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		(C) Yoshimasa Hatano（Photo)

These extracts are from interviews made during Nyiregyházi's visits in Japan. These are all translated from Japanese articles. I don't have the original English words.

Silent period

I had a lot of troubles with my manger. I had to play under circumstances where I could not control my own programs and other situations (1).

It is true that I had troubles with my manger in NY. And it is also problematic that I could not handle my concerts in my own way. I needed complete freedom, in order to do my performances sucessfully, but I couldn't have it. For me, freedom is what I want to achieve through my expression. In my own life, I have lived as I liked. But there were too many restrictions to do concert performances (3).

I just wanted to protect my freedom. But I couldn't do it in my music. However, I believe that I have protected at least my freedom in my life (3).

I was dissapointed at how concerts were handled then (3).

(Asked if he has slept in subway stations) It is exagerated. Yes, there were a few times that I did that ......... but it was only for a few days during 1925. It wasn't that bad (3).

Performance

I dislike playing piano for others. Somtimes I do play for them. But I like playing it for myself. I would do it because I like it. I wouldn't do it if I don't feel like doing it. It would be a problem for me if I must perform under circumstances that force me to play (1).

Practice isn't important for me, because my performance is driven by my feeling and emotion (2).

I don't own a piano now. I don't need it, because I can always hear it. Even though there are no keys around me, I can feel them through my fingers and hands (3).

When I play other's works, I sometimes play "fast" tunes. But I like "slow" tunes emotionally and chatacteristically. I like deep, dark, and tragic works. Those kinds of works would fit with my nature. I wouldn't force others to like those, as they should have freedom as well as I do（3).

The most important thing for me is to express my feeling and emotion. I want to express what I feel about human life through my music. ---------I try to concentrate as much as I can, and then express as realistically as possible（3).

I try to follow the composer's spirit as close as possible（3).

I tend to apply thick sonority to base notes. This approach would be suitable to expresse the dark and tragic emotion that I feel for human life（3).


Compositions and Critics

I am not going to publish my compositions becuase I believe pianists and critics wouldn't understand them and even criticize them. They would reject them not because my works are bad, but because my compositions are written in an old-fashoned 19th century style. I won't perform them in front of that kind of people (1).

I don't think professional musicians and critics would like my compositons（3).

Critics are different from the general public...........They try to control the public and give wrong direction (3).

Composers and performers

I want to be close to Liszt's spirit. I think we have a lot in common (1).

I like Tchaikovsky, Wagner, and Grieg......but I can't think of all the names (2).

I feel associated with composers in the 19th century such as Liszt, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, and Wagner. I don't like the music of the 20th century (2).

I am interested in Paderewski and Busoni. I actually heard their performance when they were alive. I also like Horowitz (2).

I really love Liszt. I like his idealism and his love of freedom. He believed in freedom enthusiastically. He pursued spiritual values as I do (3).

Recordings

I am not against doing recordings (1).

(Being asked about recordings in Takasaki) I really want them to publish it. I also have recording contracts with another company. But I don't know what's ongoing and what to do about it. I sent a letter to them, but I haven't gotten any response from them............... I hope my records will come out (1).

Non-music issues

I don't like the modern society (1).

I did my best so far, although I am not satisfied. You could say I could have lived my life in a better way. But I did all I could (3).

The music bussiness prevents the general public from experiencing music properly. I believe they affect audiences badly. I am pessimistic about what's going on. I don't know what will happen in the future, but the current situation is terrible (3).

		(C) Yoshimasa Hatano

Japan

I think the Japanese people accept what I want to express in a nice way. I believe they understand my approach better than other nations (3).

If I had to dissappear again, I wish I could do it here in Japan. It must be comfortable（3).

1) Ongakugendai、1980
2) JomoShinbun、1/20/1982
3) NHK、imakonohitoni、1982