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, you're still 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 their music and Beethoven's.
After all, Beethoven was active over 200 years ago. There are no recordings of him, or any 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, desperately analyzing them, interpreting them in their own way, and making an effort to somehow get closer to the essence of Beethoven. The resulting music often has completely different tempos and dynamics depending on the performer. Although they are basically performing based on the same score... It's up to each individual to decide whether they find it interesting or not authentic.

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

However, just 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 Murakami Haruki'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. The piece playing at that time 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 advocate, his pupil in piano and composition, and was probably a good friend of his.
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 low-key work among Beethoven's works, but when "Kafka on the Shore" was released, CD shops had special corners for "Archduke Trio," which was surprising. Haruki's influence is truly impressive!

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

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

There are few opportunities to hear the Archduke Trio in live performance, but this year is a commemorative year, so several concerts are planned. One that you should definitely attend is the one to be held in June at Philia Hall, titled "Beethoven's Archduke."
The performance will be by Kanagawa Philharmonic virtuoso, led by the principal solo concertmaster Yasunao Ishida. Since Ishida is a tricky guy, I'm already excited to see whether he'll perform with a virtuoso performance or a more gentle ensemble performance.

©Fumiaki Fujimoto

Even so, as a die-hard music fan, Murakami Haruki's song selections are exquisite.
The song 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." It was 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 time for the baby to be born and grow into a fine adult.

It's been a long time since I was an avid reader of Murakami's music, 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, Hiroki 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" Vol. 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 Orchestra Principal Solo Concertmaster), Violin: Chisako Naoe (Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Second Violinist), Viola: Ryo Oshima (Kanagawa Philharmonic Orchestra Principal Viola Player), 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 "Archduke"
[Price] 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.