Tami KANAZAWA / Piano Duo / Israel

The "Listen to Musicians" section is a section where professionals who usually play music on the stage go down the stage and speak in words.This time, we will interview the guest, Tami Kanazawa, who is active as a piano duo in Israel. I would like to talk about the theme of "studying abroad in music."
(Interview: March 2008)


Tami Kanazawa who is active in the piano duo
Born in Tokyo.Graduated from National College of Music High School.Graduated from Rueil-Malmaison Regional Conservatory and Paris National Conservatory of Music.Received a scholarship from the European Mozart Foundation and studied at the Mozart Academy. Formed a duo with Israeli pianist Yuval Noah Harari in 2000.Since then, he has won numerous international competitions. 2001 Tokyo International Piano Duo Competition 2002st place, 2005 Rome Piano Competition, 2008st place in Duo category, 2008 Ibra Grand Prize Winner. In 2008, he won the Menuhin Gold Award at the Osaka International Chamber Music Festa. 7 Grieg International Piano Competition Duo Category 2st prize. Received the "Ministry of Culture Award" from the Ministry of Culture of Israel in 4.Currently, the duo is based in Israel.Invited from Asian Music Festival, Budapest Spring Music Festival, Bird Helenharp Music Festival, Odessa Dialogue, Israel Music Festival, etc.Appeared on BBC Broadcasting, NHK, Yomiuri Television, Israeli National Broadcasting, BNR Bulgarian Broadcasting, Budapest National Broadcasting, etc. The CD, which contains four symphonic poems (two piano versions) of the list released by Naxos in July XNUMX, has been broadcast all over the world and has been highly acclaimed internationally.The duo teaches at an art high school in Israel and holds master classes at Pitina (Japan), the Korean National Academy of Arts, the Norwegian National Academy, etc., focusing on teaching younger generations.


Kanazawa There was a piano sensei in the neighborhood where I lived when I was little, and at that time there was a trend for children to learn the piano, so my brother started learning there, and later I started learning from about 4 years old. ..After that, I entered the elementary school attached to Kunitachi College of Music and proceeded to the attached high school.After graduating from high school, I studied abroad in Paris, studied at the Rueil-Malmaison Regional Conservatory on the outskirts of Paris for the first two years, and then enrolled in the National Conservatory of Music in Paris.After graduating, when I was wondering where to go, I happened to find a poster for the Mozart Academy of the European Mozart Foundation, so I applied for it, received a scholarship, and was enrolled in Prague for the first semester and Krakov for the first year.There, I met an Israeli pianist (my current husband) and decided to play a professional piano duo.The following year, I stayed at the Banff Center in Canada for about a year to form a duo at the Banff Center, an art center where professionals and professionals stay to devote themselves to the project.So I worked on increasing my repertoire, performing at concerts and recording.Since then, I have been playing duo specially. He has lived in Israel since 2, teaching chamber music and duo in high school, and also taking solo lessons in private.

Kanazawa: No, it wasn't my intention, but my mother thought that I should have a job in my hand, so I thought I should go to a music school.I'm a girl, and I don't think I was thinking of becoming a musician from the beginning because I wanted to get in touch with art.

Kanazawa That's right.I wasn't really thinking about it yet, and when I was little, I didn't have to take the exam, so I took the exam without any preparation.I took a break from kindergarten and went to the entrance examination, but I was wondering, "Where are you going until you take a break from kindergarten?" (Laughs).

Kanazawa Yes, that's right.

Kanazawa Since I was little, I had a longing for classical music and Western culture, and had a dream of living in Europe.When I was in elementary school, the piano sensei was a student studying abroad in Vienna, but when I heard about that sensei, I definitely wanted to go there someday.I had been attending a music school for a long time, so I thought I would go to college and study abroad when I graduated ... but when I had a violinist aunt and I consulted with him when I was in the third year of high school, He said, "You should go early. After graduating from high school, you should study abroad."I was worried about it, but my parents respected my intentions, so if I had a chance, I wanted to study abroad as soon as I graduated from high school.

Kanazawa Of course, I was worried, but more than that, I was more than happy to have this wonderful opportunity to understand and let me go.

Kanazawa who is active in Israel

Kanazawa In my case, I didn't choose after investigating the music situation in the country in advance, but my aunt decided to go to France because she knew me.Paris is a good place to study the piano, and I was advised to go there because I will arrange my life to some extent.

Kanazawa That was the case at the beginning.I was told that I jumped in there.

Kanazawa Yes, I didn't (laughs).You trusted your aunt 100%.Nowadays, there aren't any people like this (laughs).

