Nikkan Sun "The Way of the Pianist" Archives - Page 3 of 3

A Shared Destiny

Nikkan Sun "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

However divided we are on issues at hands, we all suffer the effect of our collective decisions at the end. We share our hopes and dreams for our future, and the future of our children. We are more than the thoughts we consciously think. When we listen to the same music together, our heartbeats, breathes and brainwaves start to synchronize. Let’s not forget respect for each other’s dignity. Let’s have faith in each other’s humanity. I send out my music every day with these hopes and prayers.

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Cultural Bridge Around the Globe!

Nikkan Sun "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

This is an English translation of an article published in Nikkan San on October 17, 2019, as a part of my column, “The Way of the Pianist. As a Japanese-born US resident, and a Japanese classical musician, I always saw a part of my role as a that of a cultural ambassador. It was not until 2011,

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Arts in Health

9 Comments / Nikkan Sun "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

This is an English translation of an article published in Nikkan San on October 3, 2019, as a part of my column, “The Way of the Pianist. 「Change happens by listening…」said Jane Goodall, famous for her groundbreaking studies of primates by having lived among them since the 1950’s. Goodall stood alongside Greta Thunberg (16) of Sweden and

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To Perform in Japan

Nikkan Sun "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

This is an English translation of an article published in Nikkan San on Aug 1, 2019, as a part of my column, “The Way of the Pianist. Beyonce said “If everything was perfect, you would never learn, and you would never grow.” There are always challenges to any performances. I am writing this article in Japan to

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The Importance of Rests

2 Comments / Nikkan Sun "The Way of the Pianist" / Makiko Hirata

This is an English translation of an article published in Nikkan San on April 18, 2019, as a part of my column, “The Way of the Pianist. “Music is not in the notes, but in the silence between.” This quote, sounding like a Zen koan, is usually attributed to Mozart although Debussy, Miles Davis and

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