A world-renowned blind pianist from Japan played for a packed crowd Thursday night.
Nobuyuki Tsujii began his six-stop nationwide tour in the Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall and will eventually end his tour at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
“It’s so good to be here and play for you tonight,” Tsujii said through a translator. “I hope you enjoy what we have planned for you tonight.”
Tsujii said he never thought in his life that he would play in the state of Oklahoma.
OU President David Boren said he was happy to host Tsujii and was proud of OU’s orchestra students for practicing with Tsujii to prepare for the concert.
“We have a real special night planned,” Boren said at a dinner in the Oklahoma Memorial Union before the concert. “It is an honor to host such a talented artist and musician.”
Born blind in Tokyo in 1988, Tsujii displayed his musical talents early in life, playing “Jingle Bells” on a toy piano at 2 years old after hearing his mother humming the tune. He began formally studying piano at 4.
At the age of 7, he won first prize for piano in the Instrumental Music category at the All Japan Blind Students Music Competition. Three years later, he debuted with the Century Orchestra Osaka.
In 2000, Tsujii gave his first solo performance at Suntory Hall in Tokyo, followed by a second solo recital the next year. Since then, he has performed in venues throughout the world, including the U.S., the Czech Republic, Taiwan and Russia. In 2005, he received the Critics’ Award at the 15th International Frederick Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Poland and entered Ueno Gakuen University in April 2007.
On June 7, 2009, Tsujii became the first Japanese winner of the prestigious Van Cliburn competition, tying with Zhang Haochen of China for the gold medal. He also has been honored with the Beverley Taylor Smith Award for the Best Performance of a New Work.
“Mr. Tsujii is one of the most gifted young pianists in the world,” Boren said. “It is a great honor for the university to sponsor the Oklahoma concert by the Van Cliburn gold medalist for this year.”
Patrons were treated to Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor by Chopin. Tsujii played all three movements of the piece, accompanied by the OU orchestra.
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