Notable web postings - December 2016

Continued from Notable web postings -November 2016  

Older notable web postings are collected at Notable web postings archival

♪ December 14-25 Nobuyuki Tsujii Bach/Mozart/Beethoven Japan Recital Tour (5 stops), to resume in 2017.

Comments and photos about individual performances can be found here => 2016-17 Nobuyuki Tsujii Bach- Mozart-Beethoven Recital Tour Photos & Comments

Recital program: Bach Italian Concerto, Mozart Sonata No. 17 K570 and Beethoven ("Moonlight" & "Appassionata")

♪ December 31/Jan 1 "One of our favorite movements [moment ^_^] from 2016"

Naumburg Concerts tweeted on New Year Eve:

One of our favorite movements from 2016, with Nobuyuki Tsujii on piano. Our 2017 season will be an exciting year … more to come! @orpheusnyc

♪ The 2016 "Miracle Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii" special was re-broadcast on New Year's Eve on BS Asahi-TV

http://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/tsujii2016/

BS朝日再放送情報

１２月３１日（土）よる９：００ PM ～１０：５４放送

奇跡のピアニスト 辻井伸行 震災から５年・・・それでも、生きてゆく

Sample comments:

なんだか紅白に疲れて、BSに変えたら辻井伸行さんがピアノを弾いていた。なんの番組かも分からないまま気付いたら引き込まれていたよ。  Somehow I was tired of "red and white" (an annual singing contest program on NHK TV), when I changed to BS, Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii was playing the piano. I did not understand  any of the program but I was drawn into it. -tweet

ＢＳで辻井伸行様のラプソディインブルーきけるとか素敵。Rhapsody in Blue of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii on BS;  It is lovely.  -tweet

BSつけたら辻井伸行くんがベートーヴェンの皇帝弾いてた…泣ける Nobuyuki Tsujii was playing Beethoven's Emperor on  BS ... I could cry  -tweet

♪ A look back at Nobu in 2016: best comments; best tours; best CDs; memorable photos; TV appearances =>  Nobu: A bright spot in a topsy-turvy world

♪ Nobu's site just announced the full schedule of the Nobuyuki Tsujii × Vladimir Jurowski × LPO -- 2017 Japan Tour

http://avex.jp/classics/tsujii-LPO2017/

Three programs, seven performances

Details in English => http://mlliu2006.blogspot.com/2016/11/nobuyuki-tsujii-vladimir-jurowski-lpo.html

♪ December 25  Sydney Morning Herald "Year in Review"

"A revelation: Pianist and composer Nobuyuki Tsujii.

"Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii made Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto a revelation by playing exactly what the composer wrote – every nuance and shade of dynamic – with the greatest sensitivity to balance and expressive purpose."

♪ December 22/23 Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas

This morning a couple of tweets came up from Japan voicing displeasure at Nobu being the soloist for the LPO's 2017 Japan Tour.

Given that this week is supposed to be a time of peace on earth, divisiveness should be far from our minds.

And yet I feel compelled to say a few words in defense of Nobu.

Please click to read, if you like => Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas

♪ ABC Australia radio aired the performance ("one of the great performances of the past) of Nobu with Vladimir, Ashkenazy & Sydney Symphony Orchestra

on Friday Dec 30 => http://www.abc.net.au/classic/program/afternoons/

Also described here => http://radioconcerts.blogspot.com/2016/12/20161230.html

In case you have forgotten about that performance in October, here is a reminder: Nobuyuki Tsujii Sydney Debut

It is timely that this radio broadcast will be followed by this year's BS-Asahi Miracle Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii New-Year-Day TV Special, which should have footage of this (or a similar) performance.

♪ December 25 Nobu won't appear in Japan's popular "Red and White" singing contest on NHK TV this New Year Eve

Yura tweeted

一瞬にして撃沈💔期待してたけどピアノはナシなん⤵️まあ元々真田丸テーマ曲はオーケストラ仕様やからしょーがないかぁ😞 メソメソメソメソ(/ _ ; ) もう大晦日はBS辻井伸行スペシャル（再）とガキ使と紅白は三浦君の演奏のとこだけ観る~

The "Sanada Maru" performance at the "Red and White" is for Mr. Miura to perform with an orchestra -- no piano. We will just have to watch the New Year Eve rebroadcast (on Fuji-TV) instead.

