Emotionally Intriguing

http://www.nobupiano1988.com/english/

(Please click the above and turn on the music, a piano recital by Nobuyuki Tsujii, a blind pianist while you read the following story)

Just the other day i read the news about a Japanese blind pianist who won Van Cliburn International Piano Competition 2009 in Texas. He was not the only blind pianists joining the competition, but he successfully went through all the hard selection process and in the end won the first prize in one of the world most difficult piano competition.

It is hard to imagine how a blind person can read musical notes, but apparently in the case of Nobuyuki Tsujii, he did not have to read notes at all, for he can remember, even when reciting Chopin, Rachmaninoff or Beethoven Piano Sonata 23 during his final presentation at the Van Cliburn International.

We have heard of other stories perhaps, about disabled persons who strive and succeed, and how they bring an emotionally intriguing episode, such as that of Helen Keller. I found Nobuyuki Tsujii emotionally intriguing as well. In many ways those who live with no disability are reminded throughout our lives that we have it all and that there are people out there who do not have it, yet they can amaze us all.

I was so very touched and very happy to see that a blind person can bring such an amazing beauty to music and hopefully more than that, he can open the eyes and heart of people who listen that God has blessings for each one of His people - who believe that even when at times you can not see the path...... there is always a way!

Note: Nobuyuki Tsujii's success was not due to his own strength as he had the full support from his beloved parents and a dedicated teacher. In an interview he spoke about his memory as a child, when his parents took him to museums to see beautiful paintings, even though he could not see. They would talk about the paintings and go through each one with him patiently. He said that he was very grateful for he learnt so much from listening to them ... i suppose for having the hope and being trusted for many more beautiful things to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDtT5sSu5VQ&feature=related