On November 10, 2011, Nobuyuki Tsujii, the blind pianist from Japan who was the winner of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Gold Medal in 2009 appeared on the stage of Carnegie Hall.

His dream had come true. Arguably the most important event in the career of any performer, for Nobu it was a miracle. With his brilliant technique and beautiful tone, he contrasts familiar warhorses with newer pieces, including one of his own compositions, written in memory of the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. Nobu brought the usually reserved Carnegie Hall audience to its feet.

Interviewed after Nobuyuki Tsujiis recital, Van Cliburn observed: What a thrill to hear this brilliant, very gifted, fabulous pianist. You feel Gods presence in the room when he plays. His soul is so pure, his music is so wonderful and it goes to infinity, to the highest heaven.