♪ December 25 14:00 山形県 Yamagata Prefecture 南陽市文化会館 大ホール (山形県) Nanyang City Cultural Center Grand Hall (1,403 seats)

The audience got a surprise treat that makes a lot of Nobu fans (who were not there)  very envious.

Posted to Twitter by violinist Fumiaki Miura, Nobu's buddy ^_^ and fellow Avex artist.

https://twitter.com/FumiakiMiura/status/812920639233232896

Dear my friends! Merry Christmas and happy holidays from me and Nobu!

(Photo shows Nobu wearing a Santa's hat, and Mr. Mirra wearing Santa's costume.)

More at => http://mlliu2006.blogspot.com/2016/12/2016-17-nobuyuki-tsujii-bach-mozart.html

This was the last public performance of Nobu this year. The recital tour resumes next year.

♪ Nobu to perform at the "Karuizawa Ohga Hall 2017 Spring Music Festival" on May 6 (Saturday) <-  NEW GIG

Yura tweeted about this concert.

Nobu will perform Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Yomiura Nippon Orchestra and conductor Neil Thompson.

The Karuizawa Ohga Hall is a prestigious concert hall in the scenic region of Karuizawa in Nagano , Japan.

This performance takes place after the start of the  Ultimate Concerto Concerts with violinist Hattori Hyakuoto and just before Nobu's performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in Berlin (and then Sydney).

Concert announcement => http://www.ohgahall.or.jp/concert/details.php?cid=2916&year=2017&mon=5&v=0

♪ December 25  A kurota (?) came to Nobu's recital   

The other day I posted a piece titled "Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas" about some high-minded  classical music connoisseurs  who take offense to Nobu being the soloist for the 2017 Japan tour of the London Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Vladimir Jurowski.

Today, I came  across this blog post, from one Pockn-san (Mr. Pockn), who -- judging from his manners of speech --  may well be a kurota, or at least one who shares their heightened passion.   He was at the December 22 recital on Nobu's Bach/Mozart/Beethoven tour.   Although he writes somewhat condescendingly of the audience, he seems respectful and appreciative.  I would call him a "good" kurota.

http://blog.goo.ne.jp/pocknsan/e/6cd04c180dc6614a1897821e458cceff

「熱情」でもまさに熱いパッションが炸裂しまくった。辻井はピアノのタッチが非常にクリアでかつ深く、瞬発力に長けている。この音楽の持つスケールの大きさ、鮮やかなリアリティーを余すところなく表現し、「ベートーヴェンとはこういうものだ！」と見せつけた。ここまで壮大で深淵、激烈な「熱情」に出会える機会はそうはない。

The "Apassionata" was even more explosive. Tsujii touched the piano very cleanly and deeply. It was skillful, instantaneous power. The scale of the music was expressed in vivid reality without constraints. "This is Beethoven!" in grandness and abyss, an opportunity to encounter a furious 'passion'

アンコールでは転じて、辻井の純真な心が素直に表れる幸福な世界へ誘ってくれ、クリスマスを迎えるワクワク感が高まった。客席からは手拍子も。この純粋で豊かな感受性が辻井の大きな持ち味の一つで、これが聴く人に幸福感を与えてくれる。これからもたくさんのことを素直に吸収し、育み、深化し、成長していくことだろう。

In the encores, Tsujii invited us into his happy world where his innocent heart exists in obedience. He seems excited about Christmas. And the audience responded with enthusiastic applause. This pure and rich sensitivity is a major characteristic of Tsujii, conveying a feeling of happiness to the listener. He will continue to absorb lots of thing, being nurtured, mature, and grow.

素敵なリサイタルだったが、お客のマナーはやはり悩ましかった。辻井さんがピアノの前に座って弾く準備をしている時も客席のざわつきは収まらず、演奏が始まっても派手な咳やビニールのクシャクシャいう音があちこちから聞こえ、携帯の着メロまで聞こえてきた。最後のアンコールの演奏中、すぐ隣に座っていたおばさんの携帯が鳴り出したので、これは黙っていられず演奏後に「気をつけてくださいよ！」と注意した。演奏中に携帯を鳴らす「犯罪」を犯した人をお咎めなしにはしたくなかったので。普段クラシックを聴かない人がコンサートに出かけ、クラシック音楽に親しむこと自体は良いことだと思うが… It was a nice recital, but the customer's manners were bothersome.

