Notable web postings - January 2019
Continued from Notable web postings -December 2018
Older notable web postings are collected at Notable web postings archival
The Debussy-Ravel-Chopin Recital Japan Tourr takes a hiatus until January 18
January 12, 13 The Pianist! with 加古隆 Kako Takashi and レ･フレールLes Freres Bunkamura, Tokyo https://avex.jp/classics/thepianist201901/
January 14 14:00 2019 Super Soloist concert Bunkamura, Tokyo
♪ New Year Day BS-Asahi-TV brand new "Miracle Pianist" documentary
For a collection of video clips, please see"Miracle Pianist" Nobuyuki Tsujii 2019 New Year Day Special
♪ Christmas eve: a rebroadcast of the "Miracle Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii Debut 10 Years Anniversary Special" aired Christmas 2017.
♪ Dec 31 NHK E-tele highlights
Announced on the Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Website
Some footage of Nobu performing Tchai 1 with the NHK Symphony Orchestra in 2011 was shown, along with some historic clips such as from the Cliburn Competition.
Nobu is named as one of the heroes of Japan's Heisei era (soon to end with the abdication of Emperor Akihito in April).
♪ January 3rd, full version of Nobuyuki Tsujii in Iceland
For a collection of comments, still photos and video clips, please see "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Iceland" expanded version
♪ Jan 13, 20 Nobu to be heard on TBS Radio
Announced on the Nobuyuki Tsujii Official Website
TBSラジオ
「今晩は吉永小百合です」ゲスト出演します。
2019年1月13日（日）・20日（日）22時30分～23時00分
Guest appearances on "Tonight with Yoshinaga Sayuri"
January 13 (Sun) and 20 (Sun) in 2019 22:30 to 23:00
The show's homepage is at https://www.tbsradio.jp/y-sayuri/ and it can be heard live on the Internet
♪ Jan 22 Promotion video of the April 16 concert of Nobu with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in Taipei.
Nobu speaks a bit in English ^_^
♪ January 22 "Iceland Symphony Orchestra in Japan" TV documentary to be shown on Iceland Public TV
This posting by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra came up today (Jan 21)
https://www.sinfonia.is/frettir/heimildarmynd-um-japansferd-sinfoniunnar-a-ruv
[Translated from Icelandic]
A documentary about the Japanese tour of the Symphony on the RÚV
On Tuesday evening at. 20:05 RÚV will show a documentary about the tour of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra in Japan in the fall of 2018. The orchestra hosted twelve full-house concerts in eleven cities with Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, led by Vladimir Ashkenazy, the chief honorary director of the orchestra. The documentary follows the orchestra's exploration of the country during the first days of the trip, at practice, concerts and unexpected events in exotic places.
RÚV is Iceland's public TV station, and its broadcast is streamed on the Internet at http://www.ruv.is/sjonvarp/beint?channel=ruv
If you are keen on watching the show, I recommend that you check the link ahead of time to be sure that the streaming does work.
And do be aware that the documentary will be narrated in Icelandic!
More information here: January 22 2019 Icelandic TV documentary
This page http://www.ruv.is/thaettir/sinfo-i-japan, posted by the TV station has a preview video clip of the show "A bit like being on a Treadmill", and this sentence in the writeup:
"The conductor of the trip was Vladimir Ashkenazy. The Japanese superstar - pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, who has been blind from birth - is loved and adored in his home country."
♪ Jan 17 Nobu the International Figure ...
Nobu is getting recognition worldwide - some postings that came up today:
* A thoughtful article "Conheça a história de Nobuyuki Tsujii, pianista e compositor cego!"[The story of Nobuyuki Tsujii, blink pianist & composer] posted in a Japan culture site Japão em Foco (likely based in Brazil) ... The information conveyed in the article is gleaned from the web but I am especially happy that there is no misinformation as is often the case with postings in Portuguese.
* https://twitter.com/valfontaine7/status/1085862278480781312 Tweet in French
J’adore les séances avec @jbdumas75 chez Radio Classique. Lui seul est capable de me faire prononcer une suite de noms comme Rosdestvensky ou Nobuyuki Tsujii a 10h du matin.
I love the sessions with @jbdumas75 [an announcer] at Radio Classique. He alone is able to make me pronounce names like Rosdestvensky or Nobuyuki Tsujii at 10:00 in the morning.
* Shirley Hare wrote on YouTube:
... hi, from Australia, I have tried to buy Nobuyuki’s Cd of Gregg’s Concerto, I love this concerto, but cannot seem to get it in Australia, nobody has any record of him. Which is our problem I know, but do you have any idea if it was released here, or which outlet? Thankyou!
[I pointed her to CDJapan, which ships Nobu CDs internationally.]
♪ Jan 20 Nobu heard on TBS Radio -- Part 2
Continuation from last week; reportedly Nobu will talk about his overseas experiences.
