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Rated: PG-13 Starring: Kevin Klein, Kevin Costner, Scott Glenn, Danny Glover, Rosanna Arquette, John Cleese, Jeff Goldblum, Brian Dennehy, Linda Hunt Directed By: Lawrence Kasdan, Mark Kasdan Written By: Lawrence Kasdan When Silverado was made in 1985, the American Western was not a popular genre any longer and, except for Clint Eastwood’s “Pale Rider,” it was the only cowboy movie to be made that year. At that time people wanted lighter entertainment and that is probably why “Back to the Future” was the number one movie released then. Silverado is a fun Western. Yes, it has cowboys on horses, gun fights between the good guys and bad guys, but it is made in a more contemporary way. It is full of heart, warmth and humor and it has much better acting than older Westerns. The main characters are flawed humans who have done things to survive that they are not proud of but the thing that holds them together is friendship, honor, family. They are all very likable characters, and you want them win against the “bad guys.” Lawrence Kasdan assembled a remarkable cast. Many of the actors at the time were unknowns but who would soon become huge box office stars and Academy Award winners such as Kevin Costner. In fact, Silverado was Costner’s first speaking role in any film. His first movie roll was also in a Kasdan film, but all his lines were cut, and all viewers saw was his body from the neck down being dressed for his funeral in The Big Chill. Filmed in New Mexico near Santa Fe, the scenery is beautiful, and it serves as an authentic backdrop for this story. The set that was created for the town of Silverado would later be used for many other films including Lonesome Dove, All the Pretty Horses, the Wild, Wild, West and others. Kasdan gets all the details right in Silverado: great script, good acting, and a heartfelt telling of the Old West for today’s audience. https://tubitv.com/movies/591116/silverado?start=true https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverado_(film)

I resumed rehearsal with my piano trio group “Monats-Trio” at home for the first time in a year after we began “stay-at-home” (due to COVID-19) in March 2020. The trio members are a Japanese violinist (myself), a German cellist whom I introduced last week in my blog, and a pianist, who is originally from Taiwan, had music education in Japan and the U.S., and is the only "professional" in the trio (as both the cellist and I are armatures). We decided to resume Schubert's piano trio No. 1 D 898 op. 99, B flat major, which had been interrupted by the year-long "self-restraint life". It was an exciting moment to play together "in-person" and have produced a great volume with lots of enthusiasms. Piano trio is one of my most preferred forms of ensemble. In general, unlike string quartets, which are mostly played by permanent members of the group, piano trios are often played by individual soloists. In many cases, it is a temporary formation of trio with varied personalities and backgrounds. In recent years, however, I started to notice groups of young musicians who are actively engaged in music activities by forming a piano trio. As an example, the recording I chose is by Eben Trio, a young piano trio group from the Czech Republic, formed in 2003. They are one of my favorite’s piano trio groups and its name “Eben” is derived from Czech composer Petr Eben (1929-2007). The group, which has been around for nearly 20 years, is performing and recording many difficult contemporary trios. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQouSqtVvi4 Violin and cello parts became as challenging as piano part in the early 19th century after Beethoven, so many trios play composers after Beethoven. Schubert, Piano Trio No. 1 D 898 op. 99 in B flat major Schubert wrote four piano trios but two are the most well played (No.1 op. 99 and No.2 op.100). Both are difficult pieces for amateurs, but extremely rewarding to play. No. 1 op. 99 was composed in 1827. Around the time op. 99 was composed, Schubert also composed "Winter Journey" and three piano sonatas (19, 20 and 21). Op. 99 was published in 1837 after Schubert's death in 1828. Hopefully, we will host a concert next spring and perform op. 99. It is a rewarding music to play (with lots of fun).

Written and Directed by: Phil Grabsky Documentary/Biography Running time: 2 hours 19 minutes This 2009 documentary begins with the words: “If we had to choose ten great things about humanity, there would probably be a Beethoven work amongst them.” Phil Grabsky showcases Ludwig Van Beethoven by mingling the facts of his life with the music he created along with comments from conductors, performers and music historians such as Emanuel Ax, Hélène Grimaud, Louis Langrée, and Roger Norrington. The film includes fascinating details about Beethoven such as why his name is "Van" not "Von", the actual manuscript he wrote of the Eroica Symphony showing how he scratched out the dedication to Napoleon when he became disenchanted with him. Homes he lived in, paintings of the women he loved and much more. All through the documentary Beethoven’s loss of hearing is discussed and we learn how much it caused great bouts of depression throughout his life. Homes he lived in, paintings of the women he loved and much more. All through the documentary Beethoven’s loss of hearing is discussed and we learn how much it caused great bouts of depression throughout his life. The movie ended with a wonderful performance of the 9th Symphony, a perfect conclusion to celebrate one of the greatest artists that ever lived. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAkWBMdoBrQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtA7m3viB70

