I was informed that Rafał read messages from Japanese fans that were posted on this blog, under the title of "Take a good rest, Rafał-san - messages from Japanese fans" dated Jan. 31.
"Rafał was very moved by all the words of support, encouragement and prayer from the fans and is very grateful for them". "He expressed his thanks to the Japanese fans for their supportive reaction and understanding", according to a source close to the artist.
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| @Tokyo Opera City, Oct. 2010, courtesy Ongaku-no-tomo |
I also believe that the wishes are shared with his fans in Korea.
Cancellation notice of Blechacz's recital by Seoul Arts Center, Feb. 2
Cancellation notice in details (Korean)
The notice says that Blechacz expressed his thanks to Korean audience for having interest in his recital and apology for causing disappointment by the cancellation.
Let me copy the comment from yesterday's post by a Korean fan;
"Oh my god I really truly sincerely hope him get better soon. If I can I'd like to send all of healthy food I could get to him till he feels good again. Every time I felt sad, discouraged or got sick I heard Blechacz's music only and got new strength. But it makes me sad that all I can do is just wishing him recover soon when he sicks. Blechacz can come to Korea anytime he wants. The most important thing is his health absolutely. -anonymous Korean fan"
I believe the prayer has been heard.
I was informed that he still has some fever but not so high as before and his appetite is improving.
*****
Followings are links to Internet news about Blechacz in Korea that the anonymous Korean fan above-mentioned sent to this blog a few days ago.
She said each site with English translation that she made can show that "so many Korean fans have been excited about him and his recital for so long".
site 1 site 2 site 3 site 4
She also sent this link to Blechacz's fan page in Baidu
'He still has some fever but not so high as before and his appetite is improving' <- What a happy news this is!!! I'm dancing right now in front of monitor oh yeah! Korean organization company hasn't said anything about Blechacz's illness, but today morning I saw his recital was deleted from the list of recital at 13 Feb in Seoul Arts Center's homepage. Anyway, I'm not sure whether I can ask you this or not but if you can, could you send the messages from Korean fans I translated some days ago to Blechacz? So he would know that there are many people who love his pianism deeply in Korea, too. And I'm not Chinese but Blechacz's fanpage in Baidu already exists http://tieba.baidu.com/f?kw=blechacz I wish Blechacz would visit 3 countries all in future. -anon Kor
ReplyDeleteOk, it's a little awkward but I am actually the administrator of that tieba. It's sort of like a sub-reddit (or 2ch...but less anonymous?) kind of discussion board. I post news (crediting to your site, of course) and bootleg youtube videos and post it there.
DeleteRafal, compared to the "Big Two", doesn't have that many fans in China (but that's actually a good thing because you don't know how vicious some fans can be) but so far from all I have heard are praises for his playing, from people who heard him live, watched his video and bought his CDs. Just a few days ago, I was told by someone who has attended his concert, in a completely unrelated board, that he played so well live and was such a gentleman.
Anyway, I wish him a speedy recovery. He can chose to visit whatever country he wants (I understand that Zimerman doesn't want to visit China for some political reason) but his music really is appreciated by people from every corner in the world.
So you speak Chinese, too? Thank you for the interesting info.
DeleteRafał's playing is universally accepted but it also is more specific to the discerning audience who have distinguished sensitivity regardless of their music background, in my observation. He is a different kind of artist from the big two. Yes he can visit any country that he wants.
Yup. I only moved here 11 years ago so the language is still with me.
DeleteAs for the board, I actually am not that dedicated compared to you. When I tried to register an account at Baidu, the ID I normally like to use, wieniawski (I can't remember names I made up myself) was taken so Rafal's name just popped up.
Then I reckon since I am walking around with that ID, I might as well start a little board with some like-minded piano friends and promote some fresh blood. I used to moderate the classical music board a little so I managed to do some Blechacz plug over there as well. lol.
It's still pretty small and slow but I am glad that it's not filled with comments like "Ahh, you are so cute/you look like this celebrity/I dreamed about you yesterday" ....
