Haruki Murakami? “Chemical reaction” of music

Feel free to enjoy! Life with concerts
File.10 Beethoven composition “Grand Duke Trio”
Kozaburo Mori ( music writer)

The year 2020 marks the 250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth. Along with this, many CD releases, events, concerts, etc. are being planned.
Yo! Ludwig is as popular as ever!

Exactly 50 years have passed since the Beatles disbanded. I also listen to recordings by pre-war bluesmen, but there is one crucial difference between them and Beethoven's music.
After all, Beethoven was active over 200 years ago. There are no recordings of him or any other musicians from that time. (Edison invented the cylindrical record in 1877, about 50 years after Beethoven's death)
In other words, musicians spend their days confronting the musical scores left behind, desperately analyzing them, interpreting them in their own way, and trying to somehow get as close to Beethoven's essence as possible. The resulting music often has completely different tempo and dynamics depending on the performer. Even though they are basically playing based on the same score... It's up to each person whether they think it's funny or not real.

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

However, like young Hoshino, ever since I discovered the beauty of Beethoven, I have become completely addicted to the fun of performing classical music.

``Young Hoshino,'' who appeared suddenly, 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, became lost in thought while listening to the music being played at a coffee shop. And I fell in love with the song. The song that was playing at that time was Beethoven's ``Grand Duke Trio,'' performed by the ``Million Dollar Trio.''
This song will play an important role in the subsequent story.

Piano Trio No. 7 composed by Beethoven.
It is also known as the ``Grand Duke Trio'' because it was dedicated to Grand Duke Rudolf, a Viennese aristocrat who was about 17 years his junior and who was his champion, student of piano and composition, and perhaps a close friend.
Composed in 1811. It is Beethoven's last work in this genre, and has been praised as the ``best masterpiece of piano trios,'' with its graceful melody and sense of scale.
Well, it can be said that it is a relatively unremarkable work among Beethoven's works, but it is surprising that when ``Kafka on the Shore'' was released, CD shops had a special corner for ``The Archduke Trio''. Haruki-sama's influence is formidable!

The ``Million Dollar Trio'' that was played at the coffee shop was the popular name for the trio consisting of the big stars of the time: Rubinstein on the piano, Heifetz on the violin, and Fireman on the cello. I wonder if "million dollars" refers to the compensation.

The ``Grand Duke Trio'' was recorded in 1941, but public opinion is very divided. Actually, we don't get along well, and our artistic styles are too different. He's just good at it, but he's not very Beethoven-like...
Personally, I am definitely positive. Above all, the calm tempo is wonderful. Perfect for this song. Although the recording is old, the beauty of Heifetz's violin is clearly conveyed!
When I was listening to it in my car, imitating Young Man Hoshino, I got so absorbed in the third movement, Andante, that the cars behind me honked their horns to warn me. Everyone please be careful.

``The Grand Duke Trio'' is rarely heard live, but this year is a commemorative year, and several concerts are scheduled. Among them, one that you definitely want to go to is the concert titled ``Beethoven's ``The Archduke,'' which will be held at Philia Hall in June.
The performance will be performed by the masters of the Kanagawa Philharmonic, led by principal solo concertmaster Yasunao Ishida. I'm excited to see if Ishida will attack with a performance full of virtuosity, or if he'll let us hear it with a gentle ensemble.

©Fumiaki Fujimoto

Even so, the selection of songs by Haruki Murakami, a hardcore music fan, is exquisite.
The song that brought out the line “Does music have the power to change people?” was not a profound string quartet, nor the shocking “Destiny” or “Ninth,” but “The Archduke Trio.” . It's not an exaggerated performance, it's a "million dollar trio".

250th anniversary of Beethoven's birth.
Kafka on the Shore was released in 2002.
I wonder if the people who encountered ``The Archduke Trio'' at Kafka still listen to it from time to time.
18 years.
It's time for the newborn baby to grow into a fine adult. Good grief.

It's been a long time since I stopped being an avid reader of Murakami's works, but I still reach for the ``Grand Duke Trio'' CD several times a year. And if there's a concert that looks interesting, I go to it.
After the concert, have a quick drink with a friend at your favorite bar or izakaya.
My humble “life with concerts”.

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

This event has been postponed. (Scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 6, 2021)
Chamber music series by masters of the Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra “Afternoon of Masterpieces” 14th episode
" Beethoven's ' Grand Duke '"
[Date and time] Friday, June 12, 2020, 14:00 start
[Location] Philia Hall Yokohama City Aoba Civic Cultural Center
[Performance] Violin: Yasunao Ishida (Kanagawa Philharmonic Principal Solo Concertmaster), Violin: Chisako Naoe (Kanagawa Philharmonic Principal 2nd Violinist), Viola: Ryo Oshima (Kanagawa Philharmonic Principal Viola), Cello: Daiki Kadowaki (Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra) 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 “Grand Duke”
[Fee] All seats reserved 3,000 yen
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*Events may be canceled or postponed without notice, so please check with the facility before going out.