On Sunday afternoon, I hosted my first ensemble at home after a yearlong COVID-19 "self-restrained" life. An ensemble of face-to-face is long-awaited after playing virtually on Internet. Everyone (including their family) has already been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine twice, and we considered we are “safe” music companions. Except for the editor (retired Japanese violinist), the members of this trio (German cellist and Italian flautist) have been working at their homes for over a year, and this is their first "long-awaited" going out. Both wore masks when they arrived. I have been a little tired of playing on the Internet for a year. “Face-to-face” performances or playing-together provide to the other players “body language,” timing of breathing, and any other signs that do not exist in playing virtually as we rely only on ears (as we use special software for music without visuals as it can provide smaller latency than for example than Zoom). Now we are playing Bach’s Musical Offering (BWV 1079). We will resume rehearsals of piano trio next week. At last, after over a year, we are beginning to return to semi-normal life in a limited environment. Musical Offering (Das Musikalische Opfer) Bach's Musical Offering (Musikalisches Opfer or Das Musikalische Opfer) BWV 1079 is a collection of music by Johann Sebastian Bach with canons and fugues on the keyboard and other combinations of instruments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdmcabpiGYU As summarized in the YouTube video above (although it is said that there is some doubt about the authenticity of the details because this video is based on a fiction), on May 7, 1747, Bach was invited to Frederick II's palace in Potsdam. As Bach, who is well known for his improvisational skills, Friedrich gives Bach the above musical theme and asks Bach to improvise the fugue. Bach improvised a three-voice fugue, and then Friedrich challenged Bach to improvise a six-voice fugue on the same theme. Bach replied, "it will take some time to compose a six-voice fugue with such a complicated theme." It is said that the “Thema Regium” (King's Theme) was completed in two months after Bach returning to Leipzig. The trio sonata with flute, violin, cello, and harpsichord, which is often played in this BWV 1079, is a part of the whole collection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVosipSUt2E Frederick II (King of Prussia) Frederick II is known for his excellent military talent and rational state management and is a typical example of the Enlightened absolutist. He also possessed artistic talents such as playing the flute and has demonstrated the versatility of a Rococo courtier. While Bach's second son (Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach) served Frederick II as a harpsichord player from 1740 to 1767, C.P.E. introduced his father to Frederick II. The episode of "Musical Offering" has occurred in 1747 when Friedrich was 35 and J.S. Bach was 62 years old (Wikipedia). PS: While vaccination in the United States is steadily progressing, Indian variants have also landed here, and travelers from India are currently unable to enter the U.S. I heard that Booster Shots, which may be also effective for mutant species, will be available in the fall. Physicians say there is a possibility that herd immunity will possibly be gained with the current speed of spread of vaccination in the U.S. The future is still unknown of course, but we have finally returned to "semi-normal" life here. It has been a long year!

Kenji Miyazawa, a fairy-tale writer, is famous for "Night on the Galactic Railroad" and "The Restaurant of Many Orders" that often appear in textbooks. This book is a story about the half-life of Kenji Miyazawa from the perspective of Kenji’s father Masajiro (born 1874), titled "The Father of the author of 'Night on the Galactic Railroad'" authored by Yoshinobu Kadoi. Masajiro runs a wealthy pawn shop in Iwate prefecture. As a family living in three generations of parents and children, the father, Masajiro, must maintain dignity. On the other hand, his son Kenji suffers from the feeling that he was able to live a blessed life with the profits the family business had absorbed from the poor farmers around him. Kenji is known for choosing to be a teacher and a writer, and for his passion for Buddhism and improving rural life. It is also said that the parent-child relationship was temporarily cut off due to the prodigal reliance of Kenji on Masajiro for funds. Yoshinobu Kadoi wrote an excellent episode in the book about the family, including when the daughter died of pneumonia. It is also known that Masajiro takes care of his children all night every time they get sick. ・ Recently, I read a blog that says "Parents don't talk much about their children's growth, but they go through both happiness and sadness while their children are growing up". My parents must have been the same. So, it was an opportunity to look back on myself while reading this book. I never became a parent, so I did not have the opportunity to grow up with my children, but I think I understood a little about what it takes. Like Kenji Miyazawa's father, who could not say his true intentions to maintain his dignity as father, I can sympathize with the fact that fathers, wherever they are in the world, cannot be overly emotional and affectionate to their children to maintain their paternal dignity. I read with tears the scene at the time of the daughter's death, while Kenji is pushing his father, he could not write a will. This scene was sad but at the same time in a way was humorous. And Kenji's inconsistent life was also surprising. I was confused between Kenji Miyazawa and Takuboku Ishikawa, who was also from Iwate, but was poor. Kenji with his father's money, always had dreamlike ideas such as building candy factories and artificial jewelries. These dreamlike ideas of Kenji may have led to his fairy tales. ・ I enjoyed reading the story of Masajiro Miyazawa's deep affection for his son, and the story of Kenji Miyazawa’s life told from father's perspectives. There were many scenes where Masajiro kept it close to his chest without saying what he was thinking, but my father was also silent during his lifetime, and when I think about it now, I wonder if he had a lot to say. · I am happy with the book that makes me feel warm after reading it. At the book club, one of the members had an impression that "I feel Masajiro has very maternal natures." · Kenji Miyazawa, drawn from the perspective of his father, Masajiro, was interesting! When I started reading, I was wondering "is this a true story?" At first, I was a little surprised at Kenji Miyazawa as profligate son, but I was relieved that it changed toward the end of the story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ3Nh6QhqAs

