カテゴリー: English

Beijing

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It was wonderful to rehearse with a renowned clarinetist Wang Tao in Beijing. I am honored to join his new album, and I’m looking forward to the recording later this month.

I am very grateful for being able to visit the forbidden city during this trip. (Thank you, producer Dave Tam!!!) Seeing their magnificent buildings was an experience that I will never forget!

Living Room Cafe by eplus

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Thank you for coming to hear us at the Living Room Cafe by eplus！

お店はクリスマスモードで、綺麗なツリーに心がときめきました。

演奏中、ヴァイオリニストの正戸里佳さんと息を合わせる時、お食事の手を止めて聴いて下さっているお客様の姿が見えました。ありがとうございました！

リビングルームカフェ🎶お食事も美味しくて、居心地の良いお洒落な空間でした。

ヴァイオリニストの正戸里佳さんと
リハーサル風景
終演後の記念撮影
広々したカフェ、中はとってもお洒落な空間です♪

Rakugo recital of Sanyutei Enraku VI

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I had the honor of performing at the 6th Enraku Sanyutei’s Rakugo recital in Ginza Jujiya. Rakugo is a Japanese traditional form of comic storytelling. Using only a paper fan (扇子 sensu) and a small cloth (手拭 tenugui) as props, Rakugo’s minimalistic style is one of the coolest arts we have in Japan. The master Enraku took us through a mesmerizing hour of storytelling. His storytelling was so good that I forgot I needed to perform next! I was completely drawn in by the funny but very human tale of a pickpocket in Edo. Famous for his sarcasm, of course he said “this big instrument takes up so much space on the stage! ”

昨日は銀座十字屋さんの「午後のサロン」で円楽師匠の後に演奏させて頂きました。銀座にちなんだお話からいつのまにかじーんとくる人情噺になり、本当に時を忘れるくらい師匠の話芸に引き込まれました。「寄席のように居心地が良い十字屋さんのホールですね、このピアノさえなければ…」いじって頂きました！ありがとうございます。

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Hashimoto Cultural Center in Wakayama, Japan

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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!

With Mr. Mikio Ozawa at the Ginza Jujiya
With Mr. Mikio Ozawa at the Ginza Jujiya

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