Notable web postings March 2020
Continued from Notable web postings February 2020
Older notable web postings are collected at Notable web postings archival
♪ Concerts this month
Mar 1 13:30 札幌コンサートホールHokkaido Kitara Concert Hall (2,008 seats)
POSTPONED TO August 31 due to threat of COVD-19 :-(
March 18 - April 2 Nobuyuki Tsujii 2020 Ultimate Concerto Concerts in Japan CANCELLED/POSTPONED
♪ March 29 Snow in Tokyo
Crowds disappear from Tokyo streets amid virus, out-of-season snow, Kyodo News
A rare spring snow fell in Tokyo, the hometown of Nobuyuki Tsujii, over the weekend. Perhaps it is Mother Nature's way of helping the government's request for the public to stay isolated at home. May all be well.
Image source: Japan Times
♪ March 29 "The Ugly Truth"
This morning I happened upon this excellent BBC Radio 4 program, a diversion from the COVID-19 news.
Description: 'The value society places on physical appearance has never quite made sense to blind presenter Lyndall Bywater and yet she's intrigued to discover why it matters so much to those of us in the sighted world."
The same thoughts expressed by the presenter have often been on mind ever since Nobuyuki Tsujii became a large part of my life.
Take a listen, if you will. BBC Radio 4 program "The Ugly Truth" ♪ March 26 Instagram from Mrs. Tsujii -- home cooking under self-restraint
Looks like Nobuyuki Tsujii is in good hands in this hard time.
Instagram from Mrs. Itsuko Tsujii:
外食自粛なので家ご飯🍽
定番料理の魚貝のマリネ、
旬のサヨリのカルパッチョ
2枚目はパエリア
"Because eating out [is forbidden] under self-restraint, home cooking. Marinated fish and shellfish of classic dishes, Seasonal Sayori Carpaccio. The second photo is paella."
With photos of mouth-watering dishes elegantly laid out in an outdoors setting
In one photo a swimming pool can be seen in the background.
Nobu likes to swim - I hope that's a pool for him to swim whenever he likes.
♪ March 29 Orpheus Chamber Orchestra needs our help
https://twitter.com/orpheusnyc/status/1243989512633663488"
As COVID-19 continues its devastating impact, all of our performances and events planned through May have been canceled. We now face an unprecedented financial situation, and must raise $500,000 in order to survive to next season - https://bit.ly/39s7CTw ".
This orchestra has been a long-time collaborator with Nobuyuki Tsujii, most recently in Hong Kong just last April.
If you are in a position to do so please consider lending your help in their time of need. -> https://bit.ly/39s7CTw
♪ March 26 Japan Inches Toward Declaring Emergency to Stem Fresh Virus Wave
The news is not good from Japan. :-(
One day after the decision to propone the Tokyo Olympics, it seems now there is a concern about the spread of the Coronavirus after all.
People in Tokyo have now been asked to stay indoors this weekend, and a lockdown may be imminent.
So much for Japan having dodged the bullet of the Coronavirus.
Looks like Nobuyuki Tsujii may have lots of time to learn new works and to compose music in the coming weeks
My best wishes to everyone. Please take care.
♪ March 25 Nobu got a mention by managing director of Canadian orchestra
Nobuyuki Tsujii is mentioned in an interview of Ms. Arna Einarsdótti, managing director of the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Canadian orchestra based in Ottawa), newly hired from Iceland.
https://apt613.ca/arna-einarsdottir-interview/
"I worked with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra for 19 years, first as a flautist. Then I moved into management and eventually became the managing director in 2013. This was during very exciting times for the orchestra. ...
I also managed to get us back onto the touring circuit. When I left, one of the last things we did was to tour the orchestra to Japan, where we did 12 sold-out concerts over a three-week period. It was just incredible. We had Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting. He’s our laureate conductor. We had an amazing soloist as well, Nobuyuki Tsujii...
♪ March 24 Looking relaxed in latest photo from Mrs. Tsujii
Instagram from Mrs. itsuko_tsujii, with recent photo of son Nobuyki Tsujii looking relaxed somewhere outdoor.