Spring Storm in Colorado Today & Flowers are Blooming over the weekend

Rated: R Stars: Daisy Edgar Jones, Paul Mescal Director: Lenny Abrahamson and Hettie MacDonald Screenplay: Sally Rooney and Alice Burch Based on the novel by Sally Rooney, this BBC/Hulu mini-series is presented in twelve, half-hour episodes. The story focuses on two Irish high school students: Marianne and Connell. Both are very bright but have very different in personalities. Connell is a top student, a gifted athlete and is popular with the entire school. Marianne is also a very good student but her aggressive nature tends to make her speak harshly to adults and her peers. This gets her into trouble at school and she is frequently bullied by fellow students. In addition to their personal differences, the two teens have completely different backgrounds and mothers. Marianne is from a well-to-do family. Her mother is a barrister who is seldom around and when she is, the relationship between mother and daughter is cold and strained. Connell’s mother is wise, kind and very tolerant. She works as a maid for Marianne’s family and because of this situation, Connell and Marianne come to know each other. Every day after school, Connell picks his mother up from work at Marianne’s and this gives the pair time to get to know each other outside of school. Soon, they become friends and then lovers. Neither of them wants the world to know they are fond of each other, but their secrecy puts a strain on their relationship, and it becomes an on-again, off-again affair. While together the pair decide they will attend Trinity College in Dublin once they graduate. Both apply and are accepted. However, the strain of their secret life together causes them to break up before graduation and during their first few years at Trinity the couple never came in contact with each other. Both formed new relationships and enjoyed successful college experiences until one day they meet again though an invitation of a mutual friend. The first season ends with them rekindling their affection for one another and the new complications that it brings. There is talk that there will be a season two for Normal People but as of this writing nothing is finalized. I enjoyed this series very much and I thought both leads were excellent and the story was very compelling. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1JQuWxt3cE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVXvBCY1f7g

Many of you may be familiar with Looney Tunes’ animations produced from the late 1930s to the 1960s during the Golden Age of American animation. Or even if you are not, you may have seen some of Looney Tunes' characters. The early team members involved in the production were a group of brilliant and talented people with eccentric ideas. The leader of the team and the director was Chuck Jones, who was remarkably familiar with art and music in general. Therefore, Looney Tunes' works have a lot of animations dealing with classical music. I would like to introduce a few examples of his works. Perhaps the most well-known Looney Tunes' masterpiece is "What's Opera Doc? (1957)," which is based on Wagner's opera "Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJI_gygXsfs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHivHuPFBqA When I hear this melody, “Bugs Bunny” always comes to my mind. The video is cut off in the middle, but the movement of Bugs Bunny's contemporary ballet is also fun as if you are watching a real ballerina. "Rabbit of Seville (1950)" is also well known, and it is based on Rossini's "Il barbiere di Siviglia” (The Barber of Seville), and Bugs Bunny is the slippery head of his nemesis Elmer Fudd. The head massage scene is very comical. For some reason, they get married in the meantime, and the ending is with Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro” (The Marriage of Figaro). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od4vxA-6DEs (head massage scene) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiYW2d7RWw4&t=10s (barber and marriage scene) "Rhapsody Rabbit (1946)" is the most enjoyable performance, and the music is Liszt's piano piece "Hungarian Rhapsody". Liszt was a superstar pianist and has composed many difficult pieces. I am always impressed with the loveliness yet very clever of this last scene. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqGEeymMzQM I have only introduced a few examples here, but all of them are wonderful because the music and the movement of the characters match well. What is unique about Looney Tunes' animations is that these were not necessarily produced for children, and in fact, I enjoy them as “adult”. I also want to mention the voice actor Mel Blanc. He created the voices of all the characters except Elmer Fudd and played them alone. Blanc was a master of singing, as you can see from the opera scenes and Tweety's songs. Singing with the voice of each character, rather than just singing, would not be an ordinary skill. Mel Blanc is regarded as one of the most influential voice actors in its industry. Finally, I would like to introduce a video that explains the basic ideas and theory of how Chuck Jones developed characters and stories. He was an avid reader, and he was familiar with music and art in general. In the video, Jones emphasizes the importance of discovering what he did not know through "reading." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHpXle4NqWI&t=425s Looney Tunes animations highlight not only classical music, but they include jazz music, and there are so many wonderful works, including the famous “Three Little Piglets”. Enjoy!

