"Nobuyuki Tsujii plays Chopin Twelve Etudes, Op.1o during the preliminary round of the 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition on May 23, 2009. " (VanCliburnFoundation)
Classical pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii listens to the conductor’s breathing for cues, since he can’t see the baton. On stage, he feels for the edges of the keyboard before he begins playing, to orient his hands. He learns new pieces through listening and memorization, rather than reading the notes. The 20-year-old Japanese musician last weekend became the first blind pianist to win the prestigious Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.
“I’m handicapped, but I have overcome it” he said at a crowded press conference in Tokyo Wednesday.[...]" (By JULIET CHUNG AND MIHO INADA)




