Get to know Nobuyuki Tsujii

You are about to join us on tour with our Principal Conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali. What are you most looking forward to about playing with the Philharmonia across Japan, culminating in a performance in London?  

This is my first collaboration with Maestro Rouvali, and I am very much looking forward to working with this wonderful conductor. I have worked with the Philharmonia once, 10 years ago, and I am thrilled to perform and tour in Japan with such a prestigious London orchestra. I believe we will have a stronger relationship after all the performances in Japan, and I am so excited and looking forward to coming back to the UK together for another concert straight after the tour.  

What is your process like when working with a new conductor? 

Usually the conductor and I discuss certain points in the music first, and then through rehearsals we listen and get used to each other’s breathing and expression, and build music together.  

What is your favourite thing about Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 – is there a particularly interesting or exciting part to look out for? 

There are many favourite bits in the concerto and it is difficult to pick just one, but if anything I’d choose the beautiful and lyrical melody of the 2nd movement.  

How does it feel to perform in a concert? Does the sound of an audience have an impact on your performance or feeling? 

Yes of course. The more I sense the audience’s excitement and engagement, the more excited I get. 

What kind of music do you listen to in your spare time?

I listen to a wide range of music, often with possible future repertoire in mind and music I’ll be performing soon.  

Which other concerts coming up in the Philharmonia’s London season would you most like to come to? 

I would love to hear the violinist Daniel Lozakovich, with whom I played some chamber music at the Verbier Festival in July 2024. I’m also interested to hear Santtu’s French music concert in March!