Wednesday, 20 October 2021 – Mitsuko Uchida and Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations

Good morning from Tokyo.

Finally, last night, I could listened to my most favourite active pianist Mitsuko Uchida. It was the first her concert for me since 29 October and 7 November 2018. About 1 year ago, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra (MCO) cancelled their Japan tour with Uchida. At that time I had planed to go to their 2 concerts in Tokyo. The promoters for their Japan tour and Uchida considered to change MCO’s concerts into Uchida’s recital, however even those had to cancel due to restrictions for Covid-19 on entry to Japan.

Last night, she performed Mozart’s Piano Sonata K533/K494 and Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations. No encore. She recieved a standing ovation from the audience.

The sound of piano was soft and sparkling in Mozart’s performance. The beautiful sound changed the big hall, filled with about 2000 people, into a heavenly atmosphere. It was an amazing, dreamy moment.

After the intermission, there was more miracle in Beethoven. In contrast to Mozart, her Beethoven was a very dynamic performance. Uchida performed splendidly this elaborately, very long and great variations which was created by all kinds of ideas and techniques of creativity.

She is 72 years old. In 2 months time, on 20 December, she’ll be 73 years old. However, last night’s recital was so wonderful that I didn’t feel her age at all. I’ve listened to her concerts since 1995. I was very touched by last night’s concert, not because it was the first time I had listened her concert since the beginning of the pandemic, but because Beethoven’s music was so magnificent and great. I’ll listen to her Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations again next week recital.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT5YGcvB5kR/
https://diary-maybe.robert-schumann.com/8104/

Good morning and good night.
Have a nice day, have a beautiful dream!

Wear a mask and wash your hands.
Stay safe and healthy 😊😷🖖🖖🖖🖖🖖
20 October 2021 #tokyo #japan

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