Janáček's Sinfionetta in 1Q84

If you have not read Haruki Murakami's 1Q84 yet, you may not be familiar with this piece of music entitled Sinfionetta by Czech composer Leoš Janáček. The novel's main characters, though linked in many ways, share a special affection for this piece. In 1Q84, as in many of Murakami's books, music plays a large role; he casts it as a conduit to greater understanding and enlightenment. Listen to the first movement below, Fanfare, written for the Sokol Gymnastic Festival in 1926; pay attention to the percussion section and more specifically the tympani, since they relate most closely to the novel. Then you may want to explore more work by this early 20th century composer.



Here is a link to a great playlist by GalleyCat blog editor Jason Boog on Spotify. It includes all the music discussed or even just mentioned in all of Murakami's work to date.

Haruki Murakami Music