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Sep. 4 is “Classical Music Day”.

It is a memorial day established in 1990based on the words' play 9 (Kura) and 4 (Shikku) that sounds like “classic” in Japanese. Music by great composers such as Bach and Beethoven, is still loved by many people around the world.

Classical music has been used in the background in many anime. It is often used in music performance scenes, or ostentatious fights scenes to hype up the story.
Here, at Anime! Anime! we had conducted a reader survey titled “What classical music from the anime can you think of?” We received 94 responses during the survey period from Aug. 19 to Aug. 26. The male to female ratio is about 35% for men and about 65% for women. The age group was about 35% for those under 19 years old, and about 30% for those in their 20s, with a mainly younger group.

■ Beethoven, Chopin, Schubert… Masterpieces are here!
In this survey, many votes had been received for music-themed anime.
“ClassicaLoid” is a story where famous composers from the past appear in the present time. Many classical and arranged melodies had been used, and the most famous among the songs is Schubert's “Die Forelle”, which was played in the ep. 13.
Many fans were surprised by unexpected story development, “The scene when Schubert mysteriously turning into a trout after humming 'Die Forelle', had left an extremely strong impact on viewers”, and “It was a very beautiful song in crazy anime.”

Beethoven's Symphony No. 6 “Pastoral Symphony”, which has been used in several episodes including episode 1, is also popular.
Especially the arrange song “Jounetsu ni Tsuite Kataru Beki 2, 3 no Shinjitsu ~from Pastorale~”, ” When I heard Beethoven's “Pastoral Symphony”, arranged by Hotei Tomoyasu in a rock style, it makes me want to support the anime. Before that, I wasn't really into classical, but the songs I've heard somewhere and the names of composers I've learned at school have helped me to study.” Many readers said that it inspired them to learn about classical music.

“Your Lie in April” is a story about the youthful story of the pianist Arima Kousei. Regarding Chopin's “Etude Op. 25, No. 11 (Winter Wind)” in episode 9, “That fascinating tone echoed the emotions of the characters and the performance.”
Some viewers pointed on how memorable was Kreisler's “Liebesleid” in ep. 13 is, “A memorable song that connects the main protagonist and his mother. I cried everytime I heard this”, and “'Your Lie in April' made me practice hard to perform this song on a contest and I can never forget it.”

The main characters of “Nodame Cantabile” are Noda Megumi, a student of the piano department, and Chiaki Shinichi, who is aiming to become a conductor. Readers commented about Beethoven's Symphony No.7, which was played on the final episode of the first season, “I love how the melody in this song starts with a magnificent rhythm, and it hypes me up! I also think this is the perfect melody to Chiaki for his first conductor experience.”
Some readers chose the failed performances of Ravel's “Bolero” in the ep. 7 of the “Paris Arc”, “This is the melody Chiaki conducted for the first timefor the Roux-Marlet Orchestra. It's amazing because eve an amateur can understood how poor the performance was. On the last scene where the sound echoed after bodyslamming with the gong, my whole family burst into laughter.” It is the unique Nodame Cantabile's style comedy which another appeal point.

Ravel's “Bolero” is a melody that was used in various anime. About the movie “Digimon Adventure”, “I think, Ravel's 'Bolero' became an irreplaceable thing for 'Digimon Adventure'. I like the tension from the 'Oh, it's about to start' feeling when this song begins'.”
About “Legend of the Galactic Heroes”, “Classic used in the battle scene matched this space opera work.”

■ Let's introduce other comments
About Beethoven Symphony No. 9 in “Neon Genesis Evangelion”, “I used to think of the end of the year when I hear to this song, but now after watching 'Eva', I can only thinks of Kaworu-kun and Eva No.2 (laughs).”

About Chopin's Etude Op. 10, No. 3, in E major (parting song) in “Fullmetal Alchemist”, “This is a memorable song as it was used when Edward got separated from his younger brother Alphonse.”

About Faure's Sicilienne in “Hyoka”, “It's an unforgettable song gull of the mountains' mystery, and probably easies viewers' pain”.
There were votes on a wide range of titles, such as mystery and sports, including Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 “From the New World” in “Major”, “Although this melody had appeared in the original work, I was surprised when it really played in the anime! It was very good because it fits it.”

Below is the list of the most popular songs. Please check it.

■Most popular songs
“What classical music from the anime can you think of?”
“ClassicaLoid” Schubert “Die Forelle”, Beethoven Symphony No. 9 “Pastoral Symphony”, Mozart “Aine Kleine Nachtmusik”
“Digimon Adventure” (1999) Ravel “Bolero”
“Nodame Cantabile” Ravel “Bolero”
“Legend of the Galactic Heroes” Ravel “Bolero”
“Fantasia” Ducas “Magical Disciple”
“Major” Dvorak Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”
“The Legend of the Galactic Heroes” Dvorak Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”
“Your Lie in April” Chopin “Etude I Minor Op. 25-11 (Etude of Tree Drying)”, Chopin “Ballard No. 1 G Minor Op. 23”
“Neon Genesis Evangelion” Beethoven Symphony No. 9
“Detective Conan” Beethoven Piano Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight), Schubert “Song of Ellen No. 3” (Ave Maria)

(Survey period: Aug. 19 to Aug. 26, 2020)

※This survey is part of a survey of readers regarding their interest in and interest in anime works and characters today. Regarding the result, we do not intend to decide the superiority or inferiority of any character or work. We hope that this article will give you a chance to learn about new works and characters, and to help you to deepen your understanding and interest.