Music from a distant land

One got to see Japanese pianist Susumo Aoyagi perform in full steam at a concert in the City recently. He took full charge of the keys and never let go until he played the last tune to perfection.

     Susumo Aoyagi began piano lessons when he was barely five years old and made his orchestral debut with the Fort Worth Symphony at the age of nine. He has won several awards including the prestigious West Japan Music Award. He is now the associate professor of piano at the Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music.
At his recent concert, Susumo mesmerised the audience by playing various tunes of Felix Mendelssohn like Sweet Remembrance, Duette and Spring Song, two of Fryderyk Chopin’s melodies and a few of Franz Liszt’s tunes like La Campanella and Hungarian Rhapsody as well. There was a long applause after every performance which only showed how much the audience enjoyed the music. “I visited India for the first time last April and was thrilled to be invited to perform in this beautiful country again. The response has been very encouraging,” said Susumo Aoyagi and added, “I hope I get the opportunity to play here more often.”

The performance was attended by people of all age groups, all dressed for the occasion. “I enjoy piano recitals and I am happy that I could make it to this event. I heard that Susumo has released audio CDs. I am surely going to buy them. This was a really refreshing performance,” said Gayathri, a music lover.
So enveloped were the audience by Susumo Aoyagi's performance that he played to requests from  the audience as well. “I have been playing the piano myself, but not professionally though. I liked the performance a lot and would love to listen to him again,” said Raj, a student.