Tsujii: the final recital
Indeed, the final recital of the competition, and it looks like a satisfying one: Beethoven’s “Appassionata,” Chopin’s Berceuse (have a hankie on hand for this one?), and Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2.
More in a bit, but I have to say that Tsujii’s recitals, taken together, have been among the most memorable set of performances I’ve heard in quite a while.
James McQuillen
June 7th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
I was thinking of Kleenex for the Berceuse — yes!
I wonder if he’s going to play a cadenza in the Hungarian Rhapsody? Maybe Rachmaninov’s???
I can’t believe I’ve turned into such a junkie. I was actually irritated that I had to play a recital of my own last night and missed the live action. GRRRR.
Here’s to a great afternoon!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Well, this is going to be a Lovefest, and rightfully so. Something of a relief after the killing fields over in the EB Rach2 blog.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Good program choice, Nobu!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
@Eric. I heard ALL OF IT just now!!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Before the final session begins, I wish to thank the Van Cliburn Foundation for this incredible opportunity to watch the entire competition via web broadcast. I thank all the competitors for sharing their talents so generously. And finally, my deep gratitude to great Mr. Van Cliburn: Dear Mr. Cliburn, I have been your admirer since my childhood, and my admiration keeps growing.
Dear fellow bloggers, it has been great to know your thoughts!
Off to the last session…
Musically yours,
Sophia Gilmson
June 7th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
I second Sophia’s comment. I have learned much from fellow bloggers.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
Yay — he sounds awfully good!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
I really think this guy is born to play Beethoven….
June 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Tone reminds me of Schnabel.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
Yes I agree, the Cliburn has done an amazing job with these webcasts. It has been a thrill to watch them.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
So far his Beethoven seems a bit stiff, if not harsh. I’m not quite inspired.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
LOVE the tempo. It’s all very “organic” to use a modern word. And his sound…
June 7th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Beethoven is just captivating - I’m floored! Right Eric, he was born to play this…………..
June 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Did he really save his best for the finale?
June 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I feel that he sometimes bangs, instead of getting a beautiful sound. We all know this is hard on the Hamburg Steinway; this competition has heard its fair share of banging.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
More emotion in this performance vs. the others?
June 7th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
I wasn’t entirely convinced by his Chopin and Rachmaninov playing, but it’s hard not to be completely blown away by this. I felt the same about 106.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
What will we all do after this afternoon is over? Watching these incredible musicians has been a tremendously moving experience. I only wish the best for all of these young people. I had the honor of meeting David Duball (Reflections from the Keyboard) a few years ago. He expressed to me how hard it is these days especially to start a career. I have been so impressed with the musicality of many of the competitors. It’s not been just a “fist-banging” event. This inspires me to keep practicing the piano!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
AH!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Eric — isn’t it wonderfully clean? For a non-sighted person. Amazing!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
This is magical, both the sound and conception. Not one moment of strain.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
This is fantastic LvB! So genuine and faithful to the score and the spirit of LvB. I hope I can hear the rest of it before I have to go.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Now THIS is courageous playing.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
To echo what’s been said already, Beethoven is DEFINITELY the man for Tsujii.
If we can count on Olga Kern to play Rach 3rd for the rest of her life, there’s just as much merit in Tsujii focusing on Beethoven.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
The rh trills in the first mvt gave me chills. He has a connection to Beethoven.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
I agree. . .a great big THANK YOU TO ALL AT THE CLIBURN AND ESPECIALLY THE COMPETITORS!!!!
Now I just want to listen to this divine Beethoven.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
@Anton: For anyone! I can’t tell you how many times I flubbed the run at the beginning of the sonata… I think after 106 we don’t have to worry if he has technical issues, haha.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Ok, I was not enamored with the first movement, but the second is beautiful. It’s like looking into Beethoven’s soul! This is on a much higher level than Son’s Opus 111
June 7th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
This LVB so far deserves no less than GOLD!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
This is much better IMHO than Tsujii’s Hammerklavier, which i found an admirable attempt but far from the ideal mark. Hammerklavier is so much more difficult to get Beethoven’s intentions right, and 57 is fairly straightforward — and tsujii is capturing it brilliantly so far.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Wow, this is Beethoven at its best. Such a pure tone, yet fiery passion abounds where it is needed.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
LOL. And I, many times over
This kind of playing makes one forget this is a contest; that’s the highest compliment I can give it.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
There is a straight-forwardness in his playing that makes a very direct statement. Some may possibly read it as uninvolved but he draws us in with a purity of conception and sound that is rare. I say he’s got more vision than most. He’s sitting down and facing the cheese like a man!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
This is an Appassionata which–in observing every detail–transcends them all. Bravissimo!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Watching Nobu is so amazing, and yes his kinship with Beethoven is wonderful. One can’t help to make the connection about Beethoven’s own hearing loss and Nobu’s absence of sight. I wonder if Nobu feels this in Beethoven’s music.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
As I said - he has saved his best for last - however Hammerklavier got him here………..
