Istanbul, December 2011

A great interview, in English, from Istanbul, taken by the Guide Istanbul AFTER hisDec 9, 2011 oncert there! Nobu had fun in that fabled city, where his recital was a great success (see Nobuyuki Tsujii in Turkey, December 2011 辻井伸行さんトルコのコンサート) It is highly unusual for an interview to occur AFTER a concert, as the need to promote tickets is no longer there. So this interview is a labor of love by the Guide Istanbul - very much appreciated.

http://www.theguideistanbul.com/articles/lifestyle/interviews-profiles/interview-with-nobuyuki-tsujii-418.html

Interview with Nobuyuki Tsujii

Harun Elibolca / December 12, 2011

Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii, who despite being blind since birth has developed into a formidable classical musician, was briefly in Istanbul this past weekend to give a concert at Istanbul’s Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall. Over the weekend, we spoke with Tsujii via his interpreter and learned a lot about this remarkable young man, and about his impressions of Istanbul.

How did you start to play the piano?

My mother bought me a toy piano when I was one year old, and I played it all day long, imitating my mother's singing and improvising. At the age of four, I started taking lessons from a professional teacher. She always encouraged me to play what I wanted to play.

How do you learn to play pieces? Do you prefer to listen to recordings or does someone analyze the piece for you?

I learn by means of braille, in addition to another method used by my teacher. I ask my assistants to record the music onto a cassette, hands separately. They play the right hand part and record it, then the left hand part. It’s necessary to make two different recordings because each hand plays notes in different octaves. After my assistants have made the recording, they split the music into smaller sections, and add comments about the composer’s markings. In order to perceive the music as clearly and accurately as possible, I ask them to avoid adding their own interpretations when making these recordings. After memorizing the recordings, I try to combine the sounds of each hand and distinguish them from each other, and in this way create my own musical interpretation.

Your sense of hearing is very acute. Are you able to tell when an audience is particularly moved or excited?

Yes, I can pick up on signals that the audience is moved, surprised, or carried away by the rhythm of the piece. If I perceive positive reactions from the audience, it encourages me a great deal.

What did you think about your audiences in Istanbul?

I found them to be very warm. It was a great pleasure to play for them.

How did you come to give a concert in Istanbul?

I had never been to Istanbul before. Istanbul was a city that I really wanted to give a concert in. I received an invitation to come here – and here I am.

What things do you pay attention to when trying to learn about a city you’re visiting for the first time?

In order to get a sense of what a city is like, I go for a walk. I listen to its sounds; I try to feel its breezes and smell its odors.

How would you describe the sound of Istanbul?

As far as I can tell, Istanbul has a cacophonic sound. <Editorial by site owner: I was in Istanbul and have to agree with Nobu - Istanbul is chaotic, but in a charming way.>

What have you done here in Istanbul aside from your concert?

After the concert we went to Kumkapı and had hamsi kuşu (stuffed and fried anchovies), calamari, shrimps with garlic, and cold meze. We listened to gypsy music and had a great time – we even got up and danced.

The next day we went to the İstanbul Müzik Merkezi in Tünel and tried out Turkish instruments: the saz, the davul [drum], and the zurna [Turkish woodwind instrument]. I had played Mozart’s Alla Turca Rondo in the concert...and now that I’ve tried out these instruments I can better internalize and understand the piece, because I have heard real “alla turca” sounds.

Finally, we went to the Hacı Baba Restaurant and ate Adana Kebap, Kuzu Şiş, and Hünkar Kebabı with eggplant. I liked it a lot.

Aside from playing the piano, what activities do you enjoy?

As I never get tired of playing the piano, I can’t imagine not playing. But I like to swim in order to rejuvenate myself. When I have time, I enjoy leaving the city and listening to the songs of the birds, the murmuring of the rivers, the blowing of the winds. All these things inspire me to compose short pieces.

Do you have an iPod? What musicians do you listen to on your iPod?

Yes, I have an iPod. It’s full of all sorts of music, especially classical music – Chopin, Debussy.

What inspires you to compose?

When I go for a walk in the woods, I listen to the sound of the running water, the wind blowing through the leaves...the trees...the birds. I love nature, and when I compose music I am inspired by these sounds. [Nobu played his own composition at the end of his concert on Friday as an encore.]

Who are your favorite composers?

Debussy, Chopin and Beethoven. I feel that Chopin and Beethoven are closer to my heart.

Who is your favorite Turkish musician?

I really enjoy listening to Fazıl Say.