When professional world-travelling virtuoso Tetsuumi Nagata takes the stage at the Port Theatre next Saturday, it will be special.
“It will be very emotional, and very exciting,” said Nagata, a native of Nanaimo. “To come back home, and play where I grew up, is like a dream come true. I’m really looking forward to being on the Port Theatre stage again.”
Nagata, who holds a his Master of Performance degree from London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama will be performing with the Vancouver Island Symphony on Saturday (Oct. 25). The concert is to celebrate the Vancouver Island Symphony’s 20th anniversary.
“It’s been a long road since then,” said.
Tetsuumi’s musical journey began at age five when he took violin lessons with Marlin Wolfe at the Nanaimo Conservatory of Music.
“Without Marlin, I wouldn’t be here where I am today,” he said.
At age 10, he made his debut as a soloist with the Vancouver Island Symphony playing Vivaldi’s Four Seasons then joined the orchestra playing second violin.
In the fall of 2000, he left Nanaimo and his family to pursue studies for six years at the Yehudi Menuhin School in the United Kindgom, followed by four years at Guildhall.
“I can’t believe how much time has gone by,” he said. “I’ve had a lot of guidance, a lot of study, but it’s paid off and I feel very proud to be going into the world. I play all kinds of music with symphony and chamber orchestras, different ensembles, and solo – to all sorts of audiences. One of my dreams was to travel and I’ve been lucky enough to perform in China, Greece, Spain, Brazil, Estonia, Italy, and more.”
Much of Tetsuumi’s time is currently spent playing viola with the Benyounes String Quartet, which in August won second prize with the 2014 Orlando International String Quartet Competition in Holland. Meanwhile, the audience will not only get to meet the grown-up Nagata, they will have the chance to hear one of the most beautiful and popular concertos ever written.
“To play Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto is a big honour for me. It is such a romantic and extremely virtuosic piece,” he said.
Tetsuumi Nagata performs Saturday at the Port Theatre. For more information including ticket prices, please visit www.vancouverislandsymphony.com.
