Ich Liebe Dich (6/22投稿記事の英訳）
During a long-term assignment to France, I was afforded the opportunity to practice classical with the accompaniment of a co-worker and some local friends. Volunteers from the workplace were holding a sort of mini-recital, and it was there that I decided to perform. For the accompaniment, a Canadian friend gave me his consent. The plan became to present one piece commonly known in Europe, and then another piece from Japan. The first piece was Beethoven's Ich Liebe Dich, or “I Love You” (the proper name of which is actually Zärtliche Liebe, or “Tender Love”)[1,2]. For the second piece, I chose Narayama. After the performance, a German female co-worker came up to me, still applauding, and told me that it was the first time she had ever heard Ich Liebe Dich, but that she enjoyed it and was moved by it! In the event of that woman calling up her father, who was still living in Germany, and telling him about that piece, he exclaimed to her all about how that was a famous Beethoven piece. To think that after 200 years people can still hear that work by the poet and lyricist Karl Friedrich Wilhelm Herrosee and Beethoven, and still be moved, I must take my hat off to their achievement. Music really does transcend generations and borders.
As for Narayama [3], while living in France I ended up performing it many times. Not just French people, but even amongst Japanese, there were many who told me it was their first time hearing it. There were times when I also explained the lyrics as well as the background of the piece. This piece draws from the story of the Empress's lament over Emperor Nintoku's infidelity. In order to intimately resemble a refined lifestyle the piece has a dazzling prelude and finale, however to represent the pain of the Empress, a melancholy tone is set, making it a famous, contrastive piece. I went to lengths to try and properly explain everything, including a few anecdotes to get some laughs, but it was long and quite difficult. When my son heard this, he said “Dad, you should bring a script next time.” That makes a second time that he has felt the need to tell me that!
[2] Ich Liebe Dich, Wikipedia (English)
[3] Narayama YouTube
