Ecuador

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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 America
The Church of the Society of Jesus, la Compañía, is the oldest colonial church in South America
Outside of the church - it is nearly impossible for my iPad camera to capture the magnificent church entirely
Outside of the church –  my iPad camera could not entirely capture the magnificent church.
Covered with Inca's Gold
Covered with Inca’s Gold
Piano is moved with much care
Piano 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 alter
They had to remove the piano legs in order not to damage the sacred alter
I had the honer to perform on the piano by Luiz A. Verdugo, the only piano manufacturer in the South America.
I 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.
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 Guayasamin
View from the Museo Guayasamin
at Museo Guayasamin
at Museo Guayasamin
Concert at Museo Guayasamin
Concert at Museo Guayasamin
With Christine, and sister Auria.
With Christine, and sister Auria.
We also performed at the Children's Hospital
We also performed at the Children’s Hospital
We brought the keyboard for this occation
We brought the keyboard for this occasion
We also enjoyed watching traditional Ecuadorian dance
We also enjoyed watching traditional Ecuadorian dance
The children gave me flowers after the concert
The children gave me flowers after the concert
The Japanese Ambassador Toru Kodaki has 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.
The 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 Earth
At the Center of the Earth
Arasha, the rainforest resort. Famous place for bird watching.
Arasha, the rainforest resort. Famous place for bird watching.
On November 2nd, they eat this "guagua"
On November 2nd, they eat the sweets called “guagua”

Christine Walevska 2014 Taiwan tour

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I had a wonderful week spending the last bit of summer in Taiwan with cellist Christine Walevska. It was our second tour in Taiwan. We performed at the National Concert Hall in Taipei, Kaoshiung Music Hall, and also the Tainan University of Technology.

Taiwan is such a beautiful country. Meeting wonderful people, seeing their culture left me in awe with many beautiful memories.

The National Concert Hall in Taipei

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Inside the National Concert Hall. The ceiling is filled with gorgeous Swarovski.
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at the dress rehearsal
Christine talks about her amazing stories as a Phillips' recording artist.
Christine talks about her amazing experiences and anecdotes as a Phillips’ recording artist.
Beautiful program
Gorgeous program they made for Christine
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When I saw these two pages they made for me, I was filled with gratitude for their generosity
Illustration by a talented graphic designer Mei-Xing from Tainan University of Technology
Illustration by a talented graphic designer Mei-Xing from Tainan University of Technology

 

“L’enfant de la musique” Now on NAXOS Music Library

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I am happy that my old solo album from PLATZ label Japan “L’enfant de la musique” is now available on Naxos Music Library.

This is a live recording of my debut recital at Asahi-Hamarikyu Hall in Tokyo when I was 14 years old. The program includes Bach’s Partita No.1, Mozart’s Sonata in F major, Chopin’s Mazurkas and Ballade No.3, Schumann’s Papillons, Liszt’s Transcendental Études No.10 and etc.

This album is the crystallization of the earlier years of my life and adventurous musical journey, and it has a special place in my heart. I am thrilled that it is now available for streaming anywhere in the world.

Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra in May 2014

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I missed the opportunity to see the Sakura blossoms in Japan this year, but this month has brought so many blessings to me with the chamber music and concerto performances. Thank you so much for joining me at the concerts in the Bay Area.

This weekend, I performed Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto with the Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra in Portola Valley and Los Altos. It was my second time performing with the MSCO, and I was honored to be part of the last program of their season. I love performing with the orchestra, and the morning after the concert I woke up with the music still ringing in my ears. I am truly thankful to the Maestro David Ramadanoff and the MSCO musicians for this great experience.

MSCO April 2014

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Chancellor’s Series at UCSF and Chamber Music Sundaes in Berkeley

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I hope you are enjoying the spring!

I am performing Schumann’s Piano Trio No.3, Op. 110 with violinist Yuna Lee and cellist Sébastien Gingras of the San Francisco Symphony at the The Chancellor’s Concert Series at UCSF on Thursday, April 10th. This program will be repeated on Sunday, April 20th, at the Chamber Music Sundaes at Crowden School in Berkeley.

The trio No.3 is the last of the three trios Schumann wrote. It was composed in 1851, when Schumann was 41 years old. A hauntingly beautiful and introverted composition, it inspires me to learn more about Schumann’s late works and his life during those difficult and unhappy years.

The Chancellor’s Concert Series will be streamed live. So for those of you who cannot attend the concert in person, please check the UCSF website here!

Tchaikovsky Trio at San Francisco Symphony

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It was such a great pleasure performing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio “In Memory of a Great Artist” last Sunday at the San Francisco Symphony’s Chamber Music Concert. Thank all of you who attended.

