Finalist of 2004 International
Web Concert Hall Competition
Kanae Koshi (JAPAN)
 Tell us about your
musical background.
I am from Nagano,
Japan. I started studying piano when I was three years old. There was a
piano in my grandparent’s house and I used to go there with my mother. I
always play the piano every visit and could not be pulled away from it.
One day, I said to my mom “I really want to study the piano!” So, my
mother decided to start me the piano lessons. I also started composing when
I was five years old. I usually got my inspirations from my feelings,
emotions, nature and many things I experience in everyday life.
My first teacher was
Masayo Miyachi. After studying with her, I studied at “The
Music School for Children” which is a part of the Toho Gakuen School of
Music. I enrolled the Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where I received my Bachelor’s degree and studied under Yoriko Kojima.
I came to the U.S. to continue my study at the Juilliard School under
Joseph Kalichstein. After graduating from the Juilliard School with the
Advanced Certificate, I decided to study with Diane Walsh at the Mannes
College of Music where I received my Master’s degree in May, 2004.
What do you do now?
I am teaching at
the Riverdale Music Studio in New York City.
What plans do you
have within the next 3 years?
I will have my New York
City Debut recital at the Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall in February
2005. My schedule for the next three years include performing solo
recitals and chamber music in Japan and New York
metropolitan area.
What will you play
in the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall?
The program for my
recital includes, Mozart: Fantasie in c minor
K.396, Beethoven: Piano Sonata No.31 in A-flat Major, Op.110, Chopin:
Piano Sonata No.3 Op.58, and Ravel: La Valse.
What period music do
you enjoy playing the most and why?
I mainly enjoy playing music
from the Romantic period. I feel very
comfortable playing the music of this particular period because I
am able to get emotionally involved easily, therefore, I am able to express
in depth.
In your opinion,
what is your strength in your playing?
No matter what I play,
I can always deeply get involved in my own playing. I can convey almost any story and
feeling to the audiences throughout my performance. I also have unique
tone too, as others have said in the past.
Can you elaborate on
conveying story and feeling to the audience throughout your
performance?
Many people have said
that my tone is very expressive and clear. Sometimes my tone is like
laughter, then suddenly it switches to anger and sorrow. Of course, it all depends on
the piece I play. Well, I guess it really comes from how I shape the
music. I believe that music is a universal language. I always play the
piano as if I am reading a story to the audience. When I decide to study
a new piece, I always study the history and background of the work, as
well as relevant information. Then, I try to put myself into the piece
by using my imagination which comes from my findings. Sometime, I
realize that such process does not always workout for all pieces. Then, I
make up a story that helps me to interpret and express the musical ideas as I see
it and as I feel it.
What do you hope to
accomplish as a musician?
I believe that music
can be a great healing tool. I want to be able to play for people who have
suffered both emotionally and physically. I don't play to get accolades
or in the hopes of becoming famous some day. Through the performance, I always
hope that my music will help those people.
Do you like any
other forms of art?
I love painting and
modern art because it gives me so much ideas to express and think
about; in my opinion, to be able to have element that can trigger your imagination and
creativity, is very important factor in the
process of making music. To feel something through various art forms have
inspired my music greatly in the past.
What do you do for
hobby, if any?
I love watching movies.
I watch all types of movies, I especially love movies that give me
something to think about in depth. I enjoy watching European movies because
they seem to make me reflect about myself. One of my favorite old movie
is “A bout de souffle” directed by Jean-Luc Godard. The first time I saw
the movie was when I was fifteen years old. At the time, it was a shocking
experience and my sense of value in my life has changed since.
In your opinion,
what are the characteristics of a good performer?
A good performer is
always able to communicate to the audiences his/her interpretations and
emotions clearly throughout their performances, not only satisfying
themselves.
How do you judge a
good performance?
I always judge a good
performance by whether it touches my heart or not. A good performance always
holds my heart and rings in my ears many years to come.
Interviewed by
MusicalOnline on October, 2004
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