Nodame Cantabile ep.22

June 26, 2007 | 3 Comments

I was surprised to see a flashback to an episode that we never saw during the TV broadcast. I am referring to the story where Chiaki helped tutoring Nodame and Mine. I always think that this particular story is one of the funniest in the series. It was unfortunate that the producers decided to exclude it from the original TV broadcast. However, with the brief flashback included in this episode, I hope this means the story will be included on the DVD. Anyway, it's nice to see Matsuda in this version because although the guy was mentioned in the live-action, we didn't get to see him at all. I hope we'll get to see him conducting in this version because I like the idea that despite Chiaki leaving R☆S Orchestra, the rest of the members are in good hands because Matsuda will be taking over the conducting position.

After stopping her performance all of a sudden, Nodame starts playing "Today's Cooking", the song that she heard on the train. The audience look horrified upon hearing this travesty. Chiaki realises that Nodame must have forgotten the composition. Meanwhile, Nodame goes back to playing Petrouchka again before going back to performing "Today's Cooking". Chiaki realises that Nodame is composing her own piece right in front of the jury. Surprisingly, the audience clapped happily in support of her performance. Chiaki, however, knows that even though that was good, it was not what was required for the competition. Later on, the judges discussed Nodame's performance. Although they are impressed with it, they have no choice but to set her aside. One of the judges, Auclair, however, takes a keen interest in her application. When the winners are announced, Tsuboi receives the 4th place while Segawa Yuuto gets 2nd place. There's no 1st place winner.

Meanwhile, Nodame has left the concert hall but Chiaki manages to catch up with her. Chiaki invites her to go to Europe with him. He thinks if she wants to study Piano, the school abroad will be better than their current school. He points out that there are scholarship organisations and other competitions. He thinks she should go abroad and experience the world with him. Much to Chiaki's surprise, Nodame asks him why she should study just to experience that with him. Chiaki is confused to hear this because he thinks Nodame is serious about playing Piano now and that's why she participated the Concours. Nodame, however, denies this and claims that she participated in the Concours because she wants the money to play around. She doesn't understand why everyone wants her to do things their way. Cut to a flashback showing her old piano teacher abusing her. Nodame becomes angry and asks Chiaki what's wrong with playing Piano freely.

Upon hearing this, Chiaki asks Nodame if she didn't enjoy her performance in the Concours. When Nodame confirms this, Chiaki gives up. Before he left, he tells Nodame that was the first time he heard Nodame playing seriously and it sounded really good. After Chiaki left, Nodame cries and tells herself that even after all of that, it's still not good enough. Fast forward to December, Mine complains to Kiyora about his exam. Apparently he's been so occupied with the concert that he forgot about the exam. When Kiyora points out that Mine was the one who wanted to do Christmas Concert, Mine asks her why no one stopped him. Kiyora points out that the only person who is not prepared for his exam is Mine. Having said that, she's willing to teach him, especially since the subject he's studying is German. Mine, however, refuses her offer because he thinks she's just going to make fun of him. He decides to latch onto Chiaki instead, asking him to tutor him.

When Chiaki refuses, Mine's father suggests that Mine learns from Nodame. Mine agrees but he realises that he hasn't seen her lately. All of a sudden, Mine's father remembers that Nodame wants to visit her family for New Year. Unknown to others, Chiaki narrates that he hasn't seen Nodame after that concert and he can't even hear Piano sound out of her room. Cut to a shot of Nodame exiting her room and leaving the apartment complex. Fast forward a few days later, Nodame is now seen in Fukuoka Prefecture where her parents live. Since it's New Year, the grandparents give Nodame and her brother, Yoshitaka, an Otoshidama (pocket money). Yoshitaka, however, is not happy that Nodame doesn't have future plans. Because of this, he thinks she is a bad investment for the family. He becomes even more upset when he finds out that he got less money than Nodame, pointing out that he has to work part-time so that the family can spend money on Nodame.

Nodame, who doesn't want to get involved in the argument, decides to leave the table and back to her room. Her family thinks she behaves strangely because she hasn't touch the Piano ever since she returns home. This reminds her father that when Nodame was young, she got hit by her Piano teacher for not playing the way he instructed her to. As a result, Nodame hit the wall and ended up bleeding. Nodame was traumatised by the incident and stopped playing Piano for a long time. In the present time Tokyo, Chiaki meets up with Sakuma, wanting to know if the other guy has had success in talking to Matsuda Yukihisa. Sakuma confirms this but Matsuda has concern about the fact that some R☆S Orchestra members are leaving. Chiaki assures the guy that Matsuda doesn't have to worry and will understand when he sees their next performance. Chiaki then thanks Sakuma for his efforts. However, he wonders why Sakuma always help his Orchestra and himself.

Sakuma tells Chiaki that just like Brahms who had excellent instructors, for a musician to have his name written in the history, he doesn't just need talent but an important partner. Sakuma admits that he'd like to become that kind of person. A few days later, Rising Star conducts their next performance with some new members. There is Takahashi and the twin sister, Moe and Kaoru. The orchestra first song is Debussy's Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. The second one is Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy starring Kiyora. Although Matsuda laments the fact that Kiyora will leave, he is convinced that this orchestra will continue to evolve. During an intermission, Mine uses the opportunity to remind Chiaki that the final piece was the first piece he conducted with the S Orchestra. Back then Stresemann said that he failed so Chiaki feels that this is the one piece he has yet to complete. It'll be the final piece of his life as a student in Japan.

Impression:

Nodame had a point when she asked Chiaki why she can't play Piano the way she wanted it. Unfortunately, just like any other profession, Piano players competes with other Piano players. In order to determine who are the best players, there needs to be some kind of standard. One way to implement that is to have the players imitate the playing style of several famous composers. This is probably the hardest part for a child to understand. Nodame learned her first Piano lesson when she was very young and possibly didn't care whether or not she follows the right convention. The teacher, on the other hand, knew that she had the potential and therefore became frustrated when Nodame didn't play per his request. However, this does not justify the abusive treatment that he gave her. This leads me to the relationship between Chiaki and Nodame. I have to admit that they are getting better these days. However, I think Chiaki need to realize that he can't really force Nodame to do things that she doesn't want to do.

Preview

On next week's episode: Will Nodame and Chiaki be reunited?

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