances February 9 - June 7 (including 3 performances at Suntory Hall.)
Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 21 "Waldstein"
Liszt: Nocturne "In a Dream"
Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Chopin: Nocturne No. 7, No. 8
Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 3
🙏Best wishes to Nobu! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2025 Japan Recital Tour: as it happens
Feb 7 The Universal Music Group has posted a set of YouTube videos with sound track samples from the just released Deutsche Grammophon Nobuyuki Tsujii albums (previously under Avex Classics label).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iwa31RF_aMM
Schumann: Papillons, Op. 2: No. 6 in D Minor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9jDrjPHwWA
Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 35: III. Marche funèbre. Lento (Live)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCga0Fu-Hcs
Grieg: Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16: II. Adagio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L97DLKSU41Y
Chopin: Nocturne No. 1 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 9 No. 1
FEB 6 When Nobu signed with Deutsche Gramphon (DG) last April, it was announced that some of the albums from his extensive discography previously released by Avex Classics in Japan will be released worldwide by DG this year. Indeed, 4 of them have now appeared in the DB catalog https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/artists/nobuyuki-tsujii/discography , to be released tomorrow Feb 7. CHOPIN Piano Sonatas 2 & 3 (2015); Tchaikovsky Piano Sonata no. 1 ( with two solo pieces: Schumann's Papillons and Liszt's Hugnarian Rhapsody)with BBC Philharmonic conducted by Yutaka Sado (2011) ; Grieg Rachmaninov concertos with Vasily Petrenko conducting the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra (2018); CHOPIN piano concerto no. 2 with the Deutsche Symphony Orchestra Berlin conducted by Vladimir Askenazy (2018).
February 3 It is so amazing to hear from Manchester so promptly -- the
RNCM - Royal Northern College of Music recital ended not long ago.
https://x.com/siamese1968/status/1886535772448198918
"Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert (Manchester ) has ended.
It was a full house and a fantastic performance.
If I remember correctly, there were three encore songs.
I don't know one of the songs, but the others were Beethoven's 'Pathetique, Second Movement' and Liszt's 'La Campanella.' "
With photos.
Bravos. Now Nobu goes home, rest, and launch his 2025 Japan recital tour on February 9. Safe journey home, Tsujii-san!
Feb 1 2025 Posted by the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland
https://www.instagram.com/p/DFi7qZTM4zD/
"Bravo! @nobuyuki_tsujii_official acclaimed as ‘one of the most unique classical pianists performing today’ graced our stage tonight.🤩 Delivering a captivating performance of Beethoven's thrilling 'Waldstein Sonata', Liszt's 'Mephisto Waltz No. 1', and two exquisitely performed Nocturnes by Chopin Nobuyuki’s National Concert Hall debut was nothing short of magnificent." A concert goer's comment: "It was an absolutely amazing concert. Every trill, turn and glissando was pure perfection and it still lingers in my heart long after walking out of the hall." Standing ovations. 4 encores. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2025 Ireland debut...
Feb 1 Shhh! Nobuyuki Tsujii will make the same Beethoven-Liszt-Chopin recital as he performed in Ireland, on Monday FEB 3 at Royal Northern College of Music RNCM in Manchester, U.K. Last time I looked there were a few seats left in that small concert hall. https://www.rncm.ac.uk/whats-on/programmes/spring-2025/03-02-2025-nobuyuki-tsujii-piano/
JANUARY 2025
JANUARY 2025
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Jan 2 15:00 BS-Fuji rebroadcast of "Nobuyuki Tsujii (with Vladimir Ashkenazy) in Iceland 2018"
Jan 3 21:00 BS-Fuj TV special (new) "Nobuyuki Tsujii' with friends - ARK Classics in Suntory Hall"
January 19-26 Japan Tour with Philharmonia Orchestra & Conductor: Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
NEWS
NEWS
Jan 31
💐Gracious post by Philharmonia Orchestra. Great photos.https://x.com/philharmonia/status/1885342442330734600
"After an incredible tour in Japan, we made our final pitstop in a packed Royal Festival Hall last night with Nobuyuki Tsujii. Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a memorable evening.📷: Mark Allan / Marina Vidor"
Meanwhile, Nobu is probably now in Dublin, Ireland, preparing for his debut performance at 7:30 pm tomorrow FEB 1 at the National concert hall.
Jan 30 "Full house", "absolutely packed Royal Festival Hall", flawless performance of Chopin 1, big applause, "huge following around the world", 'La Campanella' for encore, deep bows, the orchestra applauding him [along with the audience], many curtain calls. "such power in his play", "adoring fans". And, we have photos from the concert hall, by AT!
😍 BBC Radio 3 came through with an excellent broadcast of the concert, as expected. The archive can now be heard on repeat at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00275hn, for 29 days
More at 2025 Japan Tour & UK performance with the Philharmonia -- as it happens
Jan 30 TODAY Jan 30: Nobuyuki Tsujii with Philharmonia Orchestra & conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali at Royal Festival Hall, London
I wish I could be there, but am grateful that the concert can be heard on my beloved BBC Radio 3.
Listen live https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_three
On repeat after live broadcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00275hn
Our best wishes to all performers, the orchestra staff & @radio3
More at 2025 Japan Tour & UK performance with the Philharmonia -- as it happens
January 28 2025 Tweet by the Philharmonia Orchestra, with a subtitled video of Nobu speaking in Japanese
https://x.com/philharmonia/status/1884270426739622189
"After an incredible tour of Japan, we are thrilled to welcome Nobuyuki Tsujii to our home at London's Royal Festival Hall on Thursday. Hear about Nobu's passion for Chopin with a sneak piece of his First Piano Concerto. Last minute tickets:
https://philharmonia.co.uk/whats-on/nobuyuki-tsujii-plays-chopin/
More at 2025 Japan Tour & UK performance with the Philharmonia -- as it happens
Jan 27 2025 Nobuyuki Tsujii's BEETHOVEN album is available for preorder from Deutsche Grammophon online store https://store.deutschegrammophon.com/en/products/nobuyuki-tsuji-beethoven
€18,99 "Distance Lover", "Hammerklavier", AND "Pathetique" mvt 2.
Ships on: 21 March 2025.
More at Nov 29 2024 -- release of Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
Jan 26 Congratulations to the Philharmonia Orchestra & their chief conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, who have won praises from audiences on their just completed Japan Tour. The tour finale took place yesterday Jan 26 at the Aichi Prefectural Arts Center. The piano encore on this day was Liszt's "Rigoletto Paraphrase." The orchestra encore was Sibelius' "Die Tragästewald".
They will have a final performance in London on Jan 30, which can be heard live & on repeat on BBC Radio 3.
More at 2025 Japan Tour & UK performance with the Philharmonia -- as it happens
Jan 24 📢Newly announced: Nobuyuki Tsujii recital on November 2 2025 3PM. Costa Mesa, California, USA. Beethoven-Liszt-Tchaikovsky-Prokofiev recital.
Sunday, November 2, 2025 3:00PM
Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
615 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Program
LISZT: An die ferne Geliebte – Liederkreis von Beethoven, S469/R124
BEETHOVEN: Piano Sonata No. 23 in F minor, Op. 57, "Appassionata"
TCHAIKOVSKY (arr. M. Pletnev): The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a
PROKOFIEV: Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 83
Jan 19 .🎉The first 2025 performance of Nobuyuki Tsujii took place yesterday Jan 19 in Fukuoka, with the @philharmonia_orchestra & their principal conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
"At ACROS, the Philharmonia Symphony Orchestra and Nobuyuki Tsujiiwith conductor Rouvali. I was moved by the magnificent, deep and powerful performance. The Piano synchronization was also tense and thrilling, and I felt a sense of unity between the orchestra and the audience. Bartok's performance was once again reaffirmed to be a great piece, and Rouvali also created grand music using his entire body, making this a world-class orchestra."
"Today I listened to Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano live, it was truly amazing... Each and every note was like a sparkling speck of light, yet as smooth as flowing water, and even now when I think about it, my body feels light and airy."
Nobu and the orchestra each played an encore. Nobu's was Chopin's 'revolutionary' etude.
NEXT UP: Today Jan 20 19:00 Suntory Hall (2,006 seats) Program A
More at Japan Tour with Philharmonia Orchestra & Conductor: Santtu-Matias Rouvali.
Jan 14 😊It's great to hear from Mr. Peter Rosen @rosenprod, master film maker who produced several excellent documentaries about Nobuyuki Tsujii, including 'A Surprise in Texas' (the 2009 @the_cliburn Competition) that contributes to Nobu's international fame.
🎹His 2015 film 'Touching the Sound' will be shown on March 14th this year as the final entry in a prestigious film series "Music as Inspiration', at the East Hampton Library of New York.
Info at https://patch.com/new-york/easthampton/music-inspiration-film-series-east-hampton-library
👏This is an honor to Mr. Rosen as well as for Nobu. Congratulations!
Jan 9 Nobu is scheduled for a concert on Jan 30 at the Royal Festival Hall, London, with the Philharmonia Orchestra & Conductor: Santtu-Matias Rouvali, The performance (Nobu plays CHOPIN 1) will be broadcast live on BBC radio.
This is great news! Thank you, BBC radio (and this makes me happy, as I happen to be a loyal listener.)
More at 2025 Japan Tour & UK performance with the Philharmonia -- as it happens
Jan 3 2025 The show was aired as scheduled and seems well received.
https://x.com/icoyuraco/status/1875186541234139554 by Yura-san, with a clip
"🎹 Nobuyuki Tsujii's "Suntory Hall ARK Classics" The fun and wonderful music by the performers, and their enthusiasm for this music festival were well conveyed! The performance by the Tsujii-Miura duo in the hospital was also wonderful. ☺️
🎼 The piano cadenza at the end of the first movement of Mozart's "Piano Concerto No. 21" was light and very beautiful. ✨♫ ☺️ "
More at 2025 BS-Fuji TV special: Nobuyuki Tsujii & Friends at Suntory Hall
DEC 31 2024 Posting by "Civil servant/writer Yoshuku 松下友香"
https://note.com/mokasanhamamatsu/n/nf793fd7a7cd1
動画の音楽を再生しながらお読み下さい✨
Please read this while playing the music in the video Nobuyuki Tsujii / Kapustin's "8 Concert Etudes" No. 1 "Prelude"
THE JOURNEY
To obtain something that only I can see
I want to soar into the sky with a free heart, unconstrained by anything
How many hours must he have spent practicing behind this wonderful performance?
He sees important things that others cannot see
He has lived every day with care, and that is what has brought him to where he is now
Yes, we should realize that making an effort is actually fun
Even adults are happy when they can do things they couldn't do before
I want to be an adult who can truly enjoy such childlike things
..
..
DECEMBER 2024
DECEMBER 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dec 1 - Dec 20 2024 Premium Recital
Dec 23 19:00 Suntory Hall Blue Rose (small hall) ANA 2024 Christmas Concert
NEWS
NEWS
Dec 23 2024 📢Nobuyuki Tsujii is a nominee for Artist of the Year for Australia's Limelight @limelightartsau Magazine❣️🙏Thank you for the nomination & please consider giving Nobu a vote 👉https://limelight-arts.com.au/artists-of-the-year/
And, for performance of the year, please consider naming the OCT 18 concert of Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) conducted by Mo. Eduardo Strasser @edustrasser.
Feb 4 2025 Follow up: Nobu wasn't awarded. https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/limelights-2024-artists-of-the-year/ Ah well ... I am not shedding any tears.
DEC 21 Year 2024 is drawing to a close. Nobuyuki Tsujii has enjoyed another excellent year. Successful concert tours both in Japan and overseas, notably in Australia in October, signing a recording contract with Deutsche Grammophon - DG, and the release of his debut DG album on Nov 29. New Year is the biggest celebration in Japan, and let's hope Nobu and his staff will get some well deserved rest.
Nobu fans have these year-end treats to look forward to:
Dec 23 19:00 Suntory Hall Blue Rose (small hall) ANA 2024 Christmas Concert
Jan 2 15:00 BS-Fuji rebroadcast of "Nobuyuki Tsujii (with Vladimir Ashkenazy) in Iceland 2018"
Jan 3 21:00 BS-Fuj TV special (new) "Nobuyuki Tsujii' with friends - ARK Classics in Suntory Hall"
DEC 21 Nobuyuki Tsujii has been a frequent performer for the "Super Classic Concerts" by ToKai TV of Nagoya.The 29th edition of the series runs from May 8 2025 to January 9 2026.
https://www.tokai-tv.com/scc2025/
Nobu figures in two of the performances [image 2] held at the Aichi Prefectural Arts Theatre -
1) May 8 18:45 Chopin's Piano Concerto no. 2 with @vladimir_jurowski conducting the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra ( Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin) @rsb_orchester
2) August 11 13:30 Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no 1 with Fumiaki Miura & the ARK Philharmonic. [Image 1]
Tickets are already on sale on PIA, etc.
DEC 19 A fellow Nobu fan in Japan shared this encouraging comment posted on Nobu's Deutsche Grammophon - DG BEETHOVEN CD on Amazon Japan:
" [Translated] Listening to this recording and live performance, I think that he has truly set the standard for 21st century Beethoven performances. If Backhaus's performance is the closest (to what one would think) to Beethoven himself, Tsujii's performance is a beautiful performance that is persuasive and beautiful, while giving the feeling of transparency that makes one think of Liszt playing Beethoven." I especially like that last line :-)
More at Nov 29 2024 -- release of Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
DEC 18 Nobu won praises from concert goers for his first performance of this recital in Kioi Hall, on Dec 17, which was marred by a broken string in the midst of Prokofiev's 'War Sonata'. But the responses for his second performance, on the next day Dec 18, has been even more enthusiastic.
Here is an example, from a serious concert goer
https://x.com/hisae_classical/status/1869550508891050334
"Last night was Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano recital at Kioi Hall. I was astonished at the perfection of "Hammerklavier". Beethoven was cheering from the heavens...transcendent and boundless. I thought it was a recital that all mankind should hear. I was blown into space. There was something unusual about it. "
Final performance today DEC 20 19:00 Matsumo Harmony Hall Premium Recital
DEC 17 2024 In Tokyo, Kioi Hall concert goers are serious classical music fans, so it's reassuring to read many positive comments (among many more) after last night's Nobuyuki Tsujii Premium Recital.
"Tsujii's Beethovenis invigorating. The passion of LvB and the innocence of 󠄀 are blended well together for a comfortable feeling."
" It was a night that made you feel his unfathomable potential and wonder what kind of great pianist he will grow into in the future."
" Nobuyuki Tsujii is more energetic than ever, and his technique is perfect. He gave a brilliant performance that completely overwhelmed the audience. His piano performance was full of youthful passion and strength, in stark contrast to Schiff's dry piano playing, which seemed inhuman yesterday."
It seems Nobu broke a string again, during performance of the "War Sonata." NEXT: Penultimate recital at Kioi Hall today DEC 18. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Premium Recitals -- as they happen
DEC 15 2024 A new Nobuyuki Tsujii interview "I want to become a Musician who will go down in History", in Japanese, was posted today by @toyokeizaionline, "one of the largest websites for economics and business in Japan"
PART 1 https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/846316 -- English translation
PART 2 https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/846317 -- English translation
"Since I was releasing my first CD with Gramophone, I wanted to make a performance that I was satisfied with. Whether it was recording or editing, I played and listened to it over and over again, wondering if it was good enough. It took a lot of time and effort, but I felt a great sense of accomplishment when it was complete."
December 9 Hurray! There is once again a New Year Nobuyuki Tsujii TV special to be aired on BS-Fuji TV in Japan. It's been a while since we have been treated to a fresh Nobu year-end special, so this is indeed welcome news.
https://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujii/pub/009.html
Friday, January 3, 2025 21:00-22:55
"Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano resonates in Suntory Hall - a collaboration with fellow musicians who enhance each other's performances."
More at 2025 BS-Fuji TV special: Nobuyuki Tsujii & Friends at Suntory Hall
UPDATE Dec 12: In addition, BS-Fuji TV will rebroadcast a past special: "Nobuyuki Tsujii (with Vladimir Ashkenazy) in Iceland 2018"
DEC 5 We've got a holiday gift from STAGE+ music!
A 7-min video titled "On the Verbier -- Recital 2024 Nobuyuki Tsujii interview", free to watch with a STAGE+ account.
https://www.stage-plus.com/de/video/video_APKM8PBFBSQJ4CG
In the video, Nobu answers 9 questions, such as
1) How did you choose your programs in Verbier Festival?
2) What is attractive about Liszt?
3) What are the differences between Liszt and Chopin?
Sadly, although the questions are subtitled, the answers from Nobu (in Japanese, of course) are NOT! What a tease.
Anyway, it's good to see Nobu on STAGE+. Now let's hope to see more streaming of his concerts.
DEC 5 Nobuyuki Tsujii makes his Ireland debut next year (Feb 1 2025 recital in Dublin). It's good to see this fine article posted by Abelson Media of Killiney, Ireland -- a tribute to Nobu written with the famed Irish gift of words. https://www.abelson.ie/blind-since-birth-virtuoso-nobuyuki-tsujii-performs-without-sheet-music/
"What makes Tsujii truly unique is the purity of his mission. His music transcends the technicalities of the piano and speaks directly to the human spirit. In his performances, listeners find a sanctuary where emotions flow freely and unspoken thoughts find a voice. Whether through the thunderous chords of a concerto or the delicate notes of a nocturne, Tsujii reminds us of the beauty of persistence and the power of dreams." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii introduced to Ireland.
DEC 3 A promotional piece posted by STAGE+, Deutsche Grammophon - DG's streaming service. Not to be taken literally, but it's good to see Nobu mentioned in good company
https://www.stage-plus.com/partner/partner_A1GN4T3ECLP5UDPI
"The Greatest Soloists of Classical Music
... Piano Masters
Pianists have had an enormous influence on the development of Western music. From the composer Ludwig van Beethoven to Lang Lang, pianists have expanded the piano's repertoire and profoundly shaped the instrument's expressive power.
Today, renowned pianists such as Julius Asal, Sergei Babayan, and Rafał Blechacz continue to influence the piano world with their technical brilliance and emotional depth. Jan Lisiecki and Nobuyuki Tsujii also stand out for their exceptional artistry and innovative interpretations, captivating audiences across the globe. Additionally, Hélène Grimaud ..."
DEC 1 The first Nobuyuki Tsujii 'Premium Recital' performance has taken place. Here is a comment from a seemingly knowledgeable source "Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital at the Lyric Hall. The first half was Debussy's Images and Prokofiev's War Sonata No. 7, and the second half was the Hammerklavier. I felt that Tsujii is better suited to works with bolder statements, so I was looking forward to this program. The War Sonata was very good, a powerful mass of sound that erased the dissonance of the dissonance." Another concert-goer reported that Nobu played 3 encores: Beethoven's Pathetique [mvt 2?], Ryuichi Sakamoto's 'Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence', Beethoven's Moonlight sonata mvt 3. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Premium Recitals -- as they happen
November 29 New Nobuyuki Tsujii performance announced
https://avex.jp/tsujii/tsujii-en/live/tour.php?id=1002701
March 11 2025 19:30 Beethoven-Liszt-Chopin recital, Lotte Concert Hall, Seoul, South Korea .
This will come before Nobu's Carnegie Hall recital on March 21.
It seems Nobu has a loyal following in South Korea, where piano music and piano virtuosos are held in high regards.
*******
NOVEMBER 2024
NOVEMBER 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 9 Australia tour 2:30pm UKARIA Cultural Centre ,Adelaide Hills, Australia, Beethoven-Ravel-Liszt-Kapustin recital
Nov 14-17 2024 ANA 'AHA MELE
worldwide release of Deutsche Grammophon album "Nobuyuki Tsujii
NEWS
NEWS
Nov 27 At the start of next month (December 2024), in conjunction with the Nov 29 release of his debut Deutsche Grammophon album, Nobuyuki Tsujii will hold a series of 'premium recitals' in Japan. These are recitals held in exclusive smaller venues renowned for their acoustics for classical music. The recital program targets serious classical music listeners, featuring works that are demanding on both the performer and the audience. Sadly, these recitals are not held overseas. The recital program recital program is: Debussy: Images (piano suite); Shostakovich: piano sonata no. 7 'War Sonata'; Beethoven: piano sonata no. 29 Hammerklavia.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Premium Recitals -- as they happen
Nov 26 🎹
The Nobuyuki Tsujii official website updated his 2025 overseas concert schedule:
https://avex.jp/tsujii/tsujii-en/live/
U.K., Ireland, USA, Canada, Spain, Romania, Israel
More at Nobuyuki Tsuii Upcoming Concerts
Nov 15 Reminder: TOMORROW ABC Classic radio broadcast of OCT 25 concert of Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. With Nobu as soloist for Rach 3, conducted by Nicolas Ellis.
You can listen to the real-time broadcast of the LUNCHTIME PROGRAM hosted by Genevieve Lang at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/classic/live-music
Or, after a delay, on demand at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lunchtime-concert/sso-elgar-s-enigma-variations/104493854 ; that page includes a link to an excellent concert guide.
This is likely the last broadcast of Nobu's recent performances in Australia.
We thank @abcclassic for the 4 broadcasts of Nobu's recent concerts in Australia.
NOV 15 Nobu & Friends put on a good show at the historical Hawaii Theatre Center last night (Thursday November 14). Concert goers mention "Being able to listen to it while sipping wine is very Hawaiian", "Every cell in my body feels happy, so I'm going to savor this feeling for a while", "My favorite part was the first of three encores...Clair De Lune!" "After the performance, he left the venue with a "Shaka" sign. I have never seen such a warm and moving concert. "
Today, November 15 Friday. Nobu is to hold a music workshop at an elementary school. BTW Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, Nobu's mom, is also in Hawaii. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii 2024
Nov 14 2024 ANA 'AHA MELE WITH NOBUYUKI TSUJII & FRIENDS
THURS, NOV. 14, 2024, 7:00 PM
Nobu will perform works of César Franck (with violinist Alexi Kenney), Chopin Liszt
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii 2024
Nov 11 Days after the conclusion of his phenomenal Australia Tour, Nobuyuki Tsujii can be found in Hawaii for the 2024 ANA 'AHA MELE, an annual event organized by All Nippon Airways ANA, one of Nobu's major sponsors.
https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/international/area/hawaii/ana_aha_mele/
Events include:
* November 14 Thursday 19:00 Concert ANA 'Aha Mele with Nobuyuki Tsujii and Friends at the Hawaii Theater Center
* November 15 Friday Music workshop at an elementary school
* November 16 Saturday & 17 Sunday 11:30 Recital at Blue Notes Hawaii
We wish Nobu great success in Hawaii!
Nov 10 My gratitude to ABC Classic [Australian Broadcasting Corporation], posted yesterday for their radio broadcast of three of Nobu's concerts in Australia turns out to be premature! . Another announcement has just came up! The "Lunch Time Concert" program, which presented 2 of those concerts, is airing a 4th performance: the Oct 25th concert at the Sydney Opera House, with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra conducted by Nicolas Ellis. The announcement https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lunchtime-concert/sso-elgar-s-enigma-variations/104493854 includes a link to an excellent concert guide. WE ARE NOT WORTHY! :-)
Nov 10 I speak for many Nobuyuki Tsujii fans that we can't thank ABC Classic enough for the three broadcasts of Nobu's performances on his just completed Australia tour.
The sound quality is unfailingly outstanding; the commentary succinct and generous.
The 3 concerts that include Nobu's performances can be heard on repeat for 2 or more weeks are:
OCT 19 Rach 3 concerto with the @qsorchestra Queensland Symphony Orchestra https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/special-features/qso-rachmaninov-s-piano/104379238
OCT 21 recital in Brisbane, including the encore of Nobu's rendition of 'Waltzing Matilda'. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lunchtime-concert/qso-nobuyuki-tsujii-in-recital/104437348
NOV 2 performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 2 with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, plus 2 encores https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lunchtime-concert/tso-nobuyuki-tsujii/104466078
Nov 5 Rejoice. Just as I was moping about not getting to watch the live streaming of Nobu's Nov 2 performance of Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 2 with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, along came another surprise gift from ABC Classic! It seems a recording of the concert can be heard on that wonderful radio station at your time shown on your screen (it is Saturday Nov. 9 at 6 pm for me, as seen in the screen grab below.) https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lunchtime-concert/tso-nobuyuki-tsujii/104466078. This is the third broadcast of Nobu's concerts on this tour. I can't thank ABC Classic enough! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens.
November 4 Nobu is still in Australia, for his Nov 9 recital in Adelaide.
Meanwhile, there is another big event coming up at the end of this month: the release of his first album by @dgclassics on November 29.
Ahead of the release, there is an interview with Nobu posted by Japan's major newspaper 毎日新聞 Minichi [Every Day] News.
It was accessed at https://mainichi.jp/articles/20241101/k00/00m/040/098000c
and requires a subscription to read in entirety.
But what can be read freely is already quite interesting.
"When I close my eyes and listen to the performance, I can imagine a first-class orchestra. Deep and diverse tones, overwhelming presence..."
November 1 I didn't know about this, but it seems Nobu's OCT 21 recital in Brisbane was recorded by ABCclassic, who already gifted us with the OCT 19 broadcast of Nobu's Rach 3 concert with the QSOrchestra. And we can listen to the recital performance starting later today (Sydney time NOV 2 19:00). The encore song 'Walzing Matilda' is included in the recording! Link: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lunchtime-concert/qso-nobuyuki-tsujii-in-recital/104437348
OCTOBER 2024
OCTOBER 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 12 8:30 PM Rach 3 with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra & conductor Eduardo Strausser , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
October 18 - Nov 9 Australia tour
NEWS
NEWS
October 30 NEXT UP for Nobu down under is his Nov 2 Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 2 performance with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra TSO.
This concerto is rarely performed by Nobu, and I believe this is the first time outside Japan.
According to TSO, this concert can be watched online on demand.
Viewing online requires a monthly subscription (24 Australian dollars = about 17 USD ) that can be unsubscribed anytime. The viewing is via an app on your mobile, or on your computer through a browser at http://watch.tso.com.au.
I plan to watch it and unsubscribe afterward. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens.
UPDATE: Sadly, this morning (Nov 2) I made a subscription but was not able to find the livestreaming on https://watch.tso.com.au/ , even though the unedited livestream was supposed to be available for 3 days. I might have made the mistake of not subscribing before the concert. In any case, I hope I can watch an edited version in 2 week. I am sorry if I misled anyone by providing misinformation. I have emailed TSO with an inquiry and will share their response if I hear back
UPDATE: It turns out the live streaming and the subsequent edited video cannot be viewed outside of Australia. If anyone was misled by my post and made a subscription. You can get a refund and terminate your subscription by emailing boxoffice@tso.com.au. I apologize for any inconvenience.
OCT 30 The Melbourne recital was yet another big success in Australia, it seems. Q &A session, four encores including 'Clair de Lune' & 'Matilda'.
https://x.com/10ma47/status/1851593245018493371
"It was really wonderful 👏👏
I was sitting in the front row and had a great view of his fingers moving, and I was completely captivated. I was so impressed that such a wonderful performance could be produced using only one's senses and hearing. " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
OCT 29 Limelight Arts magazine has posted a third review on
Nobu's concerts in Australia. The latest, a 5-star review, is for his Oct 28 recital at the Sydney Opera House.
The review is full of praises and spot-on comments.
Thank you, reviewer Steve Moffatt!
Read it at https://limelight-arts.com.au/reviews/nobuyuki-tsujii-in-recital-sydney-symphony-orchestra/
OCT 28 Nobu's three concerts @sydneyoperahouse this year are over! Thank you, @sydneysymphonyorchestra , for hosting our beloved pianist! 🙏
My Kiwi friends N & P shared a report and photos soon after last night's recital, even though they are to catch an early flight to return to New Zealand. Many, many thanks to them! N wrote that Nobu played 4 encores, sported big smiles on his face, closed the piano lid and waved to the audience before stage exit. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
Oct 27 Australia's Limelight Magazine published a review of the first performance (OCT 25) of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra with conductor Nicolas Ellis & Nobuyuki Tsujii. "A fittingly joyful tribute to Sir Andrew Davis." "For this tour [Nobu] is tackling one of the toughest of all concertos in the notorious “Rach 3” and this was a rendition that brought the packed house to its feet. His intonation was on point, the energy levels were set to extremely high and his technique was close to faultless. "The long cadenza at the end of the first movement was a brilliant highlight " Read the full review at https://limelight-arts.com.au/reviews/elgars-enigma-variations-sydney-symphony-orchestra/
OCT 26 My New Zealand friends N & P was at the 2nd Sydney concert, and shared some great photos. "Nobu played ' La Campanella' as the encore. " "The sound was astonishing. " "The precise playing the quality of the orchestral accompaniment - it is the finest concert I have attended. Thanks to the SSO the Sydney Opera House and the outstanding young conductor Nicolas Ellis (surely he has a great career ahead!) I will treasure this memory forever." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
OCT 25 The response from the first concert of Nobu with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra has been overwhelming. But none better than what I got by email from my friends N & P from New Zealand. They were with me at the Opera House in 2016, and they are back for both orchestral concerts (last night and again tonight). Please, if you wish, read their account of last night's performance, with great photos, at https://www.instagram.com/p/DBkHZrSyy-P/or Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
October 24 The entire first movement of 'An die ferne Geliebte' by Nobuyuki Tsujii can now be heard, provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23n8PuZ77JI
Beethoven: An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 (Arr. Liszt for Solo Piano as S. 469) : No. 1, Auf dem Hügel sitz ich, spähend
More at Coming soon --Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
UPDATE: The entire 'An die ferne Geliebte' is now available as a single track on all major streaming platforms -- http://dgt.link/Nobu-Beethoven
October 23 Deutsche Grammophon has posted a page for the upcoming Nobuyuki Tsujii album https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/catalogue/products/beethoven-nobuyuki-tsujii-13641
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN Nobuyuki Tsujii
An die ferne Geliebte, Op. 98 (Arr. Liszt for Solo Piano as S. 469)
Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-Flat Major, OP. 106 "Hammerklavier"
November 29, 2024 Also available in Dolby Atmos®
Label Deutsche Grammophon (DG) UPC 00028948668946
We wish the DG debut album of Tsujii-san great success. More at Coming soon --Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
UPDATE: The first track of 'An die ferne Geliebte' ['To my faraway lover'] is now available for sampling on Apple Music, Amazon, etc, as a preview of the album https://music.apple.com/jp/album/beethoven-piano-sonata-no-29-hammerklavier-an-die/1773315850
OCT 23 Good things take time! The QSO finally posted a terrific photo album on both Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DBdPy9RvdPg/ & Facebook
"Wow! The response from our recent performances with Nobuyuki Tsujii and conductor Eduardo Strausser has been overwhelming! We are beyond grateful for the incredible feedback and are thrilled to see how deeply the music resonated with you all. From the stunning artistry on stage to the unforgettable energy in the hall, these moments will stay with us forever. Thank you for making this experience so special. We honestly can't wait for Maestro Strausser's return this weekend's at QSO Favourites! Here’s a glimpse of those magical shows, paired with your reviews!"
The photos are exquisite. Please take a look at the whole album. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens.
October 22 Nobu is scheduled to perform in Bucharest, Romania on June 26 & 27 next year, for the season closing of the George Enescu Philharmoinic Orchestra. He will perform Ravel's Piano Concerto with orchestra, conducted by Jean-Claude Casadesus
https://www.fge.org.ro/en/calendar
Oct 22 https://www.instagram.com/p/DBa7jpAz6Ke/ "We left Malaysia and headed to Brisbane, Australia. This is my third time in Australia since 2017. For the first time, the Queensland Symphony Orchestra @qsorchestra played with me, so I performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, conducted by Eduardo Strausser, @edustrausser with whom we also played in Malaysia. On the first day, I was unable to play an encore, but on the second day, I played the Prelude from Kapustin’s Concert Etude and Liszt’s La Campanella. There was also a recital, with encores of Debussy’s Moonlight, Liszt’s La Campanella and an improvised arrangement of Waltzing Matilda." with a clip and 2 images. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens.
October 21 NEXT UP for Nobu in Australia:
Oct 25 & 26 19:00 Sydney Opera House Rach 3 with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra & conductor Nicolas Ellis.
Oct 28 19:00 Sydney Opera House Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital.
All 3 performances have sold out.
Our best wishes to Tsujii-san! Safe travels!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
OCT 20 ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) has posted a great article "Inside the world of blind musicians: how we learn music and perform with other musicians" https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-21/inside-the-world-of-blind-musicians/104489338 about how Nobu & other blind musicians learn music, perform in a group, & know when to start playing. With a fresh photo of Nobu rehearsing with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens.
October 20 It is already Oct 21 in Australia, and Nobu is still in Brisbane. He is holding a recital this evening at 7:30 pm in the .Queensland Symphony Orchestra Studio. The program is BEETHOVEN Mooniight Sonata, LISZT Consolation no. 2, LISZT Rigoletto: Paraphrase, RAVEL pavane pour une infante défunte , and KAPUSTIN Eight Concert etudes.
The recital has sold out. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
October 19 Speechless with gratitude to ABC Classic, Queensland Symphony Orchestra for the live audio broadcast of the Brisbane concert. Now listenable on demand for a month at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/special-features/qso-rachmaninov-s-piano/104379238
A clip of the end of the "transformative" Rach 3 performance conducted by Mo. Eduardo Strasser can be heard at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens.
Listen to the kind words of presenter Ed Le Brocq
& the reaction of the audience. Nobu played for encore Kapustin's 'prelude' etude.
October 18 Australia's Limelight ( (Music, Arts & Culture) Magazine) has posted a 5-stars review of the October 18 Queensland Symphony Orchestra concert with Eduardo Strasser & Nobuyuki Tsujii
"Nobuyuki Tsujii delivered a thrilling performance on the Brisbane leg of his Australian tour; his technique flawless, his note accuracy second to none" "a concert performance that must surely stand as one of the most thrilling, and incredibly thoughtful, ever given. Anywhere." "Nobu, with his special abilities, brought with him a new reading of the work. Every nuance of expression, technique, tempi, dynamics, lyricism was given the most thoughtful care. His communication with the conductor and orchestra was impeccable. And the audience was breathless for the entire 40 minutes. What a privilege to hear this artist play."
October 17 Nobuyuki Tsujii has started an official account on X (formerly Twitter). The account name is @nobuyukitsujii_ [note the trailing underscore - it is necessary because the account name @nobuyukitsujii has been taken]. The page is at https://x.com/nobuyukitsujii_ I am not fond of that platform myself, but a lot of Nobu's fans in Japan are on it, and so I have been sharing Nobu's news there.
Oct 17 ABC Classics (Australia Public Radio) has posted a page for the live broadcast of the October 19 concert of Queensland Symphony Orchestra QSO with conductor Eduardo Strausser & Nobuyuki Tsujii. QSO: Rachmaninov's Piano Sat 19 Oct 2024 at [7 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time] https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/special-features/qso-rachmaninov-s-piano/104379238
The recording is supposed to be available for on-demand listening after the broadcast for one month.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
October 15 📢Officially announced on Nobu's official website
https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002660
Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour 2025 "Approaching the Essence of Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin ♪ Piano Music"
The program is BEETHOVEN "Waldstein", LISZT nocturne "En rêve" & Mephisto Waltz; CHOPIN nocturne no. 7 & 8; sonata no. 3 -- same as for his March recital at Carnegie Hall.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2025 Japan Recital Tour
October 15 Just announced: Nobu will be holding a recital at the QBE (Queen Elizabeth) Hall of the South Bank Centre in London on Sun 13 Apr 2025, 7pm. The program is Beethoven, Chopin & Liszt, as for his March 21 Carnegie Hall Recital. This will be Nobu's second performance at the South Bank Centre next year: he is slated for a performance of Chopin 1 on January 30 with the Philharmonia Orchestra & Conductor: Santtu-Matias Rouvali, CHOPIN 1 at the Festival Hall. Tickets for the recital comes on sale on October 18 https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/nobuyuki-tsujii-beethoven-chopin-liszt/
October 14 "Hearing is Believing" Sydney Symphony Orchestra interviews Nobuyuki Tsujii. https://www.sydneysymphony.com/backstage-news/hearing-is-believing-nobuyuki-tsujii-returns
"I was nervous about performing in the world-famous Sydney Opera House! [in 2016]"
Nobu returns to Sydney this week for 2 SSO concerts & a recital.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii debut in Malaysia, October 12 2024
Oct 12 Happy to hear that the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) 🇲🇾 with conductor Eduardo Strausser & Nobuyuki Tsujii last night in Kuala Lumpur was a success 👏 "Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert 🎹 was great The encore was an unexpected virtuoso performance La Campanella♪ It was a great experience." We should be seeing a photo album by the orchestra in due time, but meanwhile there is a great instagram story including this photo of Nobu (pink short sleeve shirt) with Mo. Strasser in the concert hall before performance. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii debut in Malaysia, October 12 2024
OCT 10 Great news! Australia's public radio ABC Classic @abcclassic just announced that it will broadcast live the upcoming October 19 19:30 sold-out concert of Nobuyuki Tsujii and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Eduardo Strausser @edustrausser (Program: Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 3, Prokofiev's Symphony No.7, Tchaikovsky’s Waltz from Sleeping Beauty, )
The broadcast can be listened to online at https://www.abc.net.au/listen/classic/live-music.
And I hope the streaming will be archived for on-demand listening afterward for a limited time. More details to come.
ABC Classic radio has, in the past, broadcast Nobu's performances at the Sydney Opera House. So perhaps we may get to listen to another performance later; better yet, Nobu's recital there on October 28! Let's hope!
OCT 10 Word came that Nobu will hold a recital on Feb 1 2025 7:30 pm at the National concert hall in Dublin Ireland. He will play the Beethoven-Liszt-Chopin program (as for his 2025 Japan tour & North America tour). This performance will come between a Jan 30 concert in London's Royal Festival Hall & a Feb 3 recital in Manchester, England, and will mark Nobu's debut in Ireland.
It makes me happy that Nobu is performing in Ireland for the first time, for a special reason. For years now, my Google search for Nobu news have often come up with a Nobu's track being on the playlist of some program on the Irish public radio RTE, in particular on the program "Niall Carroll's Classical Daytime".
But the tracks play have always been from Nobu's 2009 Cliburn Competition recordings. I hope Mr. Carroll will meet with Nobu in person, and I hope Nobu's staff will bring him some of his more recent CDs for the RTE broadcasts!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2025 Ireland debut
October 9 📢This is the first that we have heard of the 2025 Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan recital tour❣️ A Feb 11 performance (the first?) in Kagoshima has been announced, at https://kagoshima-onkyo.rgr.jp/organized/10874/ .
The program is BEETHOVEN "Waldstein", LISZT nocturne "En rêve" & Mephisto Waltz; CHOPIN nocturne no. 7 & 8; sonata no. 3 -- same as for his March recital at Carnegie Hall.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2025 Japan Recital Tour
October 5 Among the upcoming performances in Australia by Nobuyuki Tsujii, the Nov 2 Beethoven Piano Concerto no. 2 with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra TSO can be watched online on demand.
This concerto is rarely performed by Nobu, and I believe this is the first time outside Japan.
Viewing online requires a monthly subscription (24 Australian dollars = about 17 USD ) that can be unsubscribed anytime. The viewing is via an app on your mobile, or on your computer through a browser at http://watch.tso.com.au.
I plan to watch it and unsubscribe afterward, and will post about this again when the time comes closer. Please stay tuned. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens.
October 4 Nobuyuki Tsujii will tour Eastern Australia from October 18 through November 9 this year. On the itinerary are 5 cities (Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Adelaide), 5 concerto performances (Rachmaninov's piano concerto no. 3 & Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 2) with 3 different orchestras & 2 conductors, and 4 recitals (Beethoven, Liszt, Ravel, Kapustin).
This is the longest (timewise) overseas tour of Nobu that I am aware of. In Australia, the months of September, October and November are in spring, so it should be a good time for Nobu to be there, and we wish him an excellent adventure and great successes down under!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024 -- as it happens
October 3 After a whirlwind of festival performances (Mt. Fuji Kawaguichiko & Suntory Hall ARK Classics) in Japan in September, Nobu will next travel abroad in October, starting with a debut performance in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
October 12 8:30 PM Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 3 with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra & conductor Eduardo Strausser , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Petronas Philharmonic Hall (920 seats)
As of now, there are very limited seats still available for the performance - tickets at https://dfptickets.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/134487
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii debut in Malaysia, October 12 2024
October 1 . This image of Nobuyuki Tsujii, standing alone on stage bowing to audience seated in a darkened Suntory Hall, may well be the final image we get from @ark_classics_official this year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAlReMFTz8-/
"Ark Hills Music Week 2024
#サントリーホールARKクラシックス
All performances ended successfully!