Karén Hakobyan, a young American pianist, sent me information about his concert. I thought your blog readers of “Music and Friends” might be interested. I became acquainted with him a few years ago when Karén visited Japan several times. I hosted him to use my piano to practice before his concerts. Motoko https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-sRbTiJdi0 "Preview from our Season Opener - Baroque Reverberations Concert. Watch it on April 9th at 8PM or on demand for two weeks after with a ticket purchase." Karén Hakobyan Dear Friends, After such an uncertain and challenging period for the performing arts, we could not be more proud and excited to announce our Fourth Season "Baroque and Beyond" streaming chamber, piano and orchestra concerts kicking off on April 9th presented on Monira Foundation's Digital Stage. The season highlights Pegasus's own principal players led by artistic director and principal conductor Karén Hakobyan. Guest artists include 2007 Tchaikovsky competition gold medalist Sergey Antonov (cello) and internationally acclaimed pianists Vyacheslav Gryaznov and Asiya Korepanova. We worked very hard on creating a high quality digital platform in partnership with Monira Foundation and cannot wait to share a uniquely diverse season with you. The beauty of this season is that you access it anywhere in the world and with subscription ticket (only $120 for 9 concerts) you can watch it anytime without the 2-week restriction until December 31, 2022. Single ticket ($15) gives 2-week access starting with the Premiere of each event. For tickets and details visit https://monirafoundation.org/pegasus/ Join us tomorrow for some of the most innovative Baroque masterpieces for violin, flute and harpsichord on April 9th at 8PM. Featuring principals Edson Scheid (violin), Kaori Fujii (flute) with founder and artistic director, Karén Hakobyan (harpsichord). Click HERE for details. Your support and attendance will fill our virtual stage with warmth and inspiration and will allow us to keep the music flowing. Gratefully yours. Karén Hakobyan Pianist/Composer/Conductor Artistic Director - Pegasus: The Orchestra Interview with Pegasus's founder Karén Hakobyan about the upcoming digital season https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u_NIfOxm-4