She asks people to watch Nobu's congratulations message to spring graduates aired on NHK-TV, now viewable on Twitter https://twitter.com/nhk_heart/status/1242013515952664576
♪March 23 Nobu's message to Japan's spring graduates
【辻井伸行からこの春に卒業を迎える皆様にメッセージをお届け！】 明日3/24(火)19時半からNHK総合で放送の「みんなの卒業式」、こちらの番組のHP等で、辻井伸行の祝辞、および自作曲『花水木の咲く頃』の演奏を公開しております。ぜひご覧ください。
[Nobuyuki Tsujii sends a message to everyone graduating this spring! ] Tomorrow, 3/24 (Tue) 19:30, NHK General Broadcast "Everyone's Graduation Ceremony", Nobuyuki Tsujii's congratulations, and playing his composition "Hanamizuki no Sakuro" [In Dogwood Blossom Season, composed by Nobu when he was in high school - you can listen to its entirety on YouTube] will be released on the website of the program. Please take a look.
https://www.nhk.or.jp/kodomo-pj/sotsugyo.html <= A video can already be viewed, but perhaps only a preview? Click link to see
Also viewable on Twitter https://twitter.com/nhk_heart/status/1242013515952664576
Below is a still image.
UPDATE: On the Nobuyuki Tsujii official website, there is an announcement about this appearance. It seems this TV program aired on NHK (Japan's public media network) is to compensate for the graduation ceremony that spring graduates in Japan were deprived of, due to school closures caused by the COVID-19 epidemic.
♪ March 22 "Nobuyuki Tsujii×Germany" aired on BS-Fuji TV
This episode, 9th in the Nobuyuki Tsujii World Music Travel series, is yet another excellent documentary, two-hours in length.
♪ March 20 Tokyo Symphony Orchestra resumes performance ...
It is March 21 in Japan.
Word came that "Tokyo Symphony Orchestra has received Government clearance to perform again" today
https://slippedisc.com/2020/03/hope-glimmers-one-orchestra-returns-to-work/
Concert-goers may choose a refund, and anti-virus measures are specified http://tokyosymphony.jp/pc/news/news_4285.html
Bold move. Best wishes to everyone!
♪ March 19 Boris Johnson says: UK can turn tide of corona virus in 12 weeks
The world is in the grips of the COVID-19 infection.
It seems frivolous to think of such things now, but ...PM Boris Johnson says: UK can turn tide of corona virus in 12 weeks
Hoping that he is right -- normality would return to London in time for the recital of Nobuyuki Tsujii on June 27!
This is how ticket sales look at this point ...
♪ March 19 New on YouTube
There is now a video on YouTube with footage of Nobuyuki Tsujii played for School Children in Sydney in 2016
We have had similar videos before, but this one is longer and is uploaded by the ほかほかちーた channel, which has 25K subscribers and many videos from Nobu' Japan TV documentaries.
辻井伸行さん［まるで天使たちの歌声に囲まれた神さまのピアノ演奏］Nobuyuki Tsujii is wrapped in children's singing voice -- October 2016 Australia
Backstory Nobuyuki Tsujii played for School Children in Sydney
Nobuyuki Tsujii is perhaps unique among performance artists to have such a vast quantity of videos around, with a meaningful story line in addition to great performances.
Judging from tweets they are getting a lot of views in this time of "social distancing"...
♪ March 18 "How to match the conductor without seeing?"
This video that I uploaded last September
Nobuyuki Tsujii 2019 Enescu Festival debut
has had 460K views and 78 comments.
The latest comment is posted by Nagta Akmich
Amazing!!!!
How to match the conductor without seeing?
My response:
In interviews and documentaries, Nobu says he can hear the breathing of the conductor. I have gone to many of his performances, and my impression is that he can indeed sense the movements of the conductor (such as their raising of the baton or hands) and also the lifting their bows by the string section. Some conductor (Ashkenazy, for example) turns around often to watch Nobu's finger movements. I was at a rehearsal once, and at one point the conductor said something like let's do a certain part again. Nobu started right away while the orchestra members fumbled with their music sheets -- everybody laughed and the conductor had to tell Nobu to wait.
And the expressions on the faces of the orchestra members who perform with Nobu often show them just as awe-struck by him as we are.
