Translated and subbed by gladi (wherespacepooh@twi, tumblr)
http://www.toto-growing.com/interview29_1
http://www.toto-growing.com/interview29_2
Somewhere in the Tokyo region, at an event hall flush with soft lighting, a beautiful, powerful melody reverberated. It was Chopin’s Ballade No.1. The performer is Kanon Matsuda. Having been studying in Moscow since the tender age of 6, in 2014 she entered the Moscow State Conservatory on a special scholarship from the Russian government, a Japanese first. She is one of the most watched young pianists at the moment.
Diagonally behind Matsuda-san, cutting a slender form, with his eyes closed, a young man is lost in the performance, at times moving his body to the rhythm. It is Yuzuru Hanyu of figure skating, who performs this piece as his short program for the 2017-18 season.
It was a breathtaking, overwhelming performance. When Matsuda-san stood up and bowed to Hanyu-senshu after the end, Hanyu asked for the camera to pause for a bit. “Sorry, because I was sweating. Right now, (the short program) is going through in my head nonstop. Aah! I’m nervous.”
After wiping the back of his neck with a handkerchief, grabbing a sip of his drink and catching his breath, Hanyu-senshu returned again to where Matsuda-san was. Arts and sports, the two young talents began to talk about “expression”.