Kanazawa That's right.However, I believed only in the words of my aunt, but the sensei I got at the Rueil-Malmaison Conservatory at the beginning was Rueil Descaves sensei, who retired from the Conservatoire in Paris. He was a disciple of Marguerite Long, later an assistant to her, and was a great sensei who taught all the current professors in Paris.I'm really fortunate to be able to learn from someone who is the essence of French piano playing.

Kanazawa is perfect ... I loved it, and I went with a fresh feeling, so I was studying hard if sensei said.Since each person has their own way of studying abroad and how their careers are established, I would be grateful if you could refer to the fact that some people studied abroad in such a violent manner (laughs).

Kanazawa That's right.At the recommendation of Decave sensei, I did so.

Until the Kanazawa secondary exam, program A and program B were to be prepared for the primary exam.Program A has one Chopin etude and one classic or romantic song, and B has another Chopin etude and one modern song.So at the exam, the judges instructed me to play either program.

Kanazawa That's right.I don't know which one will hit, so I had to prepare both.That is the primary exam, and two weeks after that, there is a secondary exam, but the assignment song was announced one month before the secondary exam.So, during that one month, I have to complete the song for the second exam.In the year we entered the school, the two movements were Bach's fugue, Chopin's Imprompchu No. 2, and Prokofiev's Sonata No. 1.There was another first-time test, which was an ensemble with a flute that year.

Kanazawa That's right.The competition is fierce.About 300 people received it, and 16 people received it.However, many French people took the exam for years and years, saying that if it didn't work, it would be next year.

Kanazawa In my case, I was at the Rueil-Malmaison Conservatory before that, and I was with Decave sensei, so I entered the class of Van Sislav Jankov sensei from Bulgaria, who was introduced by that sensei.After working for Jankov sensei for the first three years, he retired and studied for two years with Pascal de Vaillant sensei, who was subsequently inaugurated.The two are completely different types, but each is a wonderful performer and educator, and I think it was a great blessing to be able to learn about these people.

Kanazawa was fine.For example, in the year I entered, there were many Japanese in the piano department, and there were four people, and for other musical instruments, there was one violin, one flute, one harp, and one guitar.In addition to the piano department in other grades, there were several people in the stringed instruments, wind instruments, and composition departments, and I think it was a popular school for Japanese people from that time.

Kanazawa That's right.What surprised me or impressed me was that I was exposed to music with a very delicate sense of the sound and quality of the sound, and that I was taught techniques to create it concretely, and the constructiveness of the song. He taught me that I have learned about Western music as our culture.Especially when I studied French music, I felt that they told me what I knew naturally like the words I usually use.Decave sensei was already over 80 years old when I was learning, so it seems that he had a direct relationship with a French music composer, and that was Fauré and romance (laughs).I feel that I was able to learn from French music and people close to me and touch the essence of it.I think that was something I couldn't get in Japan.Also, for me, I was very impressed by the fact that sensei is engaged in international performance activities and can be taught by the active performers, and when I receive advice from those who are actually playing, I feel more. I was able to trust it.

Kanazawa: It's vague, but I think it was when I was in junior high school and high school that I started thinking that I would make music my profession.However, I wasn't sure how to become a musician and make it a job.When I came to Paris, I was determined to do it, but I didn't know what to do.

Kanazawa There are many talented people, and everyone has dreams, so success in music is a tough world, isn't it?However, from that time on, I thought that I was suitable for ensembles.

Kanazawa It was encouraging that I wasn't alone when I was on the stage, and I enjoyed working with people to create a single result, and I felt that it was suitable for my personality.

At the Israeli Minister of Culture Award Ceremony

Kanazawa: Actually, I didn't have much experience as a duo until I met him.I've been playing duet since I was little, but I didn't have much experience with duo, and I was more interested in other ensembles.But when I fell in love with him and became a couple, I was confident that we would live together, so we both worked together rather than having separate careers as pianists. He had the idea of ​​doing this, and decided to work as a duo.

Kanazawa That's right.However, he seems to have had a little more experience.When he was studying at Tel Aviv University and the Royal Academy of Arts in London, he had the opportunity to play a duo and seemed to believe in the potential of this genre.

Kanazawa No, there are some substantive points ... (laughs).

Kanazawa Technically speaking, the piano is an instrument that plays multiple voices, isn't it?By playing the tone of the voice separately, you can play it like an orchestra, but if you have two, the voice will double.Therefore, when playing, you should always be aware of which voice you are pushing and how well you are in balance.If you don't, you'll just be in a situation where the sound is flooding.I am very careful about giving a sense of perspective.As with any other chamber music, especially with the same instrument and this thick texture, you have to focus on the volume, sound quality, character, and touch of each voice.That may be true if you say that you don't have that much freedom, but if you know exactly what you are building, you will get great results. The work of two people is really complicated, but ...

