By Nancy Wilcox, Special to the Star-Bulletin
Jon Nakamatsu performs with the Asian Youth Symphony.
Pianist exhibits
By Tim Ryan
gentle mastery
of his music
Star-BulletinHONG KONG -- Pianist Jon Nakamatsu steps off the silver train that takes 20 minutes to reach downtown Hong Kong from the airport. He pulls a small, wheeled suitcase as he searches the 5 a.m. crowd at Central Station for his ride to the hotel.
When someone mistakes him for one of the 106 students attending the Asian Youth Orchestra "Rehearsal Camp" in Hong Kong, Nakamatsu smiles, saying: "You're very kind."
"I'm the soloist playing with AYO," the 30-year-old whispers. "I'm Jon Nakamatsu."
The former high school German teacher from Sunnyvale, Calif., who two years ago won the Gold Medal at the 10th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, is as modest as he is talented.
The AYO kids with whom Nakamatsu plays tomorrow and Saturday at first eyed Nakamatsu with admiration and disbelief.
"He looks so young," one says.
"Look how strong his hands are, but he touches the keys so gently," says another.
When he begins practicing in the rehearsal hall, several dozen orchestra members stop to listen.
"It's OK to talk," Nakamatsu says to his observers. "I like noise; it relaxes me."
Among the prizes Nakamatsu received for the Cliburn were two years of career management and international concert engagements, and a recital debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He played more than 100 engagements the first year; 80 this year.
"In Europe rarely is there someone at the airport to meet you," he said. "Many times I arrive in the middle of the night; I don't know the language or how to get to the hotel. It can be lonely."
At the time of Nakamatsu's Cliburn victory he was barely making a career as a concert pianist while working as a teacher. When he tried to enter the Cliburn competition in 1992 he didn't get past the screening rounds. Music managers told him that unless he won a major award, or demonstrated an ability to fill halls, they wouldn't engage him.
These days Nakamatsu is praised for his "solid, effortless and comprehensive technique," "wide dynamics and spectrum of tone colors," "exquisite good taste," "commanding musical authority" and "poet's imagination."
Neither of Nakamatsu's parents -- both from Hawaii -- are musical. His father is an electrical engineer. The parents constantly reminded their son that loving music was fine, but he would still have to eat and pay rent. "That's why I didn't put all my eggs in one basket and became a teacher."
His most memorable performance has been his Hawaii debut last year with the Honolulu Symphony. "My relatives here knew I played the piano but really didn't know what it meant or how important it was for me," he said. "It really wouldn't mean anything if there wasn't the human side to it."
Asian Youth Orchestra
with pianist Jon NakamatsuIn concert: 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at Waikiki Shell and Saturday at Blaisdell Center Concert Hall
Talent beyond
By Tim Ryan
their years
Star-BulletinHONG KONG -- Make no mistake. The Asian Youth Orchestra is no bunch of musicians in waiting. And its two Hawaii debut concerts may be the musical bargain of the year. This group of 106 musicians from 11 Asian countries brings to the stage youthful energy, creativity, exuberance and a spark their more wizened peers sometimes lack. But the AYO also possesses talent beyond its members' years. In a word, the orchestra is remarkable.
The AYO, which completes its Pacific Rim tour in Hawaii, is celebrating its 10th anniversary since being founded by artistic and executive director Richard Pontzious.
In its first concert last month in Hong Kong, under the leadership of conductor Sergiu Comissiona, the orchestra put on an amazing display throughout.
What's particularly remarkable is that just three weeks before that performance, most of the musicians had never played in an orchestra. And while there was plenty of youthful excitement, there was also rigid discipline and respect for the music, thanks to Comissiona's strict baton.
The musicians had perfectly synchronized technical skills and complete understanding of the music. The strings, particularly co-concertmasters Lee Chen Jui, 22, of Taiwan; and Le Hoai Nam, 19, of Vietnam, were luminous, rich in tone and accurate in technique. Another standout was trumpet player Letkiat Chingjirajitra, 23, of Thailand.
The program, chosen primarily by Pontzious, allowed the musicians numerous possibilities for excellence or failure.
There was no failing, which seems to underline Pontzious's confidence in this group.
The string section provided a balanced, refined sound, firm but still flexible. Audience members were overheard praising the winds for their fullness in sound and accuracy.
An added feature was the sheer joy on these musicians' faces in performance and later, the audience's thundering ovation.
Nam made no attempt to hide his pleasure, turning from side of the hall to the other, wearing a smile from ear to ear.
Beethoven's Concerto No. 3 in C minor filled the Concert Hall with a heavenly sound that was passionate and studied, with accurate rhythms and supple, quick -- yet flowing -- changes in tone. And the pulsating rhythms of Gustav Holst's Opus 32, "Planets" made even the most staid concertgoers sway in their seats.
Jon Nakamatsu, who performed with the Honolulu Symphony last year, also appeared, and his performance alone is worth the price of admission. The soft-spoken pianist plays with a blend of sensitivity and technical mastery.
His fingers move faster than the eye can focus, yet his enthusiasm never overshadows the music or his remarkable ability.
Bravo.
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