Haruki Murakami-esque? Musical "chemical reaction"

Enjoy casually ! Life with concerts
File.10 Beethoven's "Archduke Trio"
Mitsuzo Mori ( music writer)

The year 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. To mark the occasion, a number of CD releases, events, concerts, and more are being planned.
Yay! Ludwig is as popular as ever!

It's been exactly 50 years since the Beatles broke up. I listen to recordings of pre-war bluesmen, but there's one crucial difference between those and Beethoven's music.
After all, Beethoven was active over 200 years ago, and there are no recordings of him or any other musicians from that time. (Edison invented the cylindrical recorder in 1877, about 50 years after Beethoven's death.)
In other words, performers spend their days facing the remaining scores, frantically analyzing them, interpreting them in their own way, and trying to somehow get closer to the essence of Beethoven. The resulting music often has completely different tempos and dynamics depending on the performer. Even though they're all basically playing from the same score... Whether you find that interesting or think it's inauthentic is up to the individual.

*Click here for Beethoven-related columns !

By the way, when I only listened to rock music, I was of course the latter.

However, like young Hoshino, once he discovered the beauty of Beethoven, he became completely immersed in the joy of performing classical music.

"Young Hoshino," who suddenly appears, is one of the characters in Haruki Murakami's novel "Kafka on the Shore."
Hoshino, a young man who had not had much interest in classical music until then, was lost in thought while listening to music playing in a coffee shop. He fell in love with the piece that was playing at the time. The piece that was playing was Beethoven's "Archduke Trio" performed by the "Million Dollar Trio."
This song will play an important role in the story that follows.

Beethoven's Piano Trio No. 7.
It is also known as the "Archduke Trio" because it was dedicated to Archduke Rudolf, a Viennese aristocrat about 17 years his junior, who was his patron, pupil in piano and composition, and probably a good friend.
Composed in 1811, it is Beethoven's last work in this genre, and is also praised as "the greatest masterpiece of piano trios," filled with graceful melody and a sense of scale.
Well, it's a relatively obscure piece among Beethoven's works, but it's surprising that when "Kafka on the Shore" was released, CD shops had a special corner for "Archduke Trio." Haruki's influence is truly formidable!

The "Million Dollar Trio" that was playing in the coffee shop was the nickname for the trio consisting of Rubinstein on piano, Heifetz on violin, and Fireman on cello, who were all big stars at the time. I wonder if the "million dollars" referred to their fee.

The Archduke Trio was recorded in 1941, but public opinion is divided. Some say they didn't get along and their styles were too different, while others say they're just good but lack depth, making them unbecoming of Beethoven.
Personally, I'm a big fan. The steady tempo is wonderful, and it's perfect for this piece. The recording is old, but the beauty of Heifetz's violin is clearly conveyed!
I was listening to it in my car, imitating young Hoshino, when I got so engrossed in the third movement, Andante, that a car behind me honked its horn to warn me... Everyone, please be careful.

There are few opportunities to hear the "Archduke Trio" performed live, but this year marks the anniversary and several concerts are planned. One that you should definitely attend is the concert titled "Beethoven's 'Archduke'" to be held at Philia Hall in June.
The performance will be by virtuoso musicians from the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra, led by Principal Solo Concertmaster Yasunao Ishida. As Ishida is a man of his own, I'm already excited to see whether he'll deliver a performance full of virtuosity or a more subdued ensemble performance.

©Fumiaki Fujimoto

Even so, Haruki Murakami, a die-hard music fan, has an exquisite selection of songs.
The piece that elicited the line, "Does music have the power to change people?" was not a profound string quartet, nor the shocking "Fate" or "Ninth Symphony," but "Archduke Trio." Not an ostentatious performance, but the "Million Dollar Trio."

250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth.
"Kafka on the Shore" was published in 2002.
I wonder if those who first encountered "The Archduke Trio" through Kafka still listen to it from time to time.
18 years.
It's the time when babies are born and grow into fine adults.

It's been a long time since I stopped being an avid reader of Murakami's works, but I still reach for the Archduke Trio CD several times a year, and I attend any concerts that look interesting.
After the concert, grab a drink with a friend at your favorite bar or izakaya.
My modest "life with concerts."

Yasunao Ishida © Fumiaki Fujimoto, Daiki Kadowaki © Koichi Yonenaga, Yuya Tsuda © Christine Fielder

This event has been postponed. (Scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021)
Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra's Chamber Music Series "Afternoon of Masterpieces" No. 14
" Beethoven's ' Archduke '"
[Date and time] Friday, June 12, 2020, 14:00 start
[Location] Philia Hall, Aoba Community Cultural Center, Yokohama
[Performers] Violin: Yasunao Ishida (Kanagawa Philharmonic Principal Solo Concertmaster), Violin: Chisako Naoe (Kanagawa Philharmonic Principal Second Violinist), Viola: Ryo Oshima (Kanagawa Philharmonic Principal Violaist), Cello: Daiki Kadowaki (Kanagawa Philharmonic Principal Cellist), Piano: Yuya Tsuda
[Program] String Quartet No. 10 in E-flat major, Op. 74 "Harp", Piano Trio No. 7 in B-flat major, Op. 97 "Archduke"
[Price] All seats reserved: 3,000 yen
For more details, click here

*Events may be canceled or postponed without notice, so please check with the facility before going.