June 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
He is the cheese itself, CC.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
None of them hold a candle to Alexei Sultanov
June 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Amen Larkmuse! He is one widdit!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
This last movement is very spicy playing indeed, like a good pepper jack cheese!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Now and then I’m reminded of Kempff. Wonderful1
June 7th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
LMCAO!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
SarahC: interesting point. I agree–
June 7th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Yes, Alexei Sultanov is such a cut above this group it’s tragic
June 7th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
Sometimes I’m reminded of Kempff in this performance. Wonderful!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
He has full control over finale. What a perfect choice of tempo… BRAVO!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
This needs to be darker. He’s too beautiful, as usual.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I knew he’d take the repeat
June 7th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
BROWNIE POINTS for taking the development repeat!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Velveeta?
June 7th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Agree w/ Steve a bit on needing more sturm & drang. but it’s a minor complaint - it’s not nearly as lackluster as say, zhang.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Nobu’s Beethoven is for the ages.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
WOW!! That coda is amazing!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
BRAVO!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
BRAVO!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
nvm, dass is etwas sturm und drang fur mich
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Can’t believe my ears. Absolutely riveting from beginning to end! Not a single phony note in the whole piece! Purely sublime.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
BRAVO! BRAVO!! BRAVO!!! This is the best Appassionata I hae ever heard. Thank you Nobu.Thank you Cliburn foundation. and Thank you GOD.
June 7th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
he deserves a standing O!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Bravo!!!!!!! I loved it!! Wow!!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Holy mackerel! The CODA!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Give him the Gold!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
One of the things I’ve loved about Tsujii throughout is that it’s all a young man’s playing - fresh, fearless, lively, good humored (as well as, as it happens, technically brilliant). This is the first time I’ve forgotten he’s just 20 years old.
Appassionata is usually something I want to hear from pianists who’ve lived a bit, who have had a few serious ups and downs, to let them into the heart of Beethoven’s deafness dilemma. But maybe Nobu just brings something of his own, this early, that lets the tragedy sing. Knock-out performance, young man, knock-out.
AGB
June 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
BRAVO! AN OUTSTANDING OVATION!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I am incredibly moved by him every time he plays. Bravo…
June 7th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Oh my…get out the Kleenex.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
wow beautiful berceuse. i feel he is sitting in his own room, playing just for himself, or perhaps playing a young child to sleep.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Unfortunately I missed the Beethoven….but the Berceuse is wonderful so far.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
As a Chopin lover, this is a marvelous Berceuse! Great touch and expression!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
It’s very honest music making
June 7th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
I can’t imagine teaching this type of technical skill to someone who is sightless. Mind boggling!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
After the Appassionata, I just want to say…..HOLY CRAP! Once again, he’s blown me away.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Sweet and without guile. That’s what you get with him!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
fantastic.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I must agree that his touch on the Berceuse is incredible.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
This Berceuse was beyond medals.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
The Berceuse is pretty, but is it competition material??
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
@Clark: by vertical, he means, no real line. that it isn’t going somewhere, but it’s just a bunch of notes.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Clela - well put!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Geez, nice cough.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Besides how to play, he knows WHAT to play - isn’t this no less important for being a big artist?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I love how he takes one quick bow and then back to business.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Now I can take a breath again. Just wonderful!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
oh, but it was his sound system ok nevermind.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I LOVE the Gypsy flavor in the Liszt so far
June 7th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Yes Great Coda! Everyone has such great comments and I have to agree. He makes us forget it is a contest, b/c it is so much about the music. He is so faithful to putting what was written on the page 1st and foremost which is ironic of course to say as he has never seen what is written on the page. It is truly in his heart and in his fingers though, that is clear to me each time he plays. I could listen to Nobu all day long.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I thought the opening of the HR2 was a bit dodgy, but he seems to have settled into it well.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Does anyone know how Nobu learns music, aside from recordings, maybe? Is there braille sheet music?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
@Walter: It started up a bit sudden, I like slower tempo, wouldn’t you think?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Delicious Berceuse!