Duo concert

Kanazawa Hmm ... Everyone says so, but after all it's very difficult for work.I can't get along well.Get angry, get angry ... (laughs).After all, it is natural that the work to be created is challenging.However, since we are rather absorbed in playing in private, I think that if the two had advanced to different careers, I would have had no contact, so we aim together. I'm glad that something happened.

Kanazawa Israel may have the image of a country of conflict and a dangerous place in Japan.Israel is a Jewish state located in the Middle East, and it is only 60 years old as a nation.Although young as a nation, it has a history of 4000 years, and as you know, it is the place where Christ was born, and it is a country built by Jews who have returned after thousands of years of dispersal.Regarding the classical music situation, it is a place where the soil built by immigrants from European countries and the countries of the former Soviet Union is neat.So it's a country with an orchestra, a hall, and an educational system.Especially with the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 90's, many musicians also immigrated from the former Soviet Union.For that reason, I think the level of music is very high.

Kanazawa There are many people from Eastern Europe, such as Hungary, Romania, and Poland, as well as Russia.Most of them are Jews, but I think it is unique to Israel that they can experience their excellent characteristics, and I am very happy.

Kanazawa That's right.I think the most famous is the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, which also performs in Japan, but there are many other orchestras.

How about Kanazawa?The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra auditions when there is a vacancy, so some people come from overseas and play as members.

Kanazawa University, academy-affiliated music schools include the Buchmann Mehta Conservatory at Tel Aviv University in Tel Aviv and the Rubin Music Academy in Jerusalem.In the summer class, there is a piano master class where famous sensei such as Nikolai Petrov come to teach, and there is also a violin summer class sponsored by Shlomo Mintz.

Kanazawa That's right.If you like, please come to Israel.

Kanazawa Everyday life is very laid-back, and except for dangerous places, you can live normally, so please think about it.

I don't think it's that hard to enroll in Kanazawa.It is not an environment where there are many international students like in Europe, and there are also young people who are already playing activities from people who are not very high level. If you have a connection with sensei, I think studying abroad in Israel is also good.

Kanazawa That's right.However, although not many, the University of Tel Aviv seems to have exchanges with the University of Shanghai, and there are always some international students from China and occasionally from Europe.Actually, there is one international student from Japan in the violin department this year.

Kanazawa The local language is Hebrew, but I think there is no problem if you can speak English.Even if you can't speak Hebrew in your daily life, if you can speak English, you won't have much trouble.

Kanazawa: It's an advantage ... Thankfully, the image of Japan is not bad, and there is no political friction with Israel, so please accept it warmly.Recently, subcultures such as manga and sushi are also popular.In that sense, you are interested in it, so it's easy to blend in.The disadvantage is not because I am Japanese, but as a newcomer, it was difficult to get into the existing music and work circles.It is unavoidable that it is a little disadvantageous for those who come later to get it recognized well and get it in.

Kanazawa Maybe so.It's a small country, so it feels like a “village” where everyone knows everyone.But on the contrary, in a society where face passes or connections work, for example, when I say "I should buy a washing machine", "My uncle's cousin who lives in the neighborhood does that kind of work. So don't buy it, go there "(laughs).

Kanazawa After all, that is not the case in Europe such as Germany and France.After all, considering that you are building a career, I think that is also very important. It's not possible to work alone, so it's necessary to get into the circle of people and keep going.That kind of thing isn't taught at school, and we learned it through trial and error, but I think it's very important to connect with people.It is better to understand that it is not only given, but if you give it, you will give it this time, even in the world of music, it is a human activity that is made up of such give and take. It's easy, isn't it?That's why I think it's important to build relationships that aren't superficial relationships.

Kanazawa I hope so.After all, it is a pity that it is not known.I want everyone to know that this is a country with such a high level and density of classical music.You can come from Europe in about 4 hours, and if you want to get in touch with Jewish music, please come and visit us.

Since the Kanazawa Piano Duo has become like our own identity, we would like to continue to expand our repertoire and continue playing as a duo.Also, in order to spread this media more, I would like to hold festivals and master classes to make it more exciting.Since then, I've been playing Israeli music and premiering it, but I would like to continue collaborating with composers.After all there is significance and joy of creating together.He wants to compose someday, so the concert where he plays his song together is the future image.

Kanazawa: Actually, my goal is to play, but as French actress Jeanne Moreau said in an interview, when I get into the role, I empty myself like a tube through which energy flows. I compared it to that.When I heard that, I thought it was true, and when I played, I wanted to be in that kind of situation.I wanted to be a tube and medium through which energy flows without stagnation.Sometimes I can play with that kind of feeling, and at that time I think it was good.

