[On Stage] "Miracle Pianist with Visual Impairment: Chopin, the Beginning of My Music"

Nobuyuki Tsujii to Hold Solo Recital in Korea on March 11
Born Visually Impaired... Winner of the 2009 Van Cliburn Competition
Bright and Positive Attitude
"No Slumps, Because It's Pure Joy"

"I think Chopin was the reason I started playing the piano."

On January 22, Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii (37) named Chopin, often called the "poet of the piano," as his favorite composer during an online press conference. He said, "Chopin's works are elegant, and the melodies are beautiful."

Tsujii is often referred to as the "miracle pianist." Born with congenital microphthalmia, he has been visually impaired since birth. However, at the age of two, he began playing a toy piano after listening to his mother sing. He started formal piano lessons at the age of four, nurturing his musical talent, and in 2009, he moved audiences around the world by sharing first prize at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

Pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii
Photo by Mastmedia, (c) Harald Hoffmann

On March 11, he will hold his second solo recital in Korea at the Concert Hall of the Seoul Arts Center. He recalled being deeply impressed by the passionate response of Korean audiences during his first performance in Korea in March last year. "Thanks to the enthusiastic support from Korean audiences, I was able to continue performing with a happy heart throughout the year," he said.

During his first concert in Korea last March, he performed works by Chopin, Bach, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff. This upcoming recital will also feature pieces by Chopin. In the second half of the concert, he plans to perform two of Chopin's nocturnes and the "Piano Sonata No. 3." The first half will include Beethoven's "Piano Sonata No. 21 'Waldstein'" and Liszt's "In the Dream" and "Mephisto Waltz No. 1."

Tsujii expressed his desire to share "Waldstein," describing it as a piece he especially wants to perform. He also revealed that he is considering taking on the challenge of performing Beethoven's complete piano sonatas. He said he draws great inspiration from Beethoven, who overcame his own disabilities to leave behind such remarkable music. As for his favorite pianist, he named Martha Argerich from Argentina. "Last year, I went to see Argerich perform, and I was deeply moved by her extraordinary technique and expressiveness, which were so impressive that it was hard to believe she is in her 80s," he said.

Despite his visual impairment, Tsujii maintains a bright and positive outlook. He says that the joy he finds in playing the piano is the driving force of his life.

"Playing the piano is the most meaningful thing in my life. Through music, I have been able to overcome sadness and hardship, and I have never experienced a slump. I hope the audience will join me for this concert with a joyful heart," he said.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.