♪ March 17 2020 A Good Tour Spoiled
Announced on the Nobuyuki Tsujii official website
https://avex.jp/tsujii/news/detail.php?id=1082180
All Ultimate Concerto Concerts cancelled with the postponement of the two Tokyo performances -- victims of COVID-19.
All nine performances were sold out for months. 10,000 disappointed people
CANCELLED March 18 18:45 [愛知] 愛知県芸術劇場コンサートホールNagoya Aichi Prefectural Art Theater. Program B
CANCELLED March 20 14:00 [金沢] 石川県立音楽堂 [Kanazawa] Ishikawa Prefectural Music Hall. Program A
CANCELLED March 21 15:00 [上田] サントミューゼ（上田市交流文化芸術センター）大ホール [Ueda] Santo Musée (Ueda City Cultural Arts Center) Large Hall. Program A
POSTPONED March 23-> July 24 19:00 [東京] Bunkamura オーチャードホール Tokyo Bukamura Orchard Hall. Program A
POSTPONED March 24 -> July 25 19:00 [東京] Bunkamura オーチャードホールTokyo Bukamura Orchard Hall. Program B
CANCELLEDMarch 26 19:00 [広島] 広島文化学園HBGホール[Hiroshima] Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen HBG Hall. Program A
CANCELLEDMarch 28 14:00 [大阪] ザ・シンフォニーホール[Osaka] The Symphony Hall. Program A
CANCELLEDMarch 29 14:00 [大阪] ザ・シンフォニーホール[Osaka] The Symphony Hall. Program S
CANCELLEDApril 2 19:00 [栃木] 栃木県総合文化センター メインホール [Tochigi] Tochigi Prefectural Cultural Center Main Hall. Program B
♪ We do still have this to look forward to!
March 22 A New World Travel Series episode "Nobuyuki Tsujii in Germany"
Amid all the gloomy news, we have something to cheer about!
A brand new (ninth) episode of their excellent Nobuyuki Tsujii World Travel Series will be aired by Fuji Television premium channel on March 22.
It will be about Nobu's time in Germany last fall: his Liszt concerto debut, Beethoven's footprints in Bonn, Steinway Piano ...
Japanese program website at https://www.bsfuji.tv/tsujii/pub/001.html
My page for it in English at 2020 Fuji-TV travel series: Nobuyuki Tsujii in Germany
UPDATED: Nobuyuki Tsujii Japan TV Specials -- how you can watch them online
♪ March 15 Illustrations of Nobuyuki Tsujii
From time to time I come across on the web illustrations of Nobuyuki Tsujii by admiring artists.
I consider these artworks a great tribute to my beloved pianist, and have kept them in a collection, viewable at Illustrations of Nobuyuki Tsujii Below: A fine art work posted yesterday on Twitter by Aria
♪ March 14 A U.S. church plays Nobu's 'Elegy for the Victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami'
It is around midnight in USA.
This YouTube video just showed up titled "March 15 Worship Service" on the channel of the First Church,Unitarian Universalist, Belmont, Massachusetts, USA.
At time-mark 15:00, there is footage of an excellent [church?] pianist playing 'Elegy for the Victims of the Earthquake and Tsunami' composed by Nobuyuki Tsujii -- perhaps the piece will be played at the service tomorrow?
In any case, I think Nobu can be proud of the recognition.
UPDATE: I have been informed that because of the virus spread, most churches in the U.S. are closed. The video might have been posted as a substitute of their regular mass.
♪ March 13 Hana Wa Saku 花は咲く(Flowers Will Bloom)
The ravages of COVID-19 continue. Concerts are cancelled. Schools may close. Lives are disrupted.
But the cherry trees lining the tidal basin of our capital (Washington, D.C.), a gift from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo City in 1912, is expected to bloom next week.
♪ March 13 "耳を澄ませ聞き入りました。I listened and liste
The YouTube video of "A ray of water main theme solo piano" has chalked up 9,700 views in 24 hours.
As one twitter put it
https://twitter.com/cielbleu24/status/1238090440634552323
耳を澄ませ聞き入りました。
I listened and listened."
The release of the video was widely reported in Japan, including on Yahoo Headline News.