AGB
June 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Agree Taka. Maybe he’s saving the liveliness for a bit later. A slow buildup?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
So far the Liszt is.. chopinesque
June 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Gosh this is fabulous!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
SarahC: There is braille music, but it is cumbersome to learn from. He learns by ear with the help of his teacher and they presumably go over the score together.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Well, I have to go to the party now. This Liszt is one of the best interpretations I’ve heard in ages! Good Luck Nobu! I think you may have won the GOLD!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
game over, ladies and gentlemen.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
And maybe that is a nice thing for it to be a bit chopinesque.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Watch his face!!!! It tells it all!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
WOW!! I can not stop my tears. What a joy to listen to him.
He is it.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
@Anton - YES!!! And listen to that SOUND!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
@geese
I wonder if Nobu gets anymore nervous playing for a huge cliburn hall than for playing in a room for friends? How much of the visual sight of thousands of people affects our nervousness?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
This is a heartbreaking performance of the Rhapsody… I can imagine there are many tears being shed in the audience.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
it’s not quite the ‘Liszt’ style, i think. i admire his playing, but it’s just not that Liszt sound.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Yes, Dave it’s all about the music.. and he has risen above the din of a competition
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Forgive me for this very unpopular opinion… and I am sure it’s an entirely personal-preference issue… but I can’t figure out if this playing is just incredibly pure…or rather “safe”? Funny, with Haochen’s playing I don’t get this feeling.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
i wish people would get over the blindness (especially for the solo work). In some ways, blindness is a gift for musicians because the way the handicap forces one to develop their tactile and auditory senses. It’s not quite like being a deaf composer.
The emphasis on “how difficult this would be to do blind” obfuscates from the performance at face value!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Yeah there is Braille music notation. But I’ve only see a singer use it. I can imagine it would be much more complicated for a pianist. Not to mention more time consuming!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
If this is Chopinesque, then I am Chinese LOL.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I much prefer Nobu’s facial expressions to Bozhy’s.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
SarahC: Yes, I think there is braille, but you have indentified his primary source. It has seemed obvious to me from the beginning that his primary source is recordings. To my ear, you can hear it from his phrasing and grasp of architecture. Nothing wrong with that, of course, as long as your listening to the right recordings.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
there’s that liszt we were all waiting for!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I am sure the jurors have plenty of Kleenex
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
I still need to hear Di Wu and Hoachen Zhang to decide where they should go (medal wise).
June 7th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
LOL, Anton!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
This is beyond stunning. His notes are clearer than clear. There is not a single note that isn’t perfectly articulated. Bravo Nobu!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Weird…Bozhanov plays Chopin like it’s Liszt, and Tsujii plays Liszt like it’s Chopin.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
GO BOY!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Vince: You said it. Thanks.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I think that, in Braille, even that Berceuse is about 4 inches thick……..
AGB
June 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
well Anton, it is neither gypsy nor rhapsodic.. No gypsy would get up and move to this music. There are no gritty flashes, no showing of teeth or other body parts for that matter.
But yes Nobu is awesome..
June 7th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I wish he had chosen a different final piece. This does not show his range and it sounds a bit mechanical.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
This is a performance of Liszt for the ages….
June 7th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Eric, please!!! You know better..
June 7th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
History in the making!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
watching his hands always scares me… he always adjusts them a split second before he actually plays the notes… yet hits every single one.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
ROT!!!!!!
This was a stunning performance and I hope we wins BIG TIME!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
@Vince: I think the blindness does make the experience different. It complicates matters for the judges, no doubt. But for us listeners, it’s part of the deal. And, I do think it makes the technique different in places - especially the tone of bass notes during the concerto.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Amazing differences of opinion!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
Wonderful. I found myself spontaneously clapping along with the audience in front of my computer screen. Give the man a medal.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
He is beaming!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
His beaming face is beautiful!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
What a wonderful competition for him.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Might he be penalized for a very short program, ca. 40 min?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
He really has a wonderful smile
June 7th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I still think Wu can pull off a darkhorse gold if she can deliver on the Rach 3 like she did on Gaspard. But in my mind it’s Tsujii / Wu / Vacatello in some order.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
@ Vince: Danke, so so much.
