Emotion in music is a huge, controversial subject. Few doubt the power of music to evoke emotions, but disagreements abound about the source of these emotions. The most prominent theory is the materialist view that cultural associations are the sole roots of our responses. We hear a folk song handed down by our ancestors, or the national anthem of our country, and we are stirred.
But pianist Yumeka Nakagawa reminds us that there is more—much more—to music’s emotional content than ethnic or national identity. In a performance of Chopin’s “Raindrop” prelude last month at Warsaw’s 19th International Chopin Piano Competition, Nakagawa revealed the emotional depth of one of the most beloved pieces in the repertoire. Nakagawa was literally moved to tears during her performance, an interpretation that subsequently captured the hearts of classical music lovers around the world.
