| | Nobuyuki Tsujii, a blind pianist from Japan, won the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition earlier this month. He has been all over the Japanese news waves since I got here. (See video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XuEUWQCJSA ) The Japanese love a good inspirational story, and darn it, I feel like such a pansy in comparison to this amazing pianist and what he has overcome.
His parents always supported him, and encouraged his interest in music even when others thought it was impossible. His mother originally took him to violin lessons, but the teacher refused to take on a blind student. It was hard for him to find a piano teacher who would accept him, but his mother persevered. In an interview, he was asked what he would choose to see if his vision was restored, and without hesitation he responded, "I would like to see my parents' faces." ...If that doesn't tug at your heartstrings a little, then you are made of stone. <Points finger> XD
When I saw him on the news, I was reminded of Heeah Lee, a woman who was born with only two fingers on each hand, but still became a concert pianist and plays a beautiful rendition of Chopin's Fantasie Impromptu. (Video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FSnalrPYpc) I originally saw her on Japanese TV when I was on the JET program. Heeah's mother took medication during pregnancy and doctors didn't know there were potential complications. Instead of lamenting her situation, Heeah decided she wanted to play the piano and created her own approach to playing. She's performed with pop stars in Korea and Japan, and she clearly loves to perform. You can see the sheer joy on her face, and what's equally touching is seeing her mother watch her daughter's performance from backstage. Heeah's mother stands there with tears streaming down her face, her expression an overwhelming combination of pride in her daughter but also sorrow at the struggles she's had to surmount.
It's not so much about being lucky or unlucky - God gives His children the strength to face and overcome all difficulties, and our bodies are fragile and temporary - but it's truly inspiring that these pianists have summoned the determination and focus to grasp their dreams despite what conventional wisdom may tell them.
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| | Posted 6/27/2009 2:46 AM - 19 Views - 6 eProps - 3 comments
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