Revival! Stanislav Bunin

Revival! Stanislav Bunin(1966-)

//Summary - Level-C2//

Stanislav Bunin, a celebrated pianist and 1985 Chopin Competition winner, faced a nine-year hiatus due to severe health challenges, including injury, necrosis from diabetes, and potential amputation. His dedication to music fueled his arduous recovery, ultimately enabling his return to performance. In 2022, he resumed playing in Japan, inspiring audiences with his resilience and passion for beauty.

A)
Broadcast on NHK BS on 21 October 2022
"Still, I play the piano ~ Beyond the 9-year gap of the genius pianist Bunin ~."
I belatedly watched the recording.

Bunin is a genius pianist who won the Chopin International Piano Competition in 1985 at 19, making him the youngest winner in history.
Even if you're not a music fan, you should know about it because it started the Bunin boom in Japan.

B)
I learned from the programme that he had toured the world, but his musical activities had been suspended for nine years due to repeated injuries and illnesses.
First, his left hand stopped working, probably due to overuse of the fingers.
The cause seemed to be calcification due to chronic inflammation in his left shoulder joint.
Later, he suffered a compound fracture in his left leg as a result of a fall.

C)
As he originally had type 1 diabetes, necrosis occurred due to delayed wound healing.
He saw doctors all over the world but was told that his only option was to have his left lower leg amputated.
If he underwent amputation, he would no longer be able to play the piano.

As I will explain later, his intense love of music prevented him from making this choice.
Through his persistence, he met a German doctor who was able to prevent the amputation of his lower leg.

D)
Again, this was the first time I learned this from the show, but he is a big fan of Japan, and his wife is Japanese.
He seems to have lived in both Germany and Japan after defecting from the Soviet Union.
His operation will be in Germany, and his rehabilitation will be in Japan.
The TV programme reflects his wife's involvement during this time.

E)
The operation was successful, but the rehabilitation process was long.
Although he survived a transtibial amputation, all the necrotic tissue was removed, resulting in a shortened left leg.
As a result, he had to wear special shoes with super thick soles, as shown in the photo.

F)
Also, although his ankle joints and those below are still intact, he can no longer move them, so he has to use his thighs to press the foot pedals on the piano.

This must have made his rehabilitation very difficult.
He had to regain his performance as a world-class musician, not just at the level of everyday life.
The nine-year road to recovery must have been tough.

G)
He chose Japan for his first concert after his return, where he had long been rehabilitated.
On Saturday, 25 June 2022, he returned to the Yatsugatake Kogen Music Hall.
BS broadcasts brought us his genius, uncompromising pursuit of beauty, struggles, and beautiful appearance with his wife, Eiko.

H)
On another day, when asked about the driving force behind his near-obsessive revival, his response was as follows:

Music is so deep and beautiful; it has a supreme beauty and touches our heartstrings.
This music drew me back to the instrument.
I began to think I wanted to experience the beauty of music again.
I wanted my hands to fill my mind with music.

I)
The above is a scene from the Showa Women's University Hitomi Memorial Auditorium concert on 18 July 2022.
The official abridged version has been released, so if you missed the BS broadcast, please check it out.
https://youtu.be/wqePJcCMNoI

J)
This time, through Mr Bunin, I witnessed a remarkable revival of humanity.
Sometimes, a "revival" can be more complex than the first success.
I love revivals, no matter how big or small.

K)
I was moved to see Bunin continue to pursue something beautiful and make a comeback even though he was forced into a difficult situation.

Why was I so moved?
Probably because a heart that sincerely seeks beautiful things must be beautiful in itself.

“30th Anniversary of Chopin Competition Winner & 30th Anniversary of Performance”
Bunin's Bach performance stands out for its transparent, light touch and supple musicality. Unlike the early music style of recent years, which is conscious of the harpsichord, he gives a pianistic performance by using the piano in an open manner where it should be played.

Still, I play the piano ~ Beyond the genius pianist Bunin's nine-year gap ~

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=776645870070116

What are the characteristics of Russian pianism, your exile, and your thoughts on music?
Stanislav Bunin "Music's "life-giving energy" saves the spiritual life."

https://ontomo-mag.com/article/interview/bunin-202106/

Stanislav Stanislavovich Bunin(1966-) Wikipedia

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%8B%E3%82%B9%E3%83%A9%E3%83%95%E3%83%BB%E3%83%96%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8B%E3%83%B3

//Postscript//

Around the time I was serious about learning piano, the Russian pianist Bunin, who won the Chopin Competition, created a massive boom in Japan.

He performed a piano concert like a rock star, receiving enthusiastic cheers from young Japanese women.
But one day, he suddenly disappeared. I didn't know the reason until recently. I knew only that he married a Japanese woman.

As I read in this article, he suffered from an illness and underwent major surgery to determine if he could continue his life as a pianist.
As a result, his left leg is short, he wears very platform shoes, and he seems to have trouble pedalling the piano.

However, his passion for the piano remained unchanged.
Of course, the glittering brilliance of Bach and Rachmaninoff in 1990 has now faded.
However, as we imagine his heart, we can also listen to the beautifully revived tones.

H)
On another day, when asked about the driving force behind his near-obsessive revival, his response was as follows:

p.s.
I can't stop the tears flowing every time I read this voice from his heart.

Stanislav Bunin Piano Recital

https://www.suntory.co.jp/suntoryhall/schedule/detail/20241110_M_3.html

Date and time: Sunday, November 10, 2024
Venue: Suntory Hall, Large Hall
Piano: Stanislav Bunin
Piece: Chopin:
Nocturne No. 20 in C sharp minor, "Posthumous"
Waltz No. 9 in A flat major, Op. 69-1, "Farewell"
Waltz No. 10 in B minor, Op. 69-2, etc.