♪ March 12 A video for "a very difficult situation now'
https://avex.jp/tsujii/news/detail.php?id=1082024
本日、辻井伸行「RAY OF WATER piano solo main theme（作・編曲：菅野よう子）」の
演奏映像を期間限定で公開いたしました。
組曲「RAY OF WATER」は、昨年、天皇陛下御即位をお祝いする国民祭典で、
嵐と辻井伸行がオーケストラとともに演奏した大曲。
今回公開いたしました演奏映像は、この曲を作曲した菅野よう子自身が編曲し、
録音にも立ち会ったピアノ・ソロ版なになります。
このオフィシャルサイトのトップページ下段、もしくは「MOVIE」一覧より
ご覧いただけます。
以下、辻井伸行本人からのメッセージになります。
「今、ほんとうに大変な状況ですが、音楽の力でみなさんを励ますことが
できたらと思い、この曲を録音しました。ぜひ聴いてください」
Today, Nobuyuki Tsujii's "RAY OF WATER piano solo main theme (composed and arranged by Yoko Kanno)"
The performance video has been released for a limited time.
The suite "RAY OF WATER" was performed last year at a national festival to celebrate the throne of the Emperor.
A large production performed played by Arashi [singing group] and Nobuyuki Tsujii with an orchestra.
The performance video released this time was arranged by Yoko Kanno who composed the work.
It is a piano solo version that has also been recorded [see post below].
It is available on this official site at the bottom of the "top" page or from the "MOVIE" list.
The following is a message from Nobuyuki Tsujii himself.
"It's a really difficult situation right now [because of the COVID-19]; I recorded this music in hope of encouraging you.
Please take a listen. "
Also viewable at
・YouTube：https://youtu.be/oXCqC6FDOBc
・medici.tv JAPAN：https://medicitv.jp/pickup/Qg35Q
Nobu looks good (hair a little long and wearing a patterned shirt and jeans :-) in the video -- perhaps he has gotten some good rest with the unexpected down time.According to Nobu's own site, the recording was made on Feb 27 in the "Sound Inn B studio."
♪ March 12 "Ray of Water" single track available in high-quality digital format
Avex Classics International seems to be making a concerted effort to release music by Nobuyuki Tsujii in digital form.
This one might have come up just today March 12 in Japan: a piano solo rendition of Yoko Kanno's "Ray of Water" performed at the 2019 enthronement ceremony as well as encore on his just (nearly-)completed Japan recital tour recital tour.
High quality audio track ¥330;
Yoko Kanno: Ray of Water [Nobuyuki Tsujii piano solo main theme]
辻井伸行
¥330
avex-CLASSICS
Released 2020/03/12
https://sp-m.mu-mo.net/album/544525;jsessionid=DFCBE12C569E7F2D148D329331CFEAC2 (with track sample that I was able to listen to in America.)
https://music.oricon.co.jp/php/music/MusicTop.php?music=7425042&mt=12(with track sample that I was not able to listen to in Amerca.)
♪♪ March 10 Ultimate Concerto Concerts cancelled/postponed
😢In light of cancellations of concerts all over the world due to COVID-19, this is not surprising news.
But ... my heart breaks thinking about all the people in the industry, including Nobuyuki Tsujii.
https://www.home-tv.co.jp/event/tsujii-miyata_kyukyoku/
本公演の開催につきましては、お客様に大変ご心配をおかけしております。
新型コロナウイルスの感染拡大防止に伴い、「究極の協奏曲コンサート」の3/18名古屋公演、3/20金沢公演、3/21長野公演の３公演は中止、3/23・24東京公演は延期となりました。 尚、3/26広島公演、3/28・29大阪公演、4/2栃木公演につきましては、企画・制作側との協議･検討が続いております。
"Due to the prevention of the spread of the new coronavirus, 'Ultimate Concerto Concert' 3/18 performances in Nagoya, 3/20 Kanazawa and 3/21 Nagano performances are canceled, and 3/23/24 Tokyo performances are postponed."
The announcement is also posted on the Nobuyuki Tsujii official website.
♪ March 11 in Japan
In commemoration of the Earthquake-tsunami that devastated Japan on this day on 2011: a video of Nobuyuki Tsujii playing "Flowers will bloom" at the 2019 Osaka G20 summit, with projected screen images of the catastrophe & recovery.
