The hiatus between Nodame Cantabile Lesson 126 and Lesson 127 felt like an eternity, because the story cut off right before an incredible high point – Nodame’s debut concerto.  Needless to say as a rabid Nodame fan, I was in seventh heaven when Tomoko Ninomiya was able to return and start serializing again.

As with the other Nodame manga chapters, I’ve found that having the music being performed running in the background while reading is key. With Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 playing as I read, Lesson 127 was incredible – and I was still riding off my high of having Nodame Cantabile start up again – but Lesson 128 was (unbelievably) even better. I found myself getting chills as the story went along. Really, really good chills. I definitely didn’t expect Nodame’s first performance with a full orchestra to be so fraught with tension. Not just tension between her and the orchestra, but also between her, Chiaki, and Stresemann. The atmosphere was charged with static I could practically feel. As a storyteller, Tomoko Ninomiya is simply masterful. And her choice of music is as always perfectly spot-on.

So here is the playlist for Nodame’s debut concerto performance – Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor. Enjoy, because I certainly did -

(This performer dude even makes funny faces like Nodame! Haha…)

First Movement (Allegro maestoso):

Second Movement (Romance – Larghetto): Starts at about 1:00.

Third Movement (Rondo – Vivace): Starts at about 1:40. I think this is my favorite movement – the piano part (especially towards the end is exquisite). And I just loved Lesson 128 so much ; D;

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