Thank you Sir Andras

It was a beautiful concert.

Sir Andras Schiff is now touring in Japan, but the coronavirus scare forced some concerts to be canceled probably because the entire buildings that hold the concert venue got closed.  The Japanese government is also asking people to refrain from holding large-scale events that may create big crowds.

That didn't stop this great pianist from holding his recital at Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall tonight.  I hear he came to play in Japan shortly after the quake and tsunami disaster 9 years ago.  So, this wasn't the first time that he stood by Japan in a difficult time.

The organizer did everything to prevent infection, from closing the bar to keeping staff from making any physical contact by not giving out program booklets and checking tickets only visually.   The hall's ventilation was apparently more powerful than usual.  Disinfectant spray bottles were at the entrance.  So we could feel relaxed as the concert opened.

The program featured Mendelsshon, Beethoven, Brahms, and Bach.

Every piece was wonderful, but I liked Brahms most.  

We had a privilege of listening to as many as 5 encores---one each of the four composers with the addition of Schubert.

Sir Andras plays the piano as if his heart is playing it.  The dynamics were incredibly lively.  He can do this because his technique is superb.  But unlike many pianists who play like boasting their technical skills, Sir Andras draws your attention to the music and the emotion and heart that are behind it, rather than his technique.  Such music has the power to bring out what's in the bottom of our heart as we listen---both positive and negative things.  Thanks to this power, I had lot of reflecting and contemplating, which gave me some enlightenment.

I'm really grateful to Sir Andras for tonight's recital.

Thank you, Sir Andras for coming to Japan and playing for us.

I suppose you'll be quarantined for 2 weeks at your next destination from Japan whether it may be your home country or elsewhere.  I hope things won't be too difficult for you, and you stay well.  May God bless you, Sir.