This trio by Tchaikovsky was dedicated to his close friend and mentor Nikolai Rubinstein, and is a monumental composition expressing a full spectrum of emotions and nostalgic memories of his beloved lost friend, Nikolai. Moreover, I felt so fortunate to have the opportunity to perform it with wonderful musicians like Yukiko Kurakata and Amos Yang of the San Francisco Symphony. This was truly a concert that I will never forget.

from left to right: cellist Amos Yang, myself, and violinist Yukiko Kurakata
from left to right: cellist Amos Yang, myself, and violinist Yukiko Kurakata

photos from the tour with Christine Walevska

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Hinoki Hall is a serene and peaceful music hall inside the Kichijoji zen temple. The whole building is made of Japanese Hinoki wood.
Hinoki Hall is a serene and peaceful music hall inside the Kichijoji zen temple. The whole building is made of Japanese Hinoki wood.
Piano getting tuned by a wonderful technician before the concert at Shirakawa Hall in Nagoya
Piano getting tuned by a wonderful technician before the concert at Shirakawa Hall in Nagoya
With Madam Christine Walevska after the concert in Fukuoka, Kyusyu Island
With Madam Christine Walevska after the concert in Fukuoka, Kyusyu Island

 

 

We performed at Atrion Hall in Akita, where it was still snowy in mid-April. With Christine Walevska, and Mr. and Mrs. Saito from Akita.
We performed at Atrion Hall in Akita, where it was still snowy in mid-April. With Christine Walevska, and Mr. and Mrs. Saito from Akita.
Performed for the students of the Chinese International School in Tokyo
Performed for the students of the Chinese International School in Tokyo
One of the highlights of this year includes performing at the National Concert Hall in Taipei with Madam Christine Walevska
One of the highlights of this year includes performing at the National Concert Hall in Taipei with Madam Christine Walevska
Rehearsing at the National Concert Hall in Taipei
Rehearsing at the National Concert Hall in Taipei
It was so nice to get to meet with the wonderful audiences after the concert
It was so nice to get to meet with the wonderful audiences after the concert
Beautiful dusk in Taipei after the concert
Beautiful dusk in Taipei after the concert

 

 

SF Symphony Chamber Music Series in October

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I hope this has been a wonderful year for all of you!

I will perform at San Francisco Symphony’s chamber music series at the Davies Symphony Hall on October 13 at 2pm. I am thrilled to be performing the great Piano Trio by Tchaikovsky with violinist Yukiko Kurakata and cellist Amos Yang. For those of you in the area, I would love it if you could come!

I cannot believe how fast time goes. 2013 has just several months left.
It has been such an adventurous and special year for me – In February, I played my debut concert with the San Francisco Symphony’s Chamber Music Series, and later in the spring, I toured Japan and Taiwan with the legendary cellist Christine Walevska.

I am grateful to be able to perform for new audiences in various cities that I have never seen before. It is a source of tremendous inspiration for me.

Chamber Music Concert at SFS

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Last Sunday, I performed the Brahms Piano Quartet No.3 in c minor with violinist Sarn Oliver, violist Matthew Young, and cellist Sébastien Gingras at Davies Symphony Hall.

It was an amazing journey to work with these accomplished artists of the SF Symphony and the intensity of the Brahms left me breathless and excited, as it did to my fellow performers. This season my concert programs feature many great chamber music works of Brahms, nonetheless, his piano quartet No.3 is perhaps the magnum opus of the fiery young Brahms.

Here is a favorable review from the San Francisco Examiner: “SFS chamber musicians offer two major classics and a recent curiosity”

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from left to right,  violinist Sarn Oliver, violist Matthew Young, and cellist Sébastien Gingras

Brahms Piano Quartet

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Happy New Year!
I flew back from snowbound Tokyo where I played my annual solo recital on Jan. 6.
Except for the snow drama on the last day, my stay in Japan was as wonderful as ever.

My next performance will be at Davies Symphony Hall on Feb. 3. I am playing the Brahms Piano Quartet no. 3, op.60 with violinist Sarn Oliver, violist Matthew Young, and cellist Sébastien Gingras. It is such an honor to play with the distinguished members of the San Francisco Symphony.

As an avid fan of the orchestra, I have attended their concerts numerous times, and am thrilled by this ensemble’s unique and vibrant personality, while familiarizing myself with its vast symphonic repertoire. This Orchestra has also been my inspiration for learning more new music through their innovative programming, reach–out programs, and their personnel of world-class musicians of the 21st century.

Tickets for their february 3rd concert are available online here. Also, from January 17 to 24, the SF Symphony is offering a 1/2 price ticket sale. All seats are only $20. Other selected concerts are on sale too, and I hope you will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

I hope to see you at the concert!

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