  More here => A kurota (?) came to Nobu's recital 

♪ December 25  Sydney Morning Herald "Year in Review"

"A revelation: Pianist and composer Nobuyuki Tsujii. Photo: Rohan Thomson

Surprise packet

... Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii made Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto a revelation by playing exactly what the composer wrote – every nuance and shade of dynamic – with the greatest sensitivity to balance and expressive purpose."

♪ December 25 14:00 山形県 Yamagata Prefecture 南陽市文化会館 大ホール (山形県) Nanyang City Cultural Center Grand Hall (1,403 seats)

The audience got a surprise treat that makes a lot of Nobu fans (who were not there)  very envious,

Posted to Twitter by violinist Fumiaki Miura, Nobu's buddy ^_^ and fellow Avex artist.

https://twitter.com/FumiakiMiura/status/812920639233232896

Dear my friends! Merry Christmas and happy holidays from me and Nobu!

(Photo shows Nobu wearing a Santa's hat, and Mr. Mirra wearing Santa's costume.)

These posts explain the photohttps://www.instagram.com/p/BObpBwKA2No/

辻井伸行さんのコンサート🎵💗

バッハのイタリア協奏曲から始まり

大好きなベートーベンの月光😍⭐️

そして熱情もきけてすごくよかった👍❤

アンコールは三曲もあって

その中の一曲は真田丸のオープニングテーマ。

しかもバイオリニストも本人の

三浦さんの飛び入り参加で、

会場大盛り上がり🌈🌈

最後の曲はクリスマスソングのメドレー。

ほんっとなきそうだった‼︎‼︎

最高のクリスマスでした

Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert

Began with Bach's Italian concerto

My favorite Beethoven's Moonlight

And it was awesome.

There were three encores

One of them is the opening theme of Sanada Maru.

In addition, the violinist himself

Mr. Miura jumped in,

The audience went wild.

The last piece was a medley of Christmas songs.

People were crying! ︎! ︎

It was the best Christmas

辻井伸行さんのコンサートに行って来ました❣️ とても感動しました！ やはり世界で認められてる人は凄い‼️ 今日は年内最後ということもあり クリスマスということもありで サプライズが沢山！ 真田丸のテーマ曲をバイオリンの方も来てて演奏してくれたり クリスマスメドレーも！ブラボ

I went to Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii's concert. I was very touched! After all, people who are recognized in the world are amazing! ️ Today is the end of the year and there are things called Christmas and a lot of surprises! The violinist came out to play the theme song of Sanada Maru and Christmas medley too! Bravo - tweet

More comments at => http://mlliu2006.blogspot.com/2016/12/2016-17-nobuyuki-tsujii-bach-mozart.html

This was the last public performance of Nobu this year. The recital tour resumes next year.♪ Nobu to perform at the "Karuizawa Ohga Hall 2017 Spring Music Festival" on May 6 (Saturday) <-  NEW GIGYura tweeted about this concert.

Nobu will perform Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Yomiura Nippon Orchestra and conductor Neil Thompson.

The Karuizawa Ohga Hall is a prestigious concert hall in the scenic region of Karuizawa in Nagano , Japan.

This performance takes place after the start of the  Ultimate Concerto Concerts with violinist Hattori Hyakuoto and just before Nobu's performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in Berlin (and then Sydney).

Concert announcement => http://www.ohgahall.or.jp/concert/details.php?cid=2916&year=2017&mon=5&v=0

♪ December 22/23 Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas

This morning a couple of tweets came up from Japan voicing displeasure at Nobu being the soloist for the LPO's 2017 Japan Tour.

Given that this week is supposed to be a time of peace on earth, divisiveness should be far from our minds.

And yet I feel compelled to say a few words in defense of Nobu.