Kanazawa Now that I have a lot of information about studying abroad, I can easily go abroad, and on the contrary, it is an environment where it is easy to come to Japan from overseas and take classes, so there are many people who choose smarter and study abroad. I think.However, for example, there are times when you cannot predict that you will not be able to enter the school of your choice at your study abroad destination, you will not be able to graduate, you will not be able to get the sensei you want, and even if you do, you will not take much lessons.I think it's fine to have a clear plan, but when you hit such a wall, I want you to respond flexibly and feel that it's okay if it's different from the plan.I think it is important to look at your wishes and goals from a broad perspective.At such times, it will be a good experience to face yourself, think about it, and worry about it, and I think that the ability of human beings to survive will be cultivated.I think that not only worrying alone, but also asking for help is one of the strengths, and don't be shy, don't be shy, and you can be different from your schedule.

Kanazawa Also, studying abroad is different from a temporary class in that you live and live there, so I would like you to value communication with the people you meet locally.I myself have been away from Japan for a long time, but Japanese people are good at taking care of communication, but on the other hand, I feel that they have a strong addiction.Reading the air is a really Japanese expression, and I can't read the air (laughs).After all, when you don't understand it, you only use expressions that you don't understand, so I would like you to have that kind of responsibility when communicating.I think it is important not whether you have language skills, but whether you have the intention to convey it.From the bottom of my heart, there is something that comes back no matter where you go, whether it's Israel or France, and there is the joy of connecting with people.I study abroad temporarily, and I am not only the one who learns something and returns, but also the person who is given something, and I study abroad with the recognition that I can interact properly. I want you to study abroad.

Kanazawa: I haven't been so successful (laughs), but I would like to share with you what I learned from a series of failures.I think that many people who are in the profession of music have graduated from a music college or academy.I think it's good to be able to graduate from such a school and build a career smoothly, but if that is not the case, you should be willing to narrow down your wisdom and propose your own creative strategy. Without it, nothing would happen.When I was young, I had a strong addiction, and I dreamed that I should be able to play properly, but I think that I have to have some strategy and aggressively work on it.To put it concretely, I don't like to say that it's a competition, a competition ... I would make it my own nest (laughs).

Kanazawa That's right (laughs).In Israel.In that way, I make my own place and call a performer I know there.Then, because there is a loan over there, he will call him to his nest this time.In that way, I will narrow down my wisdom and acquire more and more voice.I don't feel good about appealing and selling myself, and I think it's difficult, but I'm not humbled and broaden my range while keeping the elegant lines.Also, chances aren't the ones that roll when you're ready, but the ones you don't know when they're rolling, so I think it's important to be open at all times. ..There is also the word "Ichi-go-ichi-kai", and it would be a waste if you were messing around there.

Kanazawa That's how I connect with people, and when I get a request, I try to answer yes first.He often negotiates, so I often learn by looking at his response.I'm Japanese by all means.For example, when I received a request to "play a song like this in June," I thought that it would be difficult to get around because that concert was also included at that time, or that it would be bifurcated. After all, I think it is sincere to answer "let me think a little".But not so, first of all, yes.It's important to tell what you want to do.After that, I should talk about the schedule, such as whether the song can be changed (laughs).It's a tough world, so it doesn't matter if it's perfect, so it's important to convey your enthusiasm first.

Kanazawa After that, even if you act like that, you may continue to be refused.However, I think it is important to continue without thinking that it is personally denied.I learned from my mistakes, but I hope it will be of some help to you.

Kanazawa Thank you very much.
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You can see the latest information and performances of Tami Kanazawa from the following page.
Duo site:http://www.kanazawa-admony.com
youtube (performance):http://www.youtube.com/user/admony
Naxos Album:http://ml.naxos.jp/album/8.570736
Kanazawa's duo recital will be held in Tokyo!
Why don't you visit the concert of the duo who are active in the world?
◆ Duo Admony Recital ◆
Tami Kanazawa & Yuval Noah Harari
List symphonic poem by two pianos-playing a drama of humanity-
"Orpheus" "Ideal" "Prelude" "Mazeppa"
October XNUMXth (Monday) XNUMX:XNUMX Start Tokyo Bunka Kaikan Small Hall
General ¥ XNUMX (all unreserved seats) / Senior / Student ¥ XNUMX
Ticket handling:　
• Ticket Pia XNUMX-XNUMX-XNUMX (P code XNUMX-XNUMX)
• All Japan Piano Teachers Association (Pitina) www.piano.or.jp/concert/support
• Tokyo Cultural Center Ticket Service XNUMX-XNUMX-XNUMX
• IVS TV production XNUMX-XNUMX-XNUMX (excluding weekends and holidays from XNUMX:XNUMX to XNUMX:XNUMX)
Sponsored by: Embassy of Israel / All Japan Piano Instructors Association / Naxos Japan Inc.
Grant: Japan Chamber Music Promotion Foundation
Contact: IVS TV Production