大きなマリンバを前に長身の布谷史人さんが両手に２本のマレットを自在に操りながら演奏するのを満杯の観客はその目と耳を一点に集中して聴き入りました。水面に一滴の水滴が落ちるようなピアニシモの微かな音、まるで無数のコマネズミたちが忙しく駆け回るように軽やかで素早い音の連続、お腹に深く響くような強い、けれどもどこか温かみのある音、どれひとつ聞き漏らすまいと観客は無言でその音色を聴きました。
二年ぶりの布谷史人さんのマリンバはやはり凄かったです。耳にしたことのある曲も初めて聞く曲も、布谷さんが演奏するとそのどれもが一つの話を聴いているようで引き込まれていきます。小さな息遣いや、長くダイナミックに語り終わった後そっとつく一息、その後静かに元の自分に戻っていくような、そんな布谷さんのストーリー性や美意識を演奏を聴いていて感じました。「手を上げて質問するなんて僕にはできないんです」と自身を語っていた布谷さん。そんな布谷さんだからこそ、マリンバのマレットに託して自己を表現しているのでしょう。繊細な内面を持つ布谷史人さんです。「困難を乗り切るにはどうしたらいいですか」との質問に「練習です」と言い切っていらっしゃいました。「ゆっくり繰り返し練習しているうちに、いつかできるようになります」これは何にでも当てはまりますね。
８曲の演奏を譜面台を置かないで演奏する布谷さんの超人的な姿はいつも通り。アンコールにリクエストしておいた琵琶湖周航の歌は滋賀県民だけでなく誰もの心に響き、胸に込み上げるものがありました。私の体力が持ち、布谷さんのスケジュールが合えば、来年も多賀あさひやで布谷さんのマリンバ演奏が聴けるでしょう。
The full audience concentrated while they listened to marimba music by Fumito Nunoya. He held two mallets in each hand and played the big marimba in front of him amazingly. There were subtle sounds like a drop falling on the surface of water, then light, rapidly moving sounds as if countless numbers of waltzing mice were scurrying around, as well as deep heavy sounds which I could feel in my stomach but still they had a warmth to them. People tried to catch all of these sounds.
Nunoya's marimba concert, which took place two years since the last one in Asahiya was awesome as I expected. It contained both some familiar music and some new to us and we were drawn into the world which Nunoya created. Sometimes I felt it was a subtle breath, sometimes it was a relieved breath after a long dynamic speech and went back to the original state. I could imagine a story and feel his artistry in his music. He described himself as a person who is not able to raise his hand even if he had a question. That's why he expresses himself with marimba with some mallets. I guess he is a gentle and sensitive person. At the Q & A time, one of the audience asked him what is the way to overcome the difficulties. Mr. Nunoya answered clearly that it is practice. He said that he practiced slowly over and over, then he could reach the point where he could manage it. I think it applies to anything.
Mr. Nunoya played eight marimba music without putting a music stand in front of him and that was his usual style although it was an extraordinary ability. He played Lake Biwa Rowing Song as the encore piece which I requested. It was so expressive and emotional and I almost cried. If I will still have power and if it fits Nunoya's schedule, you will listen to his marimba at Taga Asahiya next year again.