Please click to read, if you like => Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas

♪ December 22 There is a posting about Nobu on the blog of Yoshiko Ikuma, Japanese classical music writer

http://blog.yoshikoikuma.jp/?day=20161222

... 1カ月半前に話を聞いたときは、バッハを初めて演奏会に取り上げることになり、「イタリア協奏曲」だという話を聞いたばかりだったので、「あのときは、まだこれから各楽章を仕上げていくところだと話していたのに、こんなに早く本番で演奏するなんて、びっくり」というと、「そうなんですよ、早いでしょう」といって楽しそうに笑っていた。

It was only one and a half months ago that I heard that he was performing Bach for the first time in concert, and it would be "Italian Concerto"

"At that time, I was told that there was still time to finish each movement. To [be asked to] play in real time so soon, a surprise," he said.

In other words, "That's right, it will be soon," he said, laughing happily.

Please read the text of the article with my humble English translation here => Dec 22 2016 blog post by music writer Yoshiko Ikuma

♪♪ Nobu to perform at the "Karuizawa Oga Hall 2017 Spring Music Festival" on May 6 (Saturday)

Yura tweeted about this concert.

Nobu will perform Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1

The Karuizawa Ohga Hall is a prestigious concert hall in the scenic region of Karuizawa in Nagano , Japan.

This performance takes place after the Ultimate Concerto Concerts with violinist Hattori Hyakuoto and just before Nobu's performance of Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in Berlin (and then Sydney).

Concert announcement => http://www.ohgahall.or.jp/concert/details.php?cid=2916&year=2017&mon=5&v=0

♪ December 23 A poem for Nobu!  posted on facebook --

https://www.facebook.com/neelav.bose/posts/10155551506804838

To Nobuyuki Tsujii

Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Rachmaninoff

sing to your fingers on the reeds

The Royal Carnegie breaks down for you,

for your elegy,

for your blindness,

for your talent

for your spirit,

for you Nobuyuki Tsujii

While all I could muster up are a few drops of tears.

and play you on loop on a sad rainy day...

♪ December 22/23 Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas

This morning a couple of tweets came up from Japan voicing displeasure at Nobu being the soloist for the LPO's 2017 Japan Tour.

Given that this week is supposed to be a time of peace on earth, divisiveness should be far from our minds.

And yet I feel compelled to say a few words in defense of Nobu.

Please click to read, if you like => Nobuyuki Tsujii & the Kurotas

♪ December 15 Tsujii Family Christmas Tree

Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii posted this photo of the family's Christmas tree on her blog

http://ameblo.jp/tsujii-itsuko/entry-12228591583.html

She wrote that the star at the top of the tree was bought from a church when she was in Vienna. Nobu performed in Vienna's Golden Hall in May 2015.

♪ December 15 "Angel's Wings at Rockefeller Center."

One of the 3 encores that Nobu played at last night's recital in Nagoya was his own composition "Angel's Wings at Rockefeller Center."

Yura tweeted:

ロックフェラーのXmasツリーには手が届かないので、天使の羽に触れて作曲🎵辻井伸行12歳

"Since the Christmas tree of Rockefeller was out of his reach, he wrote the song to touch the angel's wings [with music] Nobuyuki Tsujii at age 12."

A video of Nobu playing the "song" can be viewed here => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVZEHSwRGIE

♪ December 13 Nobu in Cannes, France in 2011

The wiki page of L'Orchestre régional de Cannes-Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (the regional orchestra of Cannes) in France came up in my news search today. Upon investigation, Nobu's name is listed under the "Pianistes(Pianists)" section of the write-up (in French), with a reference to a news article

A. Busser, « Vagues d'émotion avec le virtuose aveugle Tsujii », dans Nice-Matin, 6 décembre 2011. ("Waves of emotion with the blind virtuoso Tsujii", in the "Nice Morning Post", December 6 2011).

I cannot find this review online -- perhaps it has been too long, but I am delighted that Nobu is remembered by the orchestra. He was there in December 2011. I knew about the performance, but heard very little about it.

