By Marsland Moncrief
The 13th Van Cliburn International Piano Competition concluded this past weekend following two weeks of entertaining Fort Worth with musical performances beginning with 29 competitors from 14 countries, and concluding with six finalists.  By the time the finals arrive, the audience has clearly chosen their favorites and this competition was no different.  Twenty-year-old Nobuyuki Tsusii of Japan had captured the hearts of the audience the first time he performed and continued to do so throughout the competition.  Tears streamed down faces as this young man was led off the stage, turning to smile at the audience and then returning for an encore, grasping for the piano edge for guidance before his bow.  Yes, he had mastered the musical pieces and rendered a winning performance, but there was more to why this young man had left the audience, jurors and conductors emotionally spellbound.  Nobuyuki Tsusii is blind and has been since birth, but despite not having sight he has allowed his other senses to guide him.  It can easily be said he plays by ear.  Can you imagine being led on stage to the piano bench, making the bench adjustments, having no sheet music for reference and then having to place your hands with the precise placement on the key board?  Not to mention performing with the legendary Takacs Quartet and concertos with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra where “sight cues” are the only means of communication between the pianist and the conductor and string players.  
    How does he do it?  I do not know anything about this young pianist’s spiritual life, but after having watched him perform these past two weeks with such confidence and command at the piano, I do know that he is playing with faith and by faith….that is all he has that gets him out on that stage in front of hundreds of people.  What an example he is for us of hope for those who strive for excellence overcoming handicaps or any other obstacle in life.  
    James Conlon, the guest conductor, who led the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra through the finals said, in his closing remarks at the Awards Ceremony, “that sometimes the real competition should be, and is, within ourselves.”  Being blind since birth and striving to be a pianist would allow one  certainly to endure a competition within oneself.  Bob Schieffer commented in his address at the Awards Ceremony, “that sometimes one’s talents can help to unlock something in us that will give us a greater vision.”
    So, to Nobuyuki Tsusii, we thank you for showing us that one can overcome obstacles, winning the competition within, giving us a greater vision, a vision that comes from walking (or playing) by faith and not by sight.
    And to our beloved Alann Sampson, member of St. Andrew’s, whose leadership and vision as Chairman of the Van Cliburn Foundation has provided our community and the world with the beauty of music, we thank you.
      “ Beauty is the echo of God.”
                              Alann Sampson
BRAVO!  THE VOTES ARE IN.  NOBUYUKI TSUSII WAS AWARDED THE FIRST PRIZE GOLD MEDAL SHARED WITH HAOCHEN ZHANG OF CHINA.