Thank you to everyone who came😌"
Congratulations to festival organizers & all performers -- tireless efforts & great successes! And thank you to the webmaster & photographer(s) for the delightful gift of fine images & video clips 👏🎉❤️😊 October 1 . This image of Nobuyuki Tsujii, standing alone on stage bowing to audience seated in a darkened Suntory Hall, may well be the final image we get from @ark_classics_official this year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAlReMFTz8-/
"Ark Hills Music Week 2024
#サントリーホールARKクラシックス
All performances ended successfully!
Thank you to everyone who came😌"
Congratulations to festival organizers & all performers -- tireless efforts & great successes! And thank you to the webmaster & photographer(s) for the delightful gift of fine images & video clips 👏🎉❤️😊
OCT 1 On the final day of ARK Classics, Nobu held a mini-concert at a hospital for a small audience. Music played include Beethoven's moonlight sonata, Nobu's own 'Whisper of the River' & '"For the Day We Can Meet Again with Smiles," and, with surprise guest Fumi, 'Sanada Maru'. The effort was much appreciated, judging from online comments, such as "When I went to visit [someone] at the hospital, I was surprised to hear "Moonlight Sonata" coming from the entrance and realized it was Mr. Tsujii. The sound that reached me was gentle and beautiful, and I felt like I had been given a cleansing of life. Thank you very much. I sincerely pray for your continued success. " More at 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
OCT 1 Day5 Finale PERFORMANCE 11 19:00 ARK Closing night, small hall SOLD OUT
Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano), Fumiaki Miura (violin), Sergei Nakaryakov (trumpet), Jonathan Roosman (cello), etc. Program: BARTOK Roman Folkd Dances; DEBUSSY cello Sonata in D Minor, Sonata for Flute & Viola and Harp; RAVELviolin Sonata in G major; SCHUBERT Violin Sonata (Sanatine) no. 3; MENDELSSOHN String Quartet. [It's not clear which of these pieces Nobu would participate in -- all are new to his repertoire.]
More at 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
SEPTEMBER 2024
SEPTEMBER 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sept 6 - 12 Japan Tour with London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sept 20-23 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival
September 27 - October 1 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
NEWS
NEWS
SEP 30 ARK Official instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DAiqQrNTnjy/ "#SuntoryHallARKClassics Day 4, all performances have completed!
Thank you to everyone who came 😊✨ @fumiakimiura @nobuyuki_tsujii_official
@jonathanroozeman @vvayasu83 @ken_kontrabass "
with a group photo of the [I think] quintet that performed Schubert's 'Trout' quintet.
More at 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
Sept 29 I honestly cannot keep track of the many performances. On Day 3, Nobu held a noon-time hour-long All-Chopin recital (7 works, 2 encores), then a free outdoor performance at 5 pm at which he played 3 pieces, followed by an evening concerto performance of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no. 1.
Today Monday SEPT 30 is the last full day of the festival, at which [I believe - the program listings are not clear on who plays what] Nobu performs Beethoven's 'Spring' sonata & Schubert's 'Trout' in two separate performances.
More at 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
SEPT 28 Just like that, the ARK Classics at Suntory Hall is half-way through. Already a great success, with happy performers and enthusiastic audiences. Lots of great images from opening night and yesterday, including a noon-time all-Liszt recital by Nobu that wowed the crowd. Today, Sept 29 Day 3, will see Nobu perform another noon-time recital 'The Charm of Chopin', and in the evening Tchai 1. More at 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
SEPT 27 Nobuyuki Tsujii's Deutsche Grammophon debut album: BEETHOVEN "Hammerklavier" & "To My Distant Lover"
Japan: CD release Nov 29 - available now for pre-order at https://www.universal-music.co.jp/.../products/uccg-40132/
Worldwide: Digital release on November 29; physical release March 21, 2025. ( There is no direct mention of vinyl )
More at Coming soon --Nobuyuki Tsujii Deutsche Grammophon debut album
SEPT 26 I almost missed this terrific article published by Japan's Baila Magazine
辻井伸行×三浦文彰対談 Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura Dialogue
It was posted at the start of the Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko piano festival, and I almost overlooked it. But it has fresh contents and some great photos.
How do the two friends get along? Which of them comes from a musical family?
What music albums do they recommend? [Amazingly, the one recommended by Nobu for going to sleep is the same as mine!]😮
See BAILA magazine: Dialogue with Fumiaki Miura & Nobuyuki Tsujii
SEPT 25 At the conclusion of the Mt. Fuji Kawakuchiko Piano Festival this past Monday SEPT 23, Nobuyuki Tsujii wrote: "Without a break, #arkclassic will begin. I'm looking forward to it after the power recharging at Mt. Fuji." He's not kidding. Rehearsal for ARK Classics Suntory Hall (SEPT 27 - OCT 1) has started, as shown in this photo posted by the official #arkclassic instagram account. In the photo, violinist/conductor #FumiakiMiura is seen leaning over the piano to talk with Nobu (pink shirt). They are good friends and joint artistic leaders for this event, 5th year since its launch. More at 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
SEPT 23 Kudos to the Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival -- 4 days of events (free picnic concert included) have concluded successfully under a cloudy sky, with great audience responses. It is really impressive how this festival, started from scratch only 4 years ago, has gained such wide acceptance and a loyal following, with Nobuyuki Tsujii as pianist in residence. (Unlike other performing artist of similar stature (such as his friend Fumiaki Miura), Nobu has never been invited overseas as artist in residence -- I suspect because of his blindness and the language barrier [Nobu does not speak English fluently]; so they [Avex & I suspect his mother Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii] initiated this festival 4 years ago. ] The image is a group photo posted by the festival, showing Nobu wearing the festival tee shirt like the staff members surrounding him. More at 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival - as it happens.
SEPT 22 DAY 3 of Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival. Noon-time free picnic concert had to be postponed due to weather, but the 'Gala' concert was a hit.
Tweet by 'happywanwan': "Fujikawaguchiko Piano Festival Day 3 ✨
Pianist GALA featuring Nobuyuki Tsujii, Takashi Kako, and Makoto Ozone 🎶 I was sitting right above Nobu's hands ‼️ , so I could see his brilliant hand movements very well as he played Liszt. I once again realized just how amazing he is ✨The encore was Campanella! From the audience came the cheers of "wow" 👏 ❗️🤭🤭🤭"
TODAY SEP 23 is a holiday in Japan, last day of the festival. Picnic concert at noon, weather permitting, then an orchestral performance for the festival finale - 3 concertos performed by the Tokyo Phil - Nobu plays Tchai 1. More at 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival - as it happens.
SEPT 21 👏DAY 2 of Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival. The weather was hot & humid, but Mt. Fuji🗻 was in sight, & the gala concert by Nobuyuki Tsujii wowed the audience, judging from the online comments
May the fair weather prevail for DAY 3's free noon picnic concert❣️ Nobu will also appear at another event at 3PM --Nobuyuki Tsujii Takashi Kako Makoto Ozone THE PIANIST GALA More at 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival - as it happens.
SEPT 20 👏Excellent news article, with a clip & many photos
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/uty/1439688
"World-renowned pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii gives concert at elementary school, also performing improvisations at the request of students in Fujikawaguchiko Town ... Tsujii even tried his hand at improvisation, drawing cheers from the students ...The event was part of a piano festival started four years ago by the town of Fujikawaguchiko and other organizations, and this year it was held at Kodachi Elementary School." More at 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival - as it happens.
SEPT 20 🎹Mt. Fuji🗻 Kawaguchiko piano festival starts today❣️ At 18:00 Nobuyuki Tsujii holds a Premium Recital (Chopin) at the Kawaguchiko Circular Hall. 100 seats only, as shown in the image below from year 2022 . Track list for this year: nocturne no. 20 (posthumous), Berceuse, fantasy improvisation, scherzo. no. 2, nocturne no. 8, ballad no. 1, andante spinato & magnificent polonaise. More at 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival - as it happens.
SEPT 18 For the past 3 years, Nobuyuki Tsujii has headlined in autumn a newly created piano festival in Japan, the Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival.
This will be the 4th edition of the festival created by Avex Classics International. The event has been popular from the start, and Nobu seems to really relish his role as the resident pianist.
This year, the festival runs from Friday September 20th through Monday September 23rd. Nobu will be joined by many popular Japanese artists.
May the festival enjoy good weather & good cheers!
More at 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival - as it happens
SEPT 14 One of the events that await Nobuyuki Tsujii this month is an outreach event sponsored by Suntory Hall & Avex to promote classical music appreciation. I envy the people in Tokyo!
https://www.arkhills.com/events/2024/09/0126.html
" 'ARK Classics' Live Viewing
September 27th (Friday) – October 1st (Tuesday)
One of the highlights of 'ARK Hills Music Week' is 'ARK Classics,' where you can enjoy the superb virtuosity and dream ensemble performances of world-class artists. This year marks the seventh anniversary of this concert, and it will be held with the artistic leadership of world-class pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii and violinist Fumiaki Miura, both of whom are popular and talented, to bring you a luxurious music festival where the world's top musicians will come together.
In addition, ARK Karajan Place will be hosting a live viewing event breaks where you can watch all 11 performances of 'ARK Classics' over five days on a big screen for Free!
During in the concert, the performers may even make their way to Karajan Place to give live performances!"
More at 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics.
SEPT 12 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Nobu!
It is SEPT 13 in Japan. There will be lots of posts on that, but this is the first one that came across today
https://x.com/masafukupiano51/status/1834263064692359329
A tweeter wrote: "Today [SEPT 13] is the birthday of my favorite pianist, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii Congratulations ...my piano life has become much richer I'd like to continue to fight for tickets and go to see Mr. Tsujii's performances "
Bravos and best wishes to Nobu, as always!
SEPT 12 7 days, 6 performances. The finale took place last night at Suntory Hall.
A concert goer wrote:
"Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano concert 🎹 at Suntory Hall 🎵 for the first time in six months
Conducting the London Philharmonic. Tonight, intoxicated by the wonderful melody 💜💐 "
Encores: Beethoven 'Moonlight' Sonata 1st Movement; Liszt: La Campanella
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
SEPT 11 The 2nd of 3 Suntory Hall performances took place last night: BEETHOVEN 'Emperor' concerto & MAHLER 5th. A concert goer tweeted : "This was the first time I heard Nobuyuki Tsujii perform live, and I was amazed at how beautiful & refined his playing was ; wonderful to see such a wide range of messages being conveyed in the piece..."Encores: Kapustin etude: "Prelude"[piano]; Elgar: Nimrod [orchestra].
There was also an open rehearsal for students organized by tour sponsor KDDI. Nobu did some talking, as mentioned in two news articles. More later about that.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
SEPT 10 The first of 3 Suntory Hall performances with the LPO & conductor Ticciati is over. Comments are coming in, such as this from twitter 'nana' https://x.com/nana26139176/status/1833512191238279430 : "All Beethoven by Ticciati conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra and Nobuyuki Tsujii. It was a wonderful performance with a refreshing, lively, refined and beautiful tone. The encore was two solo pieces by Tsujii to endless applause. The maestro watched from a chair behind the piano with the orchestra members, gently escorting the greetings in all directions." The encores were Wagner- Liszt): 'Elsa's Procession' & Beethoven's 'Moonlight' sonata 3rd movement . Wagner (arranged by Liszt): "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" from "Lohengrin" (piano encore) Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27-2, 3rd movement "Moonlight" (piano encore)
SEPT 8 The London Phil, conductor Ticciati, and Nobu get a day's rest. Then they will make 3 performances in as many days at Suntory Hall. SEPT 10 14:00 Program W; SEPT11 19:00 Program A; SEPT12 19:00 Program B. This tour scheduling is different from other tours of Nobu with an overseas orchestra, and kinder. The visitors (and Nobu) get to stay in Tokyo for consecutive days, without traveling to other cities. I hope it works out well! (Tickets for these 3 shows are pricey: 12,000 Y to 32,000 Y.)
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
SEPT 8 Just like that, the first half of the 2024 London Philharmonic Orchestra Japan Tour is over. The comments so far have been very positive, such as this from yesterday's Osaka show https://www.instagram.com/p/C_qSJ6DTMO_/
"... Nobuyuki Tsujii is truly amazing. I express my sincere respect for his wonderful performance and the career he has built up so far.
The London Philharmonic Orchestra and Robin Ticciati conducting Mahler's Symphony No. 5 not only gave me goosebumps from the overwhelming power of the sound ..." Reportedly, CHOPIN nocturne no. 20 was a solo encore.
NEXT: 3 performances at Suntory Hall
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
SEPT 7 This endorsement from a Nagoya LPO Tour concert-goer speaks volumes https://x.com/gilles_kuro/status/1832380074953445850 "That's it for today. I'm not familiar with classical music and my seat was bad, so the sound of the piano was bad, but I was still moved and enjoyed it. Nobuyuki Tsujii also played two encores: Traumerei and a song I didn't know. I want to go again." NEXT UP: Today SEPT 8 14:00 Osaka Festival Hall (2,700 seats) Program A ('Emperor' concerto & Mahler's 5th symphony). More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
SEPT 6 https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/mycampaign/24-12_christmas-concert/ For ANA (all Nippon Airways) Card Members Only
Nobuyuki Tsujii Christmas Concert. Suntory Hall Blue Rose (small hall) 412 seats. Monday, December 23, 2024 . PART 1 Original composition & talk. PART 2: Classic masterpieces. Required Milage (6K miles per person).
SEPT 7 Today SEPT 7 14:00 - the 2nd performance of @LPOrchestra & Robin Ticciati with Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour.
Nagoya Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater (1,800 seats).
All Beethoven Program: Egmont' Overture; Piano Concerto No. 3; Eroica Symphony. https://www.tokai-tv.com/events/robin_london/
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
SEPT 6 The first performance was carried out successfully, judging from comments from some concert goers.
https://x.com/immunology410/status/1832043246018826529
Will such an extravagant lineup as Ticciati, Nobuyuki Tsujii, and the London Philharmonic ever again be gathered in Hamamatsu?
The play list was amazing too, with works like Emperor, Pathetique, Revolution, Eroica, and Egmont, so I was really happy.
There were so many people shedding tears at Tsujii's 'Pathetique' (encore) that my vision became very blurred. More about the tour at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
September 6 The London Philharmonic Orchestra Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii kicks off this today in Hamamatsu, Act City Hamamatsu Large Hall (2,336 seats) , with a performance of program C (Beethoven 'Emperor' concerto & Beethoven Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (Op. 55) Eroica).
We wish the orchestra, Mo. Ticciati, and Nobu great success! 🎉
More about the tour at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
September 3 TicketSpace Japan announced 3 performances of the 2024 Nobuyuki Tsujii premium recitals: Dec 11 14:00 Saitama Arts Theater; Dec 17 & 18 19:00 Kioi Hall. That makes 7 known performances (Dec 1 - 20 so far; not yet officially announced.)
These recitals feature a program(DEBUSSY Images; PROKOFIEV War Sonata; BEETHOVEN Hammerklavier) that is demanding on both the performer and the audience, and are held at smaller venues with reputed acoustics for classical music.
UPDATE SEPT 4: The tour has now been announced on the Nobuyui Tsujii official website: 8 performances are listed, with mention of additional stops to be announced
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2024 Premium Recital
September 2 The London Philharmonic Orchestra Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii kicks off this Friday September 6 in Hamamatsu, with a performance of program A (Beethoven 'Emperor' & Mahler Symphony no. 5).
We wish the orchestra, Mo. Ticciati, and Nobu great success! 🎉
More about the tour at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens.
September 1
🎶SEPTEMBER is here. And the start of Fall. Starting Sept 6, we should see Nobuyuki Tsujii back in action in Japan:
Sept 6 - 12 Japan Tour with London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sept 20-23 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival
September 27 - October 1 2024 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
Happy autumn -- may our friends in Japan find relief from the summer heat ...
***************
August 2024
August 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
NEWS
NEWS
August 29 😊Nobu's @verbierfestival recital can now be heard online via LRT Lithuanian Radio, thank you! Link here
Verbjė festivalis 2024. Nobuyuki Tsujii (fortepijonas) atlieka Johanno Sebastiano Bacho, Franzo Liszto, Maurice‘o Ravelio kūrinius. Ved. Ieva Buinevičiūtė.
Lietuvos nacionalinis radijas ir televizija
UPDATE: This recording is a truncated version of the recital -- the Kapustin work and the first encore ('Vocalise') were omitted :-(
August 28 Posted by the 浜松市文化振興財団 Hamamatsu City Cultural Promotion Foundation https://note.com/hamamatsuculture/n/n1a3207509027 "I remember being moved by the wonderful performance under the direction of Mr. Vladimir Jurowski. I'm also looking forward to the Eroica Symphony. I previously performed with Mr. Ticciati at a music festival that he led, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of performance we'll have again. "Hamamatsu City has the impression of being a "town of music". This time, I will be playing the Yamaha CFX piano. It's a wonderful piano, so please pay attention to the piano. " Tickets for some A and S seats are still available. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & London Phil Japan Tour, Sept 2024, as it happens
August 27
🎵It's been painfully quiet, so it's good to see this page come up today.
🎹 Matsumoto City Harmony Hall. December 20 19:00. Tickets sale starts. SEPT 2110:00.
Program DEBUSSY (Images)-PROKOFIEV (War Sonata)-BEETHOVEN (Hammerklavier)
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2024 Premium Recital
August 15 Nobuyuki Tsujii performed the season-closing concert with the Macao Orchestra on July 27. Nothing was posted by the orchestra afterward. However, it turns out a very gracious post was made on August 4 on both Facebook & Instagram, with a fine photo album that include many pictures of Nobu. "The final spectacular performance of the Macao Orchestra 2023-24 Season, the Closing Concert 'Pushing Boundaries – Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Macao Orchestra', unfolded on the evening of 27 July at the Macao Cultural Centre with resounding success! The audience was spellbound by the exceptional and exquisite piano prowess of Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. His heartfelt and pure piano notes, harmonized with the Macao Orchestra's stellar performance under the lead of Music Director and Principal Conductor Lio Kuokman, led to a crescendo of captivating moments during the concert, eliciting thunderous applause from the audience! ..." More at More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 3 in Macao, July 2024
August 15 We are in for a quiet time on the Nobu front for the rest of August. It has been a scorching summer in Japan, and Nobu will certainly be making use of the quiet time to prepare for a busy Fall Arts season in Japan, with these upcoming engagements
Sept 7 - 11 Japan Tour with London Philharmonic Orchestra
Sept 20-23 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival
September 27 - October 1 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
August 13 I am happy for Nobu that he is returning to Bilbao (Spain) next April (10-11, 2025), performing Ravel's piano concerto with the Bilbao Orchestra conducted by compatriot & long-time mentor Tatsuya Shimono. Nobu debuted with the orchestra in Bilbao in 2022, shortly after the COVID pandemic lock down, and was a big hit there. (See Nobuyuki Tsujii in Bilbao, Spain October 2022). And, Nobu wrote happily about how he enjoyed the wonderful Basque Country cuisine! The announcement by the orchestra is at www.bilbaorkestra.eus/conciertos/nobu-y-la-sinfonia-fantastica/ More at Nobuyui Tsujii returns to Bilbao (Spain) April 10-11 2025
August 12 The Senshu Raku 千秋楽 final performance of the "Ultimate Beethoven Concertos" Tour of the ARK Philharmonic, Nobuyuki Tsujii & #fumiakimiura took place yesterday in Saitama.
@ark_classics_official has posted on instagram many fine photos of the orchestra members, Fumiaki & Nobu -- including this delightful one of Nobu with the wind instrumentalists. Congratulations to the orchestra, Fumi & Nobu! It has been a scorching hot summer in Japan, and the 6 concerts that they held must have provided some much needed relief from the heat! Bravos!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura ARK Philharmonic Ultimate Beethoven Japan Tour
August 11 General tickets sales for Carnegie Hall's 2024-25 season starts tomorrow Monday August 12 at 11 AM. That includes Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital on March 21 at 8PM. See https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/03/21/Nobuyuki-Tsujii-Piano-0800PM UPDATE Aug 12 I got through the site and here is the situation: Only 1 seat left on balcony; a handful on ground floor & second tier balcony. Upper balcony seats are available. More at "Nobuyuki Tsujii March 2025 Carnegie Hall recital!"
August 11 Word came today that there are concerts in year 2025 scheduled for Nobuyuki Tsujii to perform with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra (Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin, RSB) conducted by Vladimir Jurowski.
The tour has been announced by the orchestra and also on the classical music site Bachtrack. But not yet on the Nobuyuki Tsujii official website.
Four concerts are listed: May 8 Nagoya, May 10 Tokorozawa, May 11 Osaka, May 12 Suntory Hall
The image shown is from the 2019 @Enescu_Festival in Romania, at which Mo. Vladimir Jurowski was the artistic director & Nobuyuki Tsujii performed Rach 2 to great acclaims. Very glad that they will be performing together in 2025! However, my joy is tampered by learning that days after this Japan tour, the conductor & orchestra will be performing the very same work in Berlin with another pianist, Yunchan Lim .
I hope this is not a slight on Nobu. More at 2025 Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour with Vladimir Jurowski & the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
August 10 (Sat) 14:00 Hakodate Civic Hall
https://x.com/toyokiyo20/status/1822275080132722941
[translated from Japanese]
"Today is Nobuyuki Tsujii Fumiaki Miura
ARK Philharmonic concert
It was a wonderful concert that helped me forget the humid heat.
It was good to hear the encore, [Beethoven's Moonlight] Piano Sonata No. 14 ..."
NEXT UP: Tour finale 8/12 (Mon) 14:00 Saitama Civic Hall.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura ARK Philharmonic Ultimate Beethoven Japan Tour
August 6 Nobuyuki Tsujii performed a recital on July 21 @verbierfestival 2024 in Switzerland. A review, by Pierre Geraudie and published by classykeo on July 24, came up via Google search by me on August 6, 2024. The original post, in French, was accessed at
https://www.classykeo.com/2024/07/24/noboyuki-tsuji-on-ne-joue-bien-quavec-le-coeur/
"There is this face, first of all. An instrumentalist with a constant and radiant smile, with expressive facial expressions, whose sweat gradually shines on his forehead, as the herculean program progresses" "A repertoire whose technical harshness reaches new heights, but the main person concerned copes with it very well, here, at the foot of the mountains. With a smile, of course." "There is this talent, too. A crazy talent" "Nobuyuki Tsujii is blind. Really? Little prince of music, this incredible artist and above all the incarnation, full and dazzling, that one only plays well with the heart." More at "Nobuyuki Tsujii, on ne joue bien qu’avec le cœur" -- 2024 Verbier Festival recital review
August 1 A surprise treat! Nobu's performance of Grieg's concerto (and one solo encore), performed on April 12 with the Milan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sesto Quatrini 2024, was broadcast yesterday on Italy's Rai Radio 3, and can now be listened to online, at your convenience, at this link https://www.raiplaysound.it/audio/2024/07/Radio3-Suite---Il-Cartellone-del-30072024-10270d01-94be-488a-bc7c-ad5b4a2dfaa9.html
There is a long introduction in Italian; the performance starts at time mark 0:04:10
More about the performance at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Milan, Italy, April 2024
July 31 The month of August is upon us! After the excitements last month of recording for Deutsche Grammophon - DG in Germany, concerts in Belgium, Verbier Festival, & Macao, this month will see Nobu on tour in his native Japan with his good friend violinist #fumiakimiura & the ARK Philharmonic(August 3 - 12), performing Beethoven's 'Emperor' concerto. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura ARK Philharmonic Ultimate Beethoven Japan Tour. The tour kicks off on Aug 3 Saturday 14:00 Takasaki Arts Theater Grand Theater (2,030 seats). Our best wishes!
July 2024
July 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 4 Osaka Kyoto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fumiaki Miura. Schumann's concerto by Nobuyuki Tsujii.
July 6 Nagoya Kyoto Symphony Orchestra conducted by Fumiaki Miura. Schumann's concerto by Nobuyuki Tsujii
July 18 Belgium Musica Mundi Festival
July 21 Bach, Liszt, Ravel, Kapustin recital at Verbier Festival, Switzerland - live streamed by Stage+ and mediciTV
July 22 Schubert's 'Trout' Quintet with cellist Mischa Maisky, et. all at Verbier Festival, Switzerland
July 27 Saturday 20:00 Rach 3 with the Macao Orchestra conducted by Lio Kuokman , Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium
NEWS
NEWS
July 30 Tweet by DGClassics Japan posted a tweet: "The other day in Berlin, 󠄀 Tsujii's debut album with DG was recorded! The session centered on Beethoven's Hammerklavier and required a lot of physical and mental energy, but thanks to Tsujii's careful preparation and the cooperation of a wonderful studio and staff, it ended successfully. The recording engineer, Friedemann 󠄀 , and the translator, Masato Takemura, all smile at the end. Look forward to the release!"
The gentleman on left is Mr. Friedemann Engelbrech, who has worked with Nobu in recording sessions since 2010, as seen on this memorable YouTube video It's fantastic to see them together again! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii signed with Deutsche Gramonphon!
July 28 The chamber music performance of Nobu with illustrious co-stars (violinist Daniel Lozakovich , violist Timothy Ridout, cellist Pablo Ferrandez & bassist Brendan Kane) is now available for replay
https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/verbier-festival-2024-rencontres-inedites-barenboim-lozakovich-ridout-cheng-ferrandez-moreau-kane-shishkin-tsujii-zedginidze
It is a terrific performance that Nobu himself described as a "very, very happy experience." The audience broke into loud 'bravos' at the end of the performance, with 3 curtain calls, Nobu beinggraciously guided by violinist Lozakovich. The applause never stopped. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024.
July 26 It is July 27 in Macao🇲🇴 Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 performs Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 3 with the Macao Orchestra this evening. This curtain raiser article appears in "Tribuna de Macau" https://jtm.com.mo/local/pianista-japones-invisual-da-concerto-orquestra/ "Under the baton of its music director and principal conductor Lio Kuokman, and in collaboration with internationally renowned pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, the Macao Orchestra will perform the sublime work of Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, Piano Concerto No. 3 in D major, “drawing a perfect ending to the current season with the touching piano tones”, according to a note from the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC)..." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 3 in Macao, July 2024.
July 26 A review of Nobuyuki Tsujii's Verbier Festival recital (along those of Tsotne Zedginidze and Evgeny Kissin) by French critic Bertrand Boissard "Verbier Festival: a unique piano triad". It is not entirely complimentary, but French critics can be brutal. "... in Liszt's trilogy Venezia e Napoli: the 35-year-old Japanese pianist has a drive that gives full scope to the digital follies of the Tarentella." "The most impressive Tsujii will speak during two encores where he takes all the risks: a " Revolutionary " Etude by Chopin at breakneck speed, then Liszt's Campanella where, by his determination to ignore the difficulties of his impossible leaps, he seems to have made a pact with the devil." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024.
July 23 Good news! The July 22 'Trout' performance will be shown on medici-TV at GMT 07:00
https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/verbier-festival-2024-rencontres-inedites-barenboim-lozakovich-ridout-cheng-ferrandez-moreau-kane-shishkin-tsujii-zedginidze
It' will be shown at 2 am my time, so I am hoping the video will be archived for on-demand viewing. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024.
July 22 A lightning fast Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram, almost enough to make up for no broadcast of today (July 22)'s chamber music performance @verbier, with 3 great photos. "it was a very, very enjoyable time. I thoroughly enjoyed the joy of chamber music. I'd like to thank @verbierfestival and all my co-stars for giving me the opportunity to perform. Thank you @daniellozakovich @timothyridout_viola @pabloferrandez.cellist @kane_brendan_ Play with me again! #schubert #pianoquintet #trout" Image shown: The quintet in their stage garbs -- every one is wearing a casual all black open neck suit. Nobu's mega-watt smile is a picture of happiness. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024.
July 21 🔥Precious group photo from the Verbier Festival! From left: pianist Alexandra Dovgan, Lucas Debargue, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Evgeny Kissin, Yunchan Lim, and Andras Schiff.
Posted on Twitter in Korean https://x.com/dxcxmb/status/1815197411456975345 "This magnificent Verbier pianist combination is great.. Baby Yun-chan, who dreamed of becoming a pianist after seeing Kissin play in elementary school, grew up to stand on the same stage alongside Kissin. 😽"
Ditto for Nobu & possibly some others in the group. I am truly happy that Nobu finally got to stand next to Mr. Kissin! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024.
July 21 I took a screen shot of the end credit of today's streaming of the Nobuyuki Tsujii recital at the Verbier, and was astonished to see that it was a team effort of Deutsche Grammophon, Medici TV, Euroarts, etc. The number of people involved to bring us the broadcast is amazing. These days we take such technical wonders for granted, but I truly appreciate having the pleasure of watching Nobu's performance. Priceless. Thank you! A video of the streaming should be available on Stage+ shortly. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024.
July 21 I have yet to watch the recital, but will soon.
Meanwhile, some happy comments have come up online like this one
https://x.com/ntatsuro1/status/1814979111670124699 "Verbier Festival 2024
🎹Nobuyuki Tsujii 's live performance has ended. The performance was full of energy and the applause never stopped. The encore included three songs, and the audience shouted "bravo 🎉👏😘 Mr. Tsujii is smiling so brightly that I'm smiling too 🥳😘 "
Watch
on stage+ at https://www.stage-plus.com/video/live_concert_9HKNCPA3DTN66PBIEHFJCD9H
on medici.TV at https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/verbier-festival-2024-nobuyuki-tsujii-solo-recital
NEXT Nobu will perform Schubert's 'Trout' with a group tomorrow July 22. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024"
July 20 Nobuyuki Tsujii is in Switzerland!
Instagram story https://www.instagram.com/.../nobuyu.../3416306684765548280/
shows a clip of Nobu speaking to the camera in Japanese, under blue sky in the majestic Swiss Alps. Nobu, wearing white short-sleeve T-shirt, looks cheerful and healthy.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024"
July 20 Posted by the Cliburn Competition: "https://www.instagram.com/p/C9phT-xskYB/ "There are two Cliburn Gold Medalists at Verbier Festival (@verbierfestival) this week! 2009 Gold Medalist Nobuyuki Tsujii (@nobuyuki_tsujii_official) performs tomorrow Sunday July 21 with a solo recital, followed by a chamber music performance on July 22. All performances will be streamed live on @medici.tv."
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024"
July 19
Posted by Musica Mundi on Facebook
Nobuyuki Tsujii does it again !
After the enormous success of Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2022 Musica Mundi Festival, it was obvious that everyone here at Musica Mundi would like to have another opportunity to hear his amazing piano playing.
And yesterday was the day !
On Thursday, July 18th, Mr. Tsujii gave another remarkable, inspirational performance, dazzling the audience and our young talents with his brilliant technique, amazing virtuoso capabilities and unbelievable control of the keyboard.
Thank you Nobuyuki for this truly unforgettable experience!
With a photo album that include photos of the audience and 2 pics of Nobu. It looks like Nobu may have a new all-black stage outfit that is not a tuxedo.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024"
July 17 Tweet by Deutsche Grammophon - DG: "Nobuyuki Tsujii visited our company & performed a showcase for the company! In addition to the 'Hammerklavier', which will be included in a new album, he performed Kapustin's Concert Etudes, etc. Japanese rice crackers were also served at the venue, and Tsujii's entry was welcomed by the group with thunderous applause 🎉 󠄀"
Presumably the venue is in Germany, and Nobu might have completed his recording session for his debut DG album. The photos with the tweet show (1) Nobu in performance, and (2) Nobu being greeted by DG president Clemens Trautmann. More at "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024".
July 17 🔥
Just announced:
2024 ANA 'AHA MELE WITH NOBUYUKI TSUJI & FRIENDS
7 pm 14 November 2024 at the Hawaii Theatre Center. Tickets are on sale now at Hawaii Theatre Center
July 18
All Nippon Airways ANA announces "ʻAha Mele × Nobuyuki Tsujii Concert Appreciation Tour in Hawaii" Nov 13 -15 2024. Concert at Hawaii Theater Center & performance at Blue Notes Honolulu => www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/international/area/hawaii/ana_aha_mele/tour/
July 17 🌅It is July 18 morning in Belgium 🇧🇪. This evening Nobuyuki Tsujii holds a recital at the Musica Mundi festival. (I believe it is the Bach, Liszt, Ravel, Kapustin program as at Verbier Festivall, July 21.) Last minute tckets at https://www.eventbrite.be/e/nobuyuki-tsujii-tickets-872391284817 All the best to Tsujii-san! More at "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024"
July 16 Please be reminded that the Nobuyuki Tsujii Verbier Festival
July 21 recital is live-streamed by both STAGE+ https://www.stage-plus.com/video/live_concert_9HKNCPA3DTN66PBIEHFJCD9H.
& medici.tv https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/verbier-festival-2024-nobuyuki-tsujii-solo-recital
More at "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024"
July 16 Verbier Festival 🇨🇭news: The July 21 Nobuyuki Tsujii recital has now been declared SOLD OUT on the festival's 'events' page , although not yet on the recital's page. The July 22 chamber-music performance, at which Nobu performs Schubert's Trout, originally features eminent cellist Mischa Maisky, who, as previously reported, has been recovering from a health issue. Mo. Maisky has now been replaced by cellist Pablo Ferrández. We wish the performance great success and Mo. Maisky good health. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Verbier Festival
July 15 Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in La Jolla, California March 28 2025. Single tickets came on sale today. Choice seats are going fast! https://theconrad.org/events/nobuyuki-tsujii/ More at Nobuyuki Tsujii coming to California 2025
July 14 Instagram by Verbier Festival
https://www.instagram.com/p/C9ZbkC1oOPa/
📆 21.07, 11:00
📍 Église de Verbier Station
Nobuyuki Tsujii, piano
📌 JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH French Suite No. 5 in G major BWV 816
📌 FRANZ LISZT Années de pèlerinage, 2nd year, Italy supplement, S.162: Venezia e Napoli
📌 MAURICE RAVEL Pavane pour une infante défunte
📌 NIKOLAÏ KAPUSTIN 8 Concert Études op. 40
Last Call for tickets (at https://www.verbierfestival.com/en/show/vf24-07-21-1100/
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Verbier Festival
UPDATE July 15: The concert has now sold out.
July 10 Nobuyuki Tsujii is spending the rest of this month (July 2024) in Europe. He is performing in Belgium on July 18 at the Musica Mundi Festival; followed by a return appearance at the Verbier Festival in Switzerland: a recital on July 21(which will be live streamed by Stage+ and mediciTV), and an ensemble performance of Schubert's 'Trout' quintet on July 22.
Moreover, he is supposed to be recording in Germany for his debut album under the Deutsche Grammophon label, which, as previously announced, will include Beethoven's Hammerklavier.
More at "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Europe, July 2024"
July 6 Tweet by the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra https://x.com/kyotosymphony/status/1809532483815297047 "[Nagoya Performance]
The performance has ended ✨
The concert hall was packed, just like in Osaka! The audience was thrilled by the surprise encore by Miura and Tsujii, and the passionate performance of Brahms was met with many applause and bravos 👏" Solo encore CHOPIN nocturne no. 20, followed by Czardas with Miura.
Photo shown comes with a tweet by the orchestra's violinist 会 田 莉凡 Ribon Aida .
More at Nobu, Fumi & the Kyoto City Orchestra play Schumann's Concerto, July 2024
July 4 🔥Congratulations to 京都市交響楽団 City of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra on their successful Osaka performance July 4 with conductor Fumiaki Miura & Nobuyuki Tsujii !
And thanks for sharing many fine photos. Best wishes on July 6 performance in Nagoya next🙏 2 encores: Schumann's Traumerei and a piano/violin duet czardas, the latter apparently a surprise to conductor-violinist Miura-san, who had to borrow a violin from an orchestra member to play along 👏 More at Nobu, Fumi & the Kyoto City Orchestra play Schumann's Concerto, July 2024
July 3 Nobuyuki Tsujii's debut concert in Macao was announced one year ago. Now the performance will take place soon on July 27 at 20:00, as the season closing finale for the Macao Orchestra. https://www.instagram.com/p/C89sFYGNQgQ/
“Pushing Boundaries – Nobuyuki Tsujii with Macao Orchestra”. conductor Liao Guomin. Program: Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 3 & Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" suite. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 3 in Macao, July 2024.
UPDATE July 15: The orchestra announced: "Tickets for Macao Orchestra 2023-24 Season Closing Concert “Pushing Boundaries – Nobuyuki Tsujii with Macao Orchestra” are all Sold Out!
July 3 👏The July 3 charity concert of @kyotosymphonyorchestra, Fumiaki Miura & Nobuyuki Tsujii in Kyoto was well received, judging from web postings such as this
"... Schumann's concerto in a long time. It was wonderful. Full hall and unstoppable energy . Music is good indeed ..." Also mentioned is that Nobu played CHOPIN's revolution for encore, at great speed.
Today's July 4 performance is at Osaka Symphony Hall 7PM https://www.kyoto-symphony.jp/en/concert/
All the best to orchestra & performers! More at Nobu, Fumi & the Kyoto City Orchestra play Schumann's Concerto, July 2024
July 2 Posting by 京都市交響楽団 City of Kyoto Symphony Orchestra: "It's the second day of rehearsals! Conductor Fumiaki Miura and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii will be performing Schumann's Piano Concerto. We're really looking forward to the performance now 🎹
🎫Tickets for both the Osaka [July 4] special performance and Nagoya [July 6] performance are sold out!" With 3 great photos. Nobu is seen immersed in the music, wearing a black T-shirt and longish hair, looking no different from before signing with @dgclassics (A good thing 🙂 )
July 2 @medici.tv -TV has published its broadcasting schedule for the @verbierfestival, and both of the performances of Nobuyuki Tsujii are listed:July 21 Sunday 11:00 - 12:30 [Swiss time] Bach-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin Recital AND July 22 Monday 19:30 - 21:15 [Swiss time] Schubert's 'Trout' Quintet with Mischa Maisky (cello), Daniel Lozakov (violin), Timothy Ridout (viola) and Brendan Kane (double bass).
Sadly, Nobu is (inadvertently, I hope) left out of their list of 'Pianists in the 2024 line up" on that page -- let's hope the oversight will be corrected soon. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Verbier Festival
**********
**********
June 2024
June 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 1 - 16 Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
June 29 (Sat) 20:00-21:55 BS Fuji re-broadcast "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival 2022"
NEWS
NEWS
June 28 📢Just announced: https://tokai-tv.com/events/tsujiipremium2024/
Nobuyuki Tsujii Premium Recital 2024 with an ambitious program
- DEBUSSY Prints;
- PROKOFIEV Piano Sonata No. 7 'War Sonata';
- BEETHOVEN Piano Sonata No. 29 'Hammerklavier'.
DEC 8 Toyota City Concert Hall.
There may be other performances elsewhere in Japan, to be announced.
Nobu has not held these premium recitals (in Japan only) since I believe 2017. These are performances held at smaller venues known for excellent acoustics. In the past, these recitals were held in June-July. This year, it is held in December instead, when normally it is the start of the Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan recital tour (with performances at large venues such as Suntory Hall). Looks like Nobu is rearranging his concert schedule, perhaps as a result of his DG contract? In any case, let's wish Nobu the best success.
June 27 This Saturday June 29, BS Fuji-TV rebroadcasts a documentary of the 'Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2022 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival'. https://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujiifujisan/pub/002.html
Nobu is the pianist in residence for the festival.
This year's festival is slated for SEPT 20-23. Moe at The 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival.
June 25 The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra & conductor Lahav Shani announced 3 performances with Nobuyuki Tsujii in 2025 https://www.ipo.co.il/en/program/lahav-shani-conductor-nobuyuki-tsujii-pianist/ July 16 20:00 Haifa, Center for Art and Culture; July 17 19:00 Tel Aviv Charles Bronfman Auditorium; July 19 21:00 Tel Aviv Charles Bronfman Auditorium . Program: CHIN Frontispiece for orchestra; RACHMANINVO Piano Concerto no. 2; RIMSKY-KORSAKOV Scheherazade. Ticket sales start September 1st.
June 21 Posted by Tower Records Japan https://tower.jp/article/campaign/2024/06/21/34 "Tower Records Summer Sale" Nobuyuki Tsujii will finally make his DG [Deutsche Gramophon] debut next year! Buy 3 CDs and get 15% off! Sale period: Friday, June 21, 2024, 0:00 to Sunday, August 25, 2024, 23:59. [Note the precise time specification -- very Japanese :-)
June 20 Yet one more stop has been announced for Nobu's North America tour next March: Sheslow Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa, Sun, Mar 23, 2025 3:00 pm. Tickets at https://civicmusic.org/nobu-march-2025/ This makes it 4 known stops on the tour March 21-28, so far.
These are now the known stops
March 21 20:00 Carnegie Hall Recital
March 23 3pm Sheslow Auditorium, Des Moines, Iowa
March 25 20:00 National Arts Center, Ottawa, Canada
March 28 recital 7:30PM La Jolla, California
June 20 The Nobuyuki Tsujii official website announced the January 2025 Japan tour with the Philharmonia Orchestra 🇬🇧 conducted by Santtu-Matias Rouvali, with tour schedule (6 performances with possibly more to come) & programs (3) https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002608
Violinist Fumiaki Miura joins the tour.