However, the Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Site has a nice report about the concert:

11年12月4日（フランス）

カンヌ ドビュッシー劇場

オーケストラとの共演でモーツァルト：ピアノ協奏曲第21番

レジョン・ド・カンヌ・プロヴァンス・アルプ・コートダジュール管弦楽団と、本拠地カンヌの美しい海辺にあるドビュッシー劇場で、モーツァルトのピアノ協奏曲第21番を演奏。ウルリヒ・ヴィントフュール氏の指揮で、緻密ながらオペラのような歌のあるモーツァルトになりました。

お客様の熱烈な喝采にこたえてリストのリゴレット・パラフレーズを演奏。客席がさらに熱狂してしまったため「雨だれ」も演奏しました。

南仏一体の音楽文化の担い手として年間100回もの演奏こなすというオーケストラには、首席ファゴットに若林様、ヴァイオリンに小西様がいらっしゃって、滞在中もいろいろと助けて頂きました。

December 4, 2011 (France)

Cannes Debussy Theater

In collaboration with the orchestra Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 21

I performed Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 at the Debussy Theater, located at the beautiful seaside of Cannes, home to the Regence de Cannes Provence Alpe-Cote d'Azur Orchestra. In the direction of Mr. Vintoufuru Ulrich ,  the became Mozart like a precise opera song.  In response to customers' passionate cheers, I played Liszt's Rigoletto Paraphrase. Because audience seemed more enthusiastic, I played "Raindrop" as well.

This orchestra is a major player in the music culture of southern France, performing 100 times  annually. We received many help during our stay from Mr. Wakabayashi the principal bassoon and Mr. Konishi  violin.

Nobu must have left quite an impression!

♪ Official BS-Asahi announcement of this year's Miracle Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii New-Year-Day TV Special

http://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/tsujii2017/

BS朝日 奇跡のピアニスト辻井伸行

世界遺産で弾く日豪友好の調べ

2017年1月1日（日）よる9:00～10:54放送

世界的に著名なピアニスト辻井伸行さんは、2016年10月オーストラリアを訪問した。 海外でのコンサートは、ほとんどが欧米で南半球は初めて。

...

BS-Asahi Miracle Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii

Performance at a World Heritage Site; Japan-Australia friendship;

January 1 (Sunday) 2017 9PM - 10:54 broadcast

Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, a world-renowned pianist, visited Australia in October 2016. Most of his overseas concerts are in Europe and America; this is his first time in the Southern Hemisphere

...

More at => 2017 Nobuyuki Tsujii New-Year-Day TV Special

♪ The 2016 "Miracle Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii" special will be re-broadcast on New Year's Eve

http://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/tsujii2016/

 BS朝日再放送情報

１２月３１日（土）よる９：００～１０：５４放送

奇跡のピアニスト 辻井伸行 震災から５年・・・それでも、生きてゆく

BS Asahi Rebroadcast Information

9: 00 ~ 10: 54 December 31 (Sat)

Miracle pianist  "Nobuyuki Tsujii 5 years since the earthquake · · · Still, Life Goes On"

This show was shown on 2016  New Year Day.

♪ "Nobuyuki Tsujii × New York" 2016 Fuji-TV Special full version to air on January 2 2017

This past October, we were treated to a TV special of Nobu's visit to New York City.

"Nobuyuki Tsujii × New York" 2016 Fuji-TV Special

It has been announced that a "complete version" of this show will air on BS-Fuji TV on January 2, 2017January 2, 2017 (Monday) 16: 30 ~ 18: 55

http://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujii/pub/006.html

Along with the New-Year-Day special on BS-Asahi, this makes for two consecutive days of Nobu documentaries on Japan TV.

And there are likely rebroadcast of other past specials on New Year Eve as well. Imagine that: binge watching of Nobu documentaries -- what luxury!

♪ December 11 No more Record GeijutsuCritics' Reports from Record Geijutsu レコード芸術 "The Record Geijutsu"(Recording Arts)

It saddens me to learn that the Record Geijutsu magazine, "Japan’s equivalent of Gramophone," is discontinuing its "Critics’ Reports section" starting next year. (Source here.)

The well-respected magazine has given Nobu's recent CDs some highly positive reviews

The "Record Geijutsu" gives Nobuyuki Tsujii a thumbs-up

Japanese Critics' Review of Nobuyuki Tsujii Liszt & Ravel CD

♪ December 11/12

We heard from long-time Nobu fan Miyuki of Hiroshima,

I caught a short Hiroshima FM radio program about classical music last week which was hosted by that Hiroshima Carp player Yoshihiro Maru and of course the first piece of music he had to play was Nobu's Rach #2! I guess Mr. Maru really love Nobu. I also want to let you know that I have been greatly enjoying Nobu's new Chopin album and I especially enjoy listening to those beautiful Ballades.

