Winner of 2001 International Web Concert Hall
Competition
(Honorary Mention)
 Poetry,
Intense and Spontaneous.... - The New York Times
He has won the First Prize in "The Japan Music &
Culture Promotion Competition" in 1990 and was awarded Diploma Prize at Concurs
International Maria Canals De Barcelona in Spain. He also holds Master of Music degree
from the Juilliard School, where he was recipient of Alexander Siloti award.
MOL: Tell us about your musical background.
First, my family had the piano before I was born and my older
brother was already studying the piano even before I can remember. Therefore, I was always
fascinated with the sound of piano and the tunes that were coming from the instrument.
Later, my parents told me that I asked them to teach me the piano before I enter the
elementary school.
MOL: Was either of your parents a musician? No.
However, my mother used to be a music teacher, and both of my parents have appreciation of
music and arts in general. In addition, they have a large collection of books.... from
classic literature to science, music... and it was fun for me to go through them and
in some ways, such environment provided me to shape my thinking.
MOL: How did your friend, parents, etc. influence you
as a musician?
My parents were always encouraging me to study music,
however, they never pushed me in any way about practicing the instrument or choosing a
career in music. As for friends, when I was in high school, I remember having friends
spending a lot of time talking about about new works by living composers. And now, I think
about it, such years have made me to think and be interested in some of things I do as a
musician today. Also, at Juilliard, be able to see many kinds of talents and playing
styles have impacted me in my music making.
MOL: Did you study any other musical instrument?
I wish I had. Although I used to enjoy just playing around
with flute, french horn, classical guitar..., the piano is the only
instrument that I studied seriously.
MOL: Do you have a practicing method you follow
everyday?
I try to play at least one piece of étude everyday, but I
doubt I can call it a practicing method. In any case, I donıt have any
specific method. Actually, I have been searching for efficient and comprehensive way of
practicing for many years, and still searching. I hope I can discover this someday.
MOL: How much do you practice daily before a
performance?
When I have a large program to perform, especially if it
involves the pieces I have never played in public before, I will spend quite a lot of time
sitting at the piano and thinking about it. However, if this is not the case, I donıt
need to practice as much. So I really can't say how much time I need to spend practicing
before any performance. It really depends on the program.
MOL: How much or often do you practice basic?
I think I am aware of the fact that the basic; such as
scales, arpeggios, etc...are crucial, and it makes a great different if you do it
constantly, correctly......but I donıt do any of them these days.
MOL: How do you select repertoire for your recital?
I always try to think about the context of the program as a
whole. While it is important to play a variety of compositions to achieve the element of
contrast; I am trying not to make a hodge podge program. In addition, I usually take other
things into my consideration; for instance, sometimes I would like to perform the pieces
that I havenıt played in public for years;
sometimes I have to think about the occasion, situation, circumstances of the concert; or
sometimes the presenter or producer want me to play something specific.
MOL: What kind of music do you enjoy playing most and
why?
I always ENJOY (I must stress that word),
the music that contains a great deal of musical, artistic potential, latent power; for
instance, first class contemporary works, any compositions of J.S. Bach, Debussy......just
to name a few.
MOL:Do you like any other forms of art? such as
painting? Tell us about it.
Yes, absolutely. There are numerous kinds of art in this
world. Wherever I go, I cannot see myself coming back without visiting local museums
there. Moreover, fortunately, being a New York City resident, I have been taking advantage
of
being able to go to many museums and see many marvelous art works. Sometimes I feel itıs
almost overwhelming because it takes plenty of time for me to see and appreciate even one
piece of painting or sculpture.
MOL: What do you like to read? And why?
I try to read various kinds of books magazines. It is just
because reading only some specific field or subject is neither interesting nor fun.
MOL: Do you believe a performer must attend
conservatory? What is your opinion on this?
Not necessarily. I think the one of the most important
factors regarding choosing a path is that before you enter any conservatories or schools,
you have to know what you want in your life and purpose of studying of music as clear as
possible.
Then, if you think a certain conservatory is just right for your purpose, you should get
yourself enrolled by all means. Otherwise, no, I donıt quite think so.
MOL: I think we need to wrap up at this point.
So on be half of MusicalOnline, we would like to thank you for your time and we wish all
the success.
Interviewed by
MusicalOnline on October, 2001
|