Tickets come on sale July 13. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Phiiharmonia & conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, January 2025
June 17 😀👏Good news! Nobuyuki Tsujii's July 21 BACH-LISZT-KAPUSTIN Verbier Festival🇨🇭recital will be live streamed by Deutsche Grammophon's STAGE+! Check your screen for show time https://www.stage-plus.com/video/live_concert_9HKNCPA3DTN66PBIEHFJCD9H Looks like the 7-day ticket will again be available!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Verbier Festival
June 17 🎶With the conclusion of his very successful 2023-24 BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV Japan tour, Nobuyuki Tsujii will be off public stage for the rest of the month of June 2024. But July will be a busy time for him, starting with two performances of Schumann's Piano Concerto in Japan with the Kyoto City Symphony Orchestra京都市交響楽団 conducted by Nobu's good friend #fumiakimiura Miura ('Fumi'). July 4 Osaka; July 6 Nagoya Both performances have sold out well in advance.
More at Nobu, Fumi & the Kyoto City Orchestra play Schumann's Concerto, July 2024
June 16 The 2023-24 Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Recital Tour ("Time for music pleasures") ended in Kanazawa. Nobu rewarded the enthusiastic audience with 5 encores: CHOPIN nocturned no. 20; BEETHOVEN-LISZT Distant beloved; NOBUYUKI TSUJII 'Still we live' (Elegy for the victims of earthquake & tsunami, in memory of 2023 Noto earthquake in the region ); LISZT La Campanella; RACHMANINOV Music moments no. 6 [repeating a track played in the main program -- I believe it's the first time that Nobu does this]. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour.
June 14 Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan recital tour performance no. 15 in Gifu was another big hit. 4 encores. Playful piano lid closing to end the concert.
NEXT: Senshu Raku 千秋楽 final performance 6月16日(日) JUN 16 Sunday 金沢Kanazawa 14:00.
Official instagram with a photo & a clip of Nobu at practice. "Today I'm in Gifu, it's almost summer. After about half a year of running through this program, there are only two performances left, so I feel a little sad to see it go. I want to perform every note with all my heart until the very end. .. "
More at Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
June 14 PERFORMANCE No. 15 (next to Senshu Raku 千秋楽 final performance) June 14 19:00 Gifu Salamanca Hall (708 seats). The name of this distinctive concert hall, renowned for its acoustics, has its origin in a "cultural exchanges between Gifu Prefecture and the City of Salamanca, Spain ... when an old, Renaissance- style, long-disused pipe organ of the New Cathedral of Salamanca, called a "mute organ," was restored by Mr. Hiroshi Tsuji, an organ builder based in Shirakawa town, Gifu Prefecture, and the Prefecture cooperated with the project. ... Many artists visiting Salamanca Hall first praise its excellent acoustics. The audiences feel enveloped with heavenly music and have blissful moments." More at Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
June 13 Nobuyuki Tsujii will be in Australia from October 18 (springtime there!). We already know that he will be in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Hobart. And now one more stop has been revealed, at an exquisite concert hall, UKARIA Cultural Centre , Adelaide Hills, NOV 9. Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital. This makes it almost a full month for Nobu to be down under: 4 concerto performances (Rach 2 & Rach 3) & 4 recitals (with varying programs). More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024.
June 12 News came that renowned cellist Mischa Maisky has undergone a successful surgery for a severe infection of the spinal cord but "now must go through a long and difficult rehabilitation." Mo. Maisky was very kind to Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2022 Verbier Festival, and an ensemble that include him and Nobu are to perform Schubert's 'Trout' at this year's festival, on July 22. We wish the maestro the best & sincerely hope he'll recover in time for the performance.
June 11 https://kddi-youth-program.jp/ The "KDDI Future Concert Program" was initiated to "evolve the power to connect and create a society where everyone can realize their dreams." "500 students from across Japan will be invited to a free public rehearsal for 'KDDI Special: Robin Ticciati Conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Piano: Nobuyuki Tsujii,' to be held in Tokyo in September 2024." "This will be an opportunity for students to experience rehearsals that they would not normally have the opportunity to attend, and to see up close the process of how a conductor, orchestra, and pianist come together in unison to create an uncompromising, top-class performance . We look forward to receiving your application. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & the London Philharmonic Orchestra September 2024
June 10 Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii posted an instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C8CdbC0vcVt/ "We were invited to the premium ice skating show of Mao [Asada]! It was such an amazing performance..." with photo of her, Ms. Asada & Nobu at the venue, in street clothes. Ms. Asada graced a Suntory Hall performance of Nobu & the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic last month (see May 14 post below). This friendship of Nobu with Ms. Asada, a world figure skating champion much beloved in Japan, is a delight for fans of both Ms. Asada & Nobu in Japan. My tweet mentioning Mrs. Tsujii's instagram has received a hundred times more 'likes' than normal :-)
June 9 The La Jolla (California, USA) Music Society announced its 2024-25 Winter Season schedule, and Nobuyuki Tsujii is on the roaster of their PIANO SERIES: HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD | JEREMY DENK | YUNCHAN LIM | NOBUYUKI TSUJII | LUCAS DEBARGUE He is scheduled to perform a recital on March 28, 7:30PM, with the same program as his March 21 Carnegie Hall recital. This recital will come after his March 25 recital in Ottawa, Canada, and before his Rach 3 performances in Seattle (April 3, 5 & 6). Tickets at https://theconrad.org/ . Single tickets go on sale July 15.
June 9 Nobuyuki Tsujii scored another crowd pleaser yesterday in Miyagi, in the Tohoku region previously devastated by the 2011 earthquake/tsunami.
Concert-goer @marin.wanwan wrote:
Four encores (Chopin's 'Nocturne No. 20'; Beethoven's (arranged by Liszt) 'To the Distant Beloved'; Liszt's 'La Campanella'; Debussy's 'Clair de Lune'. "At the end, the way he slammed the lid of the piano shut was so cute and typical of Tsujii-san✨"
NEXT: June 14 19:00 Gifu -- penultimate (next-to-last) performance. More at Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
June 8 📢Nobuyuki Tsujii will be in Sydney 🇦🇺 this October. Word came today that the two Rach 3 performances (OCT 25 & 26) with Sydney Symphony Orchestra @sydsymph have sold out, and only back seats remain for Nobu's October 28 recital. Great!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Sydney 2024.
June 8 🎶Today June 9 14:00: Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 Japan Tour ("Joy of Music" BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV recital) PERFORMANCE No. 14 Miyagi Natori City Cultural Center Large Hall. Only 3 more shows on this tour (and [I think] this recital program). More at Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
June 7 The Gran Canaria Philharmonic Orchestra announced its 2024-25 season, and Nobu is on it. He performs on July 4 2025 Rachmaninov's third piano concerto with conductor Andrew Manze. Previously, Nobu was slated to perform on April 24 2020 with this orchestra & conductor Karel Mark Chichon, but the COVID pandemic intervened. It would have been Nobu's debut in Spain, but the Spain debut happened instead in Bilbao, October 2022. Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii wrote of a concert in Majorca that was also cancelled due to the pandemic -- let's hope that too will be reenacted.
June 7 Postings from Japan "What day is it today? 1951 1st National Treasures announced; 1981 The 4th Scientists' Conference held in Kyoto; 1991 Mt Pinatubo eruption in the Philippines, killing over 800 people; 2009 Nobuyuki Tsujii wins The Cliburn International Piano Competition." More photos from the 2009 Cliburn Competition at Nobu's Cliburn victory -- my favorite photos
June 6 TODAY: Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Recital Tour PERFORMANCE no. 13 of 16. 6月7日(金) JUN 7 19:00 【青森】八戸市公会堂 大ホール[Aomori] Hachinohe City Public Large Hall (1,542 seats) . Aomori is in the farthest north of Japan's main island. , known for its bitter winter scene made famous by the popular Japanese enka [torch song] Tsugaru Kaikyō Fuyugeshiki" (津軽海峡・冬景色 Tsugaru Strait - Winter Scene). You can take a listen to Nobu singing that very song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BsMnjPPKR4
June 4 Enthusiastic audience response in Yokohama. Encores same as at Yamaguchi: CHOPIN posthumous nocturne; BEETHOVEN-LISZT Distant lover; LISZT La Campanella. The BEETHOVEN encore especially is singled out by concert goers for appreciation. "With unstoppable momentum, Tsujii dives into the world of sound... The encore Beethoven was also very beautiful and gentle..."
NEXT show: 6月7日(金) JUN 7【青森】八戸市公会堂 大ホール[Aomori] Hachinohe City Public Hall Large Hall 19:00 +. More at Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
June 2 https://x.com/kokonyaan/status/1797272243053162824
Ms. Mao Asada 浅田真央 (famous figure skater) honored Nobuyuki Tsujii by being at his May 14 Suntory Hall performance with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. (see May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens). In return, Nobu sent these flowers for display to her performance yesterday (with a simple sign that says 'Best wishes. Nobuyuki Tsujii).
That got a lot of attention from their fans. Good karma all around :-)
June 1 Nobuyuki Tsujii @nobuyuki_tsujii_official resumed his BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV recital yesterday in Yamaguchi. Enthusiastic audience responses -- such as this
"Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert in Yamaguchi was amazing 🎹 Songs played as encores: Chopin Nocturne No. 20; Beethoven (arranged by Liszt) song cycle "To the Distant Lover" (An die Ferne Geliebte, op.98); Liszt La Campanella"
and ... a NEW encore! The Beethoven piece sounds like this. Bravos!
NEXT UP 6月4日(火) JUN 4【神奈川】横浜みなとみらいホール 大ホール[Kanagawa] Yokohama Minatomirai Hall Large Hall 14:00
More at Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
******************
May 2024
May 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 4 Saturday 7:30PM Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Rach 3 with the Liverpool Phil , U.K.
May 11-18 Japan Tour with the Liverpool Phil
May 18 Bach, Chopin and Rachmaninoff streamed on Stage-Plus (Deutsche Gramophone streaming) - registration required.
NEWS
NEWS
May 28 Next up for Nobuyuki Tsujii is the resumption of the 2023-24 Japan Tour of his BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV recital: June 1 -16 in Yamaguchi, Yokohoma, Aomori, Miyagi, Gifu & Kanazawa. All 16 tour performances, including these last 6, have sold out.
A recording of the Feb 28 Suntory Hall performance was streamed on STAGE+ on May 18.
More at Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour, part 3
May 25 New 2024 performance announced
https://www.mpo.com.my/season-2024/nobuyuki-tsujii-plays-rachmaninoff Nobuyuki Tsujii Plays Rachmaninoff 12 OCT 2024, SATURDAY, 8:30PM, Rach 3 with Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Eduardo Strausser, conductor.
This will be Nobu's debut in Malaysia, and it will come before his tour in Australia.
May 25 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival Advance tickets are now available for pre-sale at Ticket Pia! Please check the official website for details about the performance. https://pianofes.stellartheater.jp/
May 23 https://spice.eplus.jp/articles/329032
"Official interview with pianist-in-residence Nobuyuki Tsujii # about the highlights of the Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival 2024," with many fine photos by Tomoko Hidaki.
English translation at 2024 Mt. Fuji Festival Official Interview with Nobuyuki Tsujii
May 22 A gracious post by Mo. Hindoyan, with a fine photo album
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7R0Kwmonlb/ "I had the best time touring Japan with the @liverpool_philharmonic and @nobuyuki_tsujii_official . Seven different amazing Japanese cities in eight days, performing Roussel, Rachmaninov, Shostakovich, Walton, and Tchaikovsky. A huge thanks to everyone involved specially to @avexclassicsinternational and to the Japanese audience for receiving us so warmly. 📸 by @ascsroberts and Emily Mowray" More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
UPDATE May 21 The Nobu performance streamed by Stage+ is now available on archive at http://stage.plus/Nobu, viewable on demand at your convenience.
May 20 The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, presumably having safely returned to U.K., posted a final tour report that includes an album of photos taken at a party hosted by Avex Classics International & a video clip of the orchestra & Mo. Domingo Hindoyan receiving a standing ovation at their final performance in Nagano. Nobu is mentioned as 'sleeping all the way' on the bullet train after performing Rach 2 & 3 in Omiya City, and also figures in one of the photos, apparently taken at the party. He is shown holding a gift bag and raising his hand up after speaking? as the orchestra looks on. I wasn't aware that there is a tour blog by Ms. Sandra Roberts, will have to check it out later. https://www.liverpoolphil.com/news/blog/ More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 18 I just watched the 2nd STAGE+ streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii's Feb 28 Suntory Hall recital. Fabulous sound & video quality, a clear example of the phrase "powerful yet Delicate" often used to describe Nobu's playing. My only complaint is that the duration of the show was NOT 120 minutes as advertised, but only 90 mins, because they left out the last 2 ( 'Bumblebee' & Chopin's posthumous nocturne) of the 4 encores. But I am grateful to have enjoyed the Bach concerto, the Chopin impromptus (no. 1 was especially good to my ears), & all the Rachmaninov pieces.
Thank you, Deutsche Grammophon - DG & Avex Classics International! The performance is supposed to be available on archive soon - check here http://stage.plus/Nobu
More at 2024 - Deutsche Grammophon Stage+ Streams Nobuyuki Tsujii recital
May 18 Congrats to @liverpoolphil🇬🇧 @DGarciaHindoyan & Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 on their successful Japan tour. "I was captivated by Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano, pure sound & powerful performance, & by Mo. Hindoyan's dancing-like conducting. La Campanella encore." More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 17 👏 @liverpool_philharmonic, @domingo_hindoyan Domingo & Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan tour concert no. 6 over. It seems Nobu was no worse for the wear of the marathon performance in Omiya City the previous day.
A concert goer wrote: "It was so good!💕The beautiful sound of the piano, pure and innocent, like grains of light, moved me to tears😭 It was the most luxurious evening! Also, Domingo was handsome and charming." Encore was Rachmaninov's 'Vocalise'. TODAY: Tour finale performance no. 7 in Nagano! All the best to the tour!
May 16 The first Suntory Hall performance (May 14) got a rave review by critic 柴田克彦 Katsuhiko Shibata https://classicnavi.jp/newsflash/post-17110/
"Above all, I could feel the sincerity of the efforts of [@domingo_hindoyan & the @liverpool_philharmonic] to create good music, and it was a pleasant concert." "[Their] stylish performance of the Shostakovich Symphony no. 5 is an example of what an instrumental symphony should be."
"In Rachmaninoff's concerto no. 2, Tsujii plays a strong yet delicate solo, and the romantic orchestra overlaps with exquisite breath. The second movement is particularly outstanding, with its crisp piano and background beautifully intertwined, creating a long, breathy music piece. There were almost no places where the piano was drowned out by the orchestra, making this one of Tsujii's most outstanding concerto performances. In addition, the encore of Rachmaninov's "Bell" prelude, which is full of lyrical flavor, is wonderful." More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 16 Nobuyuki Tsujii the IRON MAN: Yesterday May 16 in Omiya city he performed with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & Domingo Hindoyan Rach 2 & Rach 3 PLUS 3 encores: a Kapustin's etude; Listz's "Elsa's procession", & Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee"!! And, that's not all: there are two more Rach 2 performances today (Niigata) & tomorrow (Nagano)
Please take care of yourself, Tsujii-san! More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 15 💐SuntoryHall performance 2 with @liverpoolphil, Domingo Hindoyan is history. Tremendous audience response -- more later. Encores: solo: Rachmaninoff Musical Moments No. 6; RLPO Shostakovich: Waltz & Beetles "Love".
NEXT: TODAY May 16 14:00 Omiya Sonic City (2,505 seats). Special program of Rach 2 AND Rach 3‼️ This after TWO nights of concerts at Suntory Hall.
🙏 All the best to Nobu - please take care of yourself! More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 14 Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii was at Suntory Hall last night - and there was a special guest (first photo)
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6-H8Roxujc/
"Ms. Mao Asada [figure skater] came to last night's concert and was deeply moved by his performance of Rach 2, the encore 'bell'!
The second photo is a toast with the chef and madam of Torefumi Yamamoto, which I frequent. The last photo is with my husband. Today is Rach 3. #Mao Asada #Domingo Hindoyan, conductor #Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra #Nobuyuki Tsujii
#Suntory Hall " With a backstage photo that shows Ms. Asada, clapping her hands, standing with Nobu (big smile) backstage. Don't miss the other photos! More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 14 Good news❣️There was filming last night at Suntory Hall of the @liverpool_philharmonic , @domingo_hindoyan & #nobuyukitsujii #辻井伸行 concert! I think it (as well as tonight's concert RACH 3) will be streamed some day.[Photo left, compliments of AT, shows a sign at the venue that says the concert will be recorded. ] The first Suntory Hall performance got many great comments, a selection of which have been collected at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 14 The first of the RLPO tour performance at Suntory Hall is history. This note from a music writer, Mr. 山田治生 Haruo Yamada, is encouraging: https://twitter.com/yamadaharuo1964/status/1790414133994922436 "The wind instruments were skilled and exquisite in the second suite of 'Bacchus and Ariane'. The soloist of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 was Nobuyuki Tsujii. As always, the tone was beautiful, but today the sound had a strong core and reached us audience well. And he was even more proactive and sometimes led the orchestra. Tsujii's encore "bell" is on a grand scale. The second half is Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. As expected, the playing of the wind instruments was excellent, and the weakest notes of the flute, clarinet, trumpet, and horn leave an impression. Hindoyan has unique expressions here and there. " More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 12 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Japan tour performance no. 2 in Osaka yesteray was another success.
https://twitter.com/evergreen1510/status/1789564300782358949
"Nobuyuki Tsujii's Rachmaninoff No. 2 is the best I love his sparkling tone The encore, Debussy's Clair de Lune, was also perfect for him "The depth & breadth of the sound of liverpool phil is truly wonderful, as is Domingo Hindoyan's conducting Orchestra encores: Prokofiev's Cinderella & a John Lennon piece." NEXT: 2 performances in Suntory Hall after a day's rest.
More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 12 🔥It's Mother's Day in Japan (& in USA). The famous son of Mrs. Itsuko Tsujiii @itsuko_tsujii is on tour, but Nobuyuki Tsujii has not forgotten😊 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C62s66RxlvU/ by Mrs/ Tsujii
"Mother's Day...I opened the can he [Nobu] gave me a few days ago. Too cute cookies🍪The gentle taste makes me feel relaxed 😋" Also, a beautiful bouquet of roses 👏
I posted this comment: "Happy Mother's Day to Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, who gave us the gift of Nobuyuki Tsujii and is active herself giving talks and sharing her life experience. BRAVOS!! "
May 11 https://www.saga-s.co.jp/articles/-/1241635 SAGA News: "A concert of Domingo Hindoyan conducting Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & Nobuyuki Tsujii, commemorating the 140th anniversary of the Saga News & sponsored by the Saga City Cultural Promotion Foundation, was held on the 11th ~1,800 people listened to the enthusiastic performance and gave a thunderous applause... It was a performance that felt like a fusion of music & could be described as the culmination of passion & technique. In particular, Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano performance was breathtakingly beautiful and moving. I think it was a great collaboration throughout." With 5 photos of the performance.
More at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 11 The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Domingo hindoyan & Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan tour was off to a good start in Saga yesterday.
Solo encore CHOPIN 'revolution'; 2 orchestra encores.
A concert goer wrote https://twitter.com/Dianthuser/status/1789244618464538741
"Rach 3 was 'an incredibly passionate performance." "The second and third movements of Tchaikovsky No. 5 are particularly wonderful."
According to images posted by concert goers of the encore list displayed at the venue,: Nobu played Chopin's Revolutionary Etude. The orchestra played Shostakovich's Jazz Suite no. 1 Waltz and also “ All you need is love “ by the Beatles :-)
NEXT UP: Today Sunday May 12 Performance no. 2 in Osaka Festival Hall 4:00 Program A
May 10 📢Tomorrow May 11 (Sat) 15:00 Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Domingo Hindoyan & Nobuyuki Tsujii JAPAN TOUR debut in Saga City (完売御礼 "Thank you for sold out")
Program B: -- Walton: Comic Overture; Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5.
Our best wishes🙏
More at Japan Tour with the Liverpool Phil
May 9 NEW Nobuyuki Tsujii performance: March 25 2025 20:00 BEETHOVEN-LISZT-CHOPIN recital, National Arts Center, Ottawa, Canada This recital comes after Nobu's Carnegie Hall recital on March 21, with the same program. "Japanese pianist Nobu brought down the house with his 2023 NAC debut. Blind since birth, he learns every piece of music strictly by ear. " https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/36083 https://nac-cna.ca/en/orchestra/packages/create-your-own-naco
May 8 The long-awaited Nobu official instagram from Liverpool
@liverpool_philharmonic @domingo_hindoyan #rachmaninovpianoconcerto2 #bwv974
I visited Liverpool for a recital in April, and I performed Rachmaninoff's concerto [on May 4]. We will also be performing Rachmaninoff's No. 2 and No. 3 on our Japan tour starting on the 10th. Both works are my favorites, and I'm really looking forward to performing them in Japan with this wonderful orchestra. We look forward to seeing you all at the venue.
At the concert on May 4th, I performed the second movement of J.S. Bach's Concerto in D minor, BWV 974 as an encore. I performed to the principal oboist [Jonathan Small] who is retiring from the group, to express my respect and gratitude for his many years of service and the wonderful performances he has given until now. *This oboist will also be performing on the Japan tour. "
With 5 attachments: clip of rehearsing Rach 3; photo with Mo. Hindoyan, clip of practicing Bach's Concerto in D minor, BWV 974 played as an encore; photo with retiring oboist Jonathan Small [who is on the Japan tour]; photo of Nobu on the waterfront of Liverpool. More at Domingo Hidoyan, Nobuyuki Tsujii & the RLPO plays Rach 3 May 4 2024
May 7 Nobuyuki Tsujii joins his long-time affiliate Royal Liverpool Philharmonic (RLPO) on a tour in his home country Japan May 11-18. This is the orchestra's 3rd (if not 4th) tour in Japan, but it is the first time that the RLPO is directed by their new Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan. 7 Performances in 6 cities. 4 different concert programs, with Nobu performing Rach 2 AND/OR Rach 3 in each program. Our best wishes for great success to the orchestra, Mo. Hindoyan, Nobu and organizers!News, photos, etc. collected at May 2024 RLPO Japan Tour with Nobuyuki Tsujii -- as it happens
May 4 We have heard from Liverpool! Tweet by Dr Stuart Porter
https://twitter.com/DrStuP/status/1786883212100145226
"As a young man I had to choose between classical music and science careers-science won. This evening I kinda wish I'd turned left instead of right. A stunning performance tonight by the blind Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii 's of Rachmaninoffs 3rd Piano Concerto Royal Liverpool Philharmonic " Also, concert goer AT reported that Nobu looked to be very emotional after the performance, and performed a solo encore dedicated to the orchestra's retiring oboe Jonathan Small. We should hear more about the concert in due time. More at Domingo Hidoyan, Nobuyuki Tsujii & the RLPO plays Rach 3 May 4 2024
May 2 Posted on Twitter/X
"Wonderful to witness the rehearsal of Rach 2nd piano concerto at the Liverpool Philharmonic with Nobuyuki Tsujii as soloist."
It seems Nobuyuki Tsujii is already in Liverpool for the May 4 concert. And today May 2 there was a rehearsal with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic of Rach 2, which will not be performed in Liverpool but is on their Japan tour program, May 11-18. More at Domingo Hidoyan, Nobuyuki Tsujii & the RLPO plays Rach 3 May 4 2024 UPDATE May 3: The orchchestra posted a clip of the rehearsal https://www.instagram.com/p/C6g4_2WsmjO/
May 2 It seems Nobu's 2022 recital in Biarritz, France, is now available on Prime Video in many countries (though not in USA) "Beethoven, Verdi, Liszt, Chopin y Wagner - Nobuyuki Tsujii " www.primevideo.com/detail/Beethoven-Verdi-Liszt-Chopin-en-Wagner---Nobuyuki-Tsujii/0FIRFQGMD31YCBZ3IF7RAVVJ0H/ This is an excellent performance. Highly recommended!
May 1 "Interview with Principal Conductor Domingo Hindoyan just before the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s visit to Japan" https://classicnavi.jp/interview/post-16722/ "I felt a special connection whenever I co-starred with Nobuyui Tsujii. It's so easy to play music with him, and his playing has such deep emotion and brilliant virtuosity. I am proud to be able to perform Rachmaninoff's concerto, which was warmly received at the BBC Proms, in Nobu's home country." More at Conductor Domingo Hindoyan interview.
April 30 In recent years, Nobuyuki Tsujii & his violinist friend Fumiaki Mirua [Fumi] have headlined a popular event held during Japan's Autumn Arts season: Suntory Hall ARK Classics. his year's festival has been announced at https://avex.jp/classics/arkclassics2024/ . September 27 through October 1 [5 days]; 11 performances, including 2 Nobu recitals (Liszt & Chopin respectively) & many ensemble performances. Details in English at 2024 ARK Classics announced
April 29 Thanks to a prompt & courteous response from STAGE+, I have FURTHER DETAILS on the May 18 streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii's BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV recital held at Suntory Hall in February.
1) The streaming is not free, but a 7-day ticket at 10USD (without automatic renewal) is available. 2) The start times shown on your screen are automatically adjusted to your local times. 3) On-demand play of the streaming will be available in their archive "after a few days".
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii signed with Deutsche Grammonphon!
April 2024
April 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 3 25:55〜26:55 BS-Fuji Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii documentary - 1 hour version
April 4 19:30 Congress Kursaal Interlaken, Switzerland, Beethoven's 'Emperor' concerto with the Zakhar Bron Festival Orchestra, conductor Zakhar Bron
April 6 1PM Wigmore Hall, London, U.K.. Bach, Chopin and Rachmaninov recital
April 7 Sunday 7:30 PM Liverpool Philharmonic Hall U.K., Bach, Chopin, Debussy and Rachmaninov recital at Liverpool
April 10 20:00, Theatre Champselysees , Paris, France. Bach-Chopin-Debussy-Rachmaninov recital
April 12 & 14, Grieg's concerto with Sinfonica Milan & conductor SESTO QUATRINI Italy.
NEWS
NEWS
April 28
Posted by concert organizer https://twitter.com/tsb_event/status/1784368278447747102
"#Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra #Nobuyuki Tsujii #domingoHindoyan
5/18 (Sat) Nagano City Hokuto Culture Hall (1,971 seats)
Tickets are sold out." More at Domingo Hidoyan, Nobuyuki Tsujii & the RLPO plays Rach 3 May 4 2024
April 28 Announcement by Deutsche Gramophon: "To mark their new relationship, Deutsche Grammophon presents the STAGE+ premiere of Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Bach, Chopin & Rachmaninoff on 18 May -- filmed live at Suntory Hall this past February." This recital received great acclaim in Tokyo and in Seoul. ["Psst! 4 encores -- including Rachmaninov's 'Bell' prelude & 'Flight of the bumblebees'!] Registration required. www.stage-plus.com/video/live_concert_9HKNCPA3DTN66PBIEHFJAE9I The viewing is not free, but a 10USD one-week subscription is available. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii signed with Deutsche Grammonphon!
April 26 For the past 3 years, Nobuyuki Tsujii has headlined a summer piano festival held at scenic Kawaguchiko, Japan, with Mt. Fuji as backdrop. The festival has grown in popularity with Nobu as its resident pianist. Details of this year's performances (SEP 20-23) have been announced on the Official Nobuyuki Tsujii website; tickets are coming on sale in June. More at The 2024 Mr. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival is on!
April 23 👍Deutsche Grammophon now has an artist's page for Nobuyuki Tsujii, viewable in English or German
https://www.deutschegrammophon.com/en/artists/nobuyuki-tsujii
It includes a comprehensive list of tour dates -- in and out of Japan.
BRAVOS!
Let's hope there will be some Nobu performances in Germany🇩🇪 soon!
April 21 😱BIG NEWS! https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/99404527728d76e10dedcc809f6835561a234241
"Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii (35) held a press conference in Tokyo on the 22nd to announce that he has signed an exclusive [recordings] contract with Deutsche Grammophon, the world's oldest classical music label. This is the first global contract with a Japanese pianist for the company, which has a history of 126 years
OMG❣️ Lots of stuff collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii signed with Deutsche Grammonphon!
April 20 The sensational 2023 BBC Proms performance of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 3 by Nobuyuki Tsujii, Domingo Hindoyan & Royal Liverpool Philharmonic brought the house down & won critical praises. The concert was heard on BBC Radio 3, but sadly not shown on video Now, 9 months later, the acclaimed performance will be reprised May 4 in U.K. & in Japan thereafter. We are hoping to finally get to see a streaming of the performance More at Domingo Hidoyan, Nobuyuki Tsujii & the RLPO plays Rach 3 May 4 2024
April 19 In his latest official instagram, posted upon the completion of a whirlwind Europe tour that spans 4 countries (Switzerland, U.K., France Italy) in 11 days (April 4-14), he wrote: "I will finish some important business in Tokyo and then go abroad again. Ah, I'm so busy." It seems one of those important business obligations is an appearance at a conference of Japan's Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology 日本分娩監視研究会 yesterday April 19. Reportedly he played 10 pieces of classics & own compositions, plus 2 encores, delighting the conference attendees. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays for Japan's OB/GYN Society.
April 17 A new YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGNBXYI5LTI
"As part of the '10 by 30 Initiative,' which is one of KPMG's global ESG strategies, KPMG Japan is collaborating with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, a conductorless orchestra based in New York, to create a music program for young people. We implemented a social contribution program. The video shows an event that took place in I believe Suntory Hall, with participation by Nobu & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, both on stage and in the audience. Apparently the event took place during the 2024 Japan tour of the orchestra with Nobu.
April 16 The Philharmonia Orchestra 🇬🇧 announced its 2024-25 season, and Nobuyuki Tsujii is among "the most exciting soloists of the next generation" featured. Royal Festival Hall, London, Jan 30 7.30pm; CHOPIN 1; conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali. This performance comes after an anticipated (but as yet unannounced) Japan Tour. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Phiioarmonia & conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, January 2025 Ticket presale starts April 18!
April 16 With the latest Nobu official instagram, we now know what encores were played at the two performance -- they are good choices! The instagram comes with 3 fine photos (but no clip), including one of Nobu returning from on stage to the wing, escorted by conductor Sesto Quatrini. The post ends with an interesting bit about his [lazy ] manager saying that it would be nice to take a vacation in Europe before returning in May to play Rach 3 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. "but a vacation in Europe is still a pipe dream. I will finish some important business in Tokyo and then go abroad again. Ah, I'm so busy." This prompts a comment from me & one other to urge Nobu to take care of himself. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Milan, Italy April 2024
April 14 Instagram by @CasianAlexandru (big thanks!) from Milan " @nobuyuki_tsujii_official at @sinfonica_mi🔝💣🔥 14 April 2024"
With a clip of Nobu in performance today of Grieg's concerto with the Sinfonica Milan & conductor SESTO QUATRINI
Thus ends a whirlwind tour of Nobu that started April 4, spanning Switzerland (Interlaken) , U.K. (London & Liverpool), France (Paris), Italy (Milan) -- 4 countries in 11 days.
We wish Tsujii-san a safe journey home!❤️ More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Milan, Italy April 2024
April 13 The Italians take things dolce (sweet and slow), and it is too much to hope to hear much about the concert in Milan last night -- especially on a weekend. From past experience, I am hoping to see some great photos posted by the orchestra. But meanwhile, a reassuring tweet from PRPressroom: "The concert was a resounding success! Nobuyuki Tsujii received a twenty minute long applause and thanked the audience with three beautiful encores." Stay tuned at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Milan, Italy April 2024
April 11 Last night he was in Paris. Today he reached Milan and already held a rectal. Posted by the Milan Symphony Orchestra: " Attending Nobuyuki Tsujii's rehearsals is an incredible experience, because it is hard to believe that so much musicality can flow with such spontaneity. Nobu doesn't open his mouth, he makes his ideas understood by playing them, and very often, during interruptions, the orchestra naturally applauds him. When alongside him there is an intelligent and talented director like Sesto Quatrini, the game is set. Tomorrow and Sunday, Concerto in A minor by Grieg, 'Pini di Roma' by Respighi (on the centenary of the composition) and 'Maggese', world premiere composed by Filippo Del Corno. Missing them is not permitted." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Milan, Italy April 2024
April 10 Nobu is on his way to Milan, Italy, for his performance of Grieg's Concerto with the Milan Symphony Orchestra on April 14 Friday & 16. The orchestra welcome him with an instagram posted today, with prose & a photo befitting the Italian style: "he doesn't like the term 'blind pianist'. He prefers to be considered a pianist, period. He avoids being infected (too much) by admiration, or by the emotion that pervades us when seeing him play, his tense and joyful face that turns as if in search of some form of the imagination; the hand that, before the attack, stretches out on the keyboard, as if to take measurements of invisible spaces. But it's difficult: admiration emerges with every note. " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Milan, Italy April 2024
April 10 It is midnight in Paris & Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital at the Theatre des Champs-Élysées was apparently well-received, as shown in this clip [Nobu bows to the cheering audience, then closes the piano lid] that comes with a tweet
https://twitter.com/takesucre/status/1778170023862743454
Dark stage, happy Nobu just as in past performances at this venue.
Kapustin's prelude & Liszt's La Campanella are mentioned as encores. I suspect Rachmaninov's 'Vocalise' was also played.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's Paris recital April 10 2024 -- as it happens
April 9 Critic Mark Humphreys @northwestenduk gets Nobu right!
Nobuyuki Tsujii April 7 2024 Liverpool recital review: "truly mind-boggling feat of aural skill and memory" https://northwestend.com/nobuyuki-tsujii-philharmonic-hall-liverpool/
I especially respect that the reviewer emphasizes the extraordinary method that Nobu learns his music.
"Rachmaninov’s Moments Musicaux closed the concert... the audience give a spontaneous ovation. A gently rippling Adagio Sostenuto & a powerful & majestic Maestoso brought the concert to a triumphal close." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii U.K. recitals, April 6 & 7 2024
April 9 Nobu's long-awaited official instagram -- he has reached Paris safely after his U.K. performances, but not without incidents
"After finishing the concert at Wigmore Hall, we left after 3pm. We had booked a train that day to head to Liverpool, but the train we were scheduled to ride was canceled due to a strike... we switched to traveling by car for four hours to reach Liverpool. We arrived in Liverpool just after 10pm. I'm glad the restaurant was still open." That last sentence made me laugh :-)
With 2 clips then still photos of Nobu at Wigmore Hall & Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall respectively, ending with a shot of the Eifel Tower as proof of their arrival in Paris. Recital at Théâtre des Champs-Elysées tomorrow about now (8PM). All the best to Tsujii-san. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's Paris recital April 10 2024 -- as it happens
April 8 Next up for Nobu: April 10 20:00, Theatre des Champs Elysees (1,905 seats), Paris. Bach-Chopin-Debussy-Rachmaninov recital, which has received acclaim in Japan, S. Korea, U.K. Limited seats are still available but virtually sold out. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's Paris recital April 10 2024 -- as it happens
April 7 A big thanks to Ms. Sandra Roberts for taking the time to post this on Facebookon a Sunday night!
Nobu earned his standing ovation tonight at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic!
The encores were:
Rachmaninov: Vocalise
Kapustin: Studies Op.40 Prelude
Liszt: La Campanella
With a photo of Nobu taking a bow on stage and you can see people standing up to cheer him. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii U.K. recitals, April 6 & 7 2024
April 6 We have heard from London. The Nobuyuki Tsujii Wigmore Hall recital today April 6 has completed safely. A packed audience with a large Japanese presence greeted Nobu with cheers and bravos. "not only was the performance wonderful, but I was able to feel his pure presence up close, and it was a wonderful experience." Encores were Rachmaninov's 'Vocalise' & La Campanella. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii U.K. recitals, April 6 & 7 2024
April 5 On the heels of his successful performance in SwitzerlandApril 4, Nobuyuki Tsujii travels to London, where he holds a matinee recital at Wigmore Hall on April 6, followed by another recital in Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall the following day April 7.
Our best wishes to Tsujii-san!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii U.K. recitals, April 6 & 7 2024
April 5 Posted by interlakenclassics on their facebook page "Some photos from last night's phenomenal concert at Congress Kursaal Interlaken (04.04.2024).Zakhar Bron Festival Orchestra. Director: Zakhar Bron and Jiří Rožen. Soloists: Nobuyuki Tsujii and Youlan Lin. Fotos: der Fotograf Erich Häsler"
Excellent camera work, including 8 photos of Nobu in performance. Congratulations to all performers!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Interlaken Classics, Switzerland.
April 4 The performance of Beethoven's 'Emperor' concerto in Switzerland is over. Nothing has been heard from -- I hope to hear something about it tomorrow. Meanwhile, a nice instagram post by conductor Jiri Rozen, showing a a large banner for the concert, featuring a photo of Nobuyuki Tsujii; gorgeous Interlaken landscape in the background. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Interlaken Classics, Switzerland.
April 4 Curtain-raiser article from Milan
https://lulop.com/it_IT/post/show/290967/serate-romane-nobuyuki-tsujii-.html
"Nobuyuki Tsujii is a brilliant pianist; he will be at the Auditorium in Milan together with Sesto Quatrini & the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano, April 12 & 14 , engaged in the interpretation of the iconic Concerto in A minor op.16 by Edvard Grieg."
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Milan, Italy April 2024
March 30 April is here. Going forward, Nobuyuki Tsujii will be performing in Switzerland (April 4), U.K. (April 6 & April 7), France (April 10) & Italy (April 12 & 14). On the programs are a Bach-Chopin-Debussy-Rachmaninov recital (London, Liverpool & Paris) , Beethoven's piano Concerto no. 5 (Interlaken, Switzerland) & Grieg's Piano Concerto (Milan). Watch this space for news, photos, videos & comments.
Our best wishes to Nobu for great success in Europe!
A complete list of known upcoming concerts can be viewed at Nobuyuki Tsujii Upcoming Concerts.
March 2024
March 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 1 Japan recital tour performance no. 8 Suntory Hall
March 2 BS Fuji TV broadcast "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii"
March 3 Recital at Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall, South Koreal
March 8 Japan recital tour performance no. 9 Fukuoka Symphony Hall
March 10 Japan recital tour performance no. 10 Osaka Symphony Hall
March 23-29 Ultimate Concertos Japan Tour with Fumiaki Miura & Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra conducted by Neil Thomson
NEWS
NEWS
Mar 30 www.instagram.com/p/C5IQgahxotC/ A delightful official instagram: "Nobuyuki Tsujii × Fumiaki Miura Conducted by Neil Thomson, Yomiuri Symphony Orchestra. The ultimate concertos tour of 6 performances from the 22nd ended yesterday[3/29]. Had a great time catching up with maestro Neil for the first time in a while. The encore played was Czardas with Miura-san. From the 3rd performance onward, more and more orchestra members joined in, and it was a fun improvisational event with the number of participants increasing each time LOL. This performance was made possible because we have all performed together many times. Thank you to everyone who visited us from all over the world." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 'Ultimate Concertos" Japan Tour
March 30 April is here. Going forward, Nobuyuki Tsujii will be performing in Switzerland (April 4), U.K. (April 6 & April 7), France (April 10) & Italy (April 12 & 14). On the programs are a Bach-Chopin-Debussy-Rachmaninov recital (London, Liverpool & Paris) , Beethoven's piano Concerto no. 5 (Interlaken, Switzerland) & Grieg's Piano Concerto (Milan). Watch this space for news, photos, videos & comments. Our best wishes to Nobu for great success in Europe! A complete list of known upcoming concerts can be viewed at Nobuyuki Tsujii Upcoming Concerts.
Mar 29 The "Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura with Neil Thomson conductor & Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra Ultimate Concerto Concerts" Japan Tour, March 22 - March 29. 6 sold-out performances in Tachikawa Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Okayama, Hyogo & Tottori have completed successfully amid warm audience responses. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 'Ultimate Concertos" Japan Tour
March 27 It has come to my attention that the Seattle Symphony Orchestra announced its 2024-25 season on March 6, and, happily, Nobuyuki Tsujii is on their schedule:
"Spring brings a beloved guest artist back to the Seattle Symphony, pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii playing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 led by conductor Aziz Shokhakimov on April 3, 5 & 6 [2025]." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 3 in Seattle, April 2025
March 26 Announced by Avex Classics today: "The "Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival", for which Nobuyuki Tsujii serves as pianist in residence, will be held again in 2024! September 20-23 https://pianofes.stellartheater. Participating artists: Takashi Kako, Shimizu Kazuon & Makoto Ozone."