TBSラジオ
「今晩は吉永小百合です」ゲスト出演します。
2019年1月13日（日）・20日（日）22時30分～23時00分
Guest appearances on "Tonight with Yoshinaga Sayuri"
January 13 (Sun) and 20 (Sun) in 2019 22:30 to 23:00
https://www.tbsradio.jp/329067
演奏で訪れた世界の国々での出来事、
体験、触れたこと、感じたこと、
ご自身による作曲の様子、
吉永さんと同じで
お好きだという「水泳」の事など、
ご趣味についても伺いました。
Ｍ１♪ 風の家／辻井伸行（作曲・演奏）
Ｍ２♪ ショパン「ピアノ協奏曲」第２番 第２楽章／辻井伸行（ピアノ）
ウラディーミル・アシュケナージ指揮：ベルリン・ドイツ交響楽団
Events in the countries of the world visited for his performances,
Experience, touching, feeling,
The state of his own compositions.
His hobbies: he likes swimming, same as Yoshinaga (the host)
Sound track:
House of Wind (composer, performer)
CHOPIN piano concerto no 2 with Ashkenazy & the Berlin German Symphony Orchestra
Description of part 1 of the interview => here
♪ Chopin - Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise Brillante in E-flat major Op.22
Yesterday (Jan 14) in Tokyo, Nobu played a orchestrated version of this well-known piece at his 2019 Super Soloist concer, I believe for the first time.
American pianist Linda wrote that she wasn't even aware that there is an orchestra version.
Chopin initially wrote the work for an orchestra - as explained here =>
And as with his concertos, the piano is the focus and the orchestra's accompaniment is rather superficial.
"This effort, incidentally, marked the last time that Chopin composed anything for orchestra." As with other orchestral works by Chopin, the piano is front and center and the orchestra play a minor role
I would love to have been at the Bunkamura yesterday to hear it.
Here is a performance of the work => https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMSjXvtQreI
♪ What the Wind Carries 風がはこんできたもの
I was happy to read that Nobu played 風がはこんできたもの[What the Wind Carries] in the "Pianist!" concerts in Tokyo this past weekend, so I dug up a 2011 video and extracted footage of Nobu playing the piece for the first time, as an impromptu at the end of a visit with an esteemed Japanese playwright 倉本聰 Sō Kuramoto in Hokkaido. Nobu recorded a rendition of it in his 2011 Original Works album. I have always had a fondness for this piece. The original rendition is more muscular; the recorded track more sweet sorrow. More at Nobuyuki Tsujii: 風がはこんできたもの "What the wind carries"
♪January 15 A photo of Nobu with his parents
Instagram from Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii, mother of Nobuyuki Tsujii 辻井いつ子さん(辻井伸行 の母):
打ち上げ🍾
3日連続公演お疲れ様でした
"Celebration after 3 consecutive days of [New Year] concerts"
Nobu is seen in photo with his parents and his management team 😍 Nobu's father, Mr. Takashi Tsujii is the gentleman seated across the table from Nobu, with a hand on his chin. The photo is apparently taken at a restaurant where the party was held. We see at least 11 people in the group but there may be more, and the tables are laden with plates of food and tall glasses.
More at First concerts in Year 2019
♪ January 16 A photo shoot
Nobuyuki Tsujii got a photo session with Japanese renowned photographer Mika Ninagawa, who was also at Nobu's 2011 Carnegie Hall debut.
Instagram from Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BssNmR5l4ao/
"蜷川実花さんの撮影📸2011年NYのカーネギーのコンサート以来の再会"
The accompanying photos show Nobu with the photographer and Nobu being photographed.
We look forward to seeing the photos produced.
♪ ANA Airways Magazine interview Nobuyuki Tsujii - Part 2
Around Christmas last year, we were treated to an excellent interview published in the inflight magazine of the All-Nippon Airways (ANA), a major sponsor of Nobu's concerts.
Little did I know that there would be a part 2, which just came out, again with great photos.
The original Japanese version is at https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/promotion/ready-for-take-off/tsujii-nobuyuki_part2/
In this part of the interview, Nobu talks about his friendship with violinist Fumiaki Miura and the ARK classics concerts that they co-chaired last summer; the diversity of the music he performs and the importance of drawing new audiences to classical music. And,"Ultimately, Nobu is a classical pianist, but by continuing to experiment with other genres, he is able to accelerate his musical growth." And this: "Nobu’s plans for 2020 and beyond are inexorably linked to his relationship with classical music." Thank goodness!
The article comes (mercifully) with an English edition! Please read it here =>
https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/promotion/ready-for-take-off/tsujii-nobuyuki_part2/
♪ "THANK YOU from ALL Nobu fans!!"
Those of us who follow Nobu's career would recognize him instantly: a handsome, slim, neatly dressed gentleman who seems always to be by the side of our beloved pianist.
