Violinist Asuka Sezaki enchants guests at Japanese Ambassador’s residence
An invitation to the Japanese Embassy always means an opportunity to experience something wonderful. This time, Japanese Ambassador Takanori Kitamura had a surprise for his guests, the young musician Asuka Sezaki, with her expressive face, graceful movements, and musical skill. Sezaki played a Stradivarius, which she won the right to use for two years. «This violin speaks to me, and what it says touches my heart,» she told Helbi in the fluent French that she learnt during her five years at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Paris, which followed her studies in Tokyo. Sezaki enchanted the guests with a series of classical violin solos followed by works of Japanese composers. Later she spoke to Helbi and gave us a CD, «to remember this special evening.» The columnist replied, wishing «that we can applaud you soon at the Herod Atticus Theater, on a moonless night under the floodlit Parthenon, where a musical performance can reach the stars.» The violinist thanked us but explained that the precious instrument, which she has the right to use until October of this year, cannot be exposed to the outdoors. It was not only a privilege to hear her in the charming surroundings of the Japanese ambassador’s residence in Palaio Psychico, but a rewarding prelude to a promising musical summer.