This will be the 4th edition of the festival, which has become a popular summer event. Nobu seems to really relish his role as the resident pianist [and the festival's artistic director.] More at The 2024 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival is on!
The accompanying image is from last year's festival.
March 26 🎶On April 4, Nobuyuki Tsujii performs at the 2024 Interlaken Classics in Switzerland - "Classical music in a magnificent landscape".
Read a curtain-raiser article published today by Berner Oberland News of Switzerland 'Der blinde Pianist mit dem absoluten Gehör'.
English translation at 👉 Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Interlaken Classics, Switzerland
March 25 Posted by Tachikawa Tachikawa Economic News 立川経済新聞, with 5 pics.
https://tachikawa.keizai.biz/headline/3959/
"On March 22 at Tachikawa Stage Garden, a concerto concert featuring world-renowned pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii & violinist Fumiaki Miura, with Yomuiri Nippon Orchestra conducted by British artist Neil Thomson. Venue theme song also performed."
The second half (3 more show) of the tour starts today March 26.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 'Ultimate Concertos" Japan Tour
March 23 It's good to see an official instagram again!
https://www.instagram.com/p/C42Cxu5RAFl/
"March 23 Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura, conductor Neil Thomson, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra. Ultimate Concertos Tour. Mito Civic Ctr. This tour is first in two years; I'm having fun working with violinist Miura-kun, Mo. Thomson, whom I've played with many times, & everyone from Yomiko." With clips of Nobu practicing on piano on stage, oblivious to orchestra members gathering in the background -) More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 'Ultimate Concertos" Japan Tour
March 22 Nobuyuki Tsuiii × Fumiaki Miura & Neil Thomson conducts Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra 'Ultimate Concertos' Japan Tour. Show 1 has completed. Twitter Nana filed an excellent eyewitness account https://twitter.com/nana26139176/status/1771198466208694394 "The enthusiasm at the Tachikawa Stage Garden was amazing." 2 encores ('Green Springs' & Csárdás.)
NEXT: Performance 2 March 23, 2024 (Sat) 15:00 (14:15) Ibaraki/Mito Civic Center Globis Hall
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 'Ultimate Concertos" Japan Tour
March 19 A tweet by conductor Domingo Hindoyan himself! https://twitter.com/DGarciaHindoyan/status/1770062084992061854 "The Japan tour with @liverpoolphil and Nobuyuki Tsujii is getting closer".
The maestro is apparently looking forward to his Japan Tour in May with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & Nobuyuki Tsujii 7 performances in 7 cities over 8 days (May 11-18).
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RLPO Japan Tour May 2024
March 19 Los Angeles Times article today: "Hawaii aims to make ‘shaka’ official" . The 'shaka', it turns out, is the gesture of 3 middle fingers curled while extending the thumb & baby finger. And in Hawaii it carries the aloha spirit (friendliness & warmth). So now I finally understand the gesture that Nobuyuki Tsujii repeatedly made when he was in Honolululast November.
March 18 AP News "Byron Janis, a renowned American concert pianist and composer who broke barriers as a Cold War era culture ambassador and later overcame severe arthritis that nearly robbed him of his playing abilities, has died on March 14. He was 95." It is my understanding that Nobuyuki Tsujii got together with Mr. Janis in 2014, when Nobu performed in NYC, and received lessons on playing Chopin's music from the esteemed pianist. This year, when Nobu performed at Carnegie Hall with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra,. Mr. Janis [@ByronJanisMusic] posted on February 7 an instagram with very kind words for Nobu, along with a 2014 photo of Mr. & Mrs. Janis with Nobu at their home. Rest in peace, maestro Janis.
March 16 Next month, Nobu travel to London (Wigmore Hall, April 6), Liverpool (Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, April 7) & Paris ( Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, April 10) to hold recitals with programs very similar to his acclaimed ongoing Japan Tour BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV recitals. The Wigmore Hall recital has long sold out, but seats are still available for Liverpool and Paris. Meanwhile, the May 4 Rach 3 concert with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & conductor Domingo Hindoyan in Liverpool has been declared SOLD OUT. See Upcoming Concerts.
March 13 Just announced:
https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002463
Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura
ARK Philharmonic
Ultimate Beethoven [violin concerto, 'Emperor']
Performances on Aug 3 & 4, with more to come.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Fumiaki Miur ARK Phiilharmonic Ultimate Beethoven concerts
Mar 12 Next up for Nobuyuki Tsujii this March of 2024 is a short Japan Tour: "Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura with Neil Thomson conductor & Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra Ultimate Concerto Concerts" March 22 (Friday) - March 29 Friday. 6 performances in Tachikawa Ibaraki, Kanagawa, Okayama, Hyogo, Tottori, the latter 5 have been declared sold out. After this gig, Nobu performs overseas in April. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 'Ultimate Concertos" Japan Tour
March 11 Freshly announced : Nobuyuki Tsujii to appear at the esteemed Musica Mundi Music Festival, Belgium on July 18 2024 20:00. The performance is likely a recital; the program is to be announced. This will be Nobu's second performance at the festival, where he last held a recital on July 29 2022
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Musica Mundi Music Festival, Belgium
March 10 With the completion of the Osaka recital, the Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Tour will go into hiatus after 10 sold-out performances that received enthusiastic audience responses (see Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour PART 2). This recital program is yet another challenging one. In particular, the works by Rachmaninov ('vocalise' & 'Moments musicaux') are not frequently performed. Those of us outside Japan will have a chance to see the 'Moments musicaux' April 6 London Wigmore Hall, April 7 in Liverpool, & April 10 in Paris. The 'Vocalise' is not on those recital programs, but it is possible that Nobu will play it for encore, as he did in Seoul on March 3. (See Upcoming Concerts.)
March 8 Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Tour Mar 8 Fukuoka performance (no. 9) completed. 4 encores: CHOPIN nocturne 20 posthumous, RACHMANINOV Bell prelude, flight of the bumblebee, La Campanella
https://twitter.com/spianoyrtm/status/1766124201566674974/
"I went to Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital. Ah~ I'm feeling better It's amazing, from the sparkling sound to the thick deep sound...the wide range of tones ~ Each note is clear and the connections are irresistibly beautiful. My heart was moistened. And I learned a lot Thank you for coming to Fukuoka The encores were so gorgeous!"
NEXT: March 10 Osaka Symphony Hall. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour PART 2.
March 5 I have had the privilege of watching the BS Fuji TV show "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii" It is a joyous show with many happy scenes. Nobu looks to be really enjoying himself in Hawaii last November. There are scenes of him visiting a school, planting trees, reminiscing visiting there with his parents at age 6, walking on the beach, jamming with a street band, shopping for Hawaiian shirts, and, at the end, a performance of 'Somewhere over the Rainbow' with Hawaiian musicians at the Waikiki Shell (see a clip at https://twitter.com/mlliu2006/status/1765276452654641171 , if you like.) More at BSFuji TV "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii" airing March 2 2024
March 4 👍Concertl review 매일경제 Maeil Business News
https://www.mk.co.kr/news/culture/10956255
"Nobuyuki Tsujii can't see what's in front of him ... but is free on the keyboard" "The world Tsujii depicted on stage was clear and neat. Starting with his first song, Bach's French Suite No. 5, he clearly delivered the melody with light keystrokes and clean pedaling..." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Seoul, South Korea March 3 2024
March 4 https://m-jp.yna.co.kr/view/AJP20240304001100882 [Seoul Yonhap News] "World-renowned Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii held a recital in South Korea on Mar 3, receiving repeated applause from the packed audience of ~ 2,000 ... Tsujii greeted the audience with a smile after each song. As he said in an interview with Korean media before the recital, his expressions during the performance were filled with the joy of music. " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Seoul, South Korea March 3 2024
March 4 https://m-jp.yna.co.kr/view/AJP20240304001100882 [Seoul Yonhap News] "World-renowned Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii held a recital in South Korea on Mar 3, receiving repeated applause from the packed audience of ~ 2,000 ... Tsujii greeted the audience with a smile after each song. As he said in an interview with Korean media before the recital, his expressions during the performance were filled with the joy of music. " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Seoul, South Korea March 3 2024
March 3 A good number of posts about the concert have come up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nobuyuki_tsujii_official/tagged/ I have not had time to go through all, but it seems that the performance was a great success, culminating in 3 encores, and ending with Nobu closing the piano lid and leaving stage with a big smile. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Seoul, South Korea March 3 2024
March 2 BSFuji TV has aired a brand-new episode of their excellent long-running series "Music journeys of Nobuyuki Tsujii" --『辻井伸行×ハワイ』"Nobuyuki Tsujii x Hawaii" March 2 21:00～22:55 Hazu-san on Twitter/X has enjoyed watching it & reported that performances shown include Nobu's own compositions, CHOPIN Andante Spianato & 'Somwhere over the Rainbow.' .
More at BSFuji TV "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii" airing March 2 2024
Mar 1 🎵Nobuyuki Tsujii performs in Seoul, South Korea Sunday Mar 3 5PM in the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall (2,505 seats).
The "Great PIANISTS series" recital program is same as his Japan BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV tour, with DEBUSSY's 'Estampes' replacing Rachmanninov's 'Vocalise' in the 2nd half.
This is Nobu's first ever recital in South Korea, let's hope he receives a warm welcome 🙏
March 1 Nobuyuki Tsujii's March 1 Japan Tour recital is over! 4 encores https://suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/perform/encorelist.html
Chopin: Nocturne No. 20 “Posthumous Works”
Rachmaninoff: "The Bell"
Rimsky-Korsakov (ed. Rachmaninoff): "Flight of the Bumblebee"
Debussy: “The Rain Garden” from “Prints”
NEXT UP: March 8 recital in Fukuoka
Feb 28 Last night Nobu rewarded the audience at Suntory Hall with 4 encores
Debussy: “Tower” from prints
Rachmaninoff: "The Bell"
Rimsky-Korsakov (ed. Rachmaninoff): Flight of the Bumblebee
Chopin: Nocturne No. 20 “Posthumous Works”
This, after a challenging recital program and after performing Rach 3 the night before. Enthusiastic audience comments.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour PART 2.
February 2024
February 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Feb 10 26:00-28:00 BS Fuji TV rebroadcast "Nobuyuki Tsujii x Austria"
Feb 24 26:00-28:00 BS Fuji TV rebroadcast "Nobuyuki Tsujii x New York"
March 2 (tentative) BS Fuji TV broadcast "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii"
NEWS
NEWS
Feb 28 Last night Nobu rewarded the audience at Suntory Hall with 4 encores
Debussy: “Tower” from prints
Rachmaninoff: "The Bell"
Rimsky-Korsakov (ed. Rachmaninoff): Flight of the Bumblebee
Chopin: Nocturne No. 20 “Posthumous Works”
This, after a challenging recital program and after performing Rach 3 the night before. Enthusiastic audience comments.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour PART 2.
Feb 18 Nobuyuki Tsujii is scheduled to hold a recital in Seoul, South Korea on March 3 2024. In advance of the performance, an interview with him is posted today by www.arte.co.kr, in Korean, at https://www.arte.co.kr/music/news/4190 , titled "‘Miracle Pianist’ Nobuyuki Tsujii “Play with your ears and heart instead of your eyes” An English translation can be read at Nobuyuki Tsujii's February 2024 interview by Arte Korea.
February 18 https://twitter.com/historyinmemes/status/1759209148804427961 Fresh post by @historyinmemes on Twitter/X ("Daily history lessons. Education through memes") with a clip from Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2013BBC Proms Rach 2 performance.
"Nobuyuki Tsujii a Japanese pianist and composer. He was born blind due to microphthalmia."
The post has garnered over 400K views & over 200comments in 3 hour
FEB 16 NEW interview. "The charm and fun of classics. Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii wants to convey his message across borders & generations."
https://www.asahi.com/ads/nextstage/interview/2024/02/ English translation at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 "Next Stage" interview
FEB 15
Robin Ticciati conducts London Philharmonic Orchestra
Piano: Nobuyuki Tsujii
Beethoven: (Egmont) Overture
Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 "Hero
Sept 7 2024 Nagoya, Japan
General ticket sales starts on FEB 25 https://www.e-meitetsu.com/mds/hall/event/sutoradivariusu2024-09-07/
FEB 15 https://www.instagram.com/p/C3YE4P0OYYC/ "One of the most beautiful moments in classical music: Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii plays the second movement of 'Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18' by S. Rachmaninoff at @nac.cna 🌟 Alexander Shelley, conductor; Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra [May 2023]" (Full video available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1spdlqu84Lc )
FEB 13 The Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital ("Time for Music & Pleasure"楽興の時 [Vocalise Rachmaninov]) Tour began on Dec 12 2023, and will continue in spurts through June 16 2024. After a hiatus for the 2024 New Year and tours in U.S. & in Japan with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the second part of the Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour (Hokkaido, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka) will resume February 22 through March 10 -- all 5 performances have been declared SOLD OUT. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour PART 2.
FEB 11 Just like that, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra - Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan tour is history. No words from the [exhausted] performers yet, but concert-goers seem happy -- like this: https://twitter.com/by_amdas/status/1756651383812772287 "I went to a concert by Nobuyuki Tsujii and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. I'm both surprised and happy that my hometown [Kagoshima] is the tour venue. It was a very satisfying moment to hear Mr. Tsujii speaking in Kagonma [local] dialect." With a photo that shows two encores were played: The first a Kapustin's etude ['finale' I believe, apt for the ending of the tour], followed by Anderson's 'Forgotten Dreams.' More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
FEB 10 https://twitter.com/orpheusnyc/status/1748042072676843894 The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra & Nobuyuki Tsujii 'party' reaches its finale today 14:00 in Kagoshima. U.S.🇺🇸 & Japan🇯🇵 tour (Jan 20 - Feb 11) 11 performances - great success 👏 Congratulations!
More at https://mlliu2006.blogspot.com/2024/02/nobuyuki-tsujii-2024-japan-tour-with.htm
FEB 10 Official instagram posted from Osaka soon after the concert ended.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3KKVO0RBrO/ "To everyone who came to our Hiroshima and Osaka performances, thank you very much. I'm relieved that everything went smoothly. Everyone's enthusiasm is amazing! I was able to play the encore with @orpheuschamberorchestra, and it had a different atmosphere than the main performance, so it was really fun to play. I took a photo with everyone in the orchestra.
Tomorrow is Senshu Raku [tour finale] , Kagoshima, let's bring this excitement!" More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
FEB 9 Beautiful words from Hiroshima https://twitter.com/mamin_618/status/1756094042885255658 " It was a really warm concert, with all the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra members and Mr. Tsujii holding hands and standing in a line, surrounded by warm applause; and everyone in the venue & the orchestra waving their hands as if they were regretting their farewell." (BTW this was their 5th show in Japan, after 4 shows in USA. ) More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. NEXT UP: Feb 10 14:00 Osaka Symphony Hall (1,704 seats).
FEB 9 Hiroshima performance was another success. 2 solo encores. Comments like this should be music to the ear of the orchestra. https://twitter.com/ayano_sugi/status/1755947641958195344 "I went to a concert by Nobuyuki Tsujii and the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Tsujii's piano performance for the second movement of Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 was amazing. The first time I heard Orpheus was in an orchestra without a conductor. The performers' emotional personalities were on full display, but the performance was beautifully put together, and I became a fan. Ah, so happy." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. UPDATE: The 2 encores played by Nobu are: CHOPIN's posthumous nocturne, and Amercian Composer LeRoy Anderson's "Forgotten Dreams".
FEB 8 Mr. Peter Rosen very kindly pointed me to an Instagram posted a day ago by American pianist great Byron Janis, with an excellent photo of Mr. and Mrs. Janis with Nobu [I believe at their NYC home], and some priceless words.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ED16KSswv/ "Wayback Wednesday [while Nobu was in NYC for his tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra] to a wonderful time spent with Nobuyuki Tsujii! A pianist whose artistry transcends boundaries. Blind since birth, Tsujii's ability to create breathtaking musical landscapes is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. His fingers dance across the keys, not merely playing notes but crafting emotional narratives that captivate audiences worldwide. From winning prestigious competitions to collaborating with renowned orchestras, Tsujii's journey is a symphony of triumph and artistic brilliance." Bravos!
FEB 7 Super news❣️I half expected this announcement of a Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 @carnegiehall 2025 recital. But what a program https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2025/03/21/Nobuyuki-Tsujii-Piano-0800PM
BEETHOVEN's Waldstein, LISZT's nocturne, CHOPIN nocturnes no. 1 & 2 ... March 21 2025. I AM THERE!! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii March 2025 Carnegie Hall recital!
FEB 7 performance no. 4 Ehime Prefectural Cultural Center Program S (CHOPIN 1 & 2). This concert goes says it all https://twitter.com/okahengiko/status/1755264032825864611 "I went to the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra concert with Nobuyuki Tsujii! Mr. Tsujii's beautiful sound, his spirit, and the harmonious performance with the Orpheus members. The best performance of my favorite Chopin! It was amazing. Standing ovations many times. I walked home for 50 minutes, soaking in the afterglow ^_^ " The tour rests for a day FEB 8 before finishing with 3 more performances. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
FEB 6 A concert goer wrote: " The hall was warm after the snowfall, and I was impressed by the tonal beauty of the orchestra and Mr. Tsujii ✨ A Suntory night that warms my heart for the first time in a while." The dedicated audience were rewarded with 4 encores.👏 Today FEB 7 - performance no. 4 19:00 Ehime Prefectural Cultural Center Program S. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra.
FEB 5 It is so great that people braved snow & cold and showed up @SuntoryHallE for Nobuyuki Tsujii 辻井伸行 & @orpheusnyc last night. Solo encore Elsa's Procession. Orchestra encore Mussorgsky "Ballet of the chicks in their shells" . BRAVOS!
https://twitter.com/riridsds/status/1754507428895535505 "It was snowing outside⛄ and it was cold❄️ but, It was a heartwarming concert with Tsujii-san's sparkling sound✨ I feel like I could hear each member of the orchestra very well during the carnival and encore. " The second performance at Suntory Hall today FEB 6 is also scheduled to take place as planned. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Feb 4 Posted by Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Nobuyuki Tsujii in Recital 28 October 2024
Voyage of virtuosity: Beethoven's 'Tempest'; Liszt's pilgrimage through Venice & Naples. Ravel. Kapustin.
Nobu has not performed the 'Tempest' in recent years. This is an exciting special program for Australia!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024
FEB 3 🎶Not much has yet been heard from the 1st performance of the Japan Tour @orpheusnyc with Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 yesterday in Sandai. Next up are 2 performances at @SuntoryHallE (2,006 seats) Feb 5 & 6 19:00 💐More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
FEB 2 https://twitter.com/ShinobuOyashiki/status/1753396210873110574 📢👏 Great news! Nobuyuki Tsujii appears TWICE in this year's super classics concerts held in Nagoya: Sept 7 2024 RobinTicciati conducts London Phil LPO, BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3; Jan 26 2025 Santtu-Matias Rouvali conducts Philharmonia Orchestra GREIG Piano Concerto. Moreover, might a London Philharmonic Orchestra tour be in the wind this fall ⁉️ A complete list of known upcoming concerts can be viewed at Nobuyuki Tsujii Upcoming Concerts.
FEB 1 Hot on the heels of their successful U.S. tour last month, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra & Nobuyuki Tsujii will embark on a tour in Japan this week FEB 3 - 11. Seven performances, 4 programs. All but the FEB 7 performance have been declared 完売 SOLD OUT. Our best wishes to them for great success! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Japan Tour with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
JAN 2024
JAN 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
December 28 2023 20:00 - Jan 8 2024 23:59 STREAMING: Oslo Phil, Klaus Makela& Nobuyuki Tsujii concerts
January 6 Appearance on "Untitled Concert" Asahi-TV
January 20 - 27 7PM U.S. Tour with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
January 24 BS-Fuji rebroadcast of "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Iceland"
January 27 BS Fuji TV rebroadcast "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Germany"
NEWS
NEWS
January 29 Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram: "It was the first performance in almost a year at Carnegie Hall in New York. I was filled with joy to be able to perform in this hall again, and to receive applause and cheers from so many people. For the encore, I played Liszt's La Campanella. Also, 10 years have passed since 2014, when I first performed with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra @orpheuschamberorchestra. Every time we perform together, I have learned many things through this orchestra's unique music-making process. It is my great honor to be welcomed as an honorary member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra..."
January 28 Mr. Peter Rosen, esteemed film maker (who produced award-winning documentaries that include the 2009 Cliburn Competition &"Touching the Sound, the improbable Journey of Nobuyuki Tsujii") was at Carnegie Hall last night, and shared a photo of Nobu receiving his honorary membership for Orpheus. "Here’s a photo of Nobu receiving his honorary award last night. He was so excited to have anew musical family." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Orpheus at Carnegie JAN 27 2024
January 27 U.S. Nobuyuki Tsujii admirer EC wrote: "Nobu was in great form and played magnificently. He had an incredibly enthusiastic and adoring audience. The applause was tremendous. He received an honorary award as part of the Orpheus orchestra. His encore was the Campanella and it was never performed thus well in my opinion and nobody could play it this magnificently as you know. He was very happy. " Bravos! Many photos are showing up on social media, collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Orpheus at Carnegie JAN 27 2024
JAN 26 Nobuyuki Tsujii's U.S. tour with the esteemed Orpheus Chamber Orchestra culminates tomorrow, Saturday Jan 27 7PM at Carnegie Hall A strong crowd is expected, but some tickets are still available at https://www.carnegiehall.org/Cart/Event-Seating...Our best wishes to Nobu and the orchestra for great success!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Orpheus at Carnegie JAN 27 2024
Jan 23 Official instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/C2dbmFrxwHo/ with 2 clips. " At Clemson, I performed Chopin's posthumous Nocturne, and in Tallahassee, I performed the prelude from Kapustin's eight concert etudes as an encore. This U.S. tour has been fun, as I was able to share all the meals with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra members. After one more rehearsal, the concert will finally be held at Carnegie Hall on the 27th." More at Nobuyui Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2024
Jan 23 I have heard from Nobu's esteemed former manager, Mr. Nick Asano, who shared a photo of a special guest who attended Nobu's performance with Orpheus in Florida on the 20th. Kenta-kun (pink shirt) is the youngest son of Yoko-san, who was the production coordinator of the Peter Rosen documentary 'Touching the Sound' when it was filmed in Florida. According to Mr. Asano: "Yoko san wrote it was his the friend (black shirt)'s debut to classical music concert and he was deeply moved." More at Nobuyui Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2024
Jan 21 BSFuji TV is tentatively airing a new episode of their excellent long-running series "Music journeys of Nobuyuki Tsujii" on March 2 21:00～22:55 https://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujii/bn/11.html 『辻井伸行×ハワイ』（仮） Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii.
Jan 20 Special treat for Yale University alumni: Saturday, January 27th performance by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Nobuyuki Tsujii. $21 tickets & champagne reception https://som.yale.edu/event/2024/01/orpheus-orchestra-carnegie-hall-ft-nobuyuki-tsujii
Jan 19 Instagram by Orpheus https://www.instagram.com/p/C2TDU2IAVS6/ "Blind since birth, Nobuyuki Tsujii is renowned for his unparalleled piano prowess. As we embark on our fourth international tour together, we are proud to call Nobu an honorary member of Orpheus! ✨ We’re performing Chopin in the USA & Japan! 🎟 Tickets at orpheusnyc.org 🌟 Carnegie Hall 🌟 New York, NY | Jan. 27." More at Nobuyui Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2024
Jan 18 https://twitter.com/orpheusnyc/status/1748042072676843894
Nobuyuki Tsujii's U.S.-Japan Tour with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra starts Saturday Jan 20th! All the best for great success to the esteemed orchestra & our beloved pianist
More at Nobuyui Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2024
Jan 15 Nobu has been re-invited to the Verbier, where he first performed in July 2022. This time, he is to hold a Bach, Liszt, Ravel, Kapustin recital Sunday July 21 11:00 at the Église de verbier Station. Let's hope he will have more time to enjoy his stay in the Alps on this visit! Additionally, Nobu performs Schubert's "Trout" quintet on July 22 at the festival with illustrious cellist Mischa Maisky (cello), Daniel Lozakov (violin), Timothy Ridout (viola) and Brendan Kane (double bass). More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2024 Verbier Festival.
Jan 14 Nobuyuki Tsujii is already in this country? It seems Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii is in New York City and shared this photo of a concert poster outside Carnegie Hll
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2FXEfQxvtt/
"今回で6回目の出演になるカーネギーホールでのコンサート🎶
Orpheusとショパンピアノコンチェルト1番です🎹2週間後の開催です🎶
This will be our 6th appearance at Carnegie Hall 🎶 Orpheus and Chopin Piano Concerto No. 1 🎹 It will be held in two weeks 🎶 "
It is cold in NYC, please stay warm and healthy!
JAN 7 It is January 8 in Japan, last day of the streaming of the concerts of Oslo-filharmonien, Klaus Mäkelä & Nobuyuiki Tsujii. The period of this streaming, which started DEC 28, is thankfully more generous than the one week allowance of previous streaming. I recall frantically trying to watch as much as possible, at the last minute, the streaming of Royal Phil & ARK Classics!
Ironically, with this streaming, the urge to watch & re-watch multiple performances is, for me, not there. The Shostakovich concerto is, frankly, not my cup of tea, although it is thrilling to see Nobu's incredible finger work. But fans of the orchestra and the conductor think otherwise. In any case, I for one appreciate being able to enjoy these performances from outside of Japan. And I hope Avex Classics will continue the effort.
Tickets at https://pia-live.jp/event/2346796?lang=en&aetpia
More at STREAMING SOON: Oslo Phil, Klaus Makela& Nobuyuki Tsujii concerts
Jan 6 On the first 2024 broadcast of Japan's long-running program 'Untitled Concert'. “New Year Messages 2024 from top pianists active around the world”! Nobuyuki Tsujii, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Kyohei Tanda, Hayato Sumino, Seiya Kamei, Vikingur Olafsson Nobu's message from Hawaii came up first, and his performance of Kapustin's 'Prelude' etude was shown. https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/daimei_2023/backnumber/0040/ Prof. Kawakami wrote: "Today, as the top batter, Nobu-kun played Kapustin's "Etude No. 1". Of course, each of the other four pianists gave a good performance full of individuality. Mr. Tsujii was speaking from Hawaii, and he will be performing at Carnegie Hall at the end of this month, and it seems that he is already planning to travel far overseas for at least three concerts this year. The image has become established that he is always active in Japan and the world. I thought a little about him on today's show, and I even had the feeling that he had become a big name."
JAN 5 👍Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra perform together almost every year -- both in Japan & U.S., except during the pandemic. They are back together in the U.S. (Florida, South Carolina, NYC) this month (Jan 2024), followed by a Japan tour in February👏Please see Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in U.S. January 2024. The photo shown is from 2019, when the orchestra paid homage to Nobu backstage after his thrilling recital Carnegie Hall.
AN 5 In 2021, a March 22 Japan tour was announced of Nobuyuki Tsujii with U.K.'s Philharmonia Orchestra & their then new Chief Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali, preceded by a performance at London Festival Hall. COVID intervened. Today word came that a performance is scheduled for Fukuoka Jan 10 2025. So, looks like the tour is revived. Please stay tuned for further details.
Jan 5 Tomorrow, January 6th (Sat) is the first 2024 broadcast of Japan's long-running program 'Untitled Concert'. “New Year Messages 2024 from top pianists active around the world”! Nobuyuki Tsujii, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Kyohei Tanda, Hayato Sumino, Seiya Kamei, Vikingur Olafsson www.tv-asahi.co.jp/daimei/next/
JAN 3 https://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/archives/8632
New Year blog post by Prof. Masahiro Kawakami: "Japan has had a rough start this year [earthquake, plane crash, political turmoil ] ... people involved in music, arts & entertainment should go back to our roots and think about what we can do to make as many people happy as possible." Indeed, his famous student Nobuyuki Tsujii has been doing just that, for years. My best wishes to Japan!
JAN 2 I heard from a reliable source that the renowned Teldex Studio Berlin sound engineer Friedemann Engelbrecht, seen in this 2011 Avex Classics International video https://youtube.com/watch?v=at3KFiYisbQ , still remembers Nobuyuki Tsujii well. Sadly, Nobu no longer records there. Nor has he performed in Germany since 2019. Why?? This video, showing Nobu's first recording session at the studio, with soundtrack of his CHOPIN nocturne no. 8, is one of my all-time favorites.
DEC 2023
DEC 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 17 - 19 ANA's 2023 Hawaii 'Aha Mele'
December 1 & 2 20:00 Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall Ravel's Piano Concerto with Hong Kong Philharmonic conducted by Vasily Petrenko
December 12 2023 - June 16 2024 Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov Japan Recital Tour
NEWS
NEWS
DEC 31 Happy New Year!
"M. Harder has long wanted to bring the acclaimed Nobuyuki Tsujii to Clemson University... her dream comes true [in 2024]" "He’s such a brilliant, sensitive pianist," said Abi Fayette, a violinist in the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra “He has a gentle way of approaching the piano. There’s an intimate humanness in the way he plays the piano.” Nobuyuki Tsujii & Orpheus Chamber Orchestra free concert Jan 21 4 p.m. Brooks Center for the Performing Arts. More at U.S. Tour with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
DEC 29 The story of Nobuyuki Tsujii, as told by his mother Itsuko.
A 3-parts article published in 2022 by Japan's Yomiuri News.
" The world of the blind is not 'darkness.' "
"I was saved by seeing him enjoy music."
" Nobuyuki seems to be able to hear people's voices on a musical scale, and he often says things like, `'That person is a do, mi, mi, mi person.'
English translation at The story of Nobuyuki Tsujii, as told by his mother Itsuko.
DEC 28 I am watching the streaming of the Oslo Phil/Klaus Makela/Nobuyuki Tsujii performances at Suntory Hall on OCT 23. Conductor Klaus Mäkelä exudes youthful charm. In the screen grab shown, he is seen turning to keep an eye on Nobu's finger movements while waving his baton to the orchestra. The Shostakovic piano concerto is no lyrical work like the Schumann Concerto whose streaming I so enjoyed last month. Spectacular finger works by Nobu and superb orchestra work -- I am enjoying it!
DEC 27 A New Year surprise present from the Biarritz Piano Festival, where Nobu performed in 2022: a YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH2Z0Ew14BM of Nobu playing Liszt's Consolation no. 3 in a quiet (no audience) Espace Bellevue -- beautifully filmed and with great sound. A big thanks to the festival. Let's hope they invite Nobu back again. (The 2022 recital held by Nobu -- filmed by the same crew -- is available for viewing on medici-TV.) More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at Biarritz August 1 2022.
DEC 25 Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii shared this image of #辻井伸行 Nobuyuki Tsujii's Christmas Card, with his autograph on an adorned image of him at the Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival. [Update: My mistake has been caught by an astute reader - the photo is from "Troldhaugen in Norway where Nobu had recitals [in June]." Bravos to Nobu, his brilliant parents & loyal staff. May he keep shining a bright light on our world that needs it so much! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2023 Special Christmas Concert
DEC 25 Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, brilliant mom of Nobuyuki Tsujii, was at Kioi Hall last night. "The last concert of the year is a Christmas concert for ANA. The curtain has closed Thank you so much to all the fans who supported us this year "
Nobu played 6 each of his original compositions & classica masterpieces, and 4 encores. A concert goer wrote: "Is it okay to have such a happy Christmas? I'm glad to be alive." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2023 Special Christmas Concert
DEC 24 It is DEC 25 Christmas Day in Japan. This evening 700 fortunate people there will get to enjoy a Christmas concert held by Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 in Tokyo's Kioi Hall for his sponsor All Nippon Airways (ANA). https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/mycampaign/23-09_christmas-concert/ Program for the first half of the concert comprises 'own compositions', and the second half 'classic masterpieces." I expect we will hear from some happy concert goers.
DEC 23 Concert goers of the Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour took note that Nobu played for encore the piece 戦場のメリークリスマス "Merry Christmas, on the Battlefield." (The theme music for the 1983 film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence", by composer 坂本龍一 Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away in March. A video has now been freshly uploaded to Nobu's official YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbI6FG3fN5c 辻井伸行 /「戦場のメリークリスマス」 作曲 坂本龍一 NobuyukiTsujii / Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence, with an accompanying message of "Greetings of the season and best wishes for the New Year. "
DEC 22 Asahi-TV January 6 "Untitled Concert" episode: "Delivered from top pianists active in the world! New Year Messages 2024" Nobuyuki Tsujii is among the pianists, and looks like his video message is delivered from Hawaii😃 https://tv-asahi.co.jp/daimei/next/
DEC 22 The last tour performance ended in Iwate last night, and the concert goer comments are extra warm: It's great to read many comments like the ones below, to know that the efforts of Nobu (and his staff) are truly appreciated in the Tohoku region (the area devastated by the 2011 earthquake/tsunami).
https://twitter.com/mei2525117/status/1738189806755278976
"Tonight, Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert 🎹🎵 Bach and Chopin were wonderful, but Rachmaninov's ``Time for Music'' was the highlight! ! The encore songs [four, starting with 'Bumble Bee'] ``Bells'' and ``La Campanella'' were also played wonderfully 🎶 .At the end, he played ``Merry Christmas on the Battlefield'' 🎄 closed the piano lid. The best Christmas present 🎁 " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 21 TODAY in Japan DEC 22 19:00 Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Bach-Chopin-Rachmaninov recital Japan tour Performance 5 [Iwate] Kitakami City Sakura Hall (1,503 seats).
Last performance this year. This tour will resume in February. All the best to Nobu! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 20 It has taken a LONG time, but ... STREAMING DEC 28-JAN 8: 3 October performances by Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra (Oslo-filharmonien), condjuctor Klaus Mäkelä & Nobuyuki Tsujii. 2000 yen per concert or 4000 yen for all 3.
Tickets at https://pia-live.jp/event/2346796?lang=en&aetpia More at STREAMING SOON: Oslo Phil, Klaus Makela& Nobuyuki Tsujii concerts
DEC 20 https://twitter.com/kc_abemin_929/status/1737477088167264444 "I was at the concert of Nobuyuki Tsujii with my husband [in Miyagi last night]. It was so wonderful. Bach, Chopin, Rachmaninoff...the sounds he played were delicate, soft & beautiful & washed my heart. I was happy to hear La Campanella & 'Merry Christmas on the Battlefield' for encore. Thank you for a wonderful time. " NEXT: Performance no. 5 DEC 22 Iwate - last tour recital of year 2023. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 20 Several concert goers last night mention that Nobu played for encore the piece 戦場のメリークリスマス "Merry Christmas on the Battlefield." (The theme music for the 1983 film "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence", by composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away in March. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGs_vGt0MY8 ). One concertgoer wrote: "... when he [Nobu] played Merry Christmas on the Battlefield at the end because it was the season, I was moved by the beautiful tone. It really touched my heart and made me wish the world was as peaceful as this tone." Amen 🙏 More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 20 NEW on YouTube, by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra: "Orpheus & Nobuyuki Tsujii at Carnegie Hall and on tour in 2024" https://youtube.com/watch?v=yssRC2KqCV0More about the tour at Nobuyui Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2024.
DEC 18 The Nobuyuki Tsujii website has updated the Liverpool Phil Japan tour page, now listing 6 performances https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002393 May 11 Saga City; May 12 Osaka; May 14 & 15 Tokyo; May 17 Niigata; May 18 Nagano. 3 Programs.
All the best to the tour. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RLPO Japan Tour May 2024
DEC 18 This post just showed up. https://aju-cil.com/supporter/event.html Back in early November (Nov 2) Nobu held a benefit concert for Japan's AJU Independence House. "At AJU Independence House, people with severe disabilities continue to work towards social independence, and the AJU Independence House Support Association has supported these activities. Holding a welfare concert is part of this effort, and we plan a concert every year where people with disabilities can dress up a little and listen to beautiful music together with everyone. Through the concert, we will strive to raise awareness of the purpose of the support group, which is to enable people with and without disabilities to live fulfilling lives in the local community."
DEC 17 The website has been so quiet that I failed to notice the update. But 10 'NEW' performances have been announced. All of which were already listed at my Nobuyuki Tsujii Upcoming Concerts page except one: April 4 19:30 Congress Kursaal Interlaken, Switzerland Beethoven's 'Emperor' concerto with the Zakhar Bron Festival Orchestra, conductor Zakhar Bron. https://avex.jp/tsujii/tsujii-en/live/tour.php?id=1002404
DEC 17 Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 Japan Tour BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOV recital Performance no. 3 yesterday in Fukushima Minamisoma. A great success again. 4 encores, including a new one 'Flight of the Bumblebees' [? checking] (Still it is 'La Campanella' that was the most appreciated :-) NEXT: 12月20日(水) DEC 20【宮城】東京エレクトロンホール宮城大ホール[Miyagi] Tokyo Electron Hall Miyagi Large Hall 19:00
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 15 Tweet by the Japan Foundation, New York@JF_NewYork
https://twitter.com/JF_NewYork/status/1735705721835069946
The legendary Nobuyuki Tsujii is coming to the US with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, this January 20th-27th. These incredible musicians will be in Florida, South Carolina, and NYC. Get your tickets now!!
https://ny.jpf.go.jp/event/orpheus-nobuyuki-tsujii-schumann-chopin-nathalie-joachim/ More about these performances can be read at
https://mlliu2006.blogspot.com/2023/09/nobuyui-tsujii-orpheus-chamber.html
DEC 14 www.instagram.com/p/C007Sx3LWzi/ Saitama Concertgoer: "Today I took a half day off in the afternoon and went to Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan tour at Westa Kawagoe!
3 encore songs
⚫︎Bach 'Lord, joy of man's desire'
⚫︎Rachmaninoff 'The Bell'
⚫︎Liszt 'La Campanella'. "
NEXT: Performance 3 December 17 14:00 Fukushima
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 13 jp.yna.co.kr/view/AJP20231214001600882
韓国の公演企画会社、マストメディアによると、来年３月３日にソウル・芸術の殿堂コンサートホールで「辻井伸行ピアノリサイタル」が開かれる。 According to Mast Media, a Korean performance planning company, a ``Nobuyuki Tsujii Piano Recital'' will be held at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on March 3 next year. Last time Nobu performed in Seoul was an international friendship concert with Ms. Yeol Yum Sun.
DEC 12 The first performance of the Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Tour was -- no surprise :-) -- a great success. Concert goers wrote: "Great satisfaction" "Mr. Tsujii's performance was wonderful. It wasn't just a good song, it was a tone that appealed to the soul, a melody that felt like the abyss of space." 4 encores, including Rachmaninov's 'Bell' prelude and a Christmas medley. NEXT UP: Performance 2 December 14 12月14日(木) DEC14 【埼玉】ウェスタ川越 大ホール [Saitama] Westa Kawagoe Large Hall15:00. News, comments, photos, etc. are collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 12 The 2023-24 Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Recital "("Time for Music & Pleasure"楽興の時 [Vocalise Rachmaninov])" Tour begins today, and will continue in spurts through June 16 2024. There are 14 performances. . Program: BACH French Suite; CHOPIN 4 impromptus; RACHMANINOV Vocalise. First performance DEC 12: Nagaski Brick Hall (2,002 seats) 19:00. We wish Tsujii-san great success News, comments, photos, etc. are collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
DEC 10 Tickets are now on sale for the May 2024 Tokyo performances of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Domingo Hindoyan, with Nobuyuki Tsujii. Ticket prices: S seat 28,000 yen A seat 24,000 yen B seat 20,000 yen C seat 15,000 yen D seat 10,000 yen U25 seat 5,000 yen
https://l-tike.com/classic/mevent/?mid=496036
https://www.ints.co.jp/rlpo2024.html
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RLPO Japan Tour May 2024
DEC 9 NEW on YouTube: music scores shown with performances by Nobuyuki Tsujii - My eyes can hardly keep up with the playing. A big thanks to the uploader. Kapustin - Concert Etude No. 1 "Prelude" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZzvn81_1Hw; Liszt - Paganini Etude No. 3, 'La Campanella' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XiHhAXF3Q4
Dec 8 According to a tweet: 題名のない音楽会 2024.01.06 「世界で活躍するトップピアニストたちから届いた！ニューイヤーメッセージ2024」 ♪出演：#ヴィキングル・オラフソン、#辻井伸行、#反田恭平、#角野隼斗、#亀井聖矢 [Concert Without a Title 2024.01.06 "New Year Messages 2024 from top pianists active around the world” ♪ Cast: Vikingur Olafsson, Nobuyuki Tsujii, Kyohei Tanda, Hayato Sumino, Seiya Kamei
DEC 8 The 2023-24 Japan Recital "("Time for Music & Pleasure"楽興の時 [Vocalise Rachmaninov])" Tour for Nobuyuki Tsujii begins on Dec 12 2023, and will continue in spurts through June 16 2024. There are 14 performances. BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOF program (similar to the recital program for Liverpool and Paris in April 2024). Nobu's recitals are very popular in Japan. As of today, every one of the performances that have started selling tickets seems to have sold out, some reportedly almost instantly. News, comments, photos, etc. are collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour happenings.