The G20 summit took place on June 28 last year - see Nobuyuki Tsujii played for the G20 summit 2019
辻井伸行 G20大阪サミット「花は咲く」Hana wa Saku "Flowers will bloom" 復興支援ソング
♪ March 8 What is said on YouTube video of Nobuyui Tsujii at Chopin Competition
🙏A big, big thanks to Chie Minato-san 👍, who shares English translation of what's said on the recently uploaded YouTube video of Nobuyui Tsujii 辻井伸行 at the 2005 Chopin Competition [39K views in 2 days].
The comment [with time-marks linked to the video] can be read below the video, or click here, and I also made a post of it here
What is said on YouTube video of Nobuyui Tsujii at Chopin Competition
♪ March 6 NEW on YouTube
A 20-minute video , 辻井伸行さん【世界での活躍#５】ショパンコンクール Nobuyuki Tsujii's activity in the world #５ Chopin Competition.
It is footage extracted from a vintage Japan TV documentary is now viewable on the ほかほかちーた Channel on YouTube(this channel which has a large number of videos of footage from documentaries of Nobuyuki Tsujii aired on Japan TV.)
At only age 17, Nobu was accompanied to Warsaw by mother Itsuko Tsujii &long-time teacher Masahiro Kawakami.
Backstory -> Nobuyuki Tsujii at the 2005 Chopin Piano Competition
♪ March 8 Daylight savings time ...
I really combed the net for Nobuyuki Tsujii news, but no luck.
Ah well, no news is good news in these uncertain times.
But in the U.S. daylight savings time starts tonight March 8th, so we are back to 16 hours behind Japan (instead of 17 hours), and until March 29 (when Europe sets its clock), we will be 7 hours (instead of 8) behind U.K., Germany & France.
I envy our friends in Japan, who are not encumbered with this annual ritual ...
Image: Saturday, March 7 2020 it’s time to “Spring Forward” one hour with Daylight Savings Time!
♪ March 5 Tsunami anniversary ceremony cancelled & cherry-blossom festivities curtailed
It saddens me that in Japan the COVID-19 threat has curtailed tributes marking March 2011 earthquake-tsunami disaster, as well as their beloved cherry-blossom festivities.
Coronavirus: Japan to cancel tsunami anniversary ceremony – reports
Japan is to cancel a ceremony to mark the anniversary next week of the March 2011 triple disaster on its north-east coast, as part of government-led efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
...
This week the organisers of two of Tokyo’s biggest cherry blossom festivals said they were scaling back the events to discourage large numbers of people from viewing the flowers when they come into bloom in the capital later this month.
But spring is here anyway, and may normalcy return soon.
♪ March 5 Grieg's concerto with the Liverpool Phil and Petrenko to air on NHK FM Radio
On the playbill of NHK FM Radio "Classics Cafe" program March 5, 2-3:50 PM: Grieg's concerto by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic liverpoolphil, #VasilyPetrenko & Nobuyuki Tsujii.
https://www4.nhk.or.jp/c-cafe/x/2020-03-05/07/69614/4824499/
♪ March 3 Nobu the pride of Japan
Just how revered is Nobuyuki Tsujii in Japan? :-)
This tweet comes with a photo of a bottle of French wine:
https://twitter.com/charismawine/status/1234799630052814848
澄んだ華やかさに樽が溶け込んだ、たまらない香気。
ピュアで繊細、ぴんと張り詰めている。清らかな泉のように静的で、くっきり集中していて、透明な球を噛むような質感がある。
04年と同じく選果の賜物か、大変に無垢で美しい1本。これを例えるなら辻井伸行のラ カンパネラかな(妻も同意)
"Pure opulence into the barrel, an irresistible fragrance. Pure & delicate, yet taut. Quiet yet sharply focused, the tranquility of a clear spring, and the texture of a crystal ball. A gift of fruit from 2004, pure and beautiful. It's like Nobuyuki Tsujii's La Campanella (my wife agrees)."
Another ode to Nobu the treasure of Japan:
https://twitter.com/X8fhcFyFhBLf1Xm/status/1234798063786446850
最近頭が痛くて頭痛薬飲むけど、それでも効かない時はなぜか辻井伸行くんのピアノ聴くと良くなるんだよね😁
音楽の力はすごい✨
Recently I had a headache and took some headache medicine, but when it dis not work, I somehow got better by listening to the piano of Mr. Nobuyuki Tsujii.