The fact that most commentators are focusing on his blindness has been really a source of constant irritation - I agree with everything you’ve stated.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Bad choice in the Liszt. Hard for him and does not show his strengths. The Berceuse was much better. If you’re going to play this hackneyed piece in a competition, you at least have to have your own cadenza or play one of the famous ones. He just blew Gold as the Berceuse wont be enough, the finale of Appassionata was neither dark enough nor passionate enough.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Gorgeous progam and fabulous musicianship!
f minor–> D flat –> c# (ending in F#). What a way to make it all hang together! Not just a string of pieces to fit the time available.
SGK
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
If Nobu doesn’t win gold, I predict rioting in the streets of Fort Worth tonight.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
That was moving in every way, beautiful, exciting, moving….. and for this competition, decisive.
Whoever said that he forgot (or made us forget) that this was a competition really hit the nail on the head. What a joy to have heard this.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Noble simplicity. Story telling. And pure joy! Ah-h!!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
@Anton Nel: As a pianist I greatly admire from my time at UT (I’m a violinist), I am pleased that you want him to win! Some of my colleagues in FWSO do not, but I think he is just fantastic and I am pulling for him!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
My list changes every hour for medals, but I think it will be some order of Tsuji, Vacatello, Wu, and Zhang.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Wow, Anton, I can’t believe I would disagree with you this much!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Vince: Glad to see a Wu supporter out there. For some reason she has appeared to be below the radar screen of many comentators, but I’ve always believed she is one of the strongest musicians in the field. Her Gaspard was in a class by itself.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Awsome reading - no unnecessary additions and Horowitzian augmentations and LangLangian acrobatics or superCadenzas - beautiful, light and playful sound. I’m captivated by this genious!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Again, another fabulous performance. Bravo!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
@SarahC who do your colleagues want to win?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
A!
It’s FUN to have different opinions, no? I certainly respect you are yours
June 7th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Well, Tsujii’s not a “show-off”, and maybe Liszt just needs more of a show-off performance. A bit more, “Hey: watch this!” He could have used an adrenaline bump like he got from Conlon last night in the Rachmaninov!
Still, he did himself no harm at all: two brilliant offerings, and one perfectly good one.
AGB
June 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
@geese I agree it complicates judging of the concerto, but I think it has low relevance for the solo work. There are a number of brilliant pianists who have learned to play piano by ear - I think learning blind is slightly more difficult but perhaps also easier because of the enhanced aural sense.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I do agree he could have chosen a better program. All Beethoven, perhaps?
At this level, I think some amount of specialisation would add depth to the final recital. Say, works of only one composer or one period. What do you guys think?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Can’t figure why some members in FWSO would be adverse to T’s winning?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
an advice to all pianists…practice your pieces blindly, it helps to feel the sensitiveness of our finger edges…this boy is simply marvelous!!! Go Nobu, go!!!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
@Anton,
Of course I respect your opinions, and it’s fun to disagree as long as it turns out my way!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
The awards ceremony is half an hour after the final performance? Is that really enough time to judge all this?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
@CP- well I cannot speak for everyone, certainly, but I do know some are (or were) pulling for Bozhanov & Zhang.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Will it turn into a political decision for this competition again?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
His Beethoven and Chopin were amazing, and probably his best performances of the competition.
However, I really felt like I wanted to hear more fire from his Liszt (I had the same reaction to his La Campanella in the prelims and his Rachmaninov Concero). I heard elegance where I wanted to hear gypsies and wild dancing.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
he should be awarded a prize. Not because he is blind, because he plays well. After watching him playing in the entire competition, I am convinced that when your eyesight is down, it opens up your other senses( ears and other mysterious ones, maybe so to speak, our “soul”?) and those are the senses we use to make music, not our bodies. Maybe that is why Rubinstein played better after he is blinded. How wonderful. To all of us who are pianist or not, isn’t music the best thing in the world? !