I personally think it's not about a specific sensitivity, but how the listeners don't get exposed to his music. People would know a piece/interpretation sound good when they heard it... But most younger classical music listeners in China don't get to since their attention are grabbed by some products of consumerism. At the end, only the small percentage of people who are willing to listen to music for music alone (not the bourgeois/classy/holier-than-thou aspects about it) end up finding the gem.
Oh, man...I need to stop writing novels here. (Maybe I will e-mail you about the ongoing farce happening to the classical world there...It has nothing to do with RB but it gave me quite a bit of entertainment for the past few months).
I thought you are Polish-origin:)
DeleteThanks a lot for interesting observations which otherwise I don't have opportunity to know about.
For now, let me focused on wishing for Rafał's recovery.
Yes it's a good sign of improvement!
ReplyDeleteI also noticed that his recital was deleted from SAC page.
I pasted the four links that you sent to us the other day and this link to Chinese site on this post.
Thanks and Kamsahamunida.
Thank you very much for links, Akiko! Well, I don't know abc of Chinese language but I used Google translater to understand Baidu Blechacz's fanpage, so I can't be sure if I understand them exactly but they deeply discussed about Blechacz's music style or his choice of songs etc, celebrated his birthday every year and Chinese people can't access youtube so they transformed all of Blechacz's videos to available forms to appreciate his music. Personally I find this passion for him very moving. -anon Kor
ReplyDeleteThank you for the info. As for the technical question about Baidu you have, could you e-mail Citrine? Thanks!
DeleteOh, I am truly relieved to read that Rafał's condition is improving and that he had the opportunity to read some of those cheerful words of support and encouragement.
ReplyDeleteYesterday, after a hard and mentally exhausting week, again I felt grateful that we have his beautiful, extremely "bright" musical interpretations of some pieces, which give us so much hope... and that we can listen to them anytime we want :)
Warm hugs from Poland,
Marzena J.
(currently taking vitamins and drinking a lot of tea with honey&lemon as a sort of prevention from strange viruses... as there are some assignments waiting... ;-)
Hi, Marzena,
DeleteI can guess how you felt comforted by his bright, depthful interpretations after finishing days of hard work. You are right, we can listen to his interpretations anytime, anywhere:D
The pianist who makes us so happy is still struggling. But I've heard he improved again (with some fever, though).
Yes, you shouldn't downplay basic preventive measures; washing hands, gargling, in addition to vitamins, etc..:)) Good luck in your next assignments!
Dear Rafal,
ReplyDeleteI'm your fan in Osaka. I was surprised that you got influenza. I hate the virus(｀_´) Please take a good care of yourself and sleep well. Now I'm looking forward to Polonaise CD. Thank you always for beautiful music.
I'm very sad that I can't see you at recital. But it's OK. I wish that you recover as soon as possible and play piano wonderfully as before. I always listen to your Chopin album and I am very happy. Thank you Rafal.
ReplyDeleteYuko, Japan
I'm one of his korean fan. When I heard his concert was cancelled because of his illness, I was deeply concerned of his health. I wish him a quick recovery. I'm so sad and depressed that I can't see him, but willing to wait for him with a glad heart. Just the thought of it made my heart flutter : )
ReplyDeleteI'm also looking forward to polonaise recording!
Lastly, thank you for this informative blog. Thanks to this blog I can understand his personality and philosophy more deeply!
Thank you for commenting from Korea. This morning, I received an e-mail from another fan of Rafał in Korea. She was just notified of the cancellation from the organizer and in state of shock. Once understanding what happened for the past week, however, she wrote;
Delete...now I see how Rafał is in harsh situation and I feel so sorry for him suffering like that. I give all my wishes for him to get better as soon as possible. And to see all those Japanese and Korean fans supporting him made me feel so bonded. I now truly believe that I will definitely see Rafał in near future with his best condition... I'll pray hard for Rafał's health.