Go Tsuji Go
I completely understand where all the people on blogs who criticize Tsuji for a lack of interpretation are coming from. But dang it, I still want him to win. The clarity of his Chopin etudes were remarkable. If you ever want to convince students not to hide behind the pedal, show them Tsuji’s performance. He rushed a bit through the beautiful opening of the 3rd etude, but I can forgive him. His Images were fantastic. Some bloggers said he played the Debussy like Chopin. I have no idea what they were talking about. From the second those delicate chords opened “Reflet’s dans L’eau”, Tsuji’s took on a wonderfully impressionistic touch. His choice of this suite for his program simply made me like him even more. And finally, at the end, watching this blind pianist masterfully conquer the large jumps in La Campanella, watching all the smiles found on audience members at various times, I became more than little bit emotional imagining the amount of dedication and love he must have towards music and the piano….Furthermore, in his interviews he seems like a wonderful and humble person, for whom a chance meeting on the subway with fellow blind pianist Stevie Wonder is one of his most cherished memories. Go Tsuji go!
No responses yet
