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2022-10-09 Update

Mito Chamber Orchestra【Artist Interview】Mao Fujita (piano)

Toward the One and Only Music Experience
Pianist Mao Fujita interview


 
Ever since being a finalist at The International Tchaikovsky Competition in 2019 (tied for second place), you have achieved outstanding success on the international stage. Could you please tell us about your recent performance activities?

I am on tour right now and visiting Lucerne, Switzerland. I will be performing with the Lucerne Festival Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Chailly. Last month (in July) I performed at the Verbier Festival & Academy in Switzerland, the Lockenhaus Chamber Music Festival in Austria, and the Festival de La Roque-d'Anthéron in France. In September I will be performing at the Tsinandali Festival in Georgia. The situation of the world seems to be finally returning to normal, and I am very pleased to go back on stage all over the world.
 
You had piano recitals at Sagawa Library in Mito City in February 2018 and July 2020. Could you share your memory of these recitals?

The 2020 recital was especially memorable. I hadn't had a chance to perform on stage for several months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. I restarted my career at this recital in Sagawa Library. It was so satisfying and heartfelt to perform at a live concert where I could connect with the real feel of the audience that I had missed in online performances or concerts without an audience.
 
You will be performing with MCO (Mito Chamber Orchestra) for the first time. What is your impression of MCO?

I heard that all MCO members were the world's finest leading musicians. I have an impression that each member has their own strong will and opinions. I am looking forward to creating the one and only music experience that cannot be done with other orchestras.
 
In the upcoming concert, we are asking you to perform without a conductor, which is one of the key characteristics of MCO. Will this be your first time playing a solo in a concerto without a conductor?

I have played the piano without a conductor when I played Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 26 with the NHK Symphony Orchestra, and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 with the Orchestra Ensemble Kanazawa. Frankly speaking, as a soloist it's ideal to have a conductor, but I think it is worthwhile to have a rehearsal process where musicians actively express their point of view.
 
In the upcoming program, we wanted to focus on Mozart, and we have asked you to perform one of Mozart's Piano Concertos. You have proposed to perform Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488. Could you tell us why you selected this piece, and what fascinated you about it?

I will be performing this piece in public for the first time. This piece shows Mozart's unique ability to dramatically change musical characteristics. It takes a lot of expressive prowess to present these diverse elements with one unifying clear vision, instead of chaotic turmoil. I proposed this piece because I was convinced that MCO members and I could achieve this vision.
 
The audience in Mito are looking forward to the upcoming concert. Could you give them a message?

I will be sharing the stage with MCO for the first time. And it will be my first performance at Art Tower Mito (ATM). Such an encounter will inevitably bring fresh sensations and stimulation to the music. In addition, I am excited that it will be my first concert in Japan in six months. May I ask you to warmly welcome this fledgling artist who is trying to absorb overseas experiences as much as possible.
 
August 12, 2022
Interviewer: Akira Nakamura
(Mito Arts Foundation)

We acknowledge the kind assistance of Japan Arts Corporation.
© 2019 MITO ARTS FOUNDATION All Rights Reserved.

Mito Chamber Orchestra: The 110th Regular Concert
October 28 & 29, 2022
Concert Hall ATM 
For more information, click here