NOV 26 PIA Live Stream online distribution of the Gala concerts Dec 1-8-- tickets at https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventBundleCd=b2347333 ARK Classics 2023 ARK Sinfonietta GALA nights 1 & 2 Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano) Conducted by Fumiaki Miura ARK Sinfonietta 1st night includes Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4; 2nd night includes Schumann: Piano Concerto A minor, Op.54. Plus solo encores.
More at 2023 Ark Classics.
Dec 3 The long awaited Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram! With several great photos -- no clips. "I performed Ravel's Piano Concerto in Hong Kong. The conductor is Vasily Petrenko, with whom I have collaborated many times. The orchestra consisted of members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, who were performing together for the first time." "This time I had more time to walk around the city, and I was able to feel a lot of energy from Hong Kong's lively city and people." "I also enjoyed Hong Kong gourmet food such as Dim Sum, Porridge and soup noodle!" More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Hong Kong Phil - December 2023
DEC 2 Nobu's debut with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra is now history. Last night he played two solo encores: La Campanella and a Kapustin etude; perhaps to make up for no solo encore the first night :-) Anyway, it seems he was warmly welcome, and should be traveling home now. Bravos to Tsujii-san!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Hong Kong Phil - December 2023
DEC 1 Nobuyuki Tsujii debuts with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by long-time patron conductor Vasily Petrenko. https://www.instagram.com/p/C0UFAdcy3S1/ "I’m one of the audience who can’t help having tears in my eyes. How beautiful your soul is, how passionate , breathtaking and touching your performance is ! " The 2nd performance today Saturday DEC 2 20:00 is near SOLD OUT. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Hong Kong Phil - December 2023
NOV 30 Instagram by Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Tanaka-san: "Nobuyuki Tsujii's Ravel Piano Concerto concerts are finally tomorrow, Friday & Saturday. The relationship with Maestro Vasily Petrenko is perfect. My heart moved when I heard Ravel's 2nd movement. Tsujii-san, it's amazing how he memorizes all the rehearsal numbers, and even when the conductor says "starting from number 9," he can play right away! ! Please join to the HKPhil concert." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Hong Kong Phil - December 2023
NOV 29 This sounds like a great tour organized by Liverpool-based Maestro Touring https://maestrotouring.com/music-arts-tours/406 "The wonders of Japan" 5 - 17 May 2024: "a 12 day ‘immersion’ in the very best of Japan AND two concerts in Tokyo with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Maestro Domingo Hindoyan & renowned pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii" All the best on great success!
More at t Nobuyuki Tsujii with RLPO Japan Tour May 2024.
NOV 28 NEWLY announced: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Domingo Hindoyan ; Piano: Nobuyuki Tsujii. Two 2014 performances at Suntory Hall 19:00
May14 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 & May15 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3. Tickets on sale Dec 24th https://ints.co.jp/rlpo2024.html More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RLPO Japan Tour May 2024.
NOV 26 PIA Live Stream announced online distribution of the Gala concerts for one week Dec 1-8-- tickets are already on sale https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventBundleCd=b2347333 [Video distribution] ARK Hills Music Week 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics ARK Sinfonietta GALA 12/1/2023-12/8/2023 Nobuyuki Tsujii (piano) Conducted by Fumiaki Miura ARK Sinfonietta 1st night includes Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4; 2nd night includes Schumann: Piano Concerto A minor, Op.54. Sadly, the track list does not include Nobu's solos, nor his performances with trumpet player Sergei Nakaryakov ['Variations on a theme from Norma' by Jean Baptiste Arban] :-(
November 25 BSFuji TV is airing another best episode of the excellent series "Nobuyuki Tsujii's World Music travels [2018]" Saturday, January 20, 2024 20:00-21:55“Nobuyuki Tsujii x Iceland": Vladimir Ashkenazy, Iceland Symphony Orchestra, serenade by men's choir... See https://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujii/pub/008.html More at 2023 Fuji-TV Nobuyuki Tsujii year-end specials
Nov 25 BS-Fuji TV aired a re-run of the 2017 episode from their excellent series of 'Music travels of Nobuyuki Tsujii' 'Nobuyuki Tsujii x Paris ~The night Chopin descended" Tweet by Yura, with a clip: "Nobuyuki Tsujii x Paris" rebroadcast on BS-Fuji last night. "Hard to believe that it's been 6 years since; it's so fresh... 2 hours went by in no time ♪ Recital at the Théâtre des Champs Elysée ... CHOPIN 12 Etudes was fearless & dignified, amazing".
More at 2023 Fuji-TV Nobuyuki Tsujii year-end specials
Nov 24 Posted by Harrison Parrot, Nobu's international management https://www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2023-11-24/nobu-performs-ravel-with-hong-kong-philharmonic "Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to Hong Kong on 1 and 2 December for two performances of Ravel’s jazz-infused Piano Concerto with Vasily Petrenko and Hong Kong Philharmonic. This is Nobu’s second visit to the Fragrant City this year following a recital at the University of Hong Kong last June, and Petrenko’s first return since his debut with Hong Kong Philharmonic last season. Completing the all-French programme are the Overture from Benvenuto Cellini by Berlioz and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Hong Kong Phil - December 2023
November 22 Sweet news on this Thanksgiving eve:
Instagram posted by Tokyo-based Passion, Inc https://instagram.com/p/Cz4bRUmSlqp/ "World-famous pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii's tour in Hawaii has been successfully filmed The popular series “Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, World Music Travel” has been produced for BS Fuji for 14 years. We haven't been able to go abroad for three years due to the coronavirus, but this is finally my first time back. We will notify you once the broadcast schedule is decided, so please enjoy the world-class piano and the Hawaiian atmosphere. Broadcast schedule to be announced." More at 2023 Fuji-TV Nobuyuki Tsujii year-end specials
Nov 21 Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz5yzv_RwKB/
Concert at Waikiki Shell
Finally "Over the Rainbow" [Nobu performed "somewhere over the rainbow'" with a Hawaiian ensemble]
We had a blast 🌈
With a nice photo of mother and son, both wearing Hawaiian outfits and looking happy :-) More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
NOV 20 👁️🌴Nobuyuki Tsujii pulled out all the stops in Waikiki last night, performing a solo recital in the first half, then with Hawaiian musicians in the 2nd half -- as described in this instagram with photos & clips [starting at 3rd attachment]
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz3SB67LcAS/ "Japan's world-famous pianist. Nobuyuki Tsujii's outdoor concert! 2000 people fell in love with
More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
NOV 19 We finally got an official instagram from Hawaii!
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz2njUgRMjW "We are performing at ANA ʻAha Mele 2023 again this year. This time, I had many experiences such as music classes at a school in Hawaii, Blue Note, and tree planting sponsored by ANA. Starting today at Waikiki Shell, there will be a lot of content including my solo performance and collaborations with local artists!" With 3 still photos and a video clip of Nobu practicing CHOPIN's 'Ocean' etude on stage. More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
November 19 From Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cz0kcnDRvNY/ "Brunch recital at Blue Note Hawaii 🎹 I was surprised to see surfboards decorated at Blue Note in Hawaii 🫢 The 4th photo [shown] is after the show with a sweaty Nobuyuki and ANA Managing Director Yazawa... Tomorrow we will go to the Waikiki Shell." Tickets for this evening's show are available at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005EF4BA372DDA More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
Nov 18 Tweet by a concert goer at the Blue Note Hawaii recital of Nobuyuki Tsujii this morning https://twitter.com/naccoHI_storm2/status/1726067744628711520"It was a really valuable concert✨... It was being filmed, perhaps for Japanese BS [TV]." Ha, just as I surmised❣️I really hope we will see the footage in a new episode of the BSフジ "music travel" series🙏 More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
Nov 17 This is is strictly my personal speculation, but it is possible that Nobu's time in Hawaii is being filmed for a year-end Fuji TV show, as a new episode of the great 'Nobuyuki Tsujii music travel' series! My [educated :-)] guess is based on 1) the extra days of Nobu [and his mother Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii] are spending in Hawaii, arriving ahead of his performances, and 2) the presence of what seems like a professional camera crew at yesterday's school visit [see screen grab below from Hawiian KITV4/ TV s TV segment]. But, please, I can be wrong! More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
November 17 The first performance of Nobu in Hawaii is tomorrow Nov. 18, an unusual MORNING performance at Blue Note Hawaii, at which the audience is served a brunch (breakfast/lunch) while listening to a recital by Nobu! I checked just now: tickets have sold out for this event https://www.bluenotejazz.com/hawaii/shows/?eid=TWL1647665 More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
Nov 17 Tweet by 'lolani School, Hawaii https://twitter.com/Iolani_School/status/1725337864106311893 "Nobuyuki Tsujii, one of the world’s most enthralling virtuoso pianists, performed on campus today. Our students even got the chance to collaborate with him on original music. Mahalo to @FlyANA_official and the “ANA ‘Aha Mele” music and cultural exchange. #nobuyukitsujii" More at 'Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hawaii, November 2023'
November 14 Nobuyuki Tsujii will actually be on U.S. soil very soon!
aloha-street.com/article/2023/11/393873/
"All Nippon Airways music event "ANA ʻAha Mele" will be held in Hawaii for 4 days from November 16th (Thursday) to November 19th (Sunday)! Concerts & music classes will be held with famous pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii".
We wish the event great success, and we hope that Nobu will have fun in Honolulu.
Image shown from 2022. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at ANA's 2023 Hawaii 'Aha Mele'
Nov 13 A few days back I posted this wonderful photo that came up in a tweet. It turns out the photo originated from none other than Turkish pianist Fazıl Say himself, in a Facebook post that came with a moving story of how Mr. Say met a young Nobuyuki Tsujii. "It was the year 2000. 23 years ago. After a concert that I gave in Tokyo, a mother came backstage with her visually impaired son ..." Read it here, if you like: "A mother came backstage with her visually impaired son" -- How Fazil Say met Nobuyuki Tsujii
Nov 6 https://www.instagram.com/p/CzIwnGpyGQR/ It seems Nobuyuki Tsujii held a recital to benefit the disabled, on Nov 2 in Nagoya. Bach's French Suite No. 5, Chopin's 4 impromptus, Kaputins's etudes & Ravel's Water Play. The 1st half of the program is the same as what he will perform at the upcoming Japan recital tour. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour
Nov 5 I just bought a ticket for Nobuyuki Tsujii's Bach-Chopin-Debussy-Rachmaninov recital at Theatre des Champs Elysees next April 10. It was one of the very few choice seats left. Health permitting, I will be in Paris next April! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Paris, April 2024.
Nov 4 https://www.hawaiinisumu.com/article/3606 "ANA's music and cultural exchange festival "ANA 'Aha Mele" returns to Honolulu this year! The art will enliven Hawaii in autumn. The schedule is 4 days from November 16th to 19th, 2023. Continuing from last year, world-famous pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii will be the main guest. ANA 'Aha Mele 2023に出演される辻井伸行さんからのメッセージ Nobuyuki Tsujii YouTube video https://youtu.be/786L21glG1c promoting his upcoming Hawaiian concerts for All Nippon AirwaysNov 18-19.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at ANA's 2023 Hawaii 'Aha Mele'
Nov 1 The Oslo Pjil is in Taiwan & should be wrapping up their Asia tour soon. We wish them safe journey home. Meanwhile, I noticed this announcement on the official Nobu site "3 performances - Oct 20th Shizouka, Oct 23 Tokyo, Oct 26 Kumamoto - recorded for video distribution. Details to be announced." Stay tuned. You will be the first to hear once the info becomes available … More at Japan Tour with Conductor Klaus Makela & the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
OCT 2023
OCT 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 29 - October 3 ARK Hills Music Week 2023 at Suntory Hall
October 2 17:30-18:15 The Okuar Tokyo lobby concert
October 18 - 26 Japan Tour with Conductor Klaus Makela & the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra
NEWS
NEWS
November 9 2023I just belatedly came upon this SEPT 25 tweet, with a photo taken at a gathering for the 2023 Mr. Fuji Kawaguchico Piano Fest, of Nobuyui Tsujii and [I believe] pianist Fazil Say, who appeared on stage at the festival. I missed the post back then because Nobu's last name was spelled with one i.
https://twitter.com/IlgazSefik/status/1706295429904642056
The tweet's text is in German: "Nobuyuki Tsuji, einer der größten Pianisten der Welt. [Nobuyuki Tsuji, one of the world's greatest pianists.]" The photo shows Fazil Say and Nobu smiling together, with an arm around each other's shoulders. There were very few photos of Mr. Say at the festival. This one is especially sweet. Back story at 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival - as it happens
November 9 Another belated find of a post with 'Nobuyuki Tsuji' instead of "Nobuyuki Tsujii" https://www.instagram.com/p/BkdM7FsFXVK/ This instagram dates from 2018 -- a lifetime ago before the pandemic and when the world was more at peace. Nobu was in St. Petersburg for the White Nights Festival and was invited by Valery Gergiev to perform at the conductor's private concert hall, Rapino. The gentleman escorting Nobu is former Avex manager Mr. Nick Asano, much missed along with so much more from that time. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at White Nights of St. Petersburg 2018
OCT 31 Good news! BS-Fuji TV is airing a re-run of the 2017 episode from their excellent series of 'Music travels of Nobuyuki Tsujii'
Nov 25 20:00-21:55 “Nobuyuki Tsujii x Paris ~The night Chopin descended"
I hope this heralds the airing of a new episode! More at 2023 Fuji-TV Nobuyuki Tsujii year-end specials
OCT 28 Kumamoto News article https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/142da01bc5171f09a2a0d5c82478542dfb7411eb [Translated from Japanese] Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra Kumamoto Performance On the evening of the 26th, it was held at the Prefectural Theater in Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City. The orchestra is a Norwegian orchestra founded in 1919. The event opened with Shostakovich's ``Festive Overture,'' with the powerful conducting and gorgeous performance of principal conductor Klaus Makela (27). Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii co-starred in "Piano Concerto No. 2." The light and bouncy tone and beautifully clear melodies were displayed with great emotion. The finale concluded with Richard Strauss's brave and magnificent symphonic poem ``The Life of a Hero,'' and the venue was filled with loud applause.
OCT 27 Instagram by the Oslo Phil https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy6HgbcgbQD/ "Yesterday, we played our last tour concert with pianist Nobu Tsujii and our final concert in Japan. An enthusiastic audience at the Kumamoto Prefectural Theater had the opportunity to experience a chief conductor and an orchestra in great shape, now ready for South Korea ..." with excellent photos by John-Halvdan Halvorsen, which include two with Nobu. The respect they showed for Nobuyuki Tsujii while in Japan has not gone unnoticed. Bravos! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
OCT 26 Hawaii Public Radio aired a program promoting "the upcoming All Nippon Airways `Aha Mele concert with Nobuyuki Tsujii & Hawaii musicians", listenable at this link https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/classical-music-conversations/2023-10-25/chris-yick-of-hawaii-chamber-music-festival-and-ana-aha-mele-visits-classical-pacific . I'm impressed that the program chose to play Nobu's Berceuse by Chopin & his own 'The wings of Rockefeller Center Angels.' More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at ANA's 2023 Hawaii 'Aha Mele'
OCT 26 Announced: Nobuyuki Tsujii debut recital in Melbourne
https://melbournerecital.com.au/events/2024/nobuyuki-tsujii/
Wednesday 30 October 2024 7.30pm Elisabeth Murdoch Hall This makes 7 performances (known so far) in Australia 🇦🇺🦘next year (Oct 25 - Nov 2 2024)! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024
October 26 Graceful post, in 3 languages, from one who was at the Kumamoto Prefectural Theater where the final performance of the Japan tour of Klaus Mäkelä, Oslo-filharmonien and Nobuyuki Tsujii was held last night
www.instagram.com/p/Cy3Y2tIxrTl/ "A magnificent orchestra, an outstanding conductor, and a superb soloist. I'm grateful that these three came together to perform and deliver exceptional music in such a far-eastern regional city. When I get old, I'll probably be that annoying granny bragging about today's concert to the younger generation" More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
OCT 24 Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Beethoven's 2nd concerto in Tasmania 🇦🇺https://www.tso.com.au/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii/ Nov 2 2024 7:30pm. Federation Concert Hall, Hobart - Tasmania, with musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music conducted by Eivind Aadland. This is the sixth performance in Australia next year, and it marks the first time that Nobu plays this concerto outside Japan. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024
OCT 23 Suntory Hall Klaus Mäkelä conducts Oslo-filharmonien with Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 a great success. 2 soloist encores: Kapustin prelude & Grieg 'Troll'. Orchestra encore Strauss II: Czardas from the opera “Knight Pazuman” More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens UPDATE: Twitter sunsoon reported a sign that says the concert will be streamed at a later date & concert goer AT reported seeing at least 6 cameras. Great news!
OCT 23 https://www.instagram.com/p/CytQZaCygUK/ Priceless photo posted by Oslo-filharmonien -- Klaus Mäkelä guiding Nobuyuki Tsujii on stage in Osaka. "Yesterday, the orchestra had a long day at work. First, the journey took us from Nagoya to Osaka, where we performed an afternoon concert at Festival Hall with chief conductor Klaus Mäkelä and soloist Nobu Tsujii. After the concert, we had another train ride back to Tokyo, where we will now be for a few days to perform two concerts at Suntory Hall, the most prestigious concert hall in Japan." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
OCT 22 https://twitter.com/omaruchin7/status/1716053048823619715 " Klaus Mäkelä ,Oslo-filharmonien & Nobuyuki Tsujii at Festival Hall. Mr. Makela is smart but powerful. The orchestra gave a wonderful performance ! Nobuyuki's was overwhelming as I could feel its delicacy and strength. I was impressed." Solo encore was Grieg's lyric piece 'Wedding Day'. Next up: Suntory Hall today OCT 23 19:00. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
OCT 21 https://twitter.com/hanadahanataro/status/1715970401892024695 "Makela & Oslo Phil at Festival Hall [Osaka]. The first half is Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 ‼️ performed with Nobuyuki Tsujii. A thrilling and exciting performance with both piano and orchestra ‼️ Shostakovich without any seriousness like this is also good~ 🤩🤩🤩 I felt refreshed ‼️‼️" NEXT: Monday , Oct 23 19:00 [Tokyo] Suntory Hall.
Oct 21 Nagoya performance is over. https://twitter.com/rui_k_5/status/1715631894140977302 "Nobuyuki Tsuii 's Shostakovich No. 2 is full of speed and has a cool sense of unity with the orchestra The contrasting encore [Elsa's Procession] fills your heart with the gentle sound that echoes through the hall. The lively orchestral performance under the direction of the young maestro was a sight to behold The performances in various places are sure to be a great success " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
October 20 https://twitter.com/ShizukuA/status/1715319586256826701 The Hamamatsu performance is over -- apparent went well, as this tweet says it all. "Klaus is so cool~ Nobuyuki Tsujii is good ~ The sound of the orchestra is amazing. " An encore was played by Nobu (Kapustin) & the orchestra each, and photo taking was said to be strictly prohibited. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
OCT 19 https://www.instagram.com/p/CylGbqRSvoV/ Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, mum of Nobuyuki Tsujii, with this fine photo of 3 generations of Mr. Tsujii. "My father-in-law has made it to his 101st birthday in good health. Working as an active OB/GYN till last year & now reading & drinking delicious wine daily." BravosWhat a gift the esteemed Dr. Tsujii has given the world, with Nobu's music. Congratulations to the Tsujii family.
OCT 19 https://twitter.com/KiwamiMiyajima/status/1714988874047639969 "Klaus Makela is in Japan with the Oslo Phil. Photo with soloist Nobuyuki Tsujii at a reception hosted by the Norwegian Ambassador 🇳🇴 Minichi news will give you a quick report on the performance at Suntory Hall on the 23rd." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
OCT 18 Tweet by ticket outlet PIA https://twitter.com/pia_classic/status/1714568214762692772 "Japan Tour Klaus Mäkelä Oslo-filharmonien & Nobuyuki Tsujii 10/20 Shizuoka 10/21 Nagoya 10/22 Osaka 10/23/24 Tokyo 10/26 Kumamoto. Tickets available here https://t.pia.jp/pia/artist/artists.do?artistsCd=D7180001 "
In spite of the mega star power of Mäkelä & Nobu, none of the 7 performances have sold out. Could it be that the top tickets are too pricey?
UPDATE: the OCT 23 Suntory Hall performance with Nobu has now been declared SOLD OUT avex.jp/classics/opo2023/
October 18 This German post came up today https://www.klassikinfo.de/?p=24995 "The Georgian Tsinandali Festival looking for a compromise" by Susanne Lettenbauer "This makes the concert by Nobuyuki Tsujii all the more impressive... the audience in the amphitheater experienced Edvard Grieg's lyric pieces with the ears of a blind man. Listening closely, slightly dance-like, then again emphatically serious. A revelation." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023
OCT 17 Facebook posting by the Oslo Phil, with a video clip https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=158376560679462 Klaus Mäkelä talks about the upcoming Asia tour. It is nice of the maestro to mention Nobu at time mark 1:13 -- "I've heard a lot of great things about Nobu I met him very briefly on our last tour with Orchestre de Paris to Japan, so I am very much looking forward to playing with him the 2nd Shostakovich Piano Concerto." Bravos and best wishes! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
October 17 Nobu is mentioned in an amusing post that has just come up. https://allforturntables.com/2023/10/17/which-country-has-the-best-pianists/ "Which country has the best pianists? Russia, Germany, U.S., Italy, Japan. "Japanese pianists have gained international recognition for their technical brilliance & interpretive skills... Mitsuko Uchida & Nobuyuki Tsujii have made their mark on the global stage, and younger talents continue to emerge with remarkable artistry." The article is not to be taken seriously -- Glen Gould was Canadian, L. Lang & Y. Wang are Chinese, they are named as pianists from the U.S.; and some of the European pianists cited are long gone. But I thought it's good and right to see Japan and Nobu mentioned.
October 14 https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/1713066335931179467 I wasn't aware of it, but apparently the Nobuyuki Tsujii documentary "Touching the Sound" by Peter Rosen is not available in Japan! Twitter Yura had to get a DVD from her niece in the U.S. before she saw it. I've now been told that it is available for viewing on medici.tv, as well as another Rosen documentary "A Surprise in Texas" (the 2009 Cliburn Competition documentary). "Touching the Sound" is still shown on PBS stations in the U.S.. It is also available for streaming/purchase via Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/touchingthesound
October 11 Nostalgia. Yura-san posted a clip of Nobuyuki Tsujii playing a passage of movement 2 in CHOPIN's piano concerto no. 1 https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/1712103639945519280 "Romance, sadness, transparency. Delicate beauty, melodious beauty, tear glands" This exact passage is what transfixed me when I watched The Cliburn Competition 2009 documentary on TV so many years ago. I was just listening & wasn't even aware that Nobu could not see. I have never recovered from that sweet tone🎶that haunted me 🤔 "How I caught Nobu Fever"
OCT 9 Words from India https://serenademagazine.com/mastering-the-keys-of-darkness-the-blind-pianist-nobuyuki-tsujii/ ... "I listened to Tsujii play Rach 3 in stunned silence ... It was a passing comment by BBC Radio 3 presenter Martin Handley that informed me that Nobuyuki Tsujii was 'born blind' !"
That BBC Proms archive expires midnight London time today OCT 9 -- ONE HOUR FROM NOW ... I am listening ...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001q16f
October 8 Suntory Hall posted photos by Rikimaru Hotta from the ARK Classics closing night performance https://twitter.com/SuntoryHall_PR/status/1710901419824619881. Included is this one is of Nobuyuki Tsujii & trumpet player Sergeo Nakariakov performing 'Variations on a theme from Norma' by Jean Baptiste Arban. (It sounds like this https://youtube.com/watch?v=XicAdVWttLw). I'd love to have been in the audience. More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics -- as it happens
October 5 This month (October 2023), the Oslo-filharmonien and its Chief Conductor Klaus Mäkelä will tour Japan, Oct 18 - 26. With Nobuyuki Tsujii as soloists for Shostakovich Piano Concerto no. 2 in five of their seven performances. News, photos, comments collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Oslo Phil Japan Tour October 2023 -- as it happens
OCT 4 This great photo, posted both by Fumiaki Miura & pianist Ryōma Takagi, is exactly what I liked to see. Nobu and other performers -- including trumpet player Sergei Nakariakov & cellist Jonathan Rooseman, gathered at a Japanese eatery for a party after the festival. -- all smiles. According to Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii: This was the 6th year of the ARK Classics, and the audience attendance was the highest ever. More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics -- as it happens
OCT 3 Mission accomplished! The 2023 ARK Classics at Suntory Hall
wrapped after 5 days (9.29-10.3) of excitement. These official photos (and others) show happy smiles all around after the final performance last night. Congrats to Nobuyuki Tsujii & friends. More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics -- as it happens
Oct 2 https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/mycampaign/23-09_christmas-concert/ Nobuyuki Tsujii will be working this Christmas Day, performing his own compositions and classical works for card members of All Nippon Airways (ANA), a major sponsor of Nobu. Perhaps some Christmas songs can be expected to be heard -- Nobu is fond of them.
OCT 2/3 There are good photos and a clip posted by ARK Classics official instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx5agiexg0I/ from yesterday's free concert in the lobby of Hotel Okura. Nobuyuki Tsujii & Fumiaki Miura. The duo played Elgar's 'Greetings of love' & Beethoven's 'Spring' sonata. Then rewarded the audience with 2 favorites for encores: ♪ Sanadamaru ♪ "Csárdás". They will perform these works again at Suntory Hall today at two concerts (Performance 10 noon & performance 11 in the evening), the final day of ARK Classics. More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics -- as it happens
OCT 2 This is the next-to-last day of ARK Classics. Today Nobu does not perform in Suntory Hall, but he & & Fumiaki Miura are holding a special concert at Okura Tokyo Oct 2 17:30-18:15, performing two crowd favs: Elgar: Greetings of love ;Beethoven: 'Spring 'sonata.
theokuratokyo.jp/letter/news/lobby-concert/ Sigh.
Oct 1 Announced today at https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000526.000041063.html: The "Ultimate Concertos" Japan Tour, organized by Avex Classics [Nobu's artistic management in Japan] , was held annually until the outbreak of the COVID pandemic. Apparently it's making a come back next year. "Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra Ultimate Concerto Concert" conducted by Neil Thomson -- tour announced, will launch at the newly opened Ibaraki and Mito Civic Center. 5 performances (Mar 23-29) are listed. More at 2024 Ultimate Concertos Tour announced
SEPT 30 ARK Classics Today OCT 1 day 3, performance 6 is a sold-out Nobuyuki Tsujii CHOPIN special: all 4 impromptus AND all 12 of Op.25 etudes I really hope this recital is filmed and will be streamed. I will be the first to buy a ticket.
And that's not all, Nobu plays Schumann's concerto this evening at a gala [performance 8] . More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics -- as it happens
Sept 2023
Sept 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
September 1 19:00 Beethoven-Grieg-Liszt recital at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia **** LIVE-STREAM & now viewalbe on demand on Medici-TV: here.
September 8 19:30 BBC Proms. Royal Albert Hall, London. Rach 3 with the Royal Liverpool Phil & conductor Domingo Hidoyan. Live audio stream on BBC Radio 3 https://bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_three & on demand thereafter at https://bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001q16f
September 11 19:00 Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival, Armenia.
September 13 Happy 35th birthday to Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii!
September 15-18 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival
September 23 Nobuyuki Tsujii × Fumiaki Miura Chamber Music Special Karuizawa Ohga Hall SEPT 23 14:00 . Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1, etc.
September 29 - October 1 ARK Hills Music Week 2023 at Suntory Hall
NEWS
NEWS
SEPT 30 ARK official instagram photo of Nobu and Fumi after day 2 performance -- Nobu is flushed and sweaty, while Fumi looks as if he hardly broke a sweat. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cx0DlzGx9Al/ "The second day ended without a hitch🎹🎻✨ Thank you to everyone who came to visit us 😌 #arkhillsmusicweek #Fumiaki-san, take another step forward lol [I think they performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto no. 4 in Suntory Hall].
SEPT 29 👏ARK Classics official instagram https://instagram.com/p/Cxxnl3lRKbi/ "Opening night started with great success🎹🎻✨Thank you to everyone who came to visit us 😌 With a photo of Nobuyuki Tsujii , Fumiaki Miura & cheerful members of the Brahms Quartet that was performed. Nobu is smiling broadly, looking happy & healthy. More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics -- as it happens
SEPT 26 It was his Chopin that made me a Nobu fan in the first place. But it's his Liszt works that I have come to look forward to. Nobu has a delicate touch that complements well with Liszt's bravado, and the magical technique to pull it off. I am not sure the world has caught on to just how good a Liszt interpreter Nobuyuki Tsujii has become. So, as evidence, I present below a list of videos that are freely available for viewing/listening. See Nobuyuki Tsujii, a great Liszt interpreter.
SEPT 26 UPDATE: There is now a YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSeWvPiuzb0 with extract footage from the PIA streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii×Fumiaki Miura ARK Sinfonietta Tour 2023 31 July 2023 KAWAGUCHI CULTURAL CENTER LILIA HALL. The streaming is available 22 September 2023 (Fri) 8:00PM～28 September 2023 (Thu) 11:59PM. Ticket at https://pia-live.jp/perf/2334137-001?lang=en More at ! PIA live stream of Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 ARK Tour concert
SEPT 24 He is on a roll! On the heels of his great successes at the BBCProms (SEP 8, Rach 3 soloist) & Mt. Fuji Festival (SEP 15-18, Resident Pianist). Nobuyuki Tsujii is appearing in yet another boffo event: Suntory Hall ARK Classics (SEP 29 - OCT 3; artistic leader with Fumiaki Miura).
https://avex.jp/classics/arkclassics2023/tickets/ Nobuyuki Tsujii appears in shows 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 10 &11, and with the exception of 2 & 8 (gala events with high ticket prices), the performances have been declared SOLD OUT. "All performances are scheduled for live viewing" -- outdoor widescreen projection & perhaps also streaming???
More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics -- as it happens
SEPT 23 Looks like Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 will be spending some time in Australianext fall 5 performances: 2 in Brisbane Oct 18 & 21; 3 in Sydney Oct 25, 26 & 28. Rach 3. Beethoven-Ravel-Liszt-Kapustin recital. This is a departure from Nobu's typical concert schedule, where he is usually busy performing in Japan in autumn. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Australia 2024
SEPT 22 I am watching the streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii playing Beethoven's 4th concerto, from the comfort of my home -- what a privilege! The sound & video quality of PIA Livestream is excellent, as expected. Closeups of facial expressions of the performers & of Nobuyuki Tsujii 's finger work Thrilling. More at ! PIA live stream of Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 ARK Tour concert
SEPT 22 https://www.ints.co.jp/ohga-sp230923.html Today (SEP 23) 14:00 in Japan, Nobu performs in a new work. Nobuyuki Tsujii × Fumiaki Miura Chamber Music Special, Karuizawa Ohga Hall. Brahms: Piano Quartet No. 1, etc. The concert hall is considered one of the most beautiful. Tickets have sold out for a while ... UPDATE from one who was there: "The first song, Brahms' Piano Quartet No. 1, features a perfect dialogue between Miura and the three stringed instruments. A moving round of applause followed. Mr. Tsujii himself seemed to have finished playing with a flushed face and satisfaction. The new Steinway sounded great, and the tones brought out by a good pianist were wonderful." So, Nobu's repertoire has been enriched by this Brahms work.
SEPT 21 Starting today (Japan time SEPT 22 20:00) paid streaming 9.22-9.28 of Nobuyuki Tsuji'si July 31 2023 performance of BEETHOVEN piano concerto no. 4 [never heard outside Japan] with #FumiakiMiura & #ARKSinfonietta
Tickets ￥2,000 at https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventCd=2334137 [U.S., U.K. credit cards accepted and perhaps those of other countries as well.] Story at NEW! PIA live stream of Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 ARK Tour concert
SEPT 20 Excellent article by Japan's 'Family Pictorial' (家庭画報 @KATEIGAHO) magazine, about Nobu's time in Bergen in June. ' 辻󠄀井伸行さん、グリーグが弾いていたピアノで演奏する幸福な時間' [Nobuyuki Tsujii, happy time playing on the piano that Grieg played] English translation at "Nobuyuki Tsujii, happy time playing on the piano that Grieg played"
SEPT 19 https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/1704284289884631189 Clip by Yura-san. The widely viewed #NHK program 'Good Morning Japan' had a 8-min segment today on the 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival. Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 enjoying curry dish, visiting school children, performing with Les Freres; Fazil Say ... More at 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival - as it happens
SEPT 19 In spite of a super-hectic schedule, resident pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii pulled off a great success at the Mt. Fuji piano festival, blessed with sunny weather this years. In photos, Nobu looks happy and radiant, apparently enjoying himself. News and comments are still coming in, but by all accounts the event was a great success. Lots of video clips, happy posts, photos can be found at 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival - as it happens
SEPT 17 As if he does not have enough on his agenda, Nobu & Fumiaki Miura are holding a special concert at Okura Tokyo Oct 2 17:30-18:15, performing two crowd favs: Elgar: Greetings of love ;Beethoven: 'Spring 'sonata. The appearance is in conjunction with the upcoming Suntory Hall ARK Classics concerts, of which the two are joint artistic leaders.
theokuratokyo.jp/letter/news/lobby-concert/
Sigh.
SEPT 16 NEW paid streaming 9.22-9.28 of Nobuyuki Tsuji'si July 31 2023 performance of BEETHOVEN piano concerto no. 4 [never heard outside Japan] with #FumiakiMiura & #ARKSinfonietta
Tickets ￥2,000 at https://t.pia.jp/pia/event/event.do?eventCd=2334137 [U.S., U.K. credit cards accepted and perhaps those of other countries as well.] Story at NEW! PIA live stream of Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 ARK Tour concert
SEPT 15 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vshKjti_lTU This video was freshly released 2 days ago [on Nobu's birthday] by The Cliburn International Piano Competition. Nobuyuki Tsujii, at age 20, plays CHOPIN 12 Etudes, op. 10 at the 2009 Cliburn Competition that propelled him to international fame. Of this performance, the late great Mr. Van Cliburn gushed: "He was absolutely miraculous. His performance had the power of a healing service. It was truly divine." More at A Miracle at the Cliburn.
SEPT 14 On the BBC Radio 3 broadcast of their SEPT 8 BBC Proms concert, conductor Domingo Hindoyan is asked if he has to do anything to adjust to the blindness of Nobuyuki Tsujii. The maestro replies: "I don't do anything different, absolutely not anything. We worked as I'd work with any soloist." See the complete quote on the English Wikipedia page of Nobuyuki Tsujii https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuyuki_Tsujii#Performance_technique
The concert broadcast on replay is available through Oct 8 at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001q16f
SEPT 13 Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CxHzHY_R-x8/ "At the Proms concert, I had the experience of being surrounded by applause and cheers from around 7,000 people. I am very grateful to the many people who stood and listened to the long performance. Before the excitement had worn off, we left the hotel at 7:30 the next morning and traveled over 14 hours to our hotel in Yerevan, Armenia..."
With an excellent photo of Nobu with Mo. Domingo Hindoyan, apparently after the concert. They both look resplendent in their performance garbs, flushed and happy.
SEPT 12 Please don't take this as an endorsement, but I just came upon this page online, offering for sale framed prints of various sizes of an oil painting "Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii". Supposedly made in USA by a U.S. firm. https://unixcanvas.com/products/pianist-nobuyuki-tsujiifapw2
SEPT 12 [SEPT 13 in Japan] "On This Day 13 September: Nobuyuki Tsujii Was Born" by Georg Predota. interlude.hk/on-this-day-13-september-nobuyuki-tsujii-was-born/ A thoughtful piece posted by Interlude Hong Kong.
SEPT 12 🙏 "Good news ! BBC Radio & sounds corrected the recording ! It was not available for a while then I listened again and no more cut off in the middle of recording !" Indeed a miracle has happened! The wizards of BBC wielded their magic wand, and now we have a full recording of the performance, listenable at https://bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001q16f, with this added opening line: "This broadcast has been edited since it was last aired" Thank you @BBCRadio3❣️ My faith in BBC & the U.K. has been restored! ( And well in time for the Friday Sept 15 broadcast on Australia ABC radio!)
SEPT 12
https://twitter.com/jp_mcot/status/1701573603190329646 A tweeter wrote: ""I heard Nobuyuki Tsujii's performance at my first BBC Proms last week. I wanted to hear him again, so I discovered next year's recital and immediately booked it..! https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202404061300 "
That April 2024 Wigmore Hall recital is now sold out! (It was near sold out anyway - I was surprised that the tweeter got their ticket at all :-)
SEPT 12 We have heard from Armenia! Thanks to this instagram, "Last evening was mesmerising" https://instagram.com/p/CxFGd41MS4s/, with a clip that shows Nobu playing La Campanella for encore. Great. Nobu should now be heading home, perhaps in time to celebrate this birthday on SEPT 13!
Happy birthday, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujiii!
SEPT 11 It is after 10 PM in Armenia. The Nobuyuki Tsujii recital should be alover. I just found this clip in the 'story' of his instagram account www.instagram.com/stories/nobuyuki_tsujii_official/3189501721697386228/ [you click the encircled icon to see these time-critical 'stories']. The clip shows Nobu practicing Kapustin in the concert Hall while workers are busy wiping down the audience seats -- they got an ear treat! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Armenia, SEPT 11 2023
SEPT 11 This is the Critic's Review that the SEPT 8 BBC Proms performance deserves: "Nobuyuki Tsujii plays an astounding Rachmaninoff Third in one of the great BBC Proms of recent times," 11/09/2023 by Marc Bridle, Seen and Heard International. "He sells out concerts because he brings quite an unusual gift to the performances he gives – interpretations which are entirely focused on the possibilities of sound and feeling; he almost reinvents the music he is playing. "
This critic writes about Nobu without condescension, a gave the orchestra, Mo. Hindoyan & Nobuyuki Tsujii the credit that their spellbinding performance deserves. Bravos!
There are many other positive reviews -- see Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2023 BBC Proms, as it really happens
SEPT 10 https://www.instagram.com/p/CxBWNPBMvqB/
This instagram was posted 2 hours ago, and comes with a video clip of Nobuyuki Tsujii playing "Clair de Lune". I asked if it is from Armenia, but did not hear back. I am reasonably sure that it is. I suspect the performance is a private recital held at the Japan Embassy in at the Embassy of Japan in Armenia ( I have been to a similar recital at another embassy). If so, it's GREAT to know that Nobu made it to Yerevan safely from London, and -- just like him -- got to work right away! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Armenia, SEPT 11 2023
SEPT 10 Concert review by Erica Jeal of the U.K. Guardian newspaper: Prom 70: RLPO/Hindoyan/Tsujii review – eclectic stylish programme of snaps and sparks. 4 out of 5 stars. Excerpts: "Nobuyuki Tsujii, his playing urgent in the opening movement then densely textured in the second, as if in response to the thick, velvety sound Hindoyan coaxed from the strings ... robust propulsion [in ending] " "Kapustin ... irresistible poise and spark." Read the review here. More about the Proms performance at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2023 BBC Proms, as it really happens
SEPT 9 Q: Why did Nobuyuki Tsujii play Kapustin for encore BBC Proms?
A: To warm up for his recital in Armenia!
Just kidding.
BEETHOVEN-LISZT-RAVEL-KAPUSTIN recital Sept 11, 19:00 "Yerevan Perspectives" International Music Festival
The travel plan of Team Nobu is mind-boggling: from Tokyo to Georgia [SEP 1 Tsinandali Festival] to London [SEP 8 BBC Proms], then Armenia [SEP 11 Yerevan Perspective]. It would have been much simplified if not for London!
[Georgia & Armenia are next to each other, on paper]
News, etc. collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Armenia, SEPT 11 2023
SEPT 9 On the heels of their great performance at BBC Proms , Avex Classics International announced a Japan Tour in May 2024 of Nobuyuki Tsujii with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Said Nobu after the concert at Royal Albert Hall: "I felt like my body was surrounded by applause & cheers".
More at AVEX news: Nobuyuki Tsujii with RLPO Japan Tour May 2024
SEPT 9 I know I should be grateful to get to hear Nobuyuki Tsujii's performance at the BBC Proms at all, but this concert truly DESERVES to have been televised. I understand that funding has been an issue for BBC and esp. BBC Radio 3, but I can't help but be disappointed at the technical problems with the live streaming (which are not corrected in the replay recording). I am also not too happy that at the end of the performance BBC radio 3, narrator Martin Handley -- whom I respect -- seems to imply that the performance was nothing special, that the ending of Rach 3 always bring out the audience's response. So, this morning I am happy for Nobu et al but, sad for BBC (and the U.K.) [NOTE: although I dwell in California, I practically live on BBC Radio 3 & 4 -- I have the utmost respect for BBC.]