The Plague (French: La Peste) is a novel by Albert Camus, published in 1947. Camus was born in 1913 in Algeria, wrote The Stranger (French: L'Étranger) when he was 29, and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1947 when he was 44. The Plague is set in French Algeria around the time when Camus was born. City of Oran is invaded by the plague bacteria from rats. While the people are infected and dying, the story depicts the conflicts and human drama among people in different occupations, such as a physician Dr. Rieux and a jesuit priest Father Paneloux. Main Characters: • Dr. Bernard Rieux A physician (Rieux's wife who has been ill is treated in Paris) • Jean Tarrou His notebook is the key to this work (helping Rieux’s medical activities) • Joseph Grand A clerk for the city government • Father Paneloux Jesuit priest (he says that human sinfulness caused plague) • M. Othon A magistrate in Oran • Cottard He is under investigation by the authorities for an unstated crime • Dr. Richard Chairman of the Oran Medical Association • Raymond Rambert Newspaper reporter (he decides to stay in the city and continues to help fight the plague) The Plague is an assigned book for April 2020 of our book-club. During the COVID pandemic in 2020, we read The Plague. There was an expectation that "our future may be written in this book because human emotions are the same regardless of race and time". Although I found a weakness that overlaps with me in every character, all the characters appear in the book are middle-aged "males" such as doctors, a priest, and a reporter. There was a part in the book that made me feel "is this story still going on?" as it became at times boring. There are no female characters thus no romance in the book, either. It may be that only specific people are identified in Algeria, an Islamic land, who could have gone out in the infected city at that time. I became more interested in Camus himself as the story has several complex layers. Camus broke up with Sartre, and given his assertions and his existential philosophy, after reading the book I had more questions than understanding Camus and his book. I think Camus, who wrote this book at a young age, is an interesting and mysterious writer. Is The Plague a French metaphor of German occupation of France during World War II? Both the government and people reach to a stage where they face human dignity to fight the reality both physically and mentally, that seems like the situation people face during the war and the pandemic. Plague and COVID pandemic are different illnesses, but they are the same in the sense that they are uncontrollable. As expected, Camus’ writing style which is deep and precisely descriptive, as the Nobel Prize-winning author, is as solid as Toni Morrison. At the same time, I also felt that the translated Japanese version of the book is not smooth, and unfortunately does not flow naturally. Every character in the book has their own special personalities. I do not think I belong to any particular character but to the general “others”. It is possible for me, however, to do a little more under the circumstances, and I think Grand is the one who appears to be that way. It makes me laugh that he rewrites a novel repeatedly, but I am also the same way being obsessed with this kind of details. Rieux is fascinating, but I do not think I have this much of honesty, rebellion, or strong will. Every person is fascinating and interesting. It is little disappointing that all characters are males, but perhaps it was the normal of the place then. At the same time, I thought it is certain that Rieux's mother is an overwhelming statue of Mary. It would be interesting to see a book in the future centered on the female prime ministers of New Zealand and Germany, who deal with the current COVID pandemic. When I first picked up this book, I thought I would be catching at straw. I think I was trying to fill the gap between my ignorance and reality and seeking some clues. However, in the meantime, I fell into a state of random reading along with the history of infection and virus-related subjects. The Plague is not an easy book to read but unexpectedly, I see some hope and trust in the main character Rieux and others, and I was eventually fascinated by the image of these characters. So, it was I who recommended this book as a book for the month to my book club. Immediately after I finished reading the book, I felt that I could not understand the writer's intentions just by reading it once. Each sentence had a precise and deep meaning only for the Nobel Prize-winning writer could write. It was a pity that I did not have enough time to fully understand the author’s intention this time, and that the Japanese translation did not come in smoothly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skfYl4qRsh0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSYPwX4NPg4 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11989.The_Plague

Stars: Steven Yeun, Yeri Han, Yuh-Jung Youn, Will Patton, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho Director: Lee Isaac Chung Writer: Lee Isaac Chung Rated: PG-13 This semi-autobiographical film by Chung is an immigration story about a family adjusting to life in America but it is also a tale of human behavior as a family tries to make it through the ups and downs of life while their love for one another is tested in many ways. The focus of the movie is on a married couple named Jacob and Monica who leave Korea in the 1980’s for California to make a better life for themselves. While working as chicken sexers (identifying male and female chickens once born), they raise two children but cannot afford to live in the expensive Golden State so they move their young family to Arkansas in hope of success. When they arrive in their new home, Monica is shocked to find out that Jacob has spent their life’s saving to purchase a small bit of land to realize his dream of becoming a farmer. The land comes with a broken-down old trailer where the family will need to live while continue their jobs as chicken sexers until they can get the farm going. Overwhelmed with their new responsibilities, the couple realizes they need help with their two children so they send for Monica’s mother who still lives in Korea. With the arrival of Soon-ja (Yuh-Jung Youn) things change dramatically. She is a loving but foul-mouthed grandmother and her relationship with young David (played by Alan Kim) is a funny and tender one to behold. Soon-ja also brings with her a Minari plant and finds a place by the river to plant it unknown to her son-in-law. Minari is a plant that grows in Eastern Asia. It is a plant that has crisp stems with leafy tops that taste a little like parsley. It needs to grow by water. I realized towards the end of the movie why the film is named after this plant. It is a symbol for this brave, tough family who are willing to grow if just given enough water to live. Minari won several awards including the Grand Prize in 2020 at Sundance and it is nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture which will be help later in April in 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ0gFidlro8

Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Rufus Seawell Rated: PG-13 Director: Florian Zeller Writers: Christopher Hampton (screenplay), Florian Zeller (play) Anthony Hopkins plays a man who is suffering from dementia and Olivia Colman is heart-breaking as his daughter and caretaker. This prize-winning French play of the same name was adapted by Florian Zeller who is also the director of the film. Certainly, dementia is a tragedy many families face when their loved ones’ age. However, the interesting thing about “The Father” is that it shows us how frightening it must be for the person who is going through this horrible experience as well as the family. Both Hopkins and Colman are some of the world’s greatest actors of our time and they do justice to this tragic, yet heart felt tale. To their credit they are both nominated for 2021 Academy Awards as is Zeller and the film itself. All are deserving. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TZb7YfK-JI