The Hiroshima Carp is a baseball team, national champion of Japan this year. Yoshihiro Maru is a player on the team who has expressed admiration for Nobu, online.

PHOTO: The Hiroshima Carp. Image source: Japan Times

♪ December 11 Tickets sold out in Jōetsu in no time ...

Tickets came on sale this morning at 9.

The venue announced at 4PM that tickets were sold out at the venue and two online outlets (Lawson & PIA), with Lawson reportedly sold out in 7 minutes.

A blogger wrote that he showed up before 9 at the venue and there was already a line of 200 people ahead of him, with some people supposedly having been there since 7AM in bitter cold weather. 

The blog post is quite a moving testament to the support that Nobu enjoys in Japan.

I felt compelled to share it with English translation, which you are welcome to read here => "Getting a ticket for Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii's Joetsu recital"

http://8446.blog79.fc2.com/blog-entry-3351.html

... 午前9時からの発売だったので、8時45分頃に上越文化会館に着いた。考えが甘かった。すでにロビーが人でぎっしり。一番前の方にいる人は完全防寒スタイルで、折りたたみ椅子を持参している。午前7時前から並んでいる人がいたらしい。

200人ぐらいの行列の最後尾に並んだ。午前9時の発売時間になったら文化会館の人が整理券を配りながら、何枚ずつ買うかカウントしていた。すると、私の1人後ろで整理券がなくなり、チケットは完売。後ろにはまだ行列が続いていたが、あとはキャンセル待ちだという。

Since it was on sale starting 9 am, I arrived at Joetsu Cultural Center at around 8:45. It was a sweet sight. The lobby was already full of people. The people in the front had endured totally cold weather and had brought folding chairs. It seems that some people had been lining up since 7 A.M.

I joined a queue of around 200 people. Then, when 9AM came around, people at the Cultural Hall counted how many tickets each person would buy and distributed the tickets. Then the tickets were all gone after one person behind me. People were still lining up in the back, supposedly waiting for cancelled tickets. ...

♪ December 11  Nobu to perform in Nagano annual "The Ninth"???

I am not sure that got this right - this 『すくすく育つ家』 "House of Development" staff post just showed up:

http://staffblog.chubukensetu.com/e2025442.html

今年の「第九」

開館３０周年の翌年から始まった長野の第九は、

今年３回目になります。

12月24日午後２時30分開演です。

...

盲目のピアニスト辻井伸行さんしかり、左手のピアニスト舘野泉さんしかり！

楽聖ベートーヴェンが、亡くなる3年前に完成した

彼の音楽人生の集大成の「第九」！

是非、聴きにいらっしゃいませんか

The 'Ninth in Nagano' began the year after our 30th anniversary

It is the third time this year.

It will take place starting 2:30 pm on December 24th.

...

Blind pianist Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii, left-hand pianist  Izumi Tateno

...     Please come and listen!

If true, Nobu will be making this appearance between tour stops (December 22 in Tokyo and December 25 in Yamagata Prefecture)   

♪ December 10 Tokyo/Kanazawa London Phil concerts announced

and it looks like the LPO Japan tour now has a poster photo

http://www.ints.co.jp/tsujii-london-phil2017/index.htm

Nobuyuki Tsujii Vladimir Jurowski Conductor

London Philharmonic Orchestra Japan Tour 2017

October 12 Tokyo Suntory Hall (Porogram A), October 14 Kanazawa Muza Kawasaki Symphony Hall (Program B)

[Program A]

Wagner: "Nuremberg Meistersinger" Prelude to Act 1

Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 [piano: Nobuyuki Tsujii]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

[Program B]

Brahms: Tragic Overture

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 [Piano: Nobuyuki Tsujii]

Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 "Pathetique"

♪ December 10 Full schedule announced for the 2017 Nobuyuki Tsujii × Mone Hattori ultimate concerto concerts

The Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Site just posted the full schedule of his 2017 "Ultimate Concertos" Tour with violinist Mone Hattori.

The schedule spans three months (April, May and June) and involves conductor Neil Thomson and two different symphony orchestras (Yomiuri Nippon; Japan Century).