June 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Very concistent in all rounds. It`s a pity that discordenation in Rach 2 (Colon`s fault). It would be a winner no matter what other competitors did…
Very good competition for Nobu, we will remind him for sure, Specialy the “hamerklavier” and the Chopin 1st concerto. They were two of the best moments of this Van Cliburn 2009. He played from the heart in semis and final… Much better than prem in my opinion (more musical and effortless)
June 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
@John: good grief!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
While I agree too often Nobu’s blindness be a stumbling block to just focusing on the great music he makes, now that he is done…..I still smile and shake my head when I consider that its the blind pianist that even in the leaps and jumps and complex passages plays more accurately than some of the sighted pianists.
Hats of to Tsujii. He is an inspiration to us all and as we have noted, a great example of the triumph of the human soul over any limitation.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I am pulling for Bozhanov and Tsujii
June 7th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Tsujii is primarily a Beethoven/Chopin player. He is just OK with Rachmaninoff and doesn’t have the panache and style for Liszt; he is too introverted.
Di Wu, Yeol Eum Son, and what the heck, Evgeni Bozhanov, are more suitable to Liszt.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I really disagree with Bozhanov winning. I loved him until these finals. It’s as though he can wow us with recitals, but he terribly disappoints us with his concerti.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
SPLENDID!
I can only dream of playing like this. I totally love Tusjii, since the first moment I saw him. He has already inspired me to be a better musician. His picture will definitely be on my music stand to inspire me.
I’ve throughly enjoyed watching these webcasts, and following the blogs. I will have major withdrawal symptoms once this is over as I will miss all the drama and excitement.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Ditto Beth
June 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
@SarahC: Really - for Bozhanov after last night’s performance?
Oh probably due to the ‘were’ - haha..
@Vince: You’re absolutely dead-on about the heightened aural sense - many times I’ve tapped out a melody on the piano and have had my kiddos (speech therapist in the house) duplicate it and improve upon it just by ear…
June 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
@vince…..”SLIGHTLY” more difficult? If ANYONE here can learn, the Hammerklavier and the Appassionata, having not seen it before, with their eyes closed, then, I’ll stop playing the piano with my eyes open and chalk up my last 40 years of playing that way as wasted time.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:27 pm
@scarlatti lover: Let me re-phrase. I certainly would not want to be responsible for some untrue rumors. I have spoken only to a handful of FWSO players. I would not say they are “against” Nobu winning, and feel that he/she with the best showing will win. I do not think anyone is AGAINST N. Tsijii. Please do not misunderstand.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
As someone with only 7 years elementary piano lessons I am amused reading all the technical critiques. As a person who appreciates music but who could not imagine myself achieving the levels these young people have, I will simply say Bravo to all the competitors and thank you for 2 weeks of the most satisfying and rewarding experience. Sometimes just letting go and listening to talent should be all that counts
June 7th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Invisibale player THE BIG 12.
Some of them teachers (and less stage performers), some the other way around, others - conductors, music critics. Variety of tastes and artistic attitudes. I guess, safer is the one who opens up deep artistic personality and yet sticks closer to the safe base (of course of high level)….. Pushing the envelope is dangerous here…………..
Tsujii, Vacatello are in…………
The rest depends on Prok2 and Rach3
June 7th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
I just listened to the Bozhanov Rach 2 again. I think it rocked, and didn’t deserve much of the harsh criticism it came in for. I heard some fantastic ideas, and a great connection to the audience. I wish he had connected better to the orchestra though. (I thought his rehearsal was even more exciting).
I don’t envy the judges.
I preferred Mariangela’s Gaspard to Wu’s. More electricity and sparkle. Wu’s Scarbo didn’t scare me. I needed the lights on in Mariangela’s (it’s midnight in India). I think Wu would really need to ace the Rach3 to medal.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:30 pm
In answer to SarahC’s comment, yes, there is braille sheet music because many years ago I collected the score of Schoenberg’s 6 Little Piano Pieces from the Society for the Blind in London, for a blind pianist in Israel. I was amazed what he did: he just ran his fingers over the score, went over to the piano and played it! I don’t know how Nobu learns it, but it might be something like that. Maybe someone will interview him and find out.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
the final voting will include the 1st and 2nd rounds voting, and therefore, the final performances are not the only factors.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I guess I’m a dissenting voice about this recital. I thought the Beethoven was a professional job, but nothing more. I didn’t find anything in the piece that I hadn’t heard from other performances, so to me this performance wasn’t memorable.
I was not happy with the Berceuse. I prefer a little more rhythmic freedom in the right hand–without it, the piece is pearly filigree and not much more.
