Frederic Sonata

The first time I heard Frédéric Chopin's (1810-1849) Piano Sonata No. 2, known as the "Funeral Sonata," was in 1980, when I was a freshman in high school.
The first time I heard Frédéric Chopin's (1810-1849) Piano Sonata No. 2, known as the "Funeral Sonata," was in 1980, when I was a freshman in high school. It was just as I had started writing original songs while serving as vocalist in a band.
It happened to be playing on an FM radio I had on-a performance by Czech pianist Ivo Pogorelich at the 10th Chopin Competition in Warsaw.
It was a shock. Most of all, the speed.
After the opening of the first movement, he played the section marked "Doppio movimento" (twice as fast) at triple speed.
I later learned that this performance was controversial, and that the judges, who supported traditional interpretations, did not allow him to advance to the finals. In protest, judge Martha Argerich resigned.
However, to me at that time, the performance sounded like hard rock, and it stirred up my passionate imagination, wondering what it would be like if Cozy Powell, the drummer who was with Rainbow at the time, had played along.
I first tried to realize this in 1984, my second year studying music at a university of education. Using a 4-track cassette MTR, I created a demo by having a friend majoring in piano play piano over tracks programmed on a drum machine in its infancy.
However, due to the limitations of my skills at the time, I couldn't achieve what I wanted and gave up.
About 40 years have passed since then. This experience led me to study Chopin deeply and love him dearly. As a composer and producer, I found myself in an environment where, thanks to advances in technology and equipment, I could finally realize my long-held dream.
When I shared this project idea with singer Rieko Kise, who I've been collaborating with on the "Rock Songs Project" since 2023, she immediately agreed. Thus, the long-dormant plan to "collaborate Chopin's Sonata No. 2, 1st Movement with rock drums" suddenly came back to life.
Working on this song, which can truly be called one of my origins and is also part of my end-of-life preparations, was a time of pure bliss. Using a demo from 40 years ago as a foundation, I boldly incorporated the many ideas that flowed freely, refining the arrangement over about two months without a single thought about commercial success.
The lyrics draw from the lesser-known aspects of Chopin's own life, carefully capturing the passionate feelings he poured into his piano.
Above all, the brilliance of Ms. Kise's soul-infused vocals that breathed life into this song!
Her high notes and expressive power represent her unquestionably finest performance to date. During recording, I couldn't suppress goosebumps multiple times, feeling profound pride just to be present at this session.
Thus, the finally completed "Frédéric Sonata" is now ready to be delivered to all of you!
What will you think? It's a long, intense piece, so it might not be for everyone. Some might even say, "Don't desecrate Chopin!"
Even so, if you experience it once and it moves your heart, sparking an interest in Chopin's life, that would be my greatest wish.

December 2025
Hayata Akashi