The power of music.
♪ March 2 Status to be determined: March 18 - April 2 Nobuyuki Tsujii 2020 Ultimate Concerto Concerts
This is a big blow to performers and organizers of concerts in Japan, which normally enjoys a vibrant performance schedule.
Numerous performances by local as well as overseas artists have had to be called off as a result.
Two of the last stops of Nobuyuki Tsujii's Japan recital tour were affected; the March 1 finale recital in Hokkaido is postponed till August.
Nobu's next public performances are 9 sold-out Ultimate Concerto Concerts in Japan, March 18-April 2, with cellist Dai Miyata, violinist Ayana Tsuji, and Neil Thomson conducting the Yomiuri Nippon Orchestra.
No announcement has been made regarding the status of these events, which fall outside of the 2-week event moratorium requested by the government.
We will just have to wait.
UPDATE:
Avex Classics tweeted
https://twitter.com/avexclassics_jp/status/1234677576775241728
「究極の協奏曲コンサート」は 政府および自治体の情報を随時注視し、状況分析と今後の予測を踏まえ、 実施の可否、また実施する場合の感染予防、拡散防止対応策等について、 アーティストおよび関係各位とともに協議・検討を続けております。
The “Ultimate Concerto Concert” -- we are monitoring the information of the government and local governments regarding the virus outbreak, and will determine on whether or not to implement the performances based on situation analysis and future forecasts. We are continueing discussion with artists and related parties.
決定次第速やかに、 辻井伸行オフィシャルサイト https://avex.jp/tsujii/ にて お知らせいたしますので、今しばらくお待ちくださいますよう お願い申し上げます。
As soon as a decision has been reached, it will be announced on the Nobuyuki Tsujii official website. Thank you for your patience.
♪ March 1 "決して威張らない本物のカッコ良さがある。a genuine coolness that never exaggerates"
A male twitter wrote:
https://twitter.com/tsuyozou1969/status/1234166134393331713
辻井伸行さんの動画を観ていて寝れなくなった。
あまりにも素晴らしすぎて。
ピアノとか音楽は俺はまったくで良しあしもわからないけど、なんか感動して寝れない。
あの腰の低さ、演奏終わった後の深いお辞儀。
座頭市の勝新太郎のカッコよさに似ている。
決して威張らない本物のカッコ良さがある。
I wathed a movie of Nobuyuki Tsujii and couldn't sleep.
Too great.
I don't know know how good his piano music is at all, but I'm impressed and can't sleep.
That deep bow to the waist after playing.
It is similar to the coolness of Katsu Shintaro [late actor] of Zatoichi [a fictional blind swordsman]
There is a genuine coolness that never exaggerates.
This tweet struck a chord with me. "A coolness that never exaggerates" of the blind swordsman is perhaps a concept ingrained into the collective consciousness of the Japanese public. That notion may well be a factor of Nobu's extraordinary and enduring popularity in his home country. And the absence of that notion elsewhere is perhaps a reason of why that popularity has yet to fully materialize elsewhere, where Nobu is sometimes loudly (and distastefully) proclaimed as "BORN BLIND" in promotional materials (see below) -- quite the opposite of "a genuine coolness that never exaggerates."
Continued at "A genuine coolness that never exaggerates".
♪ February 28 Nobu's Prokofiev Piano Concerto no. 3
Twitter@rosemary07010 mentions that Prokofiev's Piano Concerto no. 3 is going to be discussed on the "lalala Classics" TV show in Japan next week, and that (s)he is aware that Nobu has performed this work with Ashkenazy, Sado & Gergiev.
Nobu first played Prok 3 in 2012 on a challenge by Ashkenazy, & he has since played it in Basel, USA (with Mobile Symphony Orchestra), Italy, Vienna; but never yet in Japan!
Backstory here -> Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Prokofiev's Piano Concerto no. 3
Here is a little known video of Nobu in his first rehearsal with Ashkenazy in 2012.
And an old news clip aired in Japan about the performance in London
TO BE CONTINUED