SEPT 9 Nobu's Rach 3 is the"Best Solo Performance at the Proms" . This has been brought up in two posts that I came across: 1. Tweet by David Wooding, Sunday Express editor: "We can't film during a performance, of course, but here's a clip from rehearsals to give a tiny taste of Nobuyuki Tsujii, a pianist born blind, who made what is probably the solo performance of the Proms. It was a privilege to be there." 2. Tweet by Lillian Crawford @lillcrawf : It’s sweltering in the RAH right now but my goodness it was worth it to hear Nobuyuki Tsujii playing Rachmaninov’s third piano concerto - the best solo performance of the season. What a wow to bow out for the year."
SEPT 8 Honestly, I can barely keep up with Nobu news :-)
YouTube video youtu.be/tWahKCFjbBo "Nobuyuki Tsujii Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival" kickoff SEPT 16!" Nobu is the festival's resident pianist. More at 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival
SEPT 8 London time 9PM That was a MAJESTIC Rach 3 ‼️ Congratulations to Mo. @DGarciaHindoyan, @liverpoolphil & Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行. 🙏👍👏 Heart pounding ❤️💐 BBC narrator: "I hope he's enjoying the ovation he's got. Everybody is standing. He is quite overwhelmed, it seems. " Encore: Kapustin etude 'prelude'. "Unbuttoned virtuosity." "The orchestra is applauding as much as the audience." "He waves goodbye." U.S. Pianist Linda Kipps: "wow! I don't know how anyone has the stamina to play that concerto, and then follow it with the Kapustin étude. The ensemble with the orchestra was absolutely fantastic! The announcer mentioned some technical difficulties during the concert, and yes there were. there was some kind of hum that you could hear during the quiet parts. And also there was one place where it buffered out...fantastic performance!"
SEPT 8 Nobuyuki Tsujii Official instagram, with clip of Nobu at practice in the Royal Albert Hall www.instagram.com/p/Cw7jxFxtPcM/
" BBC Proms show in London [today]. After arriving in London, I went to Liverpool for rehearsals. I feel relieved when I am in front of Mo. Hindoyan, whom I co-starred with last November, and the orchestra members who have co-starred with me many times. I'm looking forward to Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 3 at the Proms!"
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2023 BBC Proms, as it really happens
SEPT 7 Tickets are not available on the Proms page Tickets for tomorriw's Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, conductor Domingo Hindoyan & Nobuyuki Tsujii at BBC Proms tomorrow. https://tickets.royalalberthall.com/syos/performance/81592
But "Around 1,000 Day Promming tickets are released for our concerts @royalalberthall at 10.30am each morning. Stand in the Arena or Gallery for just £8.00 (including fees). 👀 Full details at bbc.co.uk/proms"
UPDATE SEPT 8: Londoner AT wrote "Promming tickets [day ticket for standing room] were sold out quickly. There were more than 15 minutes waiting time for online when I checked at 10:30 am."
SEPT 7 This AUG 29 instagram from the ARK Classics Official escaped my attention https://www.instagram.com/p/CwhRAm1xrUO/
"One more month until the opening", with photos showing Nobuyuki Tsujii & friend Fumiaki Miura putting their autographs on a wall. Notable is that one of the photos shows Nobu making the signing with a marker in his right hand - so all those neat 'Nobu' autographs are indeed authentic! Even I doubted that; and I have several of those autographs! It must take tremendous concentration to do that -- bravos again to Nobu! More at 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
News, comments, etc. at a new page: Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2023 BBC Proms, as it really happens.
SEPT 6 NEW announcement on Nobuyuki Tsujii official site https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002365 -- performance with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in Japan: Feb 3 (Miyagi), 5 & 6 (Suntory Hall): Chopin Piano Concerto no 1 OR no.2. These performances come after Nobu's U.S. mini-tour (4 performances) with the Orpheus. Bravos to the Orpheus for consistently making performances with Nobu in Japan & overseas Most other orchestras tour in Japan with Nobu, where he is a major draw, but do not reciprocate with overseas performances. More at Nobuyui Tsujii & the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra 2024
SEPT 4 https://www.instagram.com/p/CwxMKdDrD26/
Instagram by Natasha Tsukanova, a key figure behind the Tsinandali Festival. " Perhaps the most precious and delicate present to Georgia which Martin [Engstroem, of Verbier Festival] delivered this year is Nobuyuki Tsujii. .. [His playing of] Liszt is so powerful and fragile at once that he made most us cry - in the vast open air concert space "With a mobile-phone clip of Nobu performing Liszt's Tarantella. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023
SEPT 3 A very insightful Japanese blog post http://blog.livedoor.jp/a_delp/2023-09-03_tsujii "[Translated]Nobuyuki Tsujii appeared at the Tsinandali Festival & captivated the audience with his spectacular performance. Tsinandari is a village located 79 km east of Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia . The music director is Gianandrea Noseda ... It was a recital that allowed us to hear Tsujii's musicality to the fullest, with a program composed of a variety of selections that interweave toughness and softness. His pure personality oozes out as it is, and his performance without any extraneous flavor is added to his strong spirituality full of vitality that he has cultivated as he ages. I feel that I am finally walking in to the realm of a unique pianist. Bechstein [piano]'s metallic, hard tone accentuated the allure of his solid pianism." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023
EPT 2 The Tsinandali Festival posted a day-2 Photo Album that includes several excellent photos of Nobu in performance yesterday: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=tsinandalifestival&set=a.860180382342774
And a Day-2 video that features Nobu in the latter part, showing audience reaction and Nobu speaking, with English subtitles. https://www.facebook.com/tsinandalifestival/videos/1328559261359889
SEPT 2 The Piano that Nobu played in Georgia is a Bechstein, a German brand dating from 1853. The piano was beloved by Franz Liszt & Claude Debussy. Edvard Grieg, Alexander Scriabin, Maurice Ravel, & Béla Bartók reportedly composed on Bechstein pianos. Bechstein pianos "emphasize the personality and colour within the instrument, allowing for a romantic, charismatic voice in their instruments that many who hear them simply fall in love with." I do like the sound that I heard on the medici-TV streaming. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023
SEPT 1 Oh, what a treat that was - the Georgia audience would not let Nobuyuki Tsujii go. Beautiful program. 3 encores: Elsa's Procession, La Campanella, CHOPIN posthumous nocturne ... And I finally got to hear the Grieg pieces -- extra lovely in his hands. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023
UPDATE: The performance is now (right after the live streaming) viewable on demand at https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/tsinandali-festival-2023-nobuyuki-tsuji-performs-beethoven-grieg-and-liszt
SEPT 1 Japan's 'Family Pictorial' magazine October issue has a piece that features Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Music Festival, Norway, in June. "The recital at Troldhaugen, the birthplace of composer Grieg & the place where he spent his later years, is a must-see."
This is timely, coming as it does on the heel of today's recital at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia, at which Nobu performed 6 Grieg's lyric pieces that he also performed in Norway.
August 2023
August 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 28 - August 4 2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour
August 10 19:00 Festa Summer Muza KAWASAKI 2023 Shotakovich Piano Concerto no 2 with Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra
August 10 Thursday 20:00 - August 16 Wednesday 23:59 Paid streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO & Vasily Petrenko May Japan Tour performances
NEW: August 20 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup closing ceremony
NEWS
NEWS
Aug 31 Tweet by medici.tv " [COMING SOON] This weekend, prepare yourself for an overwhelming moment of magic and music at the 2023 Tsinandali Festivall! Join Tsotne Zegidnize, Giorgi Gigashvili, Nobuyuki Tsujii, and many more to discover live on http://medici.tv! https://bit.ly/3PkH3rT " Some folks in Japan are staying up past midnight to watch. I myself have to set my alarm to catch it at 8AM. I put in an inquiry about where the streaming will be archived for on-demand viewing, and hope to hear back.
August 29 The @sydsymph🇦🇺 2024 season brochure is now at https://www.sydneysymphony.com/uploads/images/2024-Season-Assets/2024-Season-Brochure_230828.pdf Nobuyuki Tsujii has 3 performances: Oct 25-26 Rach 3 conducted by Sir Andrew Davis; Oct 28 Beethoven [Tempest]-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital👍 See Nobuyuki Tsujii in Sydney 2024
Aug 29 https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8328444/schoenbergs-gurrelieder-in-sydney-for-the-first-time/
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra unveiled their new season today ...."International performers include renowned pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii" More to come soon at the orchestra's site www.sydneysymphony.com/ Nobu last performed with the orchestra in Sydney (the Opera House) in 2017, with the late great conductor Bramwell Tovey.
August 28 medici.tv is offering a FREE trial that will let us watch the Sept 1 live streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital in Georgia. And, that's not all! the free trial should also allow us to watch these shows: the 2022 Biarritz Piano Festival recital; 2022 Beethoven 'Emperor' concerto with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic conducted by Domingo Hindoyan; 2013 Carnegie Hall recital. https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/tsinandali-festival-2023-nobuyuki-tsuji-performs-beethoven-grieg-and-liszt
Aug 28 medici.tv now has a page for the streaming of #辻井伸行 Nobuyuki Tsujii's September 1 Beethoven-Grieg-Liszt recital at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia -- please bookmark this link: www.medici.tv/en/concerts/tsinandali-festival-2023-nobuyuki-tsuji-performs-beethoven-grieg-and-liszt
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023
Aug 24 Terrific news! medici.tv will live stream Nobuyuki Tsujii Sept 1 Beethoven-Grieg-Liszt recital in the country of Georgia. A one-week free trial subscription available. The Grieg lyric pieces include Arietta, Waltz, Erotik & Nocturne, Wedding Day in Troldhaugen -- which we have never heard and which I was to travel last June to Norway to listen to! Streaming start time is Sept 2 midnight Japan; Sept 1 11AM EST; SEPT 1 4PM London time. Your local time is automatically shown -- https://medici.tv/en/partners/tsinandali-festival/
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023Aug 22 This news came out of the blue It seems Nobuyuki Tsujii will hold a Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital on September 11, 19:00, in Yerevan, Armenia at the Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival. This comes after his SEPT 1 Beethoven-Grieg-Liszt recital in the country of Georgia & his SEPT 8 BBC Proms performance. This is not the first visit of Nobuyuki Tsujii to Armenia. He was a big hit when he held a Debussy-Ravel-Chopin recital there in September 2019, before COVID. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Yerevan Perspectives International Music Festival, Armenia.
Aug 22 MediciTV tweet https://twitter.com/medicitv/status/1693994653576769987 "Walk along with Liszt's la campanella performed by Nobuyuki Tsujii! Tsujii's astounding technique and feather-light delicacy make it look doable—but mortals are advised not to try this at home… https://bit.ly/45Fcan6"
Aug 21 Instagram from Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, mother of Nobuyuki Tsujii https://www.instagram.com/p/CwL5_oTSshv/ "Next month the 13th is Nobu's birthday, but he will be traveling on that day. So we celebrate early at our beloved restaurant with his favorite drunken crab & a bottle of champagne of his same age [a 35-year old bottle of 1988 KRUG ]..." 👏 💐 With a photo of Nobu with parents at the restaurant. It's the sort of thing that a loving mother would do :-) But yes, an early happy birthday to Nobu! !
Aug 18 A while back I posted a claim that Nobuyuki Tsujii will participate in the August 20 closing ceremony of the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup. I apologize, but there is no confirmation of this appearance whatsoever, and it is highly doubtful that Nobu would travel to Sydney for the ceremony, especially since Japan is not in the final.****Please exercise care before you pay to watch the ceremony from sites such as this www.screenbinge.com/uk/channels/bbc-iplayer/watch-fifa-womens-wc23-closing-ceremony-outside-uk/ UPDATE: Reports about the ceremony praises the performances and the firework, but Nobu is not mentioned.
August 18 Nobuyuki Tsujii will begin a busy fall season with two special concerts in Europe. One is the highly-anticipated Rach 3 performance at the BBC Proms on September 8. But before that, on September 1, he will hold a recital at the Tsinandali Festival in the nation of Georgia. The recital features a very special program of works that Nobu has never performed together in one recital. If I had wings, I would be there. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 2023
Aug 17 Sadly, the Aug 8 BBC Proms concert of Nobuyuki Tsujii,
Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & Domingo Hindoyan will not be shown on UK TV , but it can be heard live on BBC Radio 3
https://bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_three
& on demand there after at https://bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001q16f
MORE at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2023 BBC Proms, as it happens
Aug 16 Blimey, the BBC Proms are drawing to a close! Summer is slipping right through our fingers. But lucky for us Nobuyuki Tsujii fans, we have a special treat waiting for us at the last prom of this year, before the closing night on Saturday September 9. Nobu returns as soloist in Rachmaninov’s demanding Piano Concerto No. 3 alongside the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its Venezuelan-born Chief Conductor Domingo Hindoyan. BBC Prom 70: Rachmaninov’s Third Piano Concerto 19:30 Fri 8 Sep 2023 Royal Albert Hall. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2023 BBC Proms, as it happens
Aug 16 The streaming of the RPO Japan Tour performances has ended. I am grateful to Avex Classics and PIA Live Stream for the opportunity of viewing these performances that took place back in May. There is no substitute for being at a live performance of Nobu, but the streaming is the next best thing. Here's hopint for more streaming to come, such as for the October Japan Tour with Conductor Klaus Makela & the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO May performances to be paid-streamed
Aug 14 I am enjoying watching the ongoing paid streaming of 2 of the 4 performances of Nobu with the RPO & conductor Vasily Petrenko. I was only going to watch the Aug 27 Nagoya performance, but was reminded of a 'broken string' incident at the Aug 28 Tokorozawa performance (the tour finale). The Tchai 1 is beautiful, and I knew that the string broke during mvt 1. Try as I did, I wasn't able to detect when it happened. But commenters kindly informed that it happened at time-mark 28:00, "when Nobu was playing the chord and it’s the F note on the top chord ." The quality of the online distribution is high-definition and excellent. Well worth watching. The streaming ends at Wednesday August 16 23:59 Japan time. Tickets for viewing can be purchased using a U.S./U.K./other countries? credit card. https://w.pia.jp/t/rpo2023-pls/
Aug 12 Vasily Petrenko & Nobuyuki Tsujii with the HK Philharmonic in Hong Kong🇭🇰 Dec 1 & 2 2023. Ravel program. 🎟️Tickets are now available online https://www.urbtix.hk/event-detail/10281/ More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Vasily Petrenko in Hong Kong Dec 1&2 2023
Aug 11 This is so impressive. The "Summer Muza" newsletter https://www.kawasaki-sym-hall.jp/festa/hobo/pdf/0811.pdf published by the Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall (where Nobu performed last night) has a front-page account of the concert, with two photos that include Nobu. "Tsujii gave an excellent performance full of pure beauty & playfulness, riding on the vivid performance of the orchestra. Both ends of the movement demonstrate his powerful but accurate accompaniment, and the romantic slow movement is a pure masterpiece. " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 , August 10 2023.
Aug 10 A U.K. Nobuyuki Tsujii fan who just watched the paid-streaming of Rach 3 & Tchai 1 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Suntory Hall: "Sound & camera works are very good. Especially on Rach 3 streaming, I could hear the all piano notes for the first time. Really worth it to watch these streaming ( much better than YouTube videos. It’s a pity that you can watch only for a limited time ( rather it’s a short period. ) Also good to see the members of the orchestra’s reactions after the performance - Lots of smiling faces and enjoying Nobu’s encores."
I myself have not had a chance to watch but saving it for the weekend. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO May performances to be paid-streamedAug 10 https://www.instagram.com/p/CvxEN48RdRg/ Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram with 2 photos and no clip. "Today, with conductor Ryusuke Numajiri and Kana Phil, I performed Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 at Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall! It was the first time that I performed this work, but it was a lot of fun." Congrats to Nobu for adding another challenging concerto to his expanding repertoire. Judging from online comments, the debut was a success. Nobu played CHOPIN's posthumous nocturne no. 20 for encore. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 , August 10 2023
AUG 9 It is Aug 10 1:30AM in Japan. Today is the start date of the RPO, Vasily Petrenko & Nobu Japan performances streaming. This morning I found an email with the subject "<<PIA LIVE STREAM》配信日が近づいています" that includes a "streaming link". When the link is clicked, I see a screen that says "2023/8/10(Thu) 20:00 Scheduled to OPEN. Please reload the screen once when the time comes." Everything seems to be working. Keeping my fingers crossed. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO May performances to be paid-streamed
Aug 8 Tomorrow Aug 10 in Japan Nobuyuki Tsujii will perform Shostakovich's piano concerto no. 2 with the 神奈川フィルハーモニー管弦楽団 Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by their music director Ryusuke Numajir 沼尻竜典. Our best to all performers!🙏 This is the first public performance of the concerto by Nobu. He will also perform it in October on a Japan tour with Conductor Klaus Mäkelä & the Oslo-filharmonien (Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. ) See Announced: Nobuyuki Tsujii with Oslo Phil & Klaus Makella 2023.
Aug 8 Tweet by #kanagawaphilharmonicorchestra
https://twitter.com/kanagawaphil/status/1688791951364304896
"Nobuyuki Tsujii and Shimon Shinozaki 篠崎史門 [principal percussionist], who will be co-starring this time, were classmates at Ueno Gakuen [Music college]! We are looking forward to Shostakovich on the 10th!" With a photo of the two former school mates in street clothes, perhaps at a rehearsal for their Aug 10 performance of Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2.
Aug 7 The 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour for Nobuyuki Tsujii has been announcedhttps://avex.jp/classics/tsujii-nobuyuki2023_24/ 14 performances -- Dec 12 2023 through June 16 2024. BACH-CHOPIN-RACHMANINOF program (similar to program for Paris in April 2024). More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023-24 Japan Recital Tour.
August 5 https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/viapalacio35/diary/202308050000/ An excellent blog post by one who was at the final performance of the Nobuyuki Tsujii, Fumiaki Miura & ARK Sinfonietta tour. The blogger was very impressed with the new venue, and very satisfied with the concert. Nobu's encore was La Campanella. This blogger is the first who mentioned the pre-concert talk and wrote that Nobu & Fumu said at the talk that they arrived in town 3 days ago, and was recording a CD in the concert hall. More at t '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
Aug 4 The 2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour ended without fanfare. Not much has been heard from the final performance. This tweet posted after the concert, seems a good sign. #辻井伸行 の生演奏🎹 に 感動!!感動!!👏👏👏 凄すぎて鳥肌が立った[ Impressed by the live performance 🎹 of Nobuyuki Tsujii !! Impressed!! 👏👏 It was so amazing I got goosebumps]. In any case, Nobu has only one scheduled performance the rest of this month: August 10 19:00 Festa Summer Muza KAWASAKI 2023 Shotakovich Piano Concerto no 2 with Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra. Also, we can look forward to the Paid streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO & Vasily Petrenko May Japan Tour performances , starting August 10.
August 3 Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura ARK Sinfonietta at Kawaguchi Performance no. 5. Tour finale Performance no. 5 August 4 (Friday) 19:00 Yamagin Prefectural Hall Large Hall (pre-talk at 18:20) . Same-day ticket will be on sale from 17:00 in the lobby on the 2nd floor.
More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 31 Posted on the "2023 FIFA Women's World Cup" page on English wikipedia: "The tournament's closing ceremony will take place at Stadium Australia, Sydney, on 20 August 2023, ahead of the Final. The Ceremony will have the Australians singers Jessica Mauboy, Tones and I, Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, Australian Girls Choir, American rapper BIA and French-Senegalese singer-songwriter Diarra Sylla. " The Japan women's national football team Nadeshiko Japan (なでしこジャパン) has been unstoppable at the ongoing tournament. Best wishes to them!
July 31 Back in November 2022, Nobuyuki Tsujii participated in an event titled 'Aha Mele' organized by ANA (All Nippoms Airways), a major sponsor of Nobu. It was a roaring success. He is reappearing in the event this year, ANA ʻAha Mele 2023, as announced on the Nobuyuki Tsujii official website, linked to an ANA page with details of three events: Nov 18 solo brunch concert at Blue Note Hawaii; Nov 19 piano concert at Waikiki Shell, and a Nov 17 tree planting. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at ANA's 2023 Hawaii 'Aha Mele' .
July 31 Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura ARK Sinfonietta at Kawaguchi 7/31 Performance no. 4 in Kawaguchi is over. https://twitter.com/sonnenblume0715/status/1685983973196111872 "Beethoven Piano Concerto No 4 ...The delicate tone of the piano & the reverberation of the gorgeous orchestra. Encore Chopin's Ocean etude."
NEXT: Tour finale Performance no. 5 August 4 (Friday) 19:00 Yamagin Prefectural Hall Large Hall (pre-talk?)
More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 2023
July 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 1 8PM Hong Kong time: RTHK 香港電台 (Hong Kong public radio) airs an audio recording of Nobuyuki Tsuji's June 10 Beethoven/Liszt/Ravel/Kapustin recital - live at www.rthk.hk/radio/radio4/programme/musegala?lang=en . Archive will be available after live webcast"! I believe the archive is posted at this link www.rthk.hk/radio/radio4/programme/Liveon4_rpt/
July 13, 15, 16, ... , 20, 23 Schumann concerto with Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa Marc Leroy-Calatayud (conductor)
July 28 - August 4 2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour
NEWS
NEWS
July 30 Just announced: Nobuyuki Tsujii is scheduled to appear Saturday July 27 2024 (20:00) in the Macao Orchestra's season-ending concert, performing Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto no. 3 under the baton of their Music Director Lio Kuokman (an IMG artist), in the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium (1,080 seats). More at Nobuyuki Tsujii debut in Macao 2024.
July 30 Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura & ARK Sinfonietta tour July 30 performance no. 3 in Shirakawa over. Concert-goer: "I was fascinated by the delicate pure sound that speaks passionately. It was a wonderful performance that gave me goosebump." Solo encore CHOPIN's posthumous nocturne.
NEXT: Performance no 4 (in as many days) today July 31 (Monday) 14:00 Kawaguchi Cultural Center Lilia Main Hall (2,002 seats). This is the next to last show. More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 29 Performance no. 2 of Nobu, Fumiaki Miura & ARK Sinfonietta in Iwaki is over. Nothing has been heard about the pre-concert talk, but this comment says a lot: "My wife wanted to listen to Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano, so I went on an expedition. I had a great time." Nobu's encore was Beethoven 'Pathetique' mvt 2.
TODAY performance no. 3 July 30 (Sunday) 15:00 Shirakawa, with pre-talk. More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 29 New photos of Nobu and Fumi, posted by "ARK classics official" https://www.instagram.com/p/CvRa_T1x9UJ/ "Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura ARK Sinfonietta tour has come to Tohoku and North Kanto. Photos of them after a long time " With 3 photos of the duo -- not sure what the 2nd & 3rd photos are about -- with a hand covering the other's stomach, perhaps referring to their indulgence in food and drink?
More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 28 https://twitter.com/G5052717207/status/1684914151838416897 Nobuyuki Tsujii & Fumiaki Miura with ARK Sinfonietta 2023 tour performance no. 1 completed yesterday July 28 in Tochigi. Solo encore BEETHOVEN Pathetique. Photo shows a concert poster with 'SOLD OUT' label. Today July 29 (Saturday) 15:00 Iwaki. More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 27 Nobu is back on stage in Japan today.
"Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura & ARK Sinfonietta" 7/28 19:00 Tochigi Prefectural Cultural Center (1,604 seats.) First of 5 performances (July 28 - Aug 4). Our best wishes to Nobu & his friends!
More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 26 During this quiet time, please allow me to remind everyone that the entire 2014 album "Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Liszt" is freely available on the Nobuyuki Tsujii official YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSuGHvCcoiXlL2cYacpiYP1_3tdJuTSJt , including my favorite track 4 'Petrarca Sonnet No. 104'
And I really miss these recordings engineered at Berlin's Teldex Studio. I wish Avex Classics International would consider recording Nobu's Greig's lyric pieces & Liszt's consolations, etc. Sigh.
July 24 This instagram from a concert goer is a fitting conclusion to the just completed Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa tour. "This work is said to be performed for the first time, but the transparent and clear sound is beautiful as usual ... Schumann has a slightly dark image, and it doesn't change no matter who plays it; but when I listened to Mr. Tsujii's performance, I felt that there was hope and brightness at the root. Every movement was wonderful, but especially the 3rd movement was smooth and light, and the feeling that the sound fluttered freely like a heavenly horse running in the sky was wonderful." Bravos! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happen.
July 23 Days after his tour with Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa completed successfully, Nobuyuki Tsujii will tour with his friend #FumiakiMiura & the ARK Sinfonietta 7/28 - 8/4. For the 7/29 & 7/30 performances, Nobu & Fumi will appear in a pre-talk on stage. More at '2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour, as it happens '
July 23 Just like that, another tour (with the OEK) is in the books for Nobuyuki Tsujii. By all accounts it was a successful tour. Violinist 矢部 咲紀子 Sakiko Yabe sums it up well "In 2 weeks -- Kanazawa → , Otsu → Wakayama → Himi → Tokyo → Gifu → , Takayama → and Yokosuka " Exhausting! The concert hall 横須賀芸術劇場 Yokosuka Arts Theater posted this photo of Nobu taking a bow on stage. More about the tour at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happen.
For Nobu, yet another tour starts THIS week July 28 - August 4 2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour
July 23 Official instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CvBsfGoxp-_/ "Conducted by Marc Leroy-Carataeu. Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa. Final performance today Yokosuka Arts Theater. All 8 performances were really fun playing in every hall, I have co-starred with Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa many times, but this was my first time co-starring with Maestro Marc. Traveling around, we eat and drink together every time we perform, and we are able to communicate. I am very happy to be able to understand each other even in the musical part. It will be a happy finale. We look forward to seeing you all at the venue!" With an excellent group photo of the entire orchestra, Mo. conductor Marc Leroy-Calatayud (in OEK t-shirt) and Nobu (seated, also in OEK T-shirt) .
July 21 Tweet by Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, with a -- well, super cute -- photo of Nobu holding a gift.
"Nobu-san & Sarubobo. Takayama gifted him a saruboboNobu chose a pink one from among many colorsPink sarubobo is a prayer for good health"
Wikepedia: "Sarubobo is a Japanese amulet, particularly associated with the town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture [where Nobu & the orchestra performed yesterday. Wikipedia: "Sarubobo are red human-shaped dolls, with no facial features, made in a variety of sizes."
July 21 OEK tweet https://twitter.com/oekjp/status/1682531034578165760 Last night was a sold-out performance at the Takayama Citizens' Cultural Hall, where we've been indebted every year. Thank you to everyone who came. Tomorrow is the last day of the tour, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone in Yokosuka!" With 3 excellent photos, including this one of the orchestra & Nobu in performance, taken from the wing. More about the successful tour at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happen. PERFORMANCE no. 8 (Tour Finale) July 23 14:00 Yokosuka Arts Theatre (1,806 seats)
July 21 https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu9AsrFRU2c Official instagram [No Clips] "Today is the 2nd performance in Gifu #Takayama Civic Cultural Center. There are only two performances left. When the end is in sight, it becomes lonely. It's very hot in Takayama today..." The concert took place without incidents, and Kapustin is reportedly one of the encores. After a day's rest, the tour finale takes place Sunday July 23 in Kanagawa, an hour's ride from Tokyo on a bullet train. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happen.
July 20 It took a little snooping to find out what encores were played, but I was richly rewarded by this excelletn blog post by a concert goer https://www.tomokosensei.site/entry/20230720/1689862943 "The hall was packed; the woman next to me was in tears, and I was fascinated and felt that the time was short. The encores were Moonlight [Debussy/Beethoven?] and Grieg's March of the Trolls ... This concert was really good. 100% satisfaction. I will definitely go to Mr. Tsujii's concert again! "
NEXT: penultimate performance TODAY July 21 19:00 Takayama Civic Cultural Center
July 20 On the Nobuyuki Tsujii YouTube channel, there is now a video about the August streaming of his May performances with RPO & @VasilyPetrenko, with footage from all 4 performances + detailed streaming information in the description.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v67BtMMU7M0
More about the streaming at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO May performances to be paid-streamed.
July 19 Instagram by festival de musique de menton, with a clip of Nobu performing CHOPIN's sonata no. 3 on stage https://www.instagram.com/p/Cu5kSWQIdVD/ [translated] before the opening of the Menton Music Festival - a beautiful memory of last summer with the breathtaking Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, blind from birth. What emotion in Chopin's 3rd Sonata in B minor 👏 More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2022 Menton Music Festival.
July 19 "Nobuyuki Tsujii's Thoughts on 'Mt.Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival' "
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/.../b40b0b8328436396d6e575be8162...
" 'Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival 2023' will be held for four days from September 15th (Friday), where world-famous pianists will gather at the foot of Mt. Fuji. Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii , who played a central role in the festival last year & the year before, spoke about his thoughts on this year's event." "As guests, Les Freres( Moriya Saito , Keito Saito), Kazune Shimizu, Fazil Sai, Maika Miura, Fumiaki Miura and other diverse faces will gather at the festival." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's Thoughts on "Mt.Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival"
July 19 Twitter nana was at the concert last night at Tokyo Opera City. 2 solo encores & 1 orchestra encore. https://twitter.com/nana26139176/status/1681694349137162240 . " "Before the encore, the maestro spoke in English then in Japanese", calling his co-star Nobu and showing great respect. "I was deeply moved by his gentlemanly behavior". With 4 photos, including this elegant flower display complimentary to Nobu. NEXT UP: PERFORMANCE no. 6 TODAY July 20 19:00 Gifu Salamanca hall. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happen.
July 19 Instagram by a Tokyo concert goer https://instagram.com/p/Cu4TrELypqC/
"One of the most mentally healthy & clean-cut renditions of Schumann’s piano concerto I’ve ever heard live, and of course it was performed by Nobuyuki Tsujii His signature sparkly sounds were prevalent in every passage. With a great photo of Nobu taking a bow on stage. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happen.
July 18 Good newsI was able to purchase a ticket for the streaming of the May 27 Nobuyuki Tsujii - Vasily Petrenko- Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performance using an American credit card at https://w.pia.jp/t/rpo2023-pls/ You do have to register for an account for 'PIA livestream' but it's easy to do. There is a language choice on the top of the page but I used Chrome browser for the translation. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO May performances to be paid-streamed.
July 18 Just announced: Vasily Petrenko conducts the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Piano: Nobuyuki Tsujii Fans -- 4 performances in May 2023 held in Japan will be paid-streamed online in August. See Nobuyuki Tsujii with RPO May performances to be paid-streamed.
It is not clear if the delivery will be available outside of Japan, and whether tickets can be bought with a foreign credit card. To be investigated.
July 17 Hokkoku News:"Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii's impressive piano performance with Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa at Himi ... Mr. Tsujii captivated the packed audience with his overwhelming skill and moving performance... Conductor Marc Leroy-Calatayud said about his co-star Mr. Tsujii: 'He is a great pianist with great musicality. He uses different expressions every time & tries to show a high quality performance.' " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happen
July 17 https://twitter.com/FebMilk/status/1680920856049098754 Performance no. 4 of Nobu with Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa in Himi City is over. A concert goer wrote: "The piano and the live performance is wonderfulThank you, Mr. Tsujii. Your gentle heart was overflowing with sounds in such a rural area, and everyone was crying. I can feel your personality through your voice... music is great." Two encores: Bach cantata & La Campanella -- 7 different encore songs so far.
NEXT PERFORMANCE no. 5 July 19 19:00 Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. Your gentle heart was overflowing with sounds in such a rural area,
July 16 twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/168052232983777689 Twitter Yura-san was at the concert yesterday. "Nobuyuki Tsujii × Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa oek in Wakayama... 3 mvts & 3 times he wiped away sweats." 2 encores - 5 different ones so far on this tour.
NEXT: PERFORMANCE no. 4 Today July 17 15:00 Himi City Arts and Culture Center Hall
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happens
July 16 Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram from #Wakayama Prefectural Cultural Hall. " Marc Leroy-Calatayud conducts Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa ... The maestro went to the audience stands during rehearsal, It was impressive for him to check the sound balance. I walked a little before going to the hall; the cicadas had a concert earlier. Everyone, please be careful as it is very hot. See you later at the venue." 2 clips: clip 1 is sound of the cicadas as Nobu would hear it; clip 2 is Nobu in rehearsal. He is wearing the Hawaiian shirt that he wore at his ANA gig in Honolulu last year! Today's concert starts soon as I write. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happens
July 15 https://twitter.com/Reeyama3/status/1680200028533706753 July 15 Shiga concert-goer: "I listened to 辻井伸行 Nobuyuki Tsujii's piano performance in the front row. Schumann's piano concerto was too wonderful." Encore 'Elsa's Procession.' NEXT UP: July 16 14:00 Wakayama Prefectural Citizens' Culture Hall (2nd of 3 consecutive days). More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happens
July 15 Nobuyuki Tsujii Official instagram, with a clip of Nobu practicing Schumann's concerto.
"I arrived in Shiga yesterday, and today's rehearsal ended without incident. When I was walking around Lake Biwa last night. Opposite bank? Fireworks were going up and the sound was pleasant and I was able to feel the summer. Thanks to that, I'm fired up! " Today's concert in Shiga is happening right now.
July 14 A July 13 concert goer wrote: "I heard that Nobuyuki Tsujii will be performing tonight, so I went to the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa concert♪ I listened to him for the first time, but it was a more wonderful performance than I imagined"
TODAY July 15 14:00 performance no. 2 at Shiga Prefectural Art Theater Biwako Hall, a "Modern, lakeside performing arts venue."
July 13 TODAY PERFORMANCE no. 1 at 19:00 Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa & Conductor Marc Leroy-Calatayud with soloist Nobuyuki Tsujii. Mozart "Don Giovanni" Overture; Schumann Piano Concerto Beethoven Symphony No. 5 . Our best wishes to all performers News, comments, etc at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happens
July 12 https://topics.smt.docomo.ne.jp/article/asahi_region/nation/asahi_region-ASR7C7K1LR7CPISC012
Asahi News 7/12 (Wed) Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii will challenge Schumann's "Piano Concerto" for the first time with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa and-coming conductor Marc Leroy-Calatayud. With photo of rehearsal.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happens
July 6 💐Happy 85th birthday 🎂 to maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy (born 6 July 1937), conductor & all-time pianist great who retired publicly on 17 January 2020. He is much missed, and his kindness to Nobuyuki Tsujii has not been forgotten 🙏 (Image shown is from their Japan tour in 2013.)
July 4 I am grateful that Ms. Jackie Rosenberg, a poet, graces the Facebook page of mine for Nobuyuki Tsujii. Jackie previously shared a poem " THE PIANIST..... NOBUYUKI TSUJII " with us. And now, she gifts us with a new piece: "ODE TO NOBU". Thank you, Jackie, and bravos. Please enjoy her new poem at Ode to Nobuyuki Tsujii by Jackie Rosenberg.
June 2023
June 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
June 2 Friday 2 19:30 & June 3 Saturday 22:30 Troldhaugen, Norway, Bergen International Festival
June 7 19:30 Festival Hall, London. Tchai 1 with Vasily Petrenko & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
June 10 8PM Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital, Hong Kong
June 14 7:30PM Esplanade Concert Hal Singapore
NEWS
NEWS
July 9 In June, at the end of his thrilling Bergen-London-Hong Kong-Singapore tour, Nobu's official instagram says: "I returned to Tokyo ASAP. I'll be in the practice room morning till night readying for my upcoming performances. We're looking forward to a busy & fun July!" Well, the fun begins this Thursday July 13, Nobu Nobu performs the Piano Concerto in A minor by Robert Schumann for the first time, with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa & conductor Marc Leroy-Calatayud. We wish them great success! News, photos, etc. are being collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto July 2023, as it happens
July 3 Nobu's recital in Hong Kong is now available on archive of RTHK 香港電台 (Hong Kong public radio) at https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio4/programme/Liveon4/ Excellent audio quality. The Liszt pieces are especially lovely.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens
June 29 On July 1 8PM Hong Kong time: RTHK 香港電台 (Hong Kong public radio) airs an audio recording of Nobuyuki Tsuji's June 10 Beethoven/Liszt/Ravel/Kapustin recital, presented by HKU MUSE 港大繆思樂季. Listen LIVE at this link https://www.rthk.hk/radio/radio4/programme/musegala?lang=en Please note the LIVE button on the page. UPDATE June 30: "Archive will be available after live webcast"! I believe the archive is posted at this link www.rthk.hk/radio/radio4/programme/Liveon4_rpt/
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens
June 29 If only I were in Japan🤤Mt.Fuji Kawaguchiko Piano Festival Chopin GALA Sunday, Sept 17. Nobuyuki Tsujii piano solo: 12 Etudes, Op.25 - Aeolian Harp, Butterfly, Winter Wind, Ocean Etude. Nobuyuki Tsujii & Fumiaki Miura & Friends. Chopin Piano Concerto No.2 (chamber version). Tickets on sale - General sale available only at Kawaguchiko Stellar Theater. More at 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival.
June 26 slippedisc.com/2023/06/review-pollini-has-a-nightmare-in-london/ I have great respect for pianist Maurizio Pollini, age 81. He is a virtuoso who has earned loyal support worldwide for his genius, skills & discipline, without resorting to flamboyance or flash. So it saddens me deeply to read what happened when he held a recital at Royal Festival Hall in London last Friday. Old age is unkind. I wish Mr. Pollini the best, and I hope Nobu will step off the stage graciously when his time comes. More at Great Pianists and Old Age.
June 24 WQXR (New York Public Radio Station) audio story (58 minutes): Nobuyuki Tsujii at The Greene Space, New York City 2014 - Chopin, Mussorgsky, 'Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair.' Listen here https://beta.prx.org/stories/109578Andante
June 23 Advance sale for the 2023 ARK Classics by Avex Classics & Suntory Hall, headlined by by Nobuyuki Tsujii & Fumiaki Miura, have begun. According to twitter @sunsoon16, tickets are going FAST⚡️And why not? 11 programs & great performers (including foreign artists trumpet player Sergei Nakariakov & cellist Jonathan Rosemann) . 2023 Suntory Hall ARK Classics
June 21 Exciting new gig for Nobu! HK Philharmonic announced its 23-24 season. Stars include Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, & "In December [1 & 2], Nobuyuki Tsujii, who just finished playing for @HKUMuse, returns to play Ravel's Piano Concerto, with 'Daphnis et Chloé' " conducted by Vasily Petrenko. https://www.instagram.com/p/CtwwBFPP8H1/ UPDATE: These performances are part of the HK Phil's "Great Pianist I" season package. : "A pianist with extraordinary skills, the eternal charm of black and white keys." Lang Lang is another pianist in the series. Booking period July 4th-July 31st. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Vasily Petrenko in Hong Kong Dec 1&2 2023
June 18 2023 Mt Fuji Kawaguchiko PIANO FESTIVAL promotional video www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRxJhPA262g '富士山河口湖ピアノフェスティバル ／Mt Fuji Kawaguchiko PIANO FESTIVAL', with CHOPIN's Heroic Polonaise played by Nobuyuki Tsujii as background music; excellent footage from previous editions of the festival -- check out the scenic setting and spectacular venues. More about the festival at 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival.
June 18 A review, titled '聽眾回饋：只聽音樂，其餘免談 [Just listen to the music, no further discussion necessary' is posted by the Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao 明報. It contains some criticisms, but is overall positive: "poetic and virtuoso" I especially appreciate that the reviewer got that Nobu "is purely using sound to bring out the music; instead of rubato for dramatic effect, he is using instead touch, sound quality and harmony to do the work," and that "Tsujii’s blindness is not mentioned, because I don’t think it needs to be mentioned at all." Read an English translation at Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Hong Kong, Mingpao Review June 18 2023.
June 17 "Ways of Hearing: Interview with Nobuyuki Tsujii" by Hong Kong newspaper 星期日生活 Sunday Mingpao. Nobu was interviewed shortly after he arrived in Hong Kong. This is a fairly lengthy article, written in traditional Chinese. "Q: In terms of pursuing & realizing dreams, what can you share with young people? A: The most important thing is to find something you like ..." Read an English translation at Nobuyuki Tsujii interview by Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao
June 17 Not only did Nobuyuki Tsujii receive a rousing response from the audience for his June 14 recital in Singapore, but he also garnered critical acclaim from The Straits Times: "fluid sonorities" "Tsujii has over the years developed as an artist." "Tsujii took [the Kapustin etudes] in his stride [and whiped] out the most convincing of readings." "The overwhelming applause from a full house was rewarded with three delightful encores." "Miracles do happen."
More at Concert review: Nobuyuki Tsujii plays barnstorming second gig in Singapore.
