Classical Music from “Nodame Cantabile” - Paris Edition

Continuing from the last issue, we will continue to introduce classical music from "Nodame Cantabile". If you haven't watched the previous "Momogaoka-hen", please check that out as well.

So, let's get going

First of all, Nodame Cantabile "Paris Arc( in Europe)".

In the previous blog "Momogaoka-hen", Chiaki and Nodame college life in Japan was described. Let me give you a little explanation as to why the second half is set in "Paris (Europe)" outside of Japan .

To begin with, Chiaki wanted to go abroad as soon as possible.

Chiaki had been recognized for his talent in piano & conducting since he was in Japan. Everyone said, "You're going to study abroad, aren't you?" But to her dismay, she hated airplanes. He was so traumatized by a plane crash in her childhood that He could no longer fly. However, before graduating from college, Nodame hypnotized him and he successfully overcame his fear of airplanes. (At the same time, he was forced to sign a contract with Stresemann's office.)
Meanwhile, Nodame stayed and dropped out of college. However, after teaming up with the strict instructor, Professor Eto (nicknamed Harisen), Nodame caught the attention of Charles Auclair, a judge at the Maradona Piano Competition. As a result, she was given the opportunity to study abroad at the Conservatoire, a prestigious music academy in France. Thus, "Paris version (in Europe)" describes Chiaki's path as a conductor & Nodame's path as a pianist.

I have made a long preface. Now, let me introduce the music in "Paris in Europe" .

01.Ravel: from Suite "Mirror", No. 4, "Morning Song of a Clown

This is the first piece that Nodame played after Chiaki and Nodame moved into their apartment in Paris. This piece, which was also performed at Nodame's first recital, was composed by Ravel, who is well known for his "Pavane for a Late Princess". The fourth piece, "Morning Song of a Clown," from the piano suite "Kagami," consisting of five pieces, has an appealing Spanish-style rhythm and modern tune. In addition, it is a piece that requires a high level of technique.

02.Haydn: from Symphony No. 104 in D major, "London", 1stmovt.

Chiaki participated in the conducting competition, which is said to be a gateway to success for young conductors. The compulsory piece for the first round was decided by drawing lots. The piece drawn was Haydn's Symphony No. 104 in D major, "London". Composed by Haydn, who is known as "the father of the symphony" and "a conductor's curse," the piece is so powerful that it is described in a story (cartoon) as "Dooong. In addition, Haydn's music, which is characterized by clear tunes, can be boring depending on the way it is played. However, Chiaki was rather honored to be tested with Haydn's music, and he conducted it beautifully.

03.Chopin: Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op. 53 "Hero

This piece by Chopin, who left various forms of piano music, is powerful, passionate, and cool. In the story, my favorite character, Tanya, performs. Tanya is a Russian exchange student who lives in the same apartment as Chiaki & Nodame. Chiaki sympathizes with Tanya when she tells him about the hardships of studying in Paris alone from a young age, and says, "Play the piano for me. I'd love to hear you play. However, Tanya's performance was terrible, and Chiaki was surprised to find that she could not play at all. Chiaki was furious, saying, "What have you learned for a year? What is this vacation? The devil's instruction came in.

04.J.S.Bach : The Mean Clavier, Book 1, No. 22 Prelude and Fugue BWV 867 in B flat minor

Tanya played this piece at the Cantona International Competition, where Tanya and Yun Long (a Chinese exchange student), who live in the same apartment building, competed before their graduation. In the story, Frank (a student living in the same apartment (same university as Nodame and Tanya) was moved to tears. The story describes Tanya's hometown (Russia) with this beautiful and somewhat fragile song.

05.Beethoven: Piano Sonata No. 17 "Tempest", 1stmovt.

This piece, played by Yun Long in the first round of the piano section of the Cantona International Competition, is truly a tempest. The slow Largo at the beginning of the piece is unimaginable, and the piece suddenly starts moving with the Allegro. It is the calm before the storm. I like the third movement and used to listen to it often.
Unfortunately, Yun-Ron lost in "Chopin: Scherzo No.1 in B minor, Op.20" because of the tension of this tempest.

06.Poulenc: from the first movement from Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon

It was performed by the Yaki Trio that Nodame, Kuroki-kun, and Paul had assembled in their chamber music class. Incidentally, Kuroki and Paul were students at the same school as Nodame. They later joined Marleuke.
The soft and warm sound of the oboe and bassoon and the humorous and somewhat sad melody are impressive.

07.Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E flat minor, Op. 11

This piece was composed by Chopin with a grand orchestral introduction followed by a piano solo. In the story, Nobame suddenly entered at a very slow tempo, different from the rehearsal, and developed the piece. In the story, after listening to Rui and Chiaki's concerto, Nodame is tired of facing music fairly and honestly, so she asks Chiaki to marry her and tries to escape from music. However, when Chiaki rejects her marriage proposal and cries, Stresemann suddenly debuts Nodame with this piece at his London concert. In the best sense of the word, Stresemann lets Nodame play this solo piano piece as she pleases. Especially in III. Rondo: Vivace is a very good choice that brings out the various grains of Da-ne's sound. The concert ended with great success.

Conclusion

How was it? Continuing from the last issue, I introduced the songs that appear in "Nodame Cantabile," but I had a hard time narrowing down the songs for the second half. There were a lot of piano songs, but they are all very good, so please give them a listen!