It is a familiar sight: Mr. Asano, dressed in dark, appears with Nobu on stage, guiding him to the piano in gracious choreographed movements, and then quietly steps back into the wings or behind the piano.
Nobuyuki Tsujii is a passion of mine (as a fan, that is ^_^) since 2010, and Mr. Asano has been a major enabler of that passion. It was through the good grace of Mr. Asano that I have been able to gain access to greet Nobu backstage after his concerts.
My acquaintance with Mr. Nick Asano began in 2010, when I ran into Nobu and him at the San Francisco International Airport, on our separate paths to a Nobu recital in Northern California. They were in a rush as I rudely approached, "introducing" myself to Nobu. Instead of giving me the cold shoulder that I so deserved, Mr. Asano was friendly and receptive from the start.
Sadly, Mr. Asano has now parted ways with Avex Classics (Nobu's record label); the trip to the U.S. this past September (with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra) was the last time that Mr. Asano would be traveling with Nobu for Avex.
I cannot describe the sadness that has descended on me since I heard the news, not just for myself, but for Nobu, who has called Mr. Asano his "father on tour", and a "very good father."
With his permission, I have posted a tribute to express my thanks to Mr. Asano personally, as well as on behalf of all Nobu fans.
It can be read here, if you please => "Mr. Asano, THANK YOU from ALL Nobu fans!!"
♪ DEC 27 A new CM (commercial, promotion video)!
Daiwa Securities Group (a major sponsor of Nobu's concerts): "There are no places that cannot be reached. A story of believing in possibilities"
Mrs. Tsujii posted about the CM in her blog. She wrote that the CM started airing on the 28th nationwide, and that there's anotherCM featuring free climber Keiyo Noguchi
In the CM, Nobu is juxtaposed with a young man (presumably a Daiwa employee). Nobu practices on the piano; the young man types furiously on his computer. Nobu is escorted to a concert hall. The young man arrives at a fancy office building. Nobu is on stage for a performance; the young man arrives at a business meeting. Nobu plays on the piano; the young man makes a presentation. The young man's presentation earns nods from his seated bosses; Nobu won enthusiastic applause. End with the slogan on screen "Passion for the best" [This is grammatically correct unlike the "Be Best" slogan of a certain First Lady.] The CM is posted on the Daiwa website and also on YouTube
♪ ANA Airways Magazine interview Nobuyuki Tsujii
You know those airline magazines that you love to hate? Well, I would love to get hold of a copy of this one, of the All Nippon Airways, in which there is an interview of Nobu, complete with several very professional photos. Topics include his turning 30 ("I have become an uncle!"), his visit to the New York Yankees Stadium, Vladimir Ashkenazy, etc.
"Happily Running for 10 Years"
Original article => https://www.ana.co.jp/ja/jp/promotion/ready-for-take-off/tsujii-nobuyuki/
English translation => Nobuyuki Tsujii interviewed by ANA Magazine Vol 35 2018
I made the translation before noticing that there is actually a version of the interview published in English! Here => https://www.ana.co.jp/en/jp/promotion/ready-for-take-off/tsujii-nobuyuki/
But, with due modesty - my translation is truer to the Japanese version.
♪ First interview of 2019
This is the first Nobu photo of the new year.
In her latest blog post, Japan music writer Yoshiko Ikuma wrote that she made 74 interviews in 2018. And who was her first interviewee this year? But of course it is Nobu-kun for whom she has been writing a series of articles for the "Family Illustrated" magazine.
昨日は2019年の最初のインタビューがあった。「家庭画報」の連載の辻井伸行へのインタビューである。
彼は2018年12月にパリでリサイタルを行った。その様子を聞き、また今年の抱負も語ってもらった。
2019年も内外のコンサートの予定がびっしり組まれていて、新たな作品も披露するという。...
今日の写真は、インタビュー中の辻井さん。シックなスーツを着こなしていた。
"He made a recital in Paris in December 2018. I listened to the situation and asked about his aspirations this year. In 2019, his schedule of domestic and foreign concerts is packedd and it will show off new works as well. ... Today 's photo is Mr. Tsujii at the interview. He was dressed in a chic suit."
We have seen that plaid suit before :-) but it is good to see Nobu looking sharp.
♪ Jan 1 2019 The Tsujii Family New Year Celebration
Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii on Instagram: "Sake is the best! 1988 is the birth year of Nobuyuki, and 2009 is a memorable year of his victory at The Cliburn Competition. Drink up!"
The photo shows a sumptuous food tray with bottles of champagne/wine/sake.
According to https://www.justonecookbook.com/:"Osechi Ryori (御節料理) are the traditional foods enjoyed on New Year’s day in Japan. They come in an assortment of colorful dishes packed together in special boxes called jubako, which resemble bento boxes. Every dish of these traditional foods have special meaning in welcoming the New Year."