The Liszt lacked flamboyance and showmanship, but like the Beethoven, it was a responsible and professional performance.
Based on this recital and the disappointing Rach 2 performance, I don’t expect Tsujii to be a medalist, but I’ll never forget his 106!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
@John - Put a lid on it, will you PLEASE. This is a civilized discussion, and you are being exceedingly rude.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
@Peter, i feel the same about Tsujii’s Beethoven and Liszt.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
@sabniz,
Do you know how the scores are tabulated? is there an explanation somewhere out there?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
What are the jury discretionary awards?
June 7th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Guys
This terrific gentleman was born blind. He never knew life differently. I bet he does not have an iota of self pity. Certainly he does not need our pity either. I do think he is terrific and produces a crystal clear sound but I don’t think he has, as of yet, independent musical creativity. I do think it was a privilege for us to get to know him and I will certainly try to follow his career. But a musical genius he is not, yet.
At this point, it does not matter much to me who gets the gold. I do think it belongs to Evgeni however. Think how boring this Cliburn would have been without him. I re-listened to his Rach2 and it is great, not nearly as awful as the bloggers made it sound to be, wrong notes and all..
As for Wu, she belongs in academia. SHe needs to give her music making a “makeover” , away from her teachers.
Vacatello is terrific but she needs to turn herself on more often, just like she did in the Prok.
Son , see Wu
Zhang, I think there is huge potential there. I am hoping he breaks away from Graffman and allows his individuality to break through. I have a feeling he is on the brink of going one of 2 paths: the also ran route or the Zhang personal style. Hope he chooses the latter!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
I am going to miss all of you!!!…thank you for the comments - thank you Nobu for raising us all to such a high level of appreciation… and thank you Van Cliburn and the Foundation for this fabulous webcast. My playing has improved because of all this talent…such an inspiration….simply watching and listening I am learning more and more…in between the playing I have been practicing and for now, some of this seems to be rubbing off!!! Hooray!!! At least I feel more fearless and free…
Anna
June 7th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
@Anne S: respect! You put a lot of thought into that.
I haven’t sensed pity on these fora for Tsujii. I think people have been honest in their criticism as well. And I think his Beethoven is sublime!
Zhang, I think, just needs time. If he came here one Cliburn later, with the right kind of paths in exploration, he’d come up tops, whoever he’s competing against.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
@Anne S.—you’re reading my mind…
A side note re. Zhang: Mr. Graffman is not an imposing teacher; most often, he resigns himself to making very specific and reserved comments, all the while in the spirit of “I may not know this any better than you”. For better or for worse, it helps to breed individuality in his students: compare Zhang to Lang2, Wu, or Solzhenitsyn… Makes me respect Haochen all the more.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
I have been privileged to read the “experts” take on all of this. . .Thank you to the Van Cliburn foundation for the foresight to broadcast LIVE. What a joy!
As in my field of dentistry, I can talk ad nauseum with my colleagues about the nuances of this procedure versus that one, but to what avail? If I am a PRACTITIONER, and dependent on “the public” for my livelihood, then whatever head knowledge I possess (and it is up to ME to stay abreast of current research, the law, and evidence-based “best practice” procedures) is of naught if I cannot communicate that to my “public”.
If I had to have full mouth reconstruction, I would call on a colleague in Houston who is “the best”. . .however, many of the general public have left his practice because of the lack of “connection” with the COMMON MAN!
And so my point, I may not “get” the technical end of this competition but I’m looking for the pianist who can CONVINCE me of his/her LOVE affair with his chosen profession. . .and that may or may not be the same person that the technical people would choose!
June 7th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
No matter where Nobu places today, he will be the most successful candidate in a long time. He has a story that will fill every hall he plays in, teachers and students will be studying the way he feels the piano for reliability, and he has a gift for conveying the music respectfully to everyone. I only hope his handlers treat him and his newfound celebrity with the same care that he treats the music.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
@A, i heard it from KTCU radio. i assumed they spoke as a truth. i haven’t checked it yet.
June 7th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Although Bozhanov is my least favorite of the 6, I do feel that some of the comments here and in other threads go way too far, somehow suggesting he’s a madman, who can’t play and smashes pianos…….