June 16 Jiro.Shima -san commented on the latest instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii (mother of Nobuyuki Tsujii): "What a bounty of cherries. Japan's four seasons. That's great ☆ Did Nobuyuki Tsujii -san return home safely? I'm sure there must have been a lot of fun stories I'd like to hear it! " And Mrs. Tsujii replied: "Yes! He returned home in good spirits & told a lot of sourvenir stories. So Now, I have to plan a menu of home-cooked meals every day [sweat]." Ah, I know well the feeling of having to come up with good meals for the family every day, and Nobu is a gourmet! :-) :-) But it's good to hear that Nobu has returned home safely.
June 16 Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram: "I'm very busy, so I returned to Tokyo ASAP. I'll be in the practice room morning till night practicing for my upcoming performances. Schumann's Piano Concerto with Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa & Mo. Marc Leroy-Calatayud, then ARK sinfonietta tour with #FumiakiMiura. We're looking forward to a busy & fun July!"
June 16 Official Instagram: "It was the first recital in ten years in Singapore. I was very much looking forward to this trip because I had very strong memories of my visit 10 years ago. Unfortunately, the organizer of 10 years ago passed away this year, and this recital has come true in the form of inheriting his will. When I learned that the hard work was shared by everyone in the limited time leading up to the day of the recital, I was grateful for their passion, and I performed with all my might to respond to the feelings of the audience. " "The organizer said, "Singapore is a food country! There are many delicious foods!" I will seriously question the manager later why I was only able to stay for 3 days in such a fun country! And next time I want to enjoy Singapore. " More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Singapore, June 14 2023, as it happens
June 15 💐Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii wrote: "海外公演に 旅立った伸行が無事帰れますように…" [For overseas performances, may Nobuyuki return home safely...] Nobuyuki Tsujii should be home now and enjoying some much deserved rest, after his excellent adventure from Japan to Norway to London to Hong Kong to Singapore, May 20-June 14. ❣️ More at Nobuyuki Tsujii's Excellent Adventure May 20 - June 14 2023
June 15 A newspaper review came up today. Sadly, the article cannot be read without a subscription. www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/concert-review-nobuyuki-tsuji-plays-barnstorming-second-gig-in-singapore
"Concert review: Nobuyuki Tsujii plays barnstorming second gig in Singapore "
About the concert: Nobuyuki Tsujii in Singapore, June 14 2023, as it happens
June 14 SOLD OUT! @bbcproms concert (SEPT 8) of @liverpoolphil, #DomingoHidoyan & Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行, although returned tickets may yet show up; & standing-only tickets will be available on the day. 3 months in advance & the last show before final night! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to the BBC Proms 8 September! It's a pity that this concert is not scheduled to be aired on TV in U.K. -- and we may not get to see footage of it at all :-(:-( UPDATE June 15 The Royal Albert Hall have released limited seats mainly in Box areas for all sold out performances, perhaps previously saved for VIPs? So there're still chances to purchase some good seats for the @bbcProms SEPT 8 concert of Nobuyuki Tsujii - click here https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ev9n5v
June 14 Singapore recital is over. There was not much advance publicity, but numerous tweets and instagrams have shown up after the concert, like these. No official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram has surfaced - I suspect there will be one in due time. Nobu and manager are probably busy returning to Japan - safe journey home! 3 encores - Bach cantata, Grieg March of the trolls, La Campanella. I expect to see an official instagram some time. Meanwhile, more at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Singapore, June 14 2023, as it happens
June 13 Today in Singapore, Nobuyuki Tsujii hosts a recital at Esplanade Concert Hall June 14 7:30 PM. This will be Nobu's last public performance this month, after a whirlwind schedule that spanned Japan, Norway, U.K. & Hong Kong. News, etc. Very little has been heard from Singapore. Our best wishes and safe journey home to Tsujii-san! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Singapore, June 14 2023, as it happens
June 13 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra & Nobuyuki Tsujii play Schumann, Chopin [Piano Concerto no. 1] & Natalie Joachim. Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall | New York JAN 27 2024 | 7:00PM. Tickets on sale August 1 2023
"It’s always a party when Nobuyuki Tsujii sits in with Orpheus, especially when they revel in the shimmering virtuosity of Chopin. " See https://orpheusnyc.org/tickets-and-concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-at-carnegie-hall
June 12 Embarrassment of richness: Ten more outstanding photos, from
HKU MUSE 港大繆思樂季 photographer Kurt Chan -- some of the best photos of Nobuyuki Tsujii in performance I've seen! They capture Nobu's on-stage demeanor & spirit perfectly. https://instagram.com/p/CtYmwxOJKQd/
Backstory Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens
June 12 twitter.com/hkumuse/status/1668183187493904384 Tweet by HKU MUSE [organizer of Nobu's June 10 recital], with 4 fine photos - a big thanks to them for inviting Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 to Hong Kong & for their warm welcome for him!
"What a breathtaking season finale with Nobuyuki Tsujii! THANK YOU everyone for celebrating our 10th season with us. "
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens
June 11 Official Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 instagram https://twitter.com/mlliu2006/status/1668151880319664128 : "I appeared in the MUSE series sponsored by the University of Hong Kong," "I was warmly welcomed by the organizers" [photo, Nobu looks big for a change :-)] "ate delicious porridge" " And now on to the airport! Singapore is next!" More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens
June 11 Announced: ARK Hills Music Week 2023 at Suntory Hall Sept 29 - Oct 1. Eleven performances (not all include Nobu).
Details in Japanese at https://avex.jp/classics/arkclassics2023/
Notable -- OCT 1 Nobuyuki Tsujii recital: Chopin 4 impromptus & etudes Op.25 (12 pieces), and more.
Details to come. (Echoing Nobu: "I am too busy to keep up with the updates!" :-)
June 11 Next up for Nobuyuki Tsujii: a recital in Singapore June 14, Esplanade Concert Hall 7:30 PM. This will be Nobu's last public performance this month, after a whirlwind schedule that spanned Japan, Norway, U.K. & Hong Kong. News, etc. at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Singapore, June 14 2023, as it happens
June 10 The Nobuyuki Tsujii recital is over in Hong Kong. The audience response was enthusiastic. 4 curtain calls; 3 encores, including La Campanella. https://www.instagram.com/p/CtUOiY8v7_T/
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens Next: June 14 7:30PM Esplanade Concert Hal Singapore
June 10 Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 recital in Hong Kong today June 10 8PM Instagram by SOIN events, in Chinese
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtTIyb-OYRl/
【奇蹟的音樂家：看不見 卻能演奏得扣人心弦 】"Miracle Musician: He can't see but he can play grippingly"
More at Nobuyuki Tsuji in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens
June 9 The long-awaited Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CtSx-HxxZe8/ "It's a long-awaited performance in London, so I went to say hello to the CD sales booth [see photo]. It was the last performance of the tour, so I had a lot of fun playing it. The encore played was No. 8 "Finale" from Kapustin's concert etudes. I was very satisfied because I was able to listen to Shostakovich's Symphony No. 8 in the audience, the latter half of the concert program that I could not hear in Japan. The day after the London performance, we moved from London to Hong Kong! Recital in Hong Kong tonight! I'm too busy to keep up with updates!" Indeed, I can barely keep up with all the Nobu news :-)
June 9 medici.tv tweet https://twitter.com/medicitv/status/1667188729000210433 "Nobuyuki Tsujii gave us a fiery interpretation of Chopin’s Scherzo No. 1 in B minor at last year’s Biarritz Piano Festival! Check out the last bars of this magnificent rendition!" The full recital is still available at https://iiil.io/jnRY Back story at Nobuyuki Tsujii at 2022 Biarritz Festival
June 8 Critic's review: "Powerful Tchaikovsky & Shostakovich from Vasily Petrenko & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra" bachtrack.com/es_ES/review-vasily-petrenko-nobuyuki-tsujii-royal-philharmonic-june-2023
"In this performance, by Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, all the feverish emotions were very much on the surface, as they should be." "In the long first movement, the clarity of Tsujii's finger-work and his weight of tone shone through the thick orchestral textures. " More at Critic's Review: Royal Philharmonic, Vasily Petrekno & Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Royal Festival Hall June 7 2023
June 8 From Bergen (June 2 & 3) to London (June 7) - our beloved busy boy Nobuyuk Tsujii will next perform in Hong Kong June 10 8PM , at a Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital organized by HKU MUSE 港大繆思樂季. Safe journey & all our best for great success to Tsujii-san! News, comments, etc. at Nobuyuki Tsuji in Hong Kong June 10 2023 -- as it happens
June 8 The RPO very graciously answered numerous inquiries about the encore played by Nobuyuki Tsujii on June 7! "The encore was Nikolai Kapustin's Concert etude, Op.40 No.8!" like this https://youtube.com/watch?v=zVobKW
June 7 It is 10:43 PM in London. The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Vasily Petrenko Nobuyuki Tsujii concert in the Royal Festival Hall is over. Here is Nobu being guided by Vasily on stage (not large, I've been there) after their Tchai 1 performance in the first half. A big thanks to twitter Mariko for the eyewitness account and photo"... It was a collaboration between the London orchestra and pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii It was Tchaikovsky's piano concerto that even I know. . .played with the whole body, with a very gentle voice. . ." Another concert-goer wrote that "the standing ovation and the foot-stomping never stopped." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with V. Petrenko & the RPO at Festival Hall June 7 2023
June 7 A concert-goer confirmed that Nobu played an encore at today's concert, but
"…. I don’t know the name of the tune he did; It was jazzy and very fast!!!! He was amazing" Dare we guess that it's "Prelude", 8 Concert etudes No. 1 by Nikolai Kapustin. Oops - just been told it's not Prelude. My next bet is 'Toccatina' And I was told it's not that one either, but perhaps the finale of Kapustin's 8 concert etudes.
Let's hope Nobu's official instagram will come through with the encore title. But it seems this might have been the 11th different encores that Nobu played for the RPO, including the 10 that he played in Japan!
June 6 I asked and received a response from a kind person who was at the first concert (June 2), and they confirmed that there was no sign of any filming at the event, as I speculated (based on photos posted). I am afraid this dashes my hope to see footage of Nobu's Norway journey in a new episode of BS-Fuji's Nobuyuki Tsujii music travel series (dormant since COVID). This makes it all the more regrettable that I had to give up traveling to Bergen due to health reason. Such is life :-(
June 5 This Wednesday June 7: Vasily Petrenko, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Nobuyuki Tsujii regroup at London's Royal Festival Hall 🇬🇧. Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No.1 & Shostakovich’s Symphony No.8. Here is a clip of them in rehearsal in Suntory Hall Japan 🇯🇵 on May 26. twitter.com/rpoonline/status/1662134468646256645 and https://www.facebook.com/royalphilharmonicorchestra/videos/618924693291326 We wish them the best success. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii with V. Petrenko & the RPO at Festival Hall June 7 2023
June 4 The Official Nobu instagram www.instagram.com/p/CtEoHUZNTTv/ came through, with a clip of him practicing [I believe] Grieg's Erotika, and several priceless photos, including one of Nobu holding the dolls of Mr. & Mrs. Grieg :-) "it was very meaningful for me to perform Grieg's works in this place where Mr. and Mrs. Grieg are buried, and I feel that it was a truly precious time. The concert started late at 10:30 pm, but the sunset was late at this time of year, so the view of the sunset from the window of the venue was beautiful. For the encore, Chopin's posthumous Nocturne and Liszt's La Campanella were performed. We are moving again tomorrow! Oh busy!" A big thanks to Team Nobu for posting these fine clips and photos from Norway, amid their busy schedule. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens
June 3 It is June 3 6:30PM in Norway, 4 hours from the second concert of Nobuyuki Tsujii at Bergen International Festival. A small audience will soon be at the villa of Edvard Grieg to enjoy Nobu playing Beethoven's Moonlight, Grieg's lyric pieces, & 3 works by Chopin. It is not raining in Bergen and the sun does not set until 11PM there at this timeBest wishes for great success to Tsujii-san. The concert is sold out even though on screen it says "few tickets left". See Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens.
June 3 twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/1664855716249698304 Twitter Yura posted this clip of Nobuyuki Tsujii playing Chopin's Berceuse (lullaby) at the 2009 Cliburn but rarely since. Nobu will play it tonight at the Bergen International Festival at a concert titled "Grieg on music sheets for ears" I would be there just to hear him play that piece live :-( See Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens.
June 2/3 https://www.instagram.com/p/CtAX038t0gL/ Official instagram, posted after midnight, from Edvard Grieg Museum Troldhaugen. "It was a concert in a hall on the grounds of Grieg's house. It is a wonderful hall with about 200 seats where you can see the waterside hut that Grieg used when composing in the background of the stage. The distance with the customer was very close, and the feeling of concentrating and listening was very transmitted. For the encore, R. Wagner/Liszt Arr.: Procession to Elsa's Cathedral and Liszt: La Campanella -- received warm applause from the audience." With a clip of Nobu playing [I believe] Grieg's nocturne, and photos of the venue. Sunny weather!
June 2 We have heard from Norway after Nobu's first concert --
www.instagram.com/p/Cs__qHqLFqC/
"[Translated]The audience was filled with enthusiasm! What a gift from God! And two encores don't put any dampener on the mood!" With an artistic photo of Nobu in silhouette against a background of tall glass panes looking out on a picture-perfect scene of the villa and the water. This was an evening concert that started at 7:30PM, and please note that the outdoor is still bathed in sunlight! Tomorrow June 3rd second concert in the villa - Beethoven-Grieg-Chopin [including Berceuse] starts at 22:30! See Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens.
June 2 The interview mentioned by yesterday's Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram has appeared in the Bergens Tidende [5th largest paper in Norway] https://www.bt.no/kultur/i/Q7Oe8J/det-japanske-fenomenet"34-åringen har vært blind siden fødselen. Nå spiller han på Festspillene. Nobuyuki Tsujii har aldri sett tangentene som han er blitt verdenskjent for å spille på. [The 34-year-old has been blind since birth. Now he plays at the Festspillene. Nobuyuki Tsujii has never seen the keys that he has become world famous for playing.]" Unfortunately, reading the full article requires a subscription. But there is a video clip of Nobu playing I believe a Grieg lyric piece, and I was able to find some photos accompanying the article. See Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens.
June 2 TODAY in Norway at 19:30 Nobuyuki Tsujii Bergen International Festival CONCERT 1 'Moonlight on Troldhaugen'. BEETHOVEN-Grieg- Liszt. Venue: Troldhaugen [home of Edvard Grieg], Troldsalen [The Hall of Wizards]. See Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens
June 1 Back in 2015 I wrote this post: "Play Grieg's Lyric Pieces, Mr. Tsujii!" And now Nobu is actually playing some of those lovely works, in the composer's own home no less. It really breaks my heart that I cannot be there. Here is the first piece, 'Arietta', as played by pianist great Sviatoslav Richter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dJ2nNQYl5o More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens
June 1 I wasn't expecting to hear much from Bergen, since the concerts have already sold out and there is no need for promotion. But apparently I was wrong :-)
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs9jphCN6be/ "I'm in Bergen, Norway. The weather is cool, the air is clear, & the wind feels good. Today I was interviewed by the local paper Bergens Tidende (website https://www.bt.no/ ) And practice starts immediately for tomorrow's performance! Oh busy!"
I hope the weather holds for Nobu -- Bergen is one of the rainiest cities in the world. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens
May 31 Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2 & 3 2023: both concerts have been declared sold out. For news, comments, photos as it happens, please visit this page Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023, as it happens
May 31 I was all set to travel to Norway for the two Festspillene i Bergen concerts of Nobuyuki Tsujii June 2 & 3 at the home of composer #EdvardGrieg. Sadly, health condition intervenedI wish the Bergen International Festival & Nobu great success
News & comments will be collected at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023
May 30 June 2023 is upon us! Nobuyuki Tsujii will be globe trotting this month:
June 2 Friday 2 19:30 & June 3 Saturday 22:30 Troldhaugen, Norway, Bergen International Festival 🇳🇴
June 7 19:30 Festival Hall, London. Tchai 1 with Vasily Petrenko & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 🇬🇧
June 10 8PM Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital, Hong Kong 🇭🇰
June 14 7:30PM Esplanade Concert Hal Singapore 🇸🇬
More to come on these concerts. Please stay tuned.
UPDATE: it seems Nobuyuki Tsujii has already headed for Norway! Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii Instagram : "海外公演に 旅立った伸行が無事帰れますように… [For overseas performances - May Nobuyuki return home safely...]" Every mother can relate to that sentiment.
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May 2023
May 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 10 & 11 20:00 Southam Hall . Ottawa debut. Rach 2 with conductor Alexander Shelley, & the The National Arts Centre( NAC) Orchestra
May 11, 8pm Free Live Streaming from the National Arts Center of Canada nac-cna.ca/en/event/32867, www.facebook.com/events/1331351804293733 , nac-cna.ca/en/series/naco-live-ocna-direct-series
May 22 - 28 Japan tour with Vasily Petrenko & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra :May 22 (Suntory Hall), May 24 文京シビックホール Bunkyo Civic Hall of Tokyo, May 26 (Suntory Hall ), May 28 (Saitama Muse Hall)
NEWS
NEWS
May 28 It went like a whirlwind, but what a trip that was - @rpoonline , @VasilyPetrenko & Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 Japan Tour (May 20-28). Congratulations on great success in spite of a superhuman schedule"8 concerts, 6 bullet trains, 6 cities, 3 hotels", as said in the "story" posted on the RPO instagram account. There are great photos in the story, including one of Nobu flanked by 4 beautiful female orchestra members :-) More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 28 Tweet by concert venue https://twitter.com/Tokorozawa_MUSE/status/1662774505977290752, with 3 photos: "Tsujii & Petrenko Royal Philharmonic ♪
On the last day of the Japan tour, a passionate Bravo voice was heard from the packed venue to Tsujii's gorgeous concerto and Petrenko's lamenting "Pathétique" The soloist encore is Liszt: La Campanella. The orchestral encore was Silvestrov: Evening Serenade." Bravos! Safe journey home to the U.K. visitors to Japan!
The concert was not without an incident: "While Nobuyuki Tsujii was playing the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1, the piano's treble string broke. Mr. Tsujii (who has cut it several times in the past) stopped after playing to the end of the movement. Mr. Tsujii gave an explanation on the microphone, and the tuner strung the strings in about 10 minutes. " More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 27 https://twitter.com/k_an_ata32/status/1662427265421148161 "5/27 Aichi Prefectural Art Theater [Nagoya] Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, (Conductor) Vasily Petrenko, (Piano) Nobuyuki Tsujii - goosebumps felt from another dimension ♪ It was the best Rach 3 I've ever heard! The Royal Phil is perfect in everything, and Chaiko's "Pathetique" is a masterpiece! It was a series of impressions "With photos, one shows that the solo recital was: Rachmaninov Prélude "Bell" in C-sharp minor, op. 3, no. 2. Yes, another new encore on this tour, and one that Nobu will perform on his next recital program.
Even though every one on stage must have been dog tired from so many performances and so much traveling, the show went on and went well. TODAY May 28 tour finale 14:00 Tokorozawa. More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 26 New on YouTube: Rachmaninoff Prelude in G-Sharp Minor: A Spellbinding Performance by Nobuyuki Tsujii. https://youtu.be/48EvmjMW8y8 - music score with soundtrack from Nobu's 2012 St. Petersburg White Nights performance. "
Playing this prelude is no easy feat. The technical challenges lie in the demanding fingerwork, the delicate balance between voices, and the ability to convey the deep emotions embedded within the music. Nobuyuki Tsujii, a truly remarkable artist, brings a unique perspective to this masterpiece." Full story at Nobuyuki Tsujii: Rachmaninov - Prelude in G-Sharp Minor .
May 26 Tweet by British Council Director for Japan Matthew Knowles, with a backstage photo that includes Nobu in tux https://twitter.com/mattintokyo/status/1662108480541708288 "nobuyuki tsujii treats us @suntoryhalle to two encores as @rpoonline sell out in japan #tokyo" Nobu played 2 encores, keeping up with playing different pieces at each tour performance. NEXT UP: Today May 27 in Nagoya -- next to last performance. More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 25 The 2023 Biarritz Festival has been announced "Biarritz : l’ambitieuse affiche du festival de piano" "The evening concert, given last year by Nobuyuki Tsujii, will feature Vikingur Olafsson this year." It is good that Nobu is mentioned like that -- I think he has helped to elevate the profile of that festival. But it seems like this year Nobu will not be found on the beach of Biarritz, which he apparently enjoys. Nobu's recital last year can be viewed on Medici TV www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022 .
May 25 The solo encore for the 5th performance May 24 was BEETHOVEN pathetique 2nd movement. So far, Nobu has made good on his words spoken in the past that he tries to play a different encore at each show while on tour with an orchestra, to keep the musicians from boredom :-) . More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 24 twitter.com/eriko_musashi/status/1661373281838985227 " Bergen International Festival opening ceremony was held . This year, Nobuyuki Tsujii will perform! Here is the opening video: https://www.fib.no/en/programme/what-is-the-city-but-the-people/ " Yeah, it rains a lot in Bergen, so I heard. Sadly, I am not able to travel to Norway, but I hope to see footage of Nobu's recitals at Grieg's residence on a new episode of the splendid BSフジ Fuji TV travel show. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival June 2023.
May 23 Last night in Gunma, 4th performance in as many days. https://twitter.com/satosat934.../status/1661021392593354753 "Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Vasily Petrenko & Nobuyuki Tsujii at Takasaki Arts Theater. Very beautiful, beautiful strings I like the thickness of Cb. I've never heard Vn's sense of unity and Va is good! ... there is no limit Tsujii's powerful performance makes you feel the great earth." With 4 photos, one of which shows one encore each was played by Nobu & the orchestra. Nobu played Bach's cantata "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring". NEXT: PERFORMANCE no. 5 May 24 19:00 Bunkyo Civic Hall Tokyo -- Rach 3. The tour gets a one-day break after this performance and will finish with 3 more performances in the Tokyo area. More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 22 Twitter Yura shared an announcement by Avex Classics International that 4 of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Vasily Petrenko & Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour performances (May 22, 26, 27, 28) are being filmed for future distribution - looking forward to the production (presuming we are privy to it). More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 22 Last night's concert Suntory Hall was a winner!
twitter.com/D_Kameliendame/status/1660690287147241472 "The afterglow still hasn't cooled down. It was truly a beautiful concert." Nobuyuki Tsujii played 2 encores (Katpustin & Chopin); orchestra 1 (Satie). Today PERFORMANCE no. 4 May 24 19:00 in Gunma (Tchai 1). More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens
May 21 twitter.com/satsuki.../status/1660199703810801664 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vasily Petrenko, Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour -- May 21 Osaka show concluded successfully. "A passionate performance that reverberates. Tsujii's smile, the best... Tsujii's encore was Wagner's 'Elsa's Procession'. The orchestra was listening intently." Many more comments, to be collected at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens. UPDATE: Orchestra, encore Silvestroff Evening Serenade from "Music of Silence"
May 20 www.instagram.com/p/CsfPoD7xi8-/ Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram, with a photo then a clip of Nobu practicing Tchai 1: "May 21 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko #festivalhall. Excited from rehearsal with Vasily's splendid conducting. The more I played, the more I felt a sense of unity with the orchestra." Today's concert in Osaka starts in about an hour. More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens.
May 20 www.instagram.com/p/Csd6-R7y0Qx Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii (Nobu's mom): "A safe opening day of the Royal Philharmonic tour with conductor Petrenko. Welcome! It was Rafuma [Rachmaninov]'s No. 3, so he [Nobu] sweated like he took a shower It was the first time in a while that the dressing room was opened to close friends, and everyone was smiling♪" With backstage photo of Nobu, Mrs. Tsujii and guests. The RPO & Mr. Petrenko received praises on the web, and Nobu's Rach 3? "The appearance of Mr. Tsujii listening to the applause coming down from the 3rd floor to the 1st floor was impressive." I haven't yet come across any mention of an encore. More later. Next up: Today 14:00 May 21 in Osaka [Tchai 1].
May 19 Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram, with a photo of the rehearsal on stagehttps://www.instagram.com/p/CscxElWRvL9/ "The domestic tour with Vasily and the Royal Philharmonic started today in Fukuoka. I was able to perform Rachmaninoff No. 3 after a long absence with the Royal Philharmonic for the first time, and I had so much fun during the rehearsal that I got really excited lol. I'm already excited about the performance. We are looking forward to seeing you!" Sounds like the rehearsal went well, but I bet the orchestra is on jet lag. More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens.
May 19 medici.tv subscriber broadcast of Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital at the 2022 Biarritz Festival - Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 5:00 AM (GMT-07:00) www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022 ... This was a terrific recital. BEETHOVEN's 'Moonlight', Liszt's Rigoletto, consolation 3, Mephisto Waltz; CHOPIN 4 scherzos; encore Elsa's procession. After the concert, a hungry Nobuyuki Tsujii ended up eating quiche with chopsticks in his hotel room Backstory: Nobuyuki Tsujii at Biarritz August 1 2022 Watch a preview at https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022 UPDATE: It can be viewed in full with a free trail subscription www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022
May 19 TODAY in Japan 🇯🇵 First of eight performances on Japan Tour of Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 🇬🇧, conductor @VasilyPetrenko & Nobuyuki Tsujii Rach 3. May 20 14:00 Fukuoka Symphony Hall 福岡シンフォニーホール (1,867 seats). Best wishes to all! More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens.
May 18 Royal Philharmonic Orchestra tweet twitter.com/rpoonline/status/1658862500278878209 : "we've just finished our rehearsals and are about to set off! Find out about everywhere we're playing at http://rpo.co.uk/japan " Bon voyage! NOTE: In the past, Nobu traveled to U.K. to rehearse with the orchestra in advance, to minimize the number of days of hosting a full orchestra in Japan. Not this time, perhaps due to scheduling constraints. I guess the Tchai 1 & Rach 3 rehearsal will have to take place in Japan with the full orchestra. More at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens.
May 17 instagram.com/p/CsVH6-epgaf/ by HKU MUSE 港大繆思樂季: "The return of Nobuyuki Tsujii to Hong Kong University [June 10 recital] is, again, a FULL HOUSE! A big thank you for your overwhelming support — we look forward to experiencing Nobu's magic with you next month!" performed in Hong Kong for the 1st time in 2019, with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. It was a great success! He was invited to perform with the HK Philharmonic the next year, sadly cancelled due to COVID. Story at FULL HOUSE: Nobuyuki Tsujii recital in Hong Kong June 10.
May 17 This month, May 20 through 28 2023, Conductor Vasily Petrenko & the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) of United Kingdoms tour Japan with Nobuyuki Tsujii. This upcoming Japan Tour marks the reunion of the two old friends for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, this time with a new orchestra. We wish them the greatest success on this jam-packed tour of 7 stops over 8 days! Details at Vasily Petreko & RPO with Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Japan Tour - As It Happens.
May 15 Just announced - Sunday Jan 21 2024 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii. Admission-free concert, Brooks Center for the Performing Arts Clemson University, South Carolina . "The Brooks Center will also celebrate the 37th year of the admission-free Utsey Series of chamber music concerts. That series, which has hosted such luminaries as superstar classical pianist Lang Lang, is often featured on American Public Media’s national radio program 'Performance Today.' Among the four Utsey programs will be a January performance by the top-tier Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, featuring Nobuyuki Tsujii, the blind Japanese pianist who won the Gold Medal at the 2009 Van Cliburn Piano Competition. This performance comes one day after their performance in Palm Beach, Florida.
May 14 From a Nobu fan in London: tickets for Nobu's SEPT 8 BBC Proms concert are selling well: "Only 3 [out of 10] sections are available right now which are Rausing Circle Mid & Rear , Restricted View sections -- basically high up seats far from stage... Good for Nobu, even though his performance is the last one before the famous last day event." Tickets can be purchased at https://www.bbc.co.uk/events/ev9n5v. More about the concert at Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to the BBC Proms 8 September!
May 14 www.instagram.com/p/CsN8QipOtTy/ Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, mother of Nobuyuki Tsujii: [translated] Nobuyuki sent this to me before he went abroad. Mother's Day flowers... this year's is my favorite white hydrangea." Happy Mother's Day! I trust that Nobu has safely returned home from Canada.
May 13 2023 Details of the festival have been announced https://pianofes.stellartheater.jp and https://avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002320
Among this year's artists is Turkish pianist Fazil Say, who, as the director of the Antalya Piano Festival, invited Nobu to perform in Turkey in 2011. So, this is Nobu returning the favor. More at 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival
May 13 NEW on YouTube! May 11 2023 Ottawa 🇨🇦 Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 / Canada's National Arts Orchestra @NACOrchCNA, @ShelleyConduct with Nobuyuki Tsujii https://youtu.be/1spdlqu84Lc posted by the orchestra on their YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/@NACvideosCNA , where many of their past performances can be viewed. Special note: The cover photo chosen for the video is similar to a screen-grab from the live stream that I previously posted! Delighted!!
May 12 I posted the Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram https://instagram.com/p/CsKH93DRsb_/ to my facebook page for Nobu fans. It makes me happy that the post was seen/liked/loved by both the conductor Alexander Shelley and the composer Keiko Devaux!
May 12 Official instagram instagram.com/p/CsKH93DRsb_/ with a photo of Nobu with Mo. Alexander Shelley & concert master Kawasaki of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. "... my first visit to Ottawa, & the weather was perfect. I enjoyed playing with the beautiful orchestra & the support of Mo. Shelley & concertmaster Yosuke Kawasaki. I look forward to visiting again. Many people were able to watch the live streaming & thank you for all the messages. Last night's live streaming will be available for a while at the following URL. https://vimeo.com/823198059 @Alexander Shelley @Keiko Devaux"
May 11 The live streaming has concluded. Thank you, @NACOrchCNA for the excellent live streaming of Nobuyuki Tsujii Rach 2 with Mo. @ShelleyConduct -- outstanding video and sound quality. That was one of Nobu's best performances with an orchestra (and I have seen MANY of the performances.) And, look, the video is now viewable ON DEMAND at the same link as the streaming https://nac-cna.ca/en/event/32867 UPDATE: The video is also now viewable at vimeo.com/823198059 AND also on the orchestra's YouTube channel, at www.youtube.com/watch?v=1spdlqu84Lc
May 11 Counting down!! Thanks to the generosity of our Canadian friends, we can all enjoy a live performance via streaming ***TODAY May 11*** of the National Arts Centre Orchestra | l'Orchestre du Centre national des Arts, conductor Alexander Shelley ShelleyConduct & Nobuyuki Tsujii, at this link nac-cna.ca/en/event/32867
Story at Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to Canada May 10 & 11 2023
May 11 twitter.com/RDMR1/status/1656584938139820032
JUST ANNOUNCED | Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & Chief Conductor #GarciaHindoyan present their 2023/24 season https://bit.ly/3MffG0I In addition to the SEPT 8 Rach 3 performance at BBC Proms, Nobu is listed as one of "world renowned soloists" who will perform with the orchestra, on May 4. "Conductor Laureate #VasilyPetrenko returns with 2 Russian works." It's so great that the orchestra keep up with their great friendship with Nobu over the years. Bravos and all our best!
May 10 It seems the first performance in Ottawa was indeed a great success, as reflected in this photo that warms my heart. It is the first of 19 photos posted on the FB page of National Arts Centre Orchestra (THANK YOU, MERCI). Nobu is seen being embraced by conductor Alexander Shelley as he stands on stage to accept the applause of the audience and orchestra members. (Nobu, resplendent in tux & a new light-colored bow tie, has been splendidly transformed from the mop-headed/hoody-clad youth that we saw in rehearsal photos.) More at Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to Canada May 10 & 11 2023
May 10 Thank you, National Arts Centre Orchestra | l'Orchestre du Centre national des Arts Ottawa, for your warm welcome to our beloved Nobuyuki Tsujii. Our very best to the orchestra, Mo. Alexander Shelley for great success tonight and tomorrow. Tweet by the orchestra (epic on stage), with a photo album that includes Nobu in rehearsal twitter.com/NACOrchCNA/status/1656390636818378756
"Thrilled to have the one and only, Nobuyuki Tsujii in our hall today! ..."
May 10 The first Ottawa performance starts in less than 6 hours as I write. This official instagram was posted about an hour ago www.instagram.com/p/CsEet-aRIYq/
"[ In the end, as a result of worrying, today's performance will be performed on an upright in the dressing room! … Just joking, of course; I decided to practice on the first piano available. And Friday's concert will be live-streamed. Ladies and gentlemen, please take a look at the following URL nac-cna.ca/en/event/32867 "
With 3 fine photos: first of Nobu practicing on said upright piano, 2nd of Nobu standing next to a mounted concert poster, 3rd of him practicing on a grand piano on stage
May 9 https://www.instagram.com/p/CsBq4qgseC_/ Instagram by conductor SESTO QUATRINI: "This morning the @sinfonica_mi [Milan Symphony Orchestra] presented the 2023/2024 season to the press, that of the thirtieth year of life of this team which is one of the excellences of Milan and Italy. So I share with the top management of the institutions and those of the Concert Foundation the pride of a thirty-year anniversary that promises to be extraordinary. And thank you all for the invitation to conduct one of the most interesting concerts on April 12 and 14, 2024, 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙚, including Grieg's 'Concerto in A minor op. 16' with the overwhelmingly talented pianist @nobuyuki_tsujii_ on the piano official, the world premiere of "Maggese" by @fdelcorno and 'Pini di Roma' by Respighi." The performance is also mentioned in this article www.mentelocale.it/milano/articoli/96388-orchestra-sinfonica-milano-compie-30-anni-programma-stagione-2023-2024.htm
May 9 https://www.instagram.com/p/CsCWhMDuu_n/ Nobu has arrived safely in Canada❣️🇨🇦 And his official instagram posted clips of Nobu trying out 2 grand pianos. "Which piano shall I play?" Nobu, dressed in a hoodi, is all business, but looks to be in good form. Mother Itsuko also posted an instagram, mentioning Nobu's concert in Ottawa but she herself is staying put in Japan.
May 7 💐REST IN PEACE pianist great Mr. Menahem Pressler https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menahem_Pressler. Maestro Pressler was a juror at The Cliburn Competition 2009, and he is seen in the competition's documentary. Quote: "I have the utmost admiration for [Nobuyuki Tsujii]. For him to play the Chopin concerto with such sweetness, gentleness & sincerity-it's deeply touching. I had to keep from crying when I leave the room." In the familiar photo shown of Nobu receiving his medal from Mr. Cliburn , Mr. Pressler is the second figure from the right.
May 7 Rebroadcast of Nobuyuki Tsujii's 2022 Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital at an Osaka temple, first aired Jan 2 2023.
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Backstory Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital at a temple
May 4 Nobuyuki Tsujii at Wigmore Hall April 6 2024 - Bach, Chopin and Rachmaninov recital avex.jp/tsujii/tsujii-en/live/tour.php?id=1002302 . Tickets sale NOW open to everyone at https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/.../nobuyuki-tsujii-202404061300
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Wigmore Hall April 6 2024
April 30 This post about Nobu's upcoming concerts in Ottawa contains an interest line: https://www.todocanada.ca/city/ottawa/event/an-alpine-symphony/
"Tonight’s guest artist, Japanese pianist Nobu (Nobuyuki Tsujii), first found himself at a keyboard at the age of 2 picking out a tune he heard his mother hum. Nobu has gone on to become a composer and much sought-after guest pianist, with a legion of fellow concert pianists as admirers." I have never seen mentioning of the fellow concert pianists as admirers before -- I believe so, and glad to see it in print!
The performances are:
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 | 8:00 PM
Thursday, May 11, 2023 | 8:00 PM
And May 11, 8pm Free Live Streaming from the National Arts Center of Canada nac-cna.ca/en/event/32867, www.facebook.com/events/1331351804293733 , nac-cna.ca/en/series/naco-live-ocna-direct-series
Photo shown: Nobuyuki Tsujii's first performance in Canada, Edmonton, 2011
April 2023
April 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 8, 10 19:00 Sumida Tokyo Rach 2 with the New Japan Philharmonic conducted by Yutaka Sado
April 14, 15, 16 14:00 Sumida Tokyo Rachmaninov's Variations on a theme of Paganini with the New Japan Philharmonic conducted by Yutaka Sado
NEWS
NEWS
April 27 The Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival 2023 will be held SEPT 15 - 18, once again with Nobuyki Tsujii as resident pianist. See 2023 Mt. Fuji Kawaguchiko Music Festival. The festival was started in 2021 during COVID lockdown. Nobu is the headliner for marathon outreach events & concerts. Last year's was a great success despite some stormy weather. Let's hope for sunny☀️days this year!
April 27 Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to Singapore June 2023 for a Beethoven-Liszt-Ravel-Kapustin recital at the venerable Esplanade Concert Hall at 7:30 PM on June 14, days after his recital in Hong Kong on June 10. See Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to Singapore June 2023
April 24 Disappointing news. A Nobu fan who has received the 2023 BBC Proms Festival Guide reported that, unlike in 2013, the September 8 performance of Nobuyuki Tsujii is NOT scheduled to be aired on U.K. television. This year, "only limited performances will be on TV", perhaps due to BBC's budget constraints. This means there will not be a video of the performance that can be viewed on demand on BBC Player (like the popular 2013 Nobu performance video).
Let's hope we will get to see some footage, perhaps from other sources. Avex Classics? Liverpool Phil?
April 23 Yesterday in Tokyo, Nobuyuki Tsujii gave some medical professionals a special treat by performing a mini-recital at the closing ceremony of the 31st General Assembly of the Japanese Medical Association 2023 -- La Campanella & God's Chart, etc.
Did you know that Nobu also performed with doctors in Boston in 2015⁉️ See https://mlliu2006.blogspot.com/2023/04/nobuyuki-tsujii-special-treat-for.html
April 22 Nobuyuki Tsujiii & Fumiaki Miura with the ARK Sinfonietta
2023 SUMMER TOUR schedule announced July 28 - August 4.
Bach duo violin concerto; Beethoven piano concerto no. 4; Mendelssohn Symphony. avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002272
More at 2023 ARK Sinfonietta Tour.
April 21 Official Yutaka Sado Instagram, with great photos instagram.com/p/CrTdQ5op-uo/ " New Japan Philharmonic 新日本フィル & I welcomed pianist #辻井伸行 Nobuyuki Tsujii (I call him 'Nobu-rin') as the soloist for our concerts, & my appointment for the Music Director was boosted by his presence ..." It seems Sado-san was treated to that lavish seafood feast (with the King Crab) by Nobu as a belated celebration of his 60th birthday. [Trigger warning to animal lovers: do not watch the video :-)] More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic.
April 20 Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to the BBC Proms 8 September 2023! Hurray to the @liverpoolphil for being a loyal friend of Nobuyuki Tsujii over the years and congratulations to the orchestra, Mo. Domingo Hindoyan & Nobuyuki Tsujii!
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to the BBC Proms 8 September! UPDATE: More good news❣️The SEPT 8 concert will be broadcast live on @BBCRadio3 [& available on demand thereafter.]www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_radio_three . The audio quality should be top-notch 👍
April 19 Japan's "Friends of Music" magazine talks to 7 prize-winning pianists on their preference between Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 vs No.3. ontomo-mag.com/article/interview/rachmaninov-piano-concerto202303/ Only one chose Rach 2, guess who? :-)
More at "7 pianists! Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.2 vs No.3"
April 17 With the New Japan Philharmonic tour behind him, Nobuyuki Tsujii has no public performances scheduled until May 10, when he is slated for orchestral performances in Canada and a Japan tour with Vasily Petrenko & the Royal Phil. Nobu will be kept plenty busy this summer and fall, with new works to learn that include: Grieg's lyric pieces [Norway, June & Georgia, September ] Schumann's concerto [Japan, July] & Shostakovich Piano Concerto no. 2 [Japan , October] ... Onward and forward, Tsujii-san!
April 17 https://twitter.com/yomiuri_o_bunka/status/1647861770122584066 Published in the evening Yomiuri News (Kansai) today (17th): "Prior to his performance at the Festival Hall, we asked Nobuyuki Tsujii about his thoughts on music & his memories of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. What are the words entrusted by Mr. Cliburn? " We in U.S. would also like to read this❣️ UPDATE: We've heard from a kindly reader about the Yomiuri article & what Nobuyuki Tsujii says in the article about the late Mr. Van Cliburn is similar to what he said in a previous reenactment video of his final meeting with Mr. Cliburn. See here 'Nobuyuki Tsujii meets his hero Van Cliburn 2013' [with enactment video, in Japanese] Nobuyuki Tsujii meets his hero Van Cliburn 2013
April 16 www.instagram.com/p/CrF1hx8Pn7N/ Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Instagram. "April 16, 2023. Conducted by Yutaka Sado. New Japan Philharmonic, orchestra #Yokohama Minatomirai Hall. We were able to finish the last day of the tour with Sado-san and the New Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. It's kind of a pity that it's over, but I'm honored to be invited to Sado's inaugural concert to commemorate his inauguration as a music director." With a photo of Nobu practicing and a clip of the enthusiastic applause that he got after the performance - Nobu is seen waving at the audience as Sado-san held his other hand up. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic.
