After an intense but wonderful week in Ecuador, I flew to Japan, and visited Wakayama and Tokyo. I had a great time performing solo recitals to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Hashimoto International Friendship Foundation and the Hashimoto branch of UNESCO, and the 140th Anniversary of Ginza Jujiya.
I was honored to have Mr. Mikio Ozawa, the younger brother of Maestro Seiji Ozawa, as a special guest at the concert in Tokyo’s Ginza Jujiya Hall. Mr. Mikio Ozawa’s warm presence on stage immediately brought the audience closer to us. We enjoyed his interesting and fun anecdotes in between pieces. Ginza Jujiya is one of the first music shops to begin importing Western Instruments into Japan during the Meiji era.
Hashimoto city is located at the base of Mount Koya, which is the home of the most sacred site in Shingon Buddhism. I was enchanted by the serene beauty of “Ko-Yo” (color of changing leaves) in Wakayama, particularly after experiencing the dramatic South American landscape.
I also participated in a CHANEL Pygmalion Days chamber music concert led by Maestro Heiichiro Ohyama. It has been a very exciting month for me!
I was in Ecuador earlier this month with cellist Christine Walevska.
Ecuador is one of the few countries where Christine has not
concertized yet among all South American countries – the other being
Bolivia. For me, it was the first time to be in South America.
Christine and I performed a concert for the benefit of the country’s
sick and poor children. The concert was held at the oldest colonial
church in the South America, and at the Museo Guayasamin.
Surrounded by the Andes mountains, Quito is 9,000 feet above sea level.
The dynamic cloud that touches the mountains, the thunder storm every
afternoon around 3PM, the crazy traffic of the narrow street in the
old town, colorfully dressed Indian woman selling goods on the street,
exotic fruits and birds in the Rainforest—everything I saw was new
to me and made a big impact.
The Church of the Society of Jesus, la Compañía, is the oldest colonial church in South AmericaOutside of the church – my iPad camera could not entirely capture the magnificent church.Covered with Inca’s GoldPiano is moved with much care, with assistance of Mr. Luiz Verdugo’s son.They had to remove the piano legs in order not to damage the sacred alterI had the honer to perform on the piano by Luiz A. Verdugo, the only piano manufacturer in the South America.What a joy it was to share music with these wonderful people! I learned some had to drive hours from Santo Domingo.View from the Museo Guayasaminat Museo GuayasaminConcert at Museo GuayasaminWith Christine, and sister Auria.We also performed at the Children’s HospitalWe brought the keyboard for this occasionWe also enjoyed watching traditional Ecuadorian danceThe children gave me flowers after the concertThe Japanese Ambassador Toru Kodaki prepared Okayu (rice porridge) for my mountain sickness. How delicious, comforting, and almost moving to eat Japanese Okayu right on the equator, far from home.At the Center of the EarthArasha, the rainforest resort. Famous place for bird watching.On November 2nd, they eat the sweets called “guagua”
キトの小児病院にて。電子ピアノも持ち込み演奏させて頂きました。部屋一面の壁画は、エクアドルの様々な地方の気候、風景を描いています。子供達は皆、それぞれ違う地方からこの病院へ来るため、少しでも安らげるように作られたそうです。Children’s Hospital in Quito – They made beautiful murals each representing different landscapes of Ecuador for the children who come from all different regions.We brought in an electric keyboard for this occasion.エクアドルの伝統的な踊りを見せて頂きました。We also saw the traditional Ecuadorian dances.子供達は普段あまり接する事のないクラシック音楽を興味深く聴いてくれたようでした。グアヤサミン美術館からの風景 view from the Museo Guayasamin
グアヤサミン美術館にてラテンアメリカを代表する画家グアヤサミンの旧家で演奏させて頂きました。We performed at the former house of Guayasamin.
南米で一番古い教会で、ベネフィットコンサートは行われました。The Church of the Society of Jesus (La Iglesia de la Compañía de Jesús) where we performed for the benefit of Children’s Hospital.とても大きな教会で、写真の中に収めることができません。It is the oldest colonial church in South America.教会の中はインカの黄金によって埋め尽くされています。 Inside the church is golden. The beauty is overwhelming.在エクアドル・小瀧徹特命全権大使にお会いする機会に恵まれました。We had a honor to meet with the Ambassador Toru Kodaki of Japan教会の床を傷つけないように細心の注意を払い、ピアノが移動されました。Piano was moved with much care with the son of Mr. Luiz Verdugo assisting.
ピアノの足を外し、9人掛かりで階段を登りました。
南米唯一のピアノメーカー、ルイス・ヴェルドゥゴ氏制作の貴重なピアノを演奏させて頂きました。
一週間滞在していた修道院。とても静かな空気で満たされています。Quiet house where we stayed for one week.グアヤサミン美術館でのコンサートの後に修道女の皆さんに囲まれて
大きな教会でのコンサートの後、高山病にかかってしまったのですが、在エクアドル日本大使の小瀧大使が美味しいおかゆを用意して下さいました。エクアドルの熱帯雨林地方へ移動する途中、赤道の真上に建てられた地球の中心モニュメントで休憩し、おかゆを頂きました。心がほっとする懐かしい日本のおかゆを赤道の上で頂くのは不思議な感じがしました。We stopped by at the center of the Earth to eat our lunch. The Japanese Ambassador Kodaki so kindly made me Okayu (rice porridge) for my mountain sickness. I never thought I would eat Okayu at the center of the Earth. It tasted so comforting and delicious.We came to the Center of the Earth.
エクアドル滞在最終日は熱帯雨林地方にあるアラシャに来ました。色とりどりの珍しい野鳥の宝庫でもあります。Last day of Ecuador – we came to the rain forest resort called Arasha!『世界の中心』モニュメントにて。赤道をまたいでいます。