Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi

Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi (born July 28, 1942 in Tokyo), Japanese cellist. He started to study music under the tutorship of Hideo Saito, founder of the Tokyo Conservatory. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Tsutsumi in Japanese and additionally signed, titled and dated by Krishizki: "Georges / 1985 / Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi playing 'Orion and Pleiades for Cello and Orchestra by Toru Takemitsu / Carnegie Hall / February 14, 1985."

In November 2009, Tsutsumi was awarded with a Medal of Honour with purple ribbon by the Government of Japan. His concert performances have taken him around the world with the most important orchestras (ORTF, Berlin Radio Symphony, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra, the Rotterdam, London, Chicago, Indianapolis, Toronto and Vancouver philharmonic orchestras, etc.) and has participated in festivals like the Algoma Fall, Banff, Guelph Spring, Ontario Place, Stratford and Ravinia.

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.