Posted by Rica
La Corda D’oro by Kure Yuki is probably the best music-themed anime I’ve watched so far, and I’m not saying this because I’m so fangirl-ing (is that even a word?) over the bishies here, but because it really is good. The music is what got me, honestly. The animation is nothing new – we’ve seen better-looking bishies and more sensible hair colors in other anime shows – but this one really gets you hooked. Again, it’s the music.
Comments on the Manga
Before I prattle on and on about how good La Corda D’oro is, let me just say this: the I-really-like-this-because-of-the-music sentiment doesn’t apply to the manga version. Why? Because I don’t think anyone – however good their imaginations are – can possibly hear the music the characters are supposedly playing through the pages of the manga. Even I, the know-it-all when it comes to classical music, can’t enjoy parts of the manga showing the bishies playing their respective instruments. [Deep sigh] But I will have to admit that the art is consistent in the manga. I just can’t tell apart their hair colors, haha.
If the manga’s not all about the music, what’s it about then? I was almost ready to give up after reading the first two volumes (I watched the anime first) because it lacked the music I liked in the anime, but then I was intrigued by why a lot of people like the manga, and how come they’re still waiting for the scanlations and the next chapters to finally come out. And then it dawned on me in the form of a dancing one-year old kid in his diapers a la Ally McBeal hallucinations, that it’s actually the story. I missed the basic element in appreciating fiction – the plot. I admit, it’s not much compared to Naruto’s complicated storyline, but it’s enough to sustain the imagination of more hardcore fans out there. Reverse harem. Lots of guys chasing after one girl, and that girl’s pretty oblivious. Minor conflicts among the characters. And a bit of magic.
It’s just sad, really, that the manga couldn’t make use of the music. It’s what drew me to the series after all. But don’t get me wrong. I’m currently waiting for Chapter 53 to come out and get translated, so in a way, I’m still hooked on the manga.
Why I <3 the Anime
Musicians Behind the Anime Characters
Back to the anime. I’ve researched a bit about the musicians behind the characters in the anime. They’re awesome! Their techniques are also distinguishable. If you compare Hino Kahoko’s and Tsukimori Len’s violin playing, their styles are really different. But both (Nakajima Yuuki as Hino’s violinist and Muroya Kouichirou as Tsukimori’s violinist) are really good. The flutist (Endou Shin), the cellist (Tai Tomoki), the pianist (Okada Masaru), the clarinetist (Nishizaki Tomoko), and the trumpeter (Abe Kazuki) are all really skilled too. Shimizu Keiichi’s cellist played Prelude from Suites for Solo Cello No. 1 by Johann Sebastian Bach in the anime, and if you compare it to Yoyo-Ma’s version of the same piece, it’s also different but truly pleasant. god, I love the anime!
Now, the La Corda D’oro anime still follows the manga but only ran for one season, ending with the special summer camp after the fourth selection. It wasn’t shown in the anime who won the concours, but the manga showed it was Tsukimori Len who won, followed by Yunoki Azuma, and with Shimizu Keiichi placing third. As expected, Hino Kahoko finished last. The anime also has most of the guys chasing Hino. Reverse harem ftw! Lots of pretty boys. And of course, music.
Awesome Classical Pieces and Performances
Some of the best music come from Tsukimori’s performances. He performed Polonaise Brillante No. 1 in D Major during the first selection, Chaconne in G Minor for the second selection (though he only played it after), Tzigane in the third, and Caprice No. 24 in the last selection. Really talented violinist, that Muroya-san.
Yunoki’s flutist played Partita in A Major in the third selection, and I must say that was impressive. You should hear it. Shouko’s Clarinet Polka in the final selection was also really good and calming (weird enough). Tsuchiura’s La Campanella was most impressive because of the difficulty of the piece, and Hihara’s Gavotte is still the trumpeter’s best piece. Hino’s best performance was the Ave Maria duet with Tsukimori during the camp. Her Canon in D performance in the second selection weirded me out. I guess I’m just used to hearing that piece played on the piano.
Oh, and we can’t leave out Ousaki Shinobu’s violin playing, because Muroya was also the violinist of this character. Tsk, really good. Matsumoto Yuri played the viola for Ousaki in the episode where he, Tsukimori, Hino, and Shimizu played in a quartet. I can’t remember the piece they performed though.
It’s definitely obvious why I like La Corda D’oro. It’s the music, man. I swear. I just have to get those DVDs back so I can rewatch the series.