12 stops. 11 cities. Nobu is scheduled to play Chopin's Polonaise in A-flat major [Piano Solo] and Piano Concerto No. 1 at each stop.

http://avex.jp/classics/kyukyoku2017/ English translation => 2017 Nobuyuki Tsujii × Mone Hattori ultimate concerto concerts

♪ December 10   "Nobuyuki Tsujii × New York" 2016 Fuji-TV Special full version to air on January 2 2017

This past October, we were treated to a TV special of Nobu's visit to New York City.

"Nobuyuki Tsujii × New York" 2016 Fuji-TV Special

It has been announced that a "complete version" of this show will air on BS-Fuji TV on January 2, 2017January 2, 2017 (Monday) 16: 30 ~ 18: 55

http://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujii/pub/006.html

Along with the New-Year-Day special on BS-Asahi, this makes for two consecutive days of Nobu documentaries on Japan TV.

And there are likely rebroadcast of other past specials on New Year Eve as well. Imagine that: binge watching of Nobu documentaries -- what luxury!

♪ December 9

It seems ages ago that Nobu was at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo as a guest of Ambassador Caroline Kennedy for the celebration of the anniversary of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), but in fact it was only back in September. This photo was posted on the facebook page of calligraphy artist 金澤翔子Shoko Kanazawa and just came to my attention.

We have seen a similar photo that appears on the blog of Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, but this is a clearer photo.

In case you have forgotten about the event, here is a description Nobuyuki Tsujii at the U.S. Embassy 9/26/2016

♪ December 9  In search of a lost scene

It took me days to track down a video with this hazily remembered scene of Nobu walking "on a small path in Berlin" 辻井伸行「ベルリンの小径」.

Please visit this page if you want to read about the scene, and my trial and tribulation to find it => In search of a lost scene -- Nobuyuki Tsujii on a narrow path in Berlin

♪ December 7  And, here it is, an announcement of this year's New-Year-Day TV special, with a trailer:

BS朝日 2017 奇跡のピアニスト辻井伸行

【1/1（日）夜9：00】 世界遺産で弾く日豪友好の調べ

BS Asahi Miracle Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii TV special

Japan-Australia friendship World Heritage performance

New Year Day 9PM

♪ December 8

The broadcast of Nobuyuki Tsujii Sydney Debut broadcast on Australia Classic Radio is no longer available, but we thank ABC for the broadcast and hope to get to hear Nobu's 2017 Sydney performances!

♪ December 7  :-(  Nobu's new Chopin CD dropped to No. 10 on Billboard Japan classical chart

Hopefully, sales will pick up when the Japan Recital Tour  starts next week

Meanwhile, Nobu's "The Best" album (released 2014) is listed as No. 6 on Billboard JAPAN's Top Classical Albums of Year 2016 

http://www.musicman-net.com/business/63675.html

This album is sold at Nobu's concerts, and the lower price (2000Y instead of the usual 3000Y) is perhaps also a factor.

♪ December 6  Yearning for new New Year Nobu TV Special

For many years now, people in Japan have been treated to a TV special about Nobu on New Year Day. This year's should have footage of his triumphant Sydney Debut, and I can hardly wait.

Meanwhile, here is an excerpt from the 2014 New Year Day Special. It is footage of his 2013 performance of Grieg's concerto with Conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa, in Japan. Unfortunately, the beautiful 2nd movement is not on the footage. Nobu will perform this concerto in Europe in February.

Video Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Grieg's Concerto 2013

And, this is probably just a coincidence, but another clip from the 2015 New Year Day TV special has just shown up on YouTube, of Nobu performing Prokofiev 3 with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra in Liverpool, U.K., 2014. 

I think we can expect something similar for this year's special, and I fear they will cut out the second movement of the Beethoven 3, the adagio and my favorite ...

♪ December 6  Amusing tweet of the day

https://twitter.com/ikazutinoseiron/status/806067152511873024

今の日本の三代イケメンすなわち「イケてるmen」は、

間違いなく松山英樹、糸谷哲郎先生、辻井伸行氏の3人だとわたしは思っています。

I definitely think these three people are among today's Japan third-generation handsome, "Ikayuru [cool] men": Hideo Matsuyama [golfer], Tetsuro Itorya [chess master], Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii.

