Music in Memory of Past Military

 

As a child, Tomoko experienced World War II in Japan. Her father and brother were conscripted to help the war effort as civilians, and the entire nation suffered hardship because of the war. After the war, Japan was occupied by U.S. military personnel, and Japan had to agree to never re-establish an offensive  military force.

Tomoko’s husband Desy also suffered from military action as his country, Hungary, was under the policies imposed by the Soviets. He was able to escape during the Hungarian Revolution, safely arriving in the United States -- poor but hopeful.

Composers have often expressed their feelings about war in their music, as the following examples of Ravel’s work demonstrate.

In World War I Maurice Ravel wanted to join the war effort, and so he drove a supply truck to support French troops. His piano suite Le tombeau de Couperin memorialized his friends who were killed in the war, a couple of whom were shot dead their first day at the front.  

In 1914 pianist Paul Wittgenstein a war bullet pierced his right elbow, resulting in amputating his arm. In his honor, several composers wrote pieces that could be performed solely by the left hand, including Ravel.  His left-hand piano concerto became Wittgenstein’s favorite composition to play.

Ravel’s compositions Frontispice (1919) and La Valse (2020) captured his own war-based psychological trauma and grief. Similarly, his Sonata for Violin and Violoncello (1922) and Sonata for Violin and Piano (1927) enabled his musician colleagues to share their mutual grief through duet performances.  

Music can be a powerful cathartic experience, both for a performance and for a listener, to address and remember times of war and suffering: to bear the grief and hope for peace.

Waltzing Through Life

Among the genres of classical music that delights Tomoko is the waltz. That love also reflects Tomoko’s enjoyment of dancing. Even her high school’s physical education program included dance-like activity. 

Waltzes, in particular, have played a significant role in Tomoko’s life.

Tomoko met her future husband at a Hungarian society ball in San Francisco. Desy was sitting with a group of bachelors when he was introduced to Tomoko, although Tomoko wasn’t looking for a husband. Her first impression of him was positive though. “He is the most handsome fellow of the group,” she decided, “and he dances well,” as she recalled the ballroom waltzes.

Tomoko’s daughter Beata also enjoys waltzes. Tomoko remembers when Beata wanted to quit skating at age nine. Tomoko aw that the rink had group lessons. Beata thought that group dancing was fun. “I love waltzing,” she said. Beata went on to win medals for her ice dancing, and both performs and coaches ice dancing. 

Tomoko has played the piano waltzes of several composers: Chopin, Liszt, Schubert, and Poulenc.

Among the waltzes that Tomoko enjoys playing is Shostakovich’s “Valse-Scherzo.” Russian Dmitri Shostakovich was one of the major composers of the twentieth century. Even as a child, Dmitra showed a gift for the piano and music in general. At age 13 he entered the Petrograd Music Conservatory, and he wrote his first symphony at age 19. Much of his work was theatrical, and he was known for his film music. Nevertheless, he also wrote for the piano, including waltzes. 

Tomoko’s performances of waltzes showcase her flowing movement and romantic undertones.  

The Musicality of Salzburg

Tomoko and her husband Desy wanted to get married in his native country of Hungary, but it wasn’t safe for him so they decided to wed in Salzburg. And as Tomoko says, "I wanted to get married in Europe because I love Europe, especially Austria, and it was close enough to Hungary for my husband's sake." Musically, it was a wonderful choice. Here are a few reasons.

Probably the best known aspect of musical Salzburg is its annual festival, featured in the 1965 film Sound of Music.  The summer festival was officially established in 1920, and is held at Cathedral Square. Operas and dramas, orchestras and chamber music have all been performed at this festival. And this festival is just one of the many musical events that happen throughout the year in Salzburg.

There is a long tradition of music in Salzburg. The first opera performed north of the Alps happened in Salzburg – in 1617: Monteverdi’s “L’Orfeo.” It was considered the first opera ever, and took place in a former quarry that was transformed into a rocky theater.  The opera tells the story of Orpheus and his descent into Hell to bring back his dead wife.

