(Jon Nakamatsu, l. and Perrin Yang, r.)
OK, now that I've gotten your attention ... I'm sure you're wondering and speculating what this "secret" could be, right? (Jon didn't actually say this was a "secret," but I figured it made for good "journalism.”) Read further to find out what it is.
Hint: The "secret" deals with Jon's super-human ability to dazzle audiences around the world with his fast and clear fingerwork on the keyboard, with his love for the music he plays.
Clue #1: His "secret" does NOT involve donning a red cape, X-ray vision or an aversion to Kryptonite.
Clue #2: The "secret" does not include any specific pre-concert rituals or superstitions (that I'm aware of) such as making sure to tie his left shoelace before the right, or depressing the soft pedal on the piano 3 times before beginning every piece, etc.
Clue #3: Jon discovered and used his "secret" to be successful in other walks of life other than music.
Between a rehearsal and our evening concert, Patty Sunwoo, David Brickman and I took Jon away from his practicing to get a bite to eat.
Due to the scheduling this year, our day off did not coincide with Jon's time in Vail, so this year, there won't be any harrowing hiking adventure with Jon to be related, as in years past. (I'm sure Jon didn't mind not being chased down a mountain by one of the sudden afternoon thunder and lightning storms this year.) We had a nice quiet lunch at a local Mexican favorite, Chilly Willy's, in Minturn, which is a small town outside of Vail.
Jon joined us for our opening concert in Vail, with a spectacular performance of a Mozart concerto. Three days later, he was on his way to Japan to perform two Rachmaninoff concertos (#2 and #3) in four cities (Tokyo, Hiroshima, Kawasaki, and I forget the last) with the former music director of the Syracuse Symphony, Kazuyoshi Akiayama. I'm sure his performances in Japan will be first class as they have all been when he's performed with the RPO.
So, how does he do it??? This is where we get to his "secret.” I think there are 3 parts to his secret (drumroll please.....) 1) Preparation 2) Hard work and 3) Dedication. OK, I know what you're thinking, that it's not as glamorous a secret as some super heroes or finding out how a magician can pull off a certain trick, but from our conversation, that's what I gathered.
Of course Jon has a special gift on the piano, but as we learned from his previous "day job,” he was able to use this formula to be successful at that as well. Most of you know that Jon taught German for a number of years before deciding to pursue his love of piano full time. When we spoke to him of his experience as a German teacher, in order to be successful as a teacher, he had to spend lots of time and thought outside of classroom teaching preparing for the next lesson. He taught a wide range of students, both in age and ability which made it even more challenging. Jon told us that it was possible to just kind of go through the motions year to year and using the same materials and methods to teach to get by, but in order to be really successful and make an impact on the students, preparation and dedication were key.
Jon has carried this philosophy and secret over to his piano playing. I think Jon is truly one of the hardest working musicians I've ever met, and as everybody can see and hear, all his work and dedication has surely paid off! So, for all you aspiring musicians out there, both young and old, I'm sure Jon wouldn't mind if you used and shared his "secret"!
Be sure to come out to Eastman Theatre this summer to hear Jon perform some Gershwin with your RPO!!! This concert will be kind of a warm-up for the recording project we're doing with Jon and Jeff Tyzik in July. So, if for some reason you're not able to hear Jon live this summer, be on the lookout for the RPO's next recording, an all Gershwin CD. See you back in Rochester!
--Perrin Yang, Violin
RPO member since 1991
