This is what phenomenal is all about.
The first prize winner of the 18th International Chopin Piano Competition in 2015, Seong-Jin Cho gave an phenomenal performance of Heroic Polonaise. He eloquently expressed the powerful essence that penetrates the entire piece in exceptional sophistication. Twenty years old at that time, the South Korean pianist did this excellent job by giving each note a full life but without being garrulous at all.
No doubt a phenomenon, he reminded me that whether it is music, writing or movies, exceptional work has something in common -- they have seamless transition.
At a deeper level, I imagined that the similar background of Poland and Korea -- both countries have a history of being invaded and divided -- might have driven Chopin's innermost feelings home to Cho.
On the other side of the Sea of Japan, a street pianist also gave a compelling performance of Chopin's Heroic Polonaise. Playing the upright piano in front of Shin Yurigaoka train station, about 20 km (12 miles) from Shinjuku, he stopped passersby, drew a crowd of the audience and received standing ovation. He has a unique power to drive them and myself to listen until the end.
The Japanese performer named Hibiki appears as young as Cho. While they have different backgrounds, they are both very musical.
