Blind pianist wows audiences at Van Cliburn piano contest

Hmm, Ray Charles, Ronnie Milsap, Stevie Wonder, So a bunch of Americans were polite and gave the lad a nice ovation, what's the big deal ?

Being blind may increase ones sensitivity, & in some cases may make extremely good pianist. However it is not a prerequisite for human sensitivity, as Bonyn shows, blindness comes in many forms & sensitivity can be missing in altogether in the sighted. By the way, there is a “little” difference between a pianist playing Schumann’s Piano Quintet & the also excellent though very different music played by Ray Charles, Ronnie Milsap, Stevie Wonder.

"So a bunch of Americans were polite and gave the lad a nice ovation, what's the big deal?"

The big deal is the lad's performance.

"The big deal is the lad's performance."

Maybe. Or maybe just simple acknowledgement and appreciation of his efforts. Americans are wonderful people, they will go out of their way to support the underdog. Now lets not make too much of this "blind Japanese wows Americans" nonsense, it cheapens the whole story.

Tsujii said his blindness has not limited his playing opportunities and that he doesn’t want to be known as the pianist who cannot see.

Van Cliburn, the legendary classical pianist and namesake of the prestigious contest held every four years, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that Tsujii’s playing was “absolutely miraculous” and “truly divine”

Although he is blind, you never know that when listening to his music

Doesn't sound like much of an underdog to me. Now let's not make too much of this 'Americans are wonderful people' nonsense, it cheapens every comment you make.

Congratulations, you did great job, Tsuji!

"The most important objective as I’m performing is that the audience is going to be moved,” Tsujii said through an interpreter."

An interpreter ? So he's unable to communicate in English with his audience ? Again, Americans know nothing about him 'cept he's a talented blind piano player. Lets leave it at that... Cleo.

"Ray Charles, Ronnie Milsap, Stevie Wonder"

As talented they are/were, Schumann is on a different level

"So a bunch of Americans were polite and gave the lad a nice ovation, what's the big deal ?" because it's rare?

So he's unable to communicate in English with his audience ?

He communicated with the audience through his music. Since when was English-speaking ability a prerequisite for playing the piano?

Again, Americans know nothing about him 'cept he's a talented blind piano player.

So, did they applaud because they were 'wonderful people' being polite to an 'underdog'? Or did they applaud because he was talented?

Excellent stuff. He must be able to reel off anything by ear.

First time I've heard of a piano contest that has a chamber music section though.

Altria at 10:00 AM JST - 1st June

"First time I've heard of a piano contest that has a chamber music section though."

True, I missed that. It is strange.

"Since when was English-speaking ability a prerequisite for playing the piano?"

Never said it was. I was making a simple observation to back my point... the audience knows nothing about him, they don't talk !

"So, did they applaud because they were 'wonderful people' being polite to an 'underdog'? Or did they applaud because he was talented?"

In my opinion, being an American and understanding the culture (as you are not and obviously don't) I would say they were simply being polite to the blind guy that plays the piano. Seems to me the author of this story is embellishing the event with some overexuberance. Americans love an underdog, put that in your "things I never knew about Americans" noto C.

the audience knows nothing about him

They know he makes beautiful music on the piano.

I would say they were simply being polite to the blind guy that plays the piano

Let me remind you that earlier you said, Americans know nothing about him 'cept he's a talented blind piano player. So they know he's talented. That's not enough to applaud?

A quick glance at the Cliburn HP tells us that Tsujii is one of the 6 finalists. Is that just politeness, too?

In my opinion, being an American and understanding the culture (as you are not and obviously don't)

You're right, I'm not and I don't claim to. But none of the Americans I have met have displayed such patronising condescension.

The kid was good. The audience loved him. What makes that so difficult to swallow?

Cliburn officials initially said Tsujii was the competition’s first blind competitor but recently were reminded about a blind pianist who didn’t advance past the first round in 1973

Maybe folk weren't so wonderfully polite back then.

When a pianist moves me to tears because of his ability to perform so wonderfully, I do not look at their handicaps, I only thank God that I am able to witness such a talent. Americans know excellent performances when they hear them.