Blind pianist in International Chopin Piano Competition

[classicarts]

I just saw a short excerpt of a blind pianist in International Piano  Chopin Competition, and he was absolutely brilliant.  I didn't get his name nor do I know whether he made his preliminaries.  Do any of you know his name and the result?

[chromatickler]

his name is Nobuyuki Tsujii and he is only 17 years old. i saw both his round1 and round2 performances on webcast. His technical ability is absolutely frightening. he opened his round1 with a blazing op10#1 that matched meiting sun in both speed and accuracy. his scherzo#2 and 24th prelude were my favourite performances of each respective piece from the competition.

personally i was rooting for him to win a prize (he didnt get into the finals unfortunately)

[jehangircama]

i once saw a 90% blind pianist Joseph Long perform and have even got a cd of his. he's excellent too.

[BoliverAllmon]

do you think he will try again in 5 years?

[stevie]

do you think he will try again in 5 years?

if he can find his way, yes

[BoliverAllmon]

oh you are so funny stevie. hahahaha

[bon_bear]

  Impressive...It's really amazing how these ppl could "feel" the keys to play music.
Elizabear

[sportsmonster]

if i play a piano piece long enough.....i dont have to use my eyes anymore....it is in my fingers. specially the easier piano pieces....like moonlight sonata etc.

but i have problems doing that with revolutionary etude....and the hardest pieces.
bah....then i dont even try to not use my eyes

try to play la campanella with no eyes.....you have to jump 2 octaves or less many places in that song

[classicarts]

if i play a piano piece long enough.....i dont have to use my eyes anymore....it is in my fingers. specially the easier piano pieces....like moonlight sonata etc.

but i have problems doing that with revolutionary etude....and the hardest pieces.
bah....then i dont even try to not use my eyes

try to play la campanella with no eyes.....you have to jump 2 octaves or less many places in that song

I want you to try playing your piano blind holded and tell us the results.  It really be interesting to see how you done.  I'm not putting you down or discrediting you at all, I'm just curious as to see what happens.   

[sevencircles]

Art Tatum was almost blind and he has to be one of the most gifted improvising pianists of the 20.th Century.

He overused descending legatoscales though.

[jason2711]

my friends always make me play blindfolded for the craic.  My greatest feat so far has been chopin's first ballade, though it was very messy.  I am amazed at people who are able to pick up the entire piece without seeing the keys or music though, as this i don't think i could stand a hope of doing, unless it was simply basic scales.

[diegosmom]

I don't think feeling the keys is the challenge. My question is: How do they read the sheet music? Is it in braille?

[kghayesh]

How do they read the sheet music? Is it in braille?

Good question 

[sevencircles]

I assume that they learn by ear just like the really bad sightreaders like Hoffmann and Berman.

Nowadays you can learn never performed pieces by listening to midifiles.