Inspiration

A few weeks ago, the Van Cliburn piano competition wrapped up in Fort Worth, TX. This is where the best pianasts from all over the world compete over more than two weeks for one of three presitgeous awards. I semi-followed the competition this year through the local classical station, which airs American Public Media's Performance Today. Results were interesting this year, with a tie for the gold. All three of the finalists were from Asia (Japan, China, and South Korea). The Chinese gold medalist, Haochen Zhang, was the youngest of the three, at only 19. But what amazes me most (and just about everything about the performers amazed me) is the dedication of the Japanese gold medalist, "Nobu" as he is affectionately called. Here is a snippet from an online news article:

Nobuyuki Tsujii’s performance credits include the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, and Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. At the age of twelve, he made noted recital debuts at Tokyo’s Suntory Hall and Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. An acclaimed debut album released by Avex classics in 2007 led to a fifteen-city tour of Japan and a second CD featuring Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, released in 2008. Blind since birth, Mr. Tsujii states his firm belief that “there are no barriers in the field of music.” He participates in the performer’s program at the Ueno Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo.

Did you catch that "blind since birth" part? He has never seen the keys of a piano or the notes on a page. He learns pieces by having someone teach him the song note by note. The judges awarded him for his skill, not his handicap, but isn't it incredible? To win gold at the Cliburn competition is a monumental feat in and of itself, but to win not having the advantage of sight that every other competitor enjoys? It blows me away.

Click here to hear the Chopin piece he played in the final round (second link under Gold Medal Performances on the left side of the page). He has another piece, a Beethoven, farther down the page. You can hear the expression and delicacy in the music. Aren't people amazing?