Yamaha Clavinova Concert 2007

Keyboard instruments were amongst one of the most popular instruments being learnt in Hong Kong. Yet, one cannot master the instrument in overnight's time. In the learning process, listening and observing are two critical elements that help learners embark on their studies.

On the 9th February 2007, one of Japan's best Electone Master, Mina Nakagawa, was invited to play with Pong Nan and a group of Tom Lee Music's Club Keyboard Course instructors at Ngau Chi Wan Civil Centre, sharing their music and experiences with an enthusiastic crowd in the YAMAHA Clavinova Club Keyboard Concert 2007.

Miss Mina Nakagawa
Miss Mina Nakagawa is one of Japan's best jazz Electone master. At the young age of four, she started learning Yamaha's Stagea keyboard. With years of performance experience, she is an Electone master and music arranger who digs into a variety of music styles, including Pop, Jazz, Latin and Film music. Her expressive performance style and musicianship are her greatest attractions as a musician. Apart from collaborating with band ensembles and concert artists, Miss Nakagawa makes frequent appearances in both music and electronic instrument development seminars.

Club Keyboard Course Instructors played the hits

Gigi, Ho, Yan and Mandy, four young and fabulous Club Keyboard Course Instructors were invited to play on stage. With the auto accompaniment function that comes with the YAMAHA Clavinova digital piano, Yan and Mandy easily added strings and drum kit sounds to their Cantonese love ballad. Tired of the radio edit played by DJs in the air? These instructors' instrumental performances were actually good substitutes, providing an alternate type of relaxing listening experience. And Ho, who was best known as a Club Keyboard Course Instructor, was in fact a saxophone know-how! In the evening, he picked one of Taiwanese Artist David Tao's romantic ballad to jam with Gigi. Those crystal-clear notes that came from Gigi's YAMAHA Clavinova digital piano, were a perfect company to Ho's warm and soothing saxophone tone. Another classic hit that appeared in the concert, was the theme song from a 70's movie, Mahogany. Originally performed by Diana Ross, this song, which is well- known as "Do you know where you're going to", were covered by the two MCs in this concert.

Music from the bottom of the heart - Miss Mina Nakagawa
Nakagawa was one of those musicians who have the ability to invite and lead the audience's way to her own musical world. Her performance in the evening was no exception.

Miss Mina Nakagawa's charismatic performance was well received by the audience. On her set list, there were a total of five song with contrasting moods and styles. Some of the tunes were prepared exclusively for Hong Kong's listeners. Humbly and friendlily, Miss Nakagawa greeted the audience in Cantonese and introduced the origin of the pieces that she played in the event.

"Chariot of Fire", written by legendary Greek composer Vangelis, were one of the New Age numbers in the concert. Don't worry if you have never heard of it－Most people do not know this song by its name. Yet, this Oscar Award-winning song is actually the background music that appears frequently in video footages of the ignition of the Olympic Flame. The tree chimes at the background, piano arpeggios that were crisp and clear, together with the slow and warm brass sections merged to form a five-minute piece that gives a intense spirit of hope and courage.

In "Water Fountain", we were able to experience Miss Nakagawa's notable ability to handle tempo, as well as her sensitive musical touch. In this slow, romantic and poignant piano work from the original sound track of The Secret of My Success, Nakagawa's fine keyboard artistry, had fully delivered the poetic changes and messages embedded in melody with superb sensitivity. Here, the sound of the string ensembles, not too dominant though, lingered beautifully in the air as the last piano note died as time elapsed, bit by bit. Miss Nakagawa, could you please come and play for us again on the next Valentine's Day?

And how did Miss Nakagawa learn "Fairy Tale", the mandarin song that topped many Chinese-speaking regions' charts in Asia? 'I came across with this song in China. Last year or so, I was performing in several cities in Mainland China, including Beijing. And whenever I go, I would hear this song', explained Nakagawa. To the audience's surprise, she also covered one of Hacken Lee's dramatic works, found in Lee's latest album release. And to wrap up her solo set, she chose Tango master Astor Piazollas' 'Libertango', providing an interesting contrast to all those previous numbers. Her playing was motivating. The sound of accordion drove the entire song, forming an intimate relationship with the Cello, just like the weight-shifting steps in tango dancing.

Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano Hong Kong & Macau region Spokesperson: Pong Nan

You don't need a big band, or a 50-person orchestra to make great music that moves people. Pong Nan's performance is an example. Nan, who is taking a short break now, thanked the audience's faithful support with his original compositions. In that evening, Nan was supported by his friend and lyrists, Vicky Fung, who sang while Nan accompanies her. He played a soft and beautiful piano piece called "June", and two more Cantonese pop songs that he wrote for local diva Joey Yung and Miriam Yeung. 

Mina Nakagawa and Pong Nan Crossover
Furthermore, Nan and Nakagawa jammed two songs that are widely known by both Chinese and Japanese. Nan was sitting on the left of the stage, while Nakagawa was on the right, playing on another YAMAHA Clavinova digital pian. Before they hit the first note, the enthusiastic audience welcomed this Sino-Japanese duet warmly with a great applause. Together, they played Ken Hirai's "Hitomi wo Tozite", as well as one of Theresa Tang's classic mandarin hit, "Dan Yuan Ren Chang Jiu".

To wrap up this sold-out and enjoyable evening, the four Club Keyboard Instuctors went on stage to present flowers and thanked Nakagawa, Nan and Vicky. For a concert that's provocative and delightful, this is it!