♪ December 7  Full-page newspaper advertisement for Nobu's 10-"Gold" CD pack

https://twitter.com/yuki171208021/status/806312996892880896

少し前の辻井さんの新聞広告姉が持って来てくれた。「辻井伸行の世界」 Mr. Tsujii 's newspaper advertising; my sister brought it. a while ago."The world of Tsujii Nobuyuki"

♪ December 5  Tweets of the day

https://twitter.com/classic_indobu/status/805745059039584256

チョ君とほぼ同じタイミングで、辻井伸行さんもショパンのバラード全４曲などを収録したアルバムをリリース。これがまた、当然のことながらまったく違っておもしろいよね。辻井君のバラードは透明度の高い水の流れのよう。At about the same time as Mr. Cho (South Korean winner of the most recent Chopin PIano Competition), Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii also released an album containing 4 ballades from Chopin. Naturally, they are completely different and interesting. Mr. Tsujii's ballades seem to me flow like really clear water

The twitter of this post claims to be a film-maker in his profile:

夜に母から連絡があり、何事か！？ と思ったら、僕がずっと行きたがっていた辻井伸行さんのピアノコンサートのチケットがネットで出てる！ という事だったんですが、やっぱり即なくなったみたです。辻井さんのピアノを生で聴いてみたい。ふへぇ、来年かな。親子揃って辻井さんのファン。 My mother contacted me this evening. What's wrong! She could not get tickets on the net for Nobuyuki Tsujii 's piano concert that she wanted to go. They were gone instantly. She would like to listen to Mr. Tsujii's piano live. Well, maybe next year. I have some familiarity with the parents and child of Mr. Tsujii.

♪ December 4

This video popped up today on my search for Nobu news. In 2014, Nobu was in New York City to perform at the Carnegie Hall with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. On that trip, he also held a mini-recital at The Greene Space a. The performance was streamed live and can still be WATCHed AGAIN here => https://livestream.com/thegreenespace/events/2681371

♪ December 4

Amusing tweet:

子供が寝ないので、最終手段に出た。 辻井伸行さんのデビューアルバムからショパンの子守唄を引っ張り出してiPodで流してる。 これを流すと、不思議と眠れるらしい。どれだけ喋ってても黙って寝始めます。 辻井伸行さんのピアノは、音に寄り添っている様子が良く分かるので、大好き

 " When my child would not all fall asleep, I turn to my last resort. I play on the iPod Chopin 's lullaby (Berceuse) from the Debut album of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii. If I let this flow, it seems that she can fall sleep wonderfully. The chatting would stop and she would drift off quietly. I love the embracing sound of Nobuyuki Tsujii 's piano. It's wonderful."

You can hear that track here => https://youtu.be/evkMiulBhr0

♪ December 3 Nobu returns to Sydney in 2017

Posted to Twitter:

１０月にオペラハウスでオーストラリアデビューを飾ったピアニストの #辻井伸行 さん。来年５月に再びシドニー交響楽団と共演。次はショパン！ http://www.sydneysymphony.com

Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii who debuted in Australia at the Opera House in October will perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra again in May next year. Chopin!

I looked it up, and here are the ticket situations for the two orchestra performances:

For the Friday performance:

For the Saturday performance:

♪ December 3 Suntory Hall recitals sold out instantly

It is good to know that the support for Nobu's concerts, especially his recitals, remain solid in Tokyo. Today (Dec 3) tickets for his two recitals (Jan 23, 24) at Suntory Hall came on general sale at 10:00 and they were declared sold out an hour later.

https://twitter.com/tspace9/status/804873159367278592

【サントリーホール公演 完売】本日発売の「大和証券グループpresents 辻井伸行 日本ツアー《バッハ・モーツァルト・ベートーヴェン》」サントリーホール公演（2017年1/23,1/24）は予定枚数を終了致しました。ありがとうございました。

【Suntory Hall Performance Sold Out】 Today's ticket release of "Daiwa Securities Group presents Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan Tour" Bach・ Mozart · Beethoven "Suntory Hall Performance (January 23, January 24, 2017) has completed the planned number. Thank you very much.

♪ December 2  I am looking forward to these concerts --

I just checked the ticket sales for Nobu's Bach/Mozart/Beethoven recital at Wigmore Hall on April 1 2017 ... not many seats remain!!

And ticket sales are looking pretty good for Nobu's May 15 performance with conductor Vladimiir Ashkenazy and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO Berlin) in the Berlin Philharmonic Symphony Hall (2,440 seats)