Piano superstar Tsujii brings audience to its feet

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester.

ONE of the nation’s finest collection of musicians brought a touch of romance to Manchester with a special musical treat in the run-up to Valentine’s Day.

The undoubted highlight of the evening came as this magnificent orchestra partnered 22-year-old rising-star, blind pianist, Nobuyuki Tsujii.

This astonishing pianist, who has been catapulted to rock-star status in Japan and is in great demand across the globe, was making his debut at the Bridgewater Hall, and his deserved reputation attracted a full house.

Blind from birth, Tsujii’s fingers danced over the keyboard to give life to the deeply romantic Rachmaninoff second piano concerto.

Tsujii’s stunning performance ended with an eruption from an appreciative audience and a standing ovation which ended only when he was led from the stage by conductor Yutaka Sado.

The programme also included the overture from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Dvorak’s ninth symphony.

This richly melodic concert of romantic masterpieces was a wonderful way to welcome Valentine’s weekend, and can be caught again by keeping an ear open on BBC Radio 3, which recorded Friday’s concert for future broadcast.