I loved a lot about him, but I just sense that, for some reason or another, he can’t or won’t discipline himself to the orchestra (he did much better, though=, with the Quartet….). That’s not always a total weakness - we want character! - but it comes over too me too often as musically petulant.
But I do admire his “take no prisoners” spirit!
AGB
June 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Just for your information people can use braille music and still learn. I do it and have just finished a movement of a Mozart Concerto. Yes it can be a long process, but if one has the patients it can be done. I do think learning by ear is a whole lot easier, but one who is blind can learn in many different ways. This man has gotten me even more excited to play my instrument. It has been great reading this blog.
Jamie
June 7th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
AGB,
That was a very good point. Bozhanov was perfectly capable of ense,ble work. his franck was wonderful. i think he really had a specific conception of that concerto and he clashed with the Maestro and the rochestra. Just that simple. During the concert, he was visibly searching for Conlon’s eye and listening to teh orchestra. perhaps Conlon thought/knew they could not keep up with him. Who knows. It would be great if these guys could speak freely once all is said and done..
It is important to note that Bozhanov, who is no starnger to competition, and who is also studying conducting in Duesseldorf, could have taken the safer route. But I believe taht he cares very much about how he produces his music and meets his audience with honesty. My 2 cents anyways..
June 7th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
I am from Bucharest, Romania. This has been an amazing experience and journey for me. Thanks, to the Cliburn Foundation for making this possible, and thanks for the webcast team for all the possibilities offered to those of us living in the other part of the world. There are 8 hours jet lag between you and us but still we are going to watch live the last minute of the broadcast. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!! Bravo!
June 7th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
@Anne S.: What fantastic comments! I absolutely agree.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Vince, for you to largely ignore Nobu-san’s blindness and to impore others to do the same is as ludicrous as it would be for the world to gloss over the horrendous deaths and suffering during the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, and instead focus on the aesthetic impact of the planes making contact with the buildings. It is woefully ignorant and misses the central point entirely.
Go Nobuyuki-sama!
You have executed brilliantly what none of us can even remotely fathom.
June 7th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
@Connie–You raise an excellent point. I think at least some of the judges do think about what you are saying as they make their decisions. Ideally, we are all looking for both technique AND communication. However, as you can see from the very wide range of opinions here coming from an equally wide range of people, part of the difficulty is that we can’t all agree on how they come together ideally; hence the reason that juries usually err on the side of technical safety vs. unfettered communication.
I am one of those people who is very interested in Bozhanov’s ability to play wild and I love that he can electrify the audience, but I also find a quality of sophistication in Vacatello’s playing that moves me in a different way. But some people are shut down by Bozhanov, and others are indifferent to Vacatello or find the sophistication intellectual. Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, I long to play with that kind of abandon (I certainly share the missed notes thing!) and bravura, but find that my physical capabilities are more in line with the things I find appealing about Ms. Vacatello. So maybe I’m just looking for validation of the value of my own playing.
I find Haochen promising but still a very clean slate–admirable, but is that what should win at Van Cliburn? Tsujii strikes me in a similar fashion, although I personally find him farther along in his development, and perhaps far along enough to be ready to win Gold. There is also the question of who is ready to weather the storm that comes with winning. Is it in either Haochen’s or Tsujii’s best interest to have to withstand the pressure of being the Gold medalist? Di Wu and Vacatello certainly strike me as being prepared to deal physically and psychologically with the heavy schedule. Although many of the eccentricities of Bozhanov’s Rachmaninoff didn’t bother me the way the did many others, wrong notes included (I don’t think they were particularly problematic in terms of either communication with the audience or in putting across Rachmaninoff’s musical ideas), I also wouldn’t give him a medal here because I felt the underlying cause of those wrong notes was psychological, not technical. Artists are fragile, and I’m not sure any of us would be best served by his winning. The ideal outcome, for me, is that 20 years from now, we are still hearing from all 6 of these players. That being said, I still have my personal favorites, and will enjoy some heartfelt indignation at their expense when the jury disagrees with me! But I’ll also be happy for whomever wins.
June 7th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Roger, I heard 9 of the 12 in person in the semifinal round. I “fell” for Evengi, Zhang, Nobu and Son. I did NOT hear Kunz, Lam or Wu. Going back and viewing the archives, I did like Wu. But why, pray tell, did I NEVER connect with Vacatello? I cannot articulate. . .it’s HEART, which cannot be explained.