Pianist :
Tomoharu USHIDA
Tomoharu
USHIDA is now 15 years old. Because of age restrictions, he is not eligible to
participate in the Chopin International Piano Competition 2015 which is only
held once in 5 years.
However, he may possibly become the
first Japanese to win first prize in that competition in 2020 just as Yuzuru
HANYU did at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
It is well
known among Yuzu (Yuzuru HANYU)’s fans that Tomoharu is fascinated with his skating. Tomoharu
arranged on his own the music of Yuzu’s programs; Romeo
& Juliette and Parisian Walkway for piano, and he played them in his
concerts and recorded them on his CD.
When Yuzu’s new short program was
announced to be Chopin’s Ballade No.1 last year
probably played by Krystian Zimerman, how did he feel at that time ? I was
concerned about that…. And then Ballade No. 1 was adopted
to his repertoire.
Tomoharu says,
“ I thought it's
still early for me to play it, but when I heard that he wanted to improve his ability of expression and performance to
create something new with Ballade No.1, I thought I could grow up like him by
practicing the same music. That’s why I adopted it to
my repertoire. ”
Tomoharu’s solo concert will be held on
13th February, 2016 at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. When I
found Ballade No.1 in the selection list of music that will be played on that
day, a sigh escaped me.
How he hopes he
can collaborate with Yuzu in the ice shows. God, hear his wishes ! ( Hope I can
be there at that time ! )
Tomoharu also
says, “ He is cool
in everything. I feel sympathize with his thinking and feelings to put the
emotion into the music . ” Tomoharu answears our question;
Why are pianists so fascinated with Yuzu’s
performance ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sITyEGhLPSY