Japanese pianist Muroi Mayako performed a commemorative concert in Tokyo on April 7, eleven days ahead of her hundredth birthday.

Born in 1921, Mayako began her career as a professional pianist at the age of 24, where she moved to Berlin and subsequently performed concerts in 13 countries throughout her thirties and fifties.

At the age of 99, her playing still exudes great tenderness while sitting at the piano. During the concert, she played one of Ludwig van Beethoven’s most popular compositions “For Elise” as well as another one of his famous pieces  “Moonlight’ Sonata.”

In a video posted by public broadcaster NHK, Mayako is seen saying “I’ve only begun to understand that to create art, I need a deeper connection to my own humanity.”   

Despite having played for over 70 years, performing in different parts of the world and being the oldest active pianist in Japan, Mayako explained that her endeavor for perfection in her art requires time to grow and that even 200 years would not be enough to do so.