At the Gymnasium.@@@@@© Yu K.

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@@@One afternoon on October 16, 2005, Ms Argerich joined her friend and fellow pianist residing in Brussels Miss Akane Sakai to one school in Japan. This was a boarding school for boys and girls ages10 to 18 who went through mental and physical crisis such as parental abuse, dismissal from school, and those who found no place to go after being ousted from juvenile correction institutions. Before coming to Japan, Ms Argerich was terribly busy in Argentina with the Argerich Music Festival.  Stress and fatigue was almost going to her limits with the strike, problems with the Foundation, etc. Further accident delayed her arrival in Japan by one day, but she pressed on to arrive safely. What forged her to come was the quote by Mr. Shoji Sato of Kajimoto Concert Management Company who said, "Can you fix the broken hearts of mentally handicapped children with the power of music ?" and "What can you accomplish with music ?"

      Ms Argerich joined by her piano duet partner of the day Miss Akane Sakai started off with the number W. A. Mozart/Sonata in D major, K.381 (123a) for Piano for 4 hands (Piano 1:Argerich, Piano 2:Sakai). And next, Miss Akane Sakai went on to play Chopin/Mazurka No. 39 in B minor, Op.63-1. Then Ms Argerich played "Bourrée" from J. S. Bach/English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV.807 (solo !). Suddenly Ms Argerich threw a question to her young audience, "Do you want a fast music ?  Or, a slow one ? " The unanimous voice from the crowed was "A fast one !"  The duo played  Schubert/Marches caractéristique - No.1 in C major, Op.121 (D.886) (Piano 1:Sakai, Piano 2:Argerich). Before the final performance of the day, Ms Argerich personally explained about the following number to be performed. They played Argerich's favorite number, Ravel/Ma Mère l'Oye ifor 4 handsj - 1. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant. Lent   2. Petit Poucet. Très mod éré   3. Laideronnette, Impératrice des Pagodes. Mouvement de Marche (Piano 1:Argerich, Piano 2:Sakai). We must note that a "special piano" under development by Mr. Hodouchi of Yamaha Company. was used at this concert.

      When the performance ended there were questions from the young audience. One such was, "What is a piano for you, Ms Argerich ?" Ms Argerich gently replied, "For me, a piano is like a person. When I was little I played the piano to control my anger, just like involving myself in sports and enjoying a game." "Don't your fingers hurt when you play the piano ?" was another question, to which she replied, "Depends on the music, but it's just like walking and does not hurt. Piano is better than playing a violin where you are forced to take a certain posture." And finally to, "Do you have any pianists that you respect ?", she responded, "Anyone who is alive today ? Among those who have passed away, I can list Horovitz, Richter and Gulda. For a young pianist, my favorite is Kissin. There are many that I like."

      After the discussion, Ms Argerich listened to the school song sung by the youths. She noted the young man accompanying with the piano and told him, "You have talent. Can you play something for me ?" He promptly responded and played "No.15 D minor, Sostenuto" from Chopin/24 Préludes, Op. 28. Ms Argerich warmly applauded his performance and pulled out some flowers from the bouquet she received earlier to hand over to this young pianist. What a lucky fellow ! This incident probably would remain in his heart the rest of his life. Whatever hardship he would encounter in the future, he could overcome them cherishing a remarkable moment he had shared with Ms Argerich.

      On one such school Ms Argerich visited, there was one autistic child who resisted writing anything to express his feeling. But after listening to her concert, he chose to write a composition explaining his excitement. Ms Argerich's music continues to capture and thrill the hearts of many for many decades. This is due to her supernatural playing techniques, her personality filled with love, and her radiant beauty. She herself is a miracle; no wonder she continues to create miracles around the globe.

 

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