It might not be a surprise that Mozart was born in Salzburg: in 1756. He grew up there, and stayed in Salzburg until he was 25 years old. Two museums are now dedicated to Mozart, and the most extensive Mozart library in the world is in Salzburg.

Salzburg’s most famous Baroque building is the Salzburg Cathedral, where Mozart was baptized. As a court organist and concertmaster, he composed sacred music to be performed there. Tomoko’s wedding was held at St. Gilgen's, where Mozart's mother was baptized. It might well be that Tomoko could feel the spirit of Mozart, certainly of music, as she and Desy exchanged their wedding vows.

Honoring Dad

Fathers can make a real difference in the musical lives of their families. Tomoko knows this as a daughter as well as a mother and wife.

Her own father played the violin as a hobby, and he bought a piano from the family’s neighbors, who needed the money to survive during World War II. Tomoko’s brother started piano lessons, and Tomoko followed her brother’s need. Tomoko’s brother went on to become a composer, and, of course, Tomoko is a wonderful piano performer and teacher.

Tomoko’s husband, Desy, is not a musician himself, but he has been very supportive of his talented family.

Tomoko remembers meeting Desy at a Hungarian Ball at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco. Desy escaped from Communist Hungary, where he grew up and studied medicine. “He was a good dancer,” Tomoko recalls. “I didn’t dance myself, and he didn’t play any musical instruments,” she says, “but I invited him to my piano recital.” A few years later they married. He continues to support Tomoko’s passion, “even though he doesn’t know the difference between Mozart and Chopin, he likes music.”  Tomoko continues, “To him, everything sounds good. I like that. It makes it easy for me. No presssure.”

Tomoko’s daughter Beata inherited her father’s love of dancing and her mother’s love of music. Beata combined those loves into her own unique career of ice dancing. And her parents supported that love. Desy was concerned about Beata’s life choice because of the difficulty of competition, and wanted her to be successful. Beata told him, “Daddy, how many people are happy doing what they do for a living? Just like you, I want to do the best in my life. May I do it? Please let me try, and if I fail I will go back to college.” Desy was impressed with Beata’s conviction, and agreed to support her dream.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, it is good to remember how fathers can support their families. It makes for a harmonious life.

Duets for Life

Duets

"I ask people to do duets," remarks Tomoko. Tomoko has played duets with her students, both as part of their lesson as well as for recitals. There are many fascinating four-hand piano compositions, which enrichen the students' musical background. And technically, duets help musicians listen more closely to the music, and sharpen their ability to coordinate with the other player.

As a performer, Tomoko has played in concerts with other professionals. Tomoko fondly remembers violinist Ernestine Riedel Chihuaria in that regard. They met in 1969 through the Peninsula Symphony. Ernestine needed an accompanist at the last minute, and Tomoko performed with her at the DeYoung Museum. They continued to perform together for thirty years. "I considered ourselves as a duo rather than having a performer-accompanist relationship," Tomoko asserts.



Duets were an early part of Tomoko's own playing. She first learned piano playing from her brother, and the two of them would practice on the family’s one piano. “Sometimes we played four-hand music,” Tomoko remembers. “We would switch parts when doing duets, which helped me understand symphonies with their many parts.” Tomoko’s brother later became a professional composer.

Keeping it in the family, at her tribute concert in 2013, Tomoko and her daughter Beata performed a piano duet, which was very touching. While Beata started playing the piano as a preschooler, her passion lay in ice skating. Tomoko was just as glad; "It's good not to have two professional pianists in the family," contends Tomoko.

However, Beata enjoyed doing duets on the ice.  By age 14, Beata was known for her affinity for ice dancing, even though she practiced without a partner. It took four years for her to find a right male ice dancing partner: Charles Sinek. The next year they married. "Our competitions were like a wedding; we were presented as a couple, we dance together, we had beautiful costumes, our guests were the audience, and there was a lot of planning just for one event," remembers Beata. 

Tomoko too has had a long duet with her husband: Desy. They met at a Hungarian ball, and married in 1975. He also is not a musician, like their daughter; Tomoko ways, "I never have to worry about him giving me his opinion about how I should practice or perform." But they complement each other well, as good duos do. It's the same skill: of listening and coordination.