April 15 twitter.com/partenaire_0829/status/1647226023178797057 According to this tweet, Nobu played for encore yesterday (April 15) LISZT's pilgrimage year 2 Venice & Naples No. 3 Tarantella. He has played a different encore for each of the 4 performances so far. Elsa's procession on April 10. "It was Kapustin at Suntory Hall on Monday, and it seems like yesterday it was Rachmaninov, so I'm already envious of people who go there wondering what tomorrow will bring". Stay tuned. Last of 5 performances today Sunday April 16 14:00 in Yokohama. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic.
April 14 Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram https://instagram.com/p/CrAkCgJvPQs/
新日本フィルハーモニー交響楽団 New Japan Philharmonic orchestra conducted by #YutakaSado. Today is Rachmaninoff Paganini Rhapsody. It's the 1st time that I played it with Sado-san, but oddly it doesn't feel like that. Video is before & after the performance [no music]! " With a perfectly framed backstage photo followed by 2 clips (no music) - these give a great idea of what goes on behind the stage ... Also of interest is that Nobu plays for encore Rachmaninov's prelude "The Bell". More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic
April 13 TODAY APR 14 in Japan: Nobuyuki Tsujii performs Rachmaninov's Paganini Rhapsody with New Japan Philharmonic, first of 3 consecutive days. Twitter Yura posted soundtrack clips of that work from the 2018 CD of Nobu with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic & conductor Vasily Petrenko. If not for COVID, they would have performed that at the 2020 BBC Proms (See Nobuyuki Tsujii was to return to the Proms this year!)
April 11 "Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2 - Nobuyuki Tsujii with Seattle Symphony Orchestra, " A YouTube video of the Jan 26 2023 Seattle performances has materialized without fanfare. It includes Nobu's encore of J.S. Bach/ arr. Myra Hess: "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyazuAiWrhI
Backstory Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Seattle, Washington Jan 26 & 28 2023 - as it happens
April 11 Someone just posted this year-old video www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJClmS8_lZk of figure skater 浅田真央 (mao asada) performing to「神様のカルテ」"In his Chart" composed by Nobuyuki Tsujii. It is the theme music for a 2011 film released in Japan, for which Nobu was named the 2011 Film Music Artist by the Japan Film Critics Award.
April 10 Nobuyuki Tsujii Official instagram, with one photo of rehearsal on stage @SuntoryHallE yesterday April 10 www.instagram.com/p/Cq2dtVKvy-v/ Encore was Kapustin prelude (etude no. 1). NEXT UP: April 8 14:00 Rach 2 Sumida Triphony Hall Large Hall - Paganini Variations. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic
April 8 As expected, there is a cornucopia of postings about the concert yesterday. Nobu's Rach 2 performance garnered praises and reportedly he played an encore of perhaps his own composition (perhaps in tribute to Sado). Also mentioned is that Sado-san reported he has safely recovered from a fall from stage in Vienna. Photos galore -- Nobu appears to be in good form and good health. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic
April 8 Starting today Saturday April 8, Nobuyuki Tsujii makes 5 Rachmaninov performances with long-time mentor conductor Yutaka Sado 佐渡 裕 & 新日本フィルハーモニー交響楽団 New Japan Philharmonic, orchestra. Their 1st joint performance since 2018, these concerts are eagerly looked forward to by their fans. April 8 14:00 Rach 2 Sumida Triphony Hall Large Hall; April 10 19:00 Rach 2 Suntory Hall; April 14 (Fri) Paganini Variations14:00 2023 Triphony Hall; April 15 (Sat) Paganini Variations114:00 Triphony Hall; April 16 (Sun) Paganini Variations114:00 Yokohama Minatomirai Hall. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic
April 7 It's good to see a fresh Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram www.instagram.com/p/CqwwkPDvjYd/ "Today is Sado-san's first day as music director of the New Japan Philharmonic! congratulations. I am very happy to be with you today. Mr. Sado & Rach 2 -- 10 years since 2013..." With photo of Nobu in rehearsal with the maestro & the orchestra. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic
April 7 www.instagram.com/p/CqKnYyTv2e_/
Belated find of March 24 Instagram by violinist-conductor Fumiaki Miura, good friend of Nobuyuki Tsujii. Wth photos of him & Nobu & figure skater #MaoAsada; plus clip & photo from Miura-san's 30th birthday bash!
April 6 It makes me happy that my article "On Bent Back & Pianist Injuries" has gotten some great comments, including this latest one: "日本だけではなく、世界でもそんな彼の事大切にしてくれている方々がいるの知り，とても嬉しく思いました。[I was very happy to know that there are people who care about him (Nobuyuki Tsujii) not only in Japan but also in the world.]" See "On Bent Back & Pianist Injuries" -- scroll to bottom.
April 6 Mainichi Shimbun [Everyday News] 2023/4/6 Tokyo Evening Paper https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230406/dde/018/040/016000c interview: "Nobuyuki Tsujii delighted with a sense of unity with the audience on National Tour with the Royal Phil Royal Philharmonic Orchestra next month. Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii will tour the country in May with a concerto that he has been listening to since he was in his mother's womb ... [Nobu will perform Tchai 1 and Rach 3 with the orchestra. SeeNobuyuki Tsujii & Vasily Petrenko reunited in Japan May 2023 ] . The rest of the article requires a paid subscription to read.
April 4 すみません Sorry if this is considered rude in Japan, but I care about him & can't help but worry about that bent in the back of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii [see photo], possibly from stooping over the keyboard so much. Please take care of your back, Tsujii-san! UPDATE Please see a follow-up article: "On bent back & pianist injuries"
April 4 Nobuyuki Tsujii is prominently mentioned in a Harrison Parrott posting of Spring highlights www.harrisonparrott.com/news/2023-04-04/spring-highlights-for-creative-partnerships-and-tours
"... ... an 8-concert tour with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Music Director Vasily Petrenko... in Japan, joined on the stage by Nobuyuki Tsujii ...'definition of virtuosity'. The tour takes place from 20 May to 28 May ..."
April 3 Tweet by medici.tv with a clip twitter.com/medicitv/status/1642970417097834497
"[NEW RELEASE] Last year, at the Biarritz Piano Festival in France, Nobuyuki Tsujii brought the house down in an electrifying recital. Take a look at his pristine rendition of one of Chopin's classic hits: his Scherzo No. 2 in B-flat Minor, Op. 31!cutt.ly/n4ML4G2 " By all accounts, the full concert is well worth watching even if a subscription is required. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at Biarritz August 1 2022.
April 3 Starting this Saturday April 8, Nobuyuki Tsujii makes 5 Rachmaninov performances with long-time mentor conductor Yutaka Sado 佐渡 裕 & 新日本フィルハーモニー交響楽団 New Japan Philharmonic, orchestra. Their 1st joint performance since 2018, these concerts are eagerly looked forward to by their fans.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Yutaka Sado with the New Japan Philharmonic
April 3 💐NEW on YouTube - click to watch👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGPSVCQfRNk 辻井伸行 亜麻色の髪の乙女 ドビュッシー作曲 Nobuyuki Tsujii plays DEBUSSY La fille aux cheveux de lin "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair"
April 2 It's been quiet on the Nobuyuki Tsujii front. But spring is here, & please allow me to share a joyful 2021 clip of him playing BEETHOVEN's Spring Sonata with his good friend Fumiaki Miura ...Viewable on Twitter [short] or Facebook [longer]. Nobu returns to action in Japan this month [April 2023] to perform on stage with his long-time mentor conductor Yutaka Sado.. Then, next month [May 2023] will see him travel overseas to Canada before returning to Japan on a tour with Vasily Petrenko and the Royal Philharmonia Orchestra.
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March 2023
March 2023
March 30 Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to London's Wigmore Hall April 6 2024 with a a Bach, Chopin & Rachmaninov recital wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/nobuyuki-tsujii-202404061300 This is the first appearance of Nobu at the Wigmore since 2017. The event is part of the 5th Avex Classics International Recital Series. Priority bookings only. Photo below - Nobu at the hall in 2017.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Wigmore Hall April 6 2024
March 29 medici.tv World Piano Day video https://twitter.com/medicitv/status/1641051544840806400
Nobuyuk Tsujii is seen at 1:28, playing Mussorgsky's "Great Gate of Kiev" at his 2011 Carnegie Hall debut.
March 28 medici.tv subscriber broadcast of Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital at the 2022 Biarritz Festival - Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 5:00 AM (GMT-07:00) www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022 ... This was a terrific recital. BEETHOVEN's 'Moonlight', Liszt's Rigoletto, consolation 3, Mephisto Waltz; CHOPIN 4 scherzos; encore Elsa's procession. After the concert, a hungry Nobuyuki Tsujii ended up eating quiche with chopsticks in his hotel room Backstory: Nobuyuki Tsujii at Biarritz August 1 2022 Watch a preview at https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022
March 27 It saddens me to read that the "Tsujii Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic" in Tama Plaza [Yokohama] closed [permanently] on March 20, 2023. www.instagram.com/p/CqSaPSep2Vf/ The clinic was operated by the family of Nobuyuki Tsujii, including Nobu's grandfather (Dr. 信孝 Nobutaka Tsujii, age 99) and father (Dr. 孝さ Takashi Tsujii) . It was said that growing up, Nobu often played piano in the clinic's lounge to entertain the guests. We wish happy retirements for the doctors, whose tireless lifetime work must have benefited many families in Japan.
Mar 24 NEW! Nobuyuki Tsujii recital September 1 2023 at Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 19:00.
avex.jp/tsujii/tsujii-en/live/tour.php?id=1002281
tsinandalifestival.ge/event/sep-1-day-2-2023-1900/
Nobuyuki Tsujii Sept 2023 recital at Tsinandali festiva, Georgia
March 23 Tremendous news! www.theatrechampselysees.fr/saison-2023-2024/instrument-musique-de-chambre/nobuyuki-tsujii-4
Nobuyuki Tsujii is listed in the 2023-24 season of Paris' Theatre des Champs Elysees, where he performed almost every year except this. He is listed for a recital April 10 2024 at 20:00, with an exciting brand new program of Bach-Chopin-Debussy-Rachmaninov.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Paris recital
March 25 A 2011 Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 video "What the Wind Brings" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPjyFsQL8Xo helped me get through a serious health situation last week. The wind brought hope and healing. I am grateful to Tsujii-san 💐 More at What the wind brings ..
February 2023
February 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEB 20 - March 17 2023 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour Part 2 NEXT: PERFORMANCE NO. 8 [of 15] February 20 (Mon)18:30 Kochi Prefectural Culture Hall Orange Hall
Feb 2, 3, 4, 5 Florida USA. Rach 2 with Sarasota Orchestra
Feb 11 "The Challenge & World View of Kapustin" on 'Untitled Concert', Asahi-TV
NEWS
NEWS
March 30 Nobuyuki Tsujii returns to London's Wigmore Hall April 6 2024 with a a Bach, Chopin & Rachmaninov recital https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/.../nobuyuki-tsujii-202404061300 This is the first appearance of Nobu at the Wigmore since 2017. The event is part of the 5th Avex Classics International Recital Series. Priority bookings only. Photo below - Nobu at the hall in 2017.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Wigmore Hall April 6 2024
March 29 medici.tv World Piano Day video https://twitter.com/medicitv/status/1641051544840806400
Nobuyuk Tsujii is seen at 1:28, playing Mussorgsky's "Great Gate of Kiev" at his 2011 Carnegie Hall debut.
March 28 medici.tv subscriber broadcast of Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital at the 2022 Biarritz Festival - Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 5:00 AM (GMT-07:00) ... www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022 This was a terrific recital. BEETHOVEN's 'Moonlight', Liszt's Rigoletto, consolation 3, Mephisto Waltz; CHOPIN 4 scherzos; encore Elsa's procession. After the concert, a hungry Nobuyuki Tsujii ended up eating quiche with chopsticks in his hotel room Backstory: Nobuyuki Tsujii at Biarritz August 1 2022 Watch a preview at https://www.medici.tv/en/concerts/nobuyuki-tsujii-biarritz-piano-festival-2022
March 27 It saddens me to read that the "Tsujii Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic" in Tama Plaza [Yokohama] closed [permanently] on March 20, 2023. www.instagram.com/p/CqSaPSep2Vf/ The clinic was operated by the family of Nobuyuki Tsujii, including Nobu's grandfather (Dr. 信孝 Nobutaka Tsujii, age 99) and father (Dr. 孝さ Takashi Tsujii) . It was said that growing up, Nobu often played piano in the clinic's lounge to entertain the guests. We wish happy retirements for the doctors, whose tireless lifetime work must have benefited many families in Japan.
March 25 A 2011 Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 video "What the Wind Brings" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPjyFsQL8Xo helped me get through a serious health situation last week. The wind brought hope and healing. I am grateful to Tsujii-san 💐 More at What the wind brings ...
March 25 Nobuyuki Tsujii's Jan 19 recital at Carnegie Hall remembered by a Japanese media interviewer Yasuko, with a good photo of Nobu & interviewer https://instagram.com/p/Cp5XAhsOvnc/ "✨Interviews with the greatest Pianists in the world.✨ Concert tickets for Nobuyuki Tsujii (blind pianist) at Carnegie Hall in NY were sold out, and it was an amazing concert. The encore was a standing ovation, and while some people were crying, Tsujii was smiling more than anyone else. I Interviewed him and found out that he is really charming personality. 😊 " Nobuyuki Tsujii at Carnegie Hall 2023 Twitter sunsoon found the radio interview at sakura-radio-e42b7d0b.simplecast.com/episodes/now-ep21new-york-now-with-yasuko
Mar 24 NEW! Nobuyuki Tsujii recital September 1 2023 at Tsinandali Festival, Georgia 19:00.
avex.jp/tsujii/tsujii-en/live/tour.php?id=1002281
tsinandalifestival.ge/event/sep-1-day-2-2023-1900/
Nobuyuki Tsujii Sept 2023 recital at Tsinandali festiva, Georgia
March 23 Tremendous news! www.theatrechampselysees.fr/saison-2023-2024/instrument-musique-de-chambre/nobuyuki-tsujii-4
Nobuyuki Tsujii is listed in the 2023-24 season of Paris' Theatre Champselysees, where he performed almost every year except this. He is listed for a recital April 10 2024 at 20:00, with an exciting brand new program of Bach-Chopin-Debussy-Rachmaninov. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2024 Paris recital
March 23 Nobuyuki Tsujii & violinist Fumiaki Miura appeared as guests of figure skater Mao Asada at one of her performances. There is a YouTube video of the performance, where Nobu and Fumi play Liszt's 'Love Dream' to accompany the dancers. See 浅田真央、アイスショーで華麗なスケーティング披露 辻井伸行の生演奏で一夜限りの夢の共演 アイスショー『BEYOND』スペシャルプログラム. News article www.oricon.co.jp/news/2272488/full/
March 17 Dear Nobuyuki Tsujii Fans: I want to let you know that I am experiencing a health situation, and may not be posting on this page for a while. My support for our beloved pianist continues, and I hope it is the same for you. His upcoming concerts can be found at Nobuyuki Tsujii Upcoming Concerts.
March 17 Bravos to Nobuyuki Tsujii for the successful conclusion of his 2022-23 Japan recital tour. 15 Sold-out performances. Enthusiastic audience responses. Official instagram: "Finally, it's time for the Japan Tour finale, Akita performance....To all of you whom I met all over the country, Let's meet again." With a clip of Nobu at practice and another of him speaking. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2.
March 14 Photo source: twitter.com/fumichooooooo/status/1635663134844403713
Nobuyuki Tsujii Mar 14 Kitara Concert Hall, Sapporo, Hokkaido. 4 encores: Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring; Liszt: Consolation No. 2; Grieg: Troldhaugen's Wedding Day; Liszt: La Campanella.Next : Tour finale March 17 (Fri)18:30 Akita Arts.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2.March 13 Today in Japan - Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Tour PERFORMANCE no. 14 March 14 (Tue) 19:00 Sapporo Concert Hall Kitara Large Hall (2,008 seats). Sold out. Next to last performance! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2.
March 12 It's been a while since Japanese writer Yoshiko Ikuma 伊熊よし子さんwrote about Nobu. But Nobu is the subject of her March 11 blog post. http://yoshikoikuma.sblo.jp/article/190226509.html "It is said that Nobuyuki Tsujii devoted himself to practicing when there were no concerts due to the corona disaster. He expanded his repertoire, refining some of his earlier works and further honing the beauty of his sound. The fruits of that effort bloomed at Carnegie Hall, and is now captivating audiences on his Japan Tour. "
March 11 There are countless virtuosos pianists in this world, and many fine pianists who are sightless. Nobuyuki Tsujii is at a level that the world has never seen. "His playing is remarkable by any standards", so wrote music critic Ivan Hewitto of the Telegraph. And now, Nobu has earned yet another distinction: An ode to him by an admirer across continents & across language barriers. Not many pianists -- if any -- have earned that honor. It makes me happy. Thank you, Ms. Jackie Rosenberg. More at A poem for Nobuyuki Tsujii
March 10 https://www.instagram.com/p/CpnS3ACyJPW/ Luxurious flower arrangements on display at Suntory Hall for Nobuyuki Tsujii recitals Mar 7 & 8.
Today: PERFORMANCE no. 13 (of 15) March 11 (Sat) 14:00 YCC Prefectural Cultural Hall Large Hall, Kofu, Japan. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2 UPDATE March 11 Performing far from home yesterday (Kofu), Nobuyuki Tsujii gave it his all. https://twitter.com/Yui6681/status/1634525387110907904 "Amazing concert. The Liszt was great & Kapustin was the coolest!
A masterpiece performance of 4 encores." NEXT: PERFORMANCE no. 14 of 15 March 14 (Tue) 19:00 Sapporo.
March 9 Prof. Kawakami wrote on his blog about Nobuyuki Tsujii's recital yesterday. https://www.masahiro-kawakami.com/archives/5987 "The program includes Kapustin's 8 etudes; I was happy to have gotten a call from the person himself [Nobu, that is] , so I went with my wife." "The response [to the Kapustin] was astonishing even for me." More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
Mar 8 Mr. Kawakami & his wife [both taught Nobu piano] were at Suntory Hall last night. Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii www.instagram.com/p/Cpi_J2KywI4/ "At the concert on the second day, teacher Mr. Kawakami and Ms. Yukari [wife of Mr. K] ... Mr. Kawakami is the leading authority on Kapustin, and had a relationship of mutual trust with Mr. Kapustin when he [Kapustin] was still alive! ..." With 3 photos, the first one with the Kawakamis. This is so wonderful. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
March 8 Nobu held two recitals at Suntory Hall on consecutive days -- Mar 7 TUESDAY matinee and Mar 8 evening concert. He treated the audiences to exactly the same 4 encores www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/perform/encorelist.html . More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2. NEXT: PERFORMANCE no. 13 (of 15) March 11 (Sat) 14:00 YCC Prefectural Cultural Hall Large Hall.
March 7 www.instagram.com/p/CpfUtl9SP9L/ Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii was at Suntory Hall yesterday: "4 encores after Kapustin Thank you for the standing ovation", and she shared photo of a dim-sum lunch. "Lunch at Fureika in a rush before the concert... Nobuyuki ate a lot before the performance, but so did I. " Standing ovations are rare in Japan, where shouting bravos is still "banned". I don't think it's typical for Nobu (or most performers) to eat a lot before a performance, but the recital seemed to have gone well anyway, judging from the numerous enthusiastic postings. Tonight is the 2nd recital at Suntory and it starts 19:00. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
Mar 7 Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CpeVR87vam5/ "#Suntory Hall. I'm back in Tokyo! I have performed at Suntory many times, but there is always a good sense of tension. The sound of the piano is very wonderful, so I would be happy if you could enjoy it. See you at the venue." With a photo of Nobu at practice, more dressed up than usual. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
March 6 Today Mar 7 TUESDAY and tomorrow, Nobuyuki Tsujii will hold performances no. 11 &12 (of 15) on his 2022-23 Japan recital tour Suntory Hall (2,006 seats); both are sold out (in fact all 15 performances have been declared sold out.) These Suntory Hall performances attract Tokyo dignitaries and celebrities, and Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii can be expected to be present to greet the guests. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
March 5 Indeed lots of enthusiastic posts came up after the Osaka recital, such as this. twitter.com/ettieeir/status/1632302140399161344 "Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan tour. Applause didn't stop. He came out again & again. Osaka customers, how much can he play! How much do you want to hear! Mr. Tsujii closes the keyboard & leaves the stage as if to say, 'Please excuse me.' It became a concert of great laughter." 4 encores. NEXT: two performances at Suntory Hall March 7 (TUE) & 8 (WED). More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
March 4 Today March 5 (Sun) 14:00 in Japan -- Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour PERFORMANCE no. 10 (of 15). The Symphony Hall (1,704 seats), Osaka. Sold out. There are usually quite a lot of web posts from Osaka whenever Nobu performs there. Please stay tuned. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
March 3 It escaped my attention, but the full schedule of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Japan tour with Vasily Petrenko & Nobuyuki Tsujii has been published avex.jp/tsujii/live/tour.php?id=1002208 , and it's quite a marathon! There are 8 performances from May 20 through May 28 (with a one-day break on May 25). Three programs. The opening performance in Fukuoka & the May 23 performance in Takasaki have been declared sold out. Tickets come on sale soon for most other performances. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Vasily Petrenko reunited in Japan May 2023
FEB 28 'Rachmaninov - Sound of a Russian Soul' - the 2020 film by Mr. Peter Rosen, will be shown on WDR TV March 26 7.45 - 8.30 www.wdr.de/programmvorschau/wdrfernsehen/sendung/2023-03-26/07-45/whatson_10700710616527/rachmaninov-klang-einer-russischen-seele.html
Nobuyuki Tsujii briefly appears in the film; see Nobuyuki Tsujii participates in a new Peter Rosen Film
Feb 27 I was wondering why there was a big gap between Nobu's last Japan tour recital performance in Tochigi (FEB 24 Fri) and his next performance in Osaka (MAR 5 Sunday). It turns out there was an unannounced private concert that took place in Suntory Hall, by invitation only. As reported by an instagram writerwww.instagram.com/p/CpKyO22Bp4K/ The program was "luxurious": Beethoven &Liszt solo first half, and Chopin & Ravel concertos 2nd half, with Conductor Kazuyoshi Akiyama & the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra -- encore Kapustin. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
FEB 27 These succinct words from the heart ♥️ are better than some learned critic's review https://www.instagram.com/p/CpL_jdePthm/ "I went out looking forward to seeing Mr. Tsujii perform live. The music glides like silk from the start. Tears at the very first note. A night immersed in sound. On the way home I didn't want to hear anything." #SuntoryHall #NobuyukiTsujii
FEB 26 Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto with Marc Leroy-Calatayud conducting the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa July 23 Yokosuka Arts Theater. The performance came on sale in Japan FEB 26, and promptly sold out online. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Schumann's Piano Concerto.
FEB 24 Tweet by a concert goer https://twitter.com/koinasubi/status/1629124725036429317 "Today, after work, I went to Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert. I wonder if the instrument called piano was born to be played by this person." Bravos! What a nice turn of the usual saying that 'he was born to play this instrument'! With a great photo of the concert poster in the hall lobby, labeled with SOLD OUT. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2 . UPDATE: 4 encores. NEXT: PERFORMANCE no. 10 March 5(Sun) 14:00 The Symphony Hall, Osaka
FEB 24 New on his official YouTube channel: Nobuyuki Tsujii plays「糸」 Tapestry by 71-years old female singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima (中島みゆき) 辻井伸行 /「糸」作詞・作曲 中島みゆき NobuyukiTsujii / Tapestry Miyuki Nakajima . This is another video of Nobu playing his rendition of a well-known song in Japan; these Nobu videos are very popular in Japan.
FEB 23 TODAY in Japan Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour PERFORMANCE no. 9 February 24 (Fri) 19:00 Tochigi Prefectural Cultural Center Main Hall (1,604 seats). この公演は完売致しました This performance is sold out. https://www.sobun-tochigi.jp/performance.html Photos, news, comments at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
Feb 23 I take this as a sign that Nobuyuki Tsujii has become a cultural icon. The website "All Poetry", is currently calling for entries to a contest for poems on "Blind Pianist". "In case you have never heard of him before, I would like to introduce you via youtube to my favorite pianist: Nobuyuki Tsujii ... Van Cliburn called him 'a gift from God.' I tend to agree.He has since gone on to concertize all over the world. No other blind pianist has achieved his level of virtuosity (that I know of). In fact, very few pianists of any kind have achieved his level. " The contest initiator goes on to list some of Nobu's YouTube videos and invites people to submit poems of TWENTY LINE limit by March 6. See https://allpoetry.com/contest/2827944-Blind-Pianist NOTE: Nobu himself does not particularly care for the label "blind pianist", but I appreciate the sentiment of the contest initiator. UPDATE on the AllPoetry "blind pianist" poem contest mentioned in an earlier post here https://allpoetry.com/contest/2827944-Blind-Pianist . I contacted the site to point out that (1) Nobu is blind but not autistic, & (2) he does not "learn piano pieces by listening to his teacher play them slowly" -- I referred them to Nobu's English wikipedia page.
FEB 21 There is more on The reunion of Nobuyuki Tsujii with conductor Yutaka Sado, previously mentioned by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii on Instagram.
FEB 20 yutakasado_official instagram It seems the occasion was the 60th birthday party for the president of Avex Classics thrown by Nobu, attended by many Avex artists. This instagram includes a clip of a surprise performance [Chardash?] by violinists Akihiro Miura & Fumiaki Miura [father & son], accompanied by Nobu. A big thanks to the blog reader who points me to this instagram.
FEB 20 The Aichi Prefectural Arts Theater 愛知県芸術劇場 (Nagoya) hosts a "Super Concerts" series each year (except during the pandemic). This year (5.27 - 12.20) Nobuyuki Tsujii #辻井伸行 is featured in two orchestral performances (May 27 with Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Vasily Petrenko & Oct 21 with Klaus Makela & the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Tickets come on sale soon. https://www.instagram.com/p/Co5jzHXyOZI/
FEB 20 As previously reported, this May the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Vasily Petrenko will tour Japan, with Nobuyuki Tsujii on piano. A detailed interview of Maestro Petrenko has just been published by Japan's Ontomo (Friends of Music) Magazine. The entire interview, in Japanese, is viewable at https://ontomo-mag.com/article/interview/petrenko/ It comes with this photo labeled as Mo. Petrenko performing with Nobu at Suntory Hall in 2015, with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra ロイヤル・フィル. The 2015 orchestra is actually the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic リバプール・フィル. The similar names of these two orchestras are bound to cause continued confusion in Japan :-( More at Nobuyuki Tsujii & Vasily Petrenko reunited in Japan May 2023
FEB 20 www.instagram.com/p/Co4KlusPflo/ This official instagram photo looks rather forlorn compared to sunny Florida, but Nobuyuki Tsujii was in good form last night in Kochi, the first performance in Japan after returning from U.S. Packed house, 4 encores, piano-lid closing. "I arrived in Kochi yesterday, and I'm full of energy with delicious bonito. The weather was nice, so I went for a little walk in the afternoon." NEXT: PERFORMANCE no. 9 February 24 (Fri) 19:00 Tochigi. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour -- part 2
🎹FEB 19 TODAY Feb 20, Nobuyuki Tsujii will be back on stage in Japan for part 2 of his 2022-23 Recital Tour. PERFORMANCE NO. 8 [of 15] February 20 (Mon)18:30 Kochi Prefectural Culture Hall Orange Hall (1,507 seats) all seats sold out. The program is BEETHOVEN ('Tempest') LISZT RAVEL KAPUSTIN💐More at https://mlliu2006.blogspot.com/2023/02/nobuyuki-tsujii-2022-23-japan-recital.html
Feb 17 Tweet by New Japan Philharmonic https://twitter.com/newjapanphil/status/1626523758642216961 This April, Yutaka Sado appointed as the 5th @newjapanphil music director! Mo. Sado opens with performances with pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii'! 4/8・10 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2, etc. ; 4/14・15 Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, etc. Season tickets on sale.
Feb 16 Instagram by Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii https://www.instagram.com/p/Cov7eaYSRvB/ "Reunion with Maestro Yutaka Sado, whom we've known for 20 years♪ From April 8th, the New Japan Philharmonic will perform regular concerts & special concerts [with Nobuyuki Tsujii] We are looking forward to seeing you at the concert, full of passion & sweat!" Mo. Sado is the chief conductor of the new orchestra, and Nobu is slated to make 5 performances with them in April: Rach 2 & Paganini Variations. The photo of the conductor (center), Mrs. Tsujii & Nobu is taken at a restaurant -- Nobu is dressed in Business casual and smiling broadly.
FEB 14 Announced ints.co.jp/arksinfonietta2023.html : Nobuyuki Tsujii x Fumiaki Miura ARK Sinfonietta TOUR 2023. Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins. Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 4. Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 "Italian". July 28th (Friday) 19:00 Tochigi. There should be other performances. It's good to see a new poster photo of the duo :-)
Feb 14 This is the first known performance scheduled for year 2014: January 20 2024 [2PM] CHOPIN Piano Concerto no. 1 with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Alexander W. Dreyfoos Concert Hall Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, Florida
"Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra has a long relationship with Japanese pianist, Nobuyuki Tsujii—the only visually impaired winner of the Gold Medal prize at the prestigious Van Cliburn Competition. They’ll join forces at the Kravis Center in a program featuring Chopin’s First Piano Concerto and Schumann’s Carnaval. "
FEB 13 Without saying so, Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii implies by instagram that Nobu has returned home safely, enjoying some good home-cooked top beef sukiyaki. It is back to work next week, when Nobu resumes his 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour PERFORMANCE NO. 8 [of 15] February 20 (Mon)18:30 Kochi Prefectural Culture Hall Orange Hall (News, etc. at 2022-23 Japan Recital Tour Part 2 ). Also, Nobu has two new concertos that he needs to master by July (Schumann) & by October (Shotakovich no. 2) while keeping up with a busy concert schedule!
FEB 12 In a fresh blog post posted on the same day [Feb 11] of the show, Professor Kawakami wrote about how Nobu started playing Kapustin. In his self-effacing style, Mr. K minimizes his own influence on Nobu: "I didn't force him to play Kapustin ... We got to know Kapustin almost at the same time." According to Dr. K., he himself actually first listened to a Kapustin CD at Nobu's home when Nobu was in middle school. And the famous Etude No. 2 performance of Nobu at age 15 that was aired on TV [viewable on YouTube] was a surprise to the teacher. An English translation can be read here: Dr. Masahiro Kawakami: "The Connection between Nobuyuki Tsujii & Kapustin".
FEB 11 https://twitter.com/icoyuraco/status/1624422514352082945 Great tweet by Yura! with a clip. " Untitled Concert 'Kapustin's concert challenge by Nobuyuki Tsuji' My teacher, Dr. Masahiro Kawakami, who is a leading researcher of Kapustin, told me about its charms, and I became more and more addicted to Kapustin. It's written in the sheet music, so I'm playing everything according to the sheet music. No. 8 'Finale' from 'Eight concert etudes'." This is exactly what I hoped Nobu would say on the show, acknowledging his teacher/mentor Professor Kawakami. Dr. K mentioned the show on his most recent blog post. I hope Nobu's words reach him and makes him happy. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii on "Untitled Concert" TV show - 02.11.2023
FEB 11 Another great tweettwitter.com/CooSinsai/status/1624409621984325632
"Nobuyuki Tsujii - Kapustin on 'untitled concert'. Among the 8 concert etudes, he performed no. 2 'Dream' my favorite by far! It's more delicious than the composer's own performance."
Yes! No. 2 has always been my favorite , and I am eternally grateful that I got to hear it live at Carnegie Hall last month. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii on "Untitled Concert" TV show - 02.11.2023
FEB 10 The anticipation for today's 'Untitled Concert' show was palpable, and it does not seem to have disappointed ...
www.instagram.com/p/CogU21Fvb3D/ "Untitled Concert" #NobuyukiTsujii #kapustin I was waiting in front of the TV before 6AM. It was amazing. I know how great he is because I've been playing piano seriously. Mr. Tsujii cannot see, but what power of expression! I wish him good health & more success in the future." With a clip and screen grabs from the show.
More at Nobuyuki Tsujii on "Untitled Concert" TV show - 02.11.2023
Feb 10 The anticipation is palpable, judging from web posts! Nobuyuki Tsujii to appear on Japan's long-running TV show "Untitled Concert" www.tv-asahi.co.jp/daimei_2017/sphone/Broadcast/cur/ Nobu will discuss the appeal of the 8 Concert Etudes of Nikolai Kapustin, and will play 5 of the etudes. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii on "Untitled Concert" TV show - 02.11.2023
Feb 11 10AM Asahi TV.
Feb 12 8AM BS Asahi.
Feb 10 It's never too soon to plan a trip to a strange land. I'm looking forward to my first foray to Scandinavia in June, for the 2 concerts of Nobuyuki Tsujii at the Bergen International Festival this June. I am aware that the Norwegians are a rugged people, but I wasn't expecting a 15 minute-walk after concert to catch a bus, midnight, in rainy weather!! See: 'Midnight at Edvard Grieg's Villa.'
February 9 Seattle's "SoySource" magazine published an interview with Nobuyuki Tsujii issuu.com/soysource/docs/ss.23.02.10. An English translation can be read here👉Nobuyuki Tsujii 2023 Seattle Interview.
Why did he choose to perform Rach 2 in Seattle? How does Nobu choose encore pieces? What further challenges? And more.
FEB 9 News came that Japan is bracing for heavy snow, including Central Tokyo. Nobu must be thinking about the warm weather he enjoyed just last week in Florida.
I'm still hoping for a U.S. tour concert report to show up on the Nobuyuki Tsujii official website https://avex.jp/tsujii/photo/
Meanwhile, the Sarasota Orchestra very graciously 'like'-ed my responses to their excellent post-performance photos posted via Instagram. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
FEB 8 📢How to stop coughing at a concert? 🎹 The decision for me to travel to NYC last month for Nobuyuki Tsujii's Jan 19 recital Carnegie Hall was not an easy one. Among my worries was that I had a cold the month before and I feared a coughing fit would come on during the concert. I scoured the web & discovered that there is a technique that can be applied in silence; no external substance required -- no frantic fishing for lozenges or unwrapping candy to annoy those seated next to you at a concert. Read here, if you wish>> How to stop coughing at a concert without cough drops
FEB 7 https://twitter.com/nikoniko_hazu/status/1622952946253324298/photo/1 Twitter Hazu caught this photo of Nobuyuki Tsujii homeward bound after his successful Jan-Feb U.S. tour. It brings to mind 12 years I go when I saw him live for the first time: he was being escorted unnoticed past the crowds at the San Francisco International Airport, when our paths crossed. He should be home by now ... stay tuned .
FEB 6 It was a short U. S. tour (Jan 19 - Feb 5), but 3 weeks away from Japan must have seemed a long time to Nobuyuki Tsujii. Let's hope he has safely returned home. But what a tour it was: Carnegie Hall, Seattle, Sarasota -- standing ovations & adoration from the audience & orchestra at every stop. Congratulations to Nobu & his Avex support team (and big thanks for the official instagrams) -- we look forward to a concert report in due time.
Feb 5 Official Nobuyuki Tsujii instagram www.instagram.com/p/CoTIJIqyz8K/ [posted soon after the last performance was over.] Encores in Sarasota Feb. 3 N. Kapustin; Eight Concert Etudes Op. 40 No. 1 'Prelude'. Feb. 4 R. Wagner / transcripts by F. Liszt; Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral. Feb. 5 F. Liszt; La Campanella & N. Kapustin; Eight Concert Etudes Op. 40 No. 3 'Toccatina' ” The instagram also pays respects to the late conductor Bramwell Tovey. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
FEB 5 A picture-book ending for Nobu's debut with the orchestra, and for his U.S. Tour!!!
instagram by violinist Katherine Baloff-Tenev www.instagram.com/p/CoTAhhEg-Ts/
" What a treat it’s been to play with @nobuyuki_tsujii_official this week. Our audience absolutely adored him and wouldn’t let him leave the stage after our final performance today, resulting in two outstanding encores. And Brahms 1 with Peter Oundjian… doesn’t get much better." With 2 lovely photos, including this one of Nobu looking radiant in this photo taken backstage with some of the string section members and conductor Qundjian -- all in performance garbs. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
FEB 5 As I write, the final Rach 2 performance in Sarasota is underway. Meanwhile, I am thrilled to have gotten a 'like' from Nobuyuki Tsujii official instagram for my comment: "Dear Nobu -- so glad you are enjoying some warm weather in Florida. They love your performance! 'The most wonderful concert! Nobu is beyond words.' etc. Also, it is very cold in New York today -3°C. We were lucky to have very mild weather when you performed at Carnegie. Safe journey home!"
FEB 4 Finally we have heard from Nobu in Florida. In this photo that comes with his official instagram www.instagram.com/p/CoQlg9ySf5E/ , Nobu is wearing a stylish orchestra T-shirt & standing in front of an impressive Sarasota Orchestra monolith under a cloudless blue sky. There is also a clip that shows Nobu's dressing room backstage & him practicing Rach 2. "It will soon be three weeks since I left Japan. January has flown by and I'll be back home in two more concerts, including today. Sarasota Orchestra #peteroundjian #rachmaninov #pianoconcerto No.2." Yeah, he is ready for home! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
FEB 4 Check out the comments to this Facebook post by the Sarasota orchestra
"The entire performance is stunningly impressive. Nobuyuki Tsujii is a not to be missed. What a thrill to see him perform."
"A magical concert virtuoso performance"
"The most wonderful concert! Nobu is beyond words. " AND MORE.
Also, concert-goer wrote that there was no encore at performance no. 1, but a Kapustin etude at performance no. 2. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
Feb 3 Nobuyuki Tsujii to appear on Japan's long-running TV show "Untitled Concert" - Next week Feb 11 on AsahiTV. https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/daimei_2017/sphone/Broadcast/cur/ Nobu will discuss the appeal of the 8 Concert Etudes of Nikolai Kapustin, and will play 5 of the etudes. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii on "Untitled Concert" TV show - 02.11.2023
Feb 3 A review of the first performance in Florida has been published by the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. "Musically, the fact that Tsujii has been blind since birth is of no matter. [...] He seemed uniquely one with the score and more than equal to its technical challenges," writes Gayle Williams. "[He] "burned up the keyboard with his virtuosity in Sergei Rachmaninoff’s epic Piano Concerto No. 2."
I am very impressed that reviewer Gayle Williams paid homage to the late Bramwell Tovey & is aware that the Sarasota Orchestra "is one of the few American orchestras that have hosted the brilliantly talented pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii" INDEED! More at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
February 2 It is midnight in Florida #NobuyukuTsujii Nobu should have given his first performance of Rach2 at the Neel Performing Arts Center (837 seats). Nothing has been heard Let's hope he arrived there safely. Tomorrow Friday February 3 7:30PM the show moves to a larger venue, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall (1,741 seats). More about the Florida performances at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
February 2 Today Feb 2 7:30pm in Sarasota, Florida: First performance of 'A Romantic Affair' by Sarasota Orchestra with conductor Peter Oundjian & Nobuyuki Tsujii.
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2
BRAHMS Symphony No. 1
We wish them great success
News, photos, comments at Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Rach 2 in Florida 2023 - as it happens
Feb 2 Nobu should now be in Florida (80°F = 27°C, though there is rain), but this article "Nobu coming to Seattle fulfills international fan club dream" came up from Seattle today, published by Northwest Asian Weekly. [Full disclosure: The publishers are my relatives :-)] On Jan. 26 and 28, the piano was rolled onto the stage at the Seattle Symphony for what was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening. Nobu was enthusiastically welcomed by a primarily Asian audience as he came in on the arm of Czech conductor, Jiří Rožeň. Nobu is small in stature, yet his smile is gigantic, as is the talent for playing piano. It was impossible not to be mesmerized by his hands as they danced across the keys, sometimes crossing each other, running the entire range of the scales as he played the piece by Rachmaninov—a composer whose work is famous for being difficult and requiring a pianist of great range and skill." -- read the full article at nwasianweekly.com/2023/02/nobu-coming-to-seattle-fulfills-international-fan-club-dream/
February 1 It is 10 AM in Norway, and Tickets just came on sale for the two Nobuyuki Tsujii concerts at the Bergen International Festival. Yes, I got mine :-) Yippee!!!!! The website -- English side -- works extremely well. I had no trouble making my purchase. The tickets are unnumbered and seats are not assigned -- they are salon concerts.
Concert 1 https://www.fib.no/en/programme/nobuyuki-tsujii-i/
Concert 2 https://www.fib.no/en/programme/nobuyuki-tsujii-ii/
Now I just have to figure out how to get to Bergen ... More at Nobuyuki Tsujii at the International Bergen Festival June 2023.
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