Nobuyuki Tsujii could not see the hall rise up in a four-minute standing ovation after his chamber music recital Friday, but he heard the choruses of “Bravos!” And the enthusiasm continued backstage, after two curtain calls, when members of the Takacs Quartet went up to the blind Japanese pianist to congratulate him on a well-executed performance -- only his second experience ever playing chamber music -- with seamless transitions between movements. He, of course, couldn't use sight cues, like eye contact or nods of the head, which other musicians use to help communicate with each other onstage.
Violist Geraldine Walther pecked the 20-year-old’s pudgy cheek and told him through his interpreter: “It was fantastic, just wonderful, and you played wonderfully.” Later, at the stage door entrance, Walther again embraced Tsujii and said, “It was such a pleasure.” Tsujii played the required chamber music selection from memory, whereas most others in this leg of the competition use music. He credited the 85-minute rehearsal with the Takacs – five minutes less than the scheduled period – for getting the Schumann down pat. First violinist Edward Dusinberre said Tsujii refrained from playing the ending thunderously.
“He was very thoughtful and balanced – a very lyrical player,” Dusinberre said. “He could play big. Toward the end of the Schumann a lot of people make a big bombast. But he came back almost like it was a Bach fugue, and then from there he got louder. I really enjoyed that.”
What also might set Tsujii apart is what he requested for breakfast Friday, nothing typically American, Texan or, for that matter, Japanese. He chowed down on his version of comfort food – beef curry and rice prepared by his mother.
-- Barry Shlachter
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