War has impacted music throughout the ages. Troops and
homelands have been rallied by music. Wartime can stifle some music and
musicians. Wartime budgets can lead to less support for the free arts. Tomoko
reflects on war’s relationship with music and her own private life.
“I remember growing up in Japan after World War II,” Tomoko
starts. “The U.S. occupied Japan for five or six years afterwards; I remember
going to so on the train, and seeing the front of the train being reserved for
the Americans.” Tomoko considers, “Japan realized that they didn’t have to go
to war anymore. They could once more appreciate the importance of the arts, and
they realized that art remains.”
Tomoko continues, “The arts are international languages, and
can bring people together, unlike war, which divides people.” Tomoko remembers
some of the musicians that Japan brought to their country over the past. “They
brought Russian pianists, Pablo Casals, Menuhin. Their music could cause
listeners to tear with emotion. Some musicians camt o teach as well.” Tomoko
points to specific influences. “Prokofiev came in 1927, and played his own
compositions. He opened the window to Western music. After that, Japanese
musicians were eager to go to Europe.”
Tomoko links war to music. “Lizst and Rampini translated
violence into the music.” She comments on nationalism. “Folk music is
nationalistic, which Chopin and dvorak used to great advantage. The music can
be hundreds of years old, forming a historical theme of heritage that never
goes away. Think of the Star Spangled Banner, for instance.”
On a private note, Tomoko recalls how her husband was
influenced by war. “He was a media student in his first year of teaching. He
escaped Hungary during the 1956 revolution, carry a single suitcase. He had a
choice of emigrating to Canada or the United States.” Tomoko met him in Europe
at a Hungarian dance party. “He was nostalgic for Hungary, and would dress up
for the festivals. He was a good dancer, and later came to my recital.” They
married in 1970 in Salzberg.
