Virtuoso: TV Series & Movies About Classical Music

met Badass Bunny, september 28, 2024

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"Imagination creates reality."
- Richard Wagner

Many times I ask myself, why didn’t my parents enroll me in piano classes or classes where I would focus on classical music? Since I was a child, I was very vocal about music and loved singing, but was like that with other things as well, such as swimming. Later on, I understood why my parents did that, and I don’t blame them for it. No, it only made me realize one thing: that music has no age limit. Years later, I still love classical music, and that’s the exact reason why I enrolled in adult piano lessons and am starting my journey.

Like I said, music has no age limit, so I don’t think we should segregate ourselves and tell our adult selves that we can’t be musicians because we didn’t start playing at four years old.

In this article, I want to bring out the love for classical music through Asian TV series and movies that heavily explore the lives of classical musicians and their work.

KEYS TO THE HEART (2018)
Synopsis A washed-up boxer, Jo Ha, has lived his life relying on nothing but his physical strength. His champion glory lasted only a moment, and now pride is all Jo Ha has. He runs into his mom who left him when he was little and comes to live with her and Jin Tae, the younger brother who always seems awkward except for when he plays the piano. The autistic savant, Jin Tae, shows brilliance in playing the piano and video games and cooking ramen. He is at first scared of his older brother, who insists on swinging his fists at people for what he wants. Reunited with each other, the two brothers learn what it is to be a family.
It’s very hard to describe this movie in just a few sentences. The complex story isn’t only filled with amazing classical pieces but also with complex characters who are very human. The movie’s focus is also heavily on portraying a person on the spectrum and his amazing ability to portray his feelings with the music he plays. I like that this movie is very raw and deals with heavy topics, such as prejudice against people on the spectrum. I do think it serves as a virtual slap to those who think that such people are useless and can’t do anything, which is simply not true. The movie includes famous pieces like Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11, Rondo Vivace by Chopin, and Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Brahms.

^{Hungarian Dance No.5 by Brahms}

NODAME CANTABILE (2006 - 2010)

Synopsis

Megumi Noda or "Nodame" is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a kindergarten teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend's lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies.

Shinichi Chiaki is Momogaoka's top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multilingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy, he feels mired in Japan because of a childhood phobia.

If you really are in need of a TV series or movie that is heavily focused on classical music, there is only one answer to that: the Nodame Cantabile franchise! I saw it years ago, so I really can compare it to other classical-themed series and movies, and this is truly the best of the best. The whole soundtrack is filled with classical pieces, so it truly soothes your soul.

Yes, it does have some cliché moments, and not all scenes are accurately portrayed, but they truly tried their best by hiring actors that can somewhat play, and they did have stand-ins who played the actual pieces on set.

The series and sequel movies included many famous pieces, but the one piece that truly resonates with fans of this franchise is the Mozart Sonata for 2 Pianos in D major, K. 448.

While this franchise has many remakes, I still think that the Japanese version included the best classical pieces.

_{Mozart Sonata for 2 Pianos in D major, K. 448}

SECRET LOVE AFFAIR (2014)

Synopsis

Sun Jae, a twenty-year-old piano prodigy working as a delivery man due to his humble background, stumbles upon a concert hall one day. Upon playing the piano there, he captures the attention of Hye Won, an elite art director married to a piano professor. Recognizing his raw talent, she arranges for him to receive lessons from her husband to groom him into a young musical sensation.

Born into poverty and without formal training, Sun Jae is overwhelmed by Hye Won's support, which becomes his lifeline. Their connection deepens, and he confesses his longing for her. Hye Won, drawn to his charisma and passion, grapples with her feelings, torn between preserving her life's work and pursuing this intense romance.

Years ago, I wouldn’t have stumbled on this series, but I gave it a shot about 3 years ago, and I absolutely loved it. It is dark, emotional, very raw, and simply has all the elements that every melodrama should have. It is not for everyone, as it does include the cheating aspect, but if you can get through that and truly get to know the characters, you are left with passionate pianists who communicate through music.

The stellar acting done by the whole cast just truly makes your jaw drop, because who knew that piano lessons could be so erotic?! Erotic in a very subtle, not lewd, way. The piano pieces truly served the erotic mood, and I was left speechless.

The most famous piece that appeared in the series was definitely the rearrangement of Mozart’s Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

_{Mozart. 12 variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, Maman"}

SECRET (2007)

Synopsis

The story is about high school student Ye, who studies in the school his father taught. Ye's piano skill is above others. On the first day of school, while walking around the piano rooms, he hears an unknown and beautiful melody, played by Lu. From then on, the two are always together. However, Lu seems mysterious and when Ye tries to get to know her more, she always brushes off his questions by saying that it is a secret. There is a misunderstanding between the two of them, and subsequently, Lu never comes to school anymore. Ye is heartbroken. But the more he tries to find out, he realizes that things are not as they seem.

One simply cannot go on with this article without mentioning the classic that has two upcoming remakes, probably coming out this year! While this movie may be from 2007, the music is still very fresh, and I often find myself listening to the complete OST.

I don’t want to say much in order to not spoil you, but I can say that the amazing piano battle is, to this day, the best duet I have ever seen. The piano battle includes many famous pieces, such as Chopin Etude Op. 10 No. 5 "Black/White Keys," Chopin Waltz Op. 64 No. 2, Chopin Secret Waltz Improvisation, and Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Kosakov.

_{Secret OST medley}

With Secret, I am signing off. I know that some of you might be curious why I included only four projects, and I don’t have a clear answer to that. I simply think that these TV series and movies are truly the best of the best in terms of classical music, and whenever someone asks for a recommendation, these are my top picks.

I will include honorable mentions for Beethoven Virus and Do you like Brahms?, and even Love in Disguise, though that is more traditional music than classical music.

Now, which classical music TV series or movie is your favorite that wasn’t mentioned in the article? As a classical music collector, I do have to see everything that the world has to offer, so drop me your recommendations.

If you want to hear reviews of real musicians on series such as Nodame Cantabile, check out the YouTube channel of two amazing violinists, TwoSetViolin.

"To achieve great things, two things are needed; a plan, and not quite enough time."

- Leonard Bernstein