So, it was the first solo performance of Takafumi Mori in India at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts.
To say the least, it was a successful week as a piano teacher with a number of students telling us that he knew his stuff. So, it wasn't surprising that he wanted to lead by example by performing solo in a piano concert.
Not surprisingly, the superlatives were flowing unabated, thanks to a dazzling show of skill by him as he performed three pieces and a final one that was a response to an encore.
The pieces that he played, in order, were:
Chaconne by J.S Bach & F. Busoni
First Movement - Sonata #2 by F. Chopin
2 Legends (St. Frances of Paola Walking on the Water) - Franz Liszt
Presto - F. Poulenc
However, it wasn't the audience's reactions after the concert that really caught our eye but during the concert as well. Some seemed to be lost in the melodies while others expressed joy and awe of Takafumi's prowess with the instrument. Indeed, time stood still...
In playing with such passion for an hour, and from memory too, a number of us felt as if it was a spiritual experience - one which lifted us to another plane, if you will. And we're not exaggerating...
There was a sense of exhilaration that was felt by one and all, as we approached 7:30 pm, and thereafter - a feeling that parents who did attend the concert will vouch for.
Finally, there was a question and answer session where Takafumi explained what he intended to do for his students as not only piano players but also concert performers. That said, an excerpt of the pieces that he played will be shared with the students shortly...
And as always, there are a number of upcoming Limelight concerts which include a Carnatic concert on January 25 as well as a Hindustani Classical Concert on February 4, 2014.
Plutarch, in defining an education in its truest sense, once said: “The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled”.
A quote that comes to mind and that best describes Takafumi Mori, our new piano teacher at the Aamod Centre of Liberal Arts.
Right from our first meeting since July 2013, his focus has been on motivating (read as: fire kindling) his students to make music a passion. Put simply, he takes teaching piano (and his students) very seriously in understanding this simple fact - as all excellent teachers do.
But that's not all – he has an impressive resume to boot – one that is marked by experiences that spans a couple of continents, both as a student and teacher, and will, sooner or later, lead one to conclude that his exploits so far are indeed stunning, if not exemplary.
Apart from this, he hails from a family that has roots that run deep in teaching classical music, be it is his father, a veteran music teacher or his sister, a classical violinist.
Yet what pleases us most, as we take the opportunity to introduce and welcome Takafumi Mori to our little music school in Whitefield, is that he loves India and despite the inherent challenges that we face each day, is enthusiastic about playing a key role in shaping the future of our piano students from January 2014.
If you'd like to know more about Takafumi Mori, please follow this link to his brief but impressive biography.
