Tone, rhythm, melody, harmony, pitch, structure... These are the elements that create music. It is one of the most beautiful things that human civilization has created over billions of years. Music originates from various creations we now call instruments. The meticulously crafted instruments made by masterful professionals are truly remarkable. These instruments have the power to bring people together, allowing self-expression and fostering connections.
Music has been an integral part of my life since birth. My mother would sing and dance while playing the flute, radiating joy. Her long silvered instrument seemed to glow under her swift hands, and its angelic high pitch enchanted everyone who heard it. My father, a professional musician, was a master of various instruments, from brass to string. However, it was the cello where he truly shined. His gentle touch on the large instrument's strings produced breathtaking tones that touched the depths of the soul. The deep melody and vibrant vibrations resonated from the floor to the tip of my fingers.
When my parents played duets, it felt as if they were destined to be together since birth. They completed each other, and their harmony could captivate anyone, making them pause and turn their heads in awe. I loved watching them play, and naturally, I wanted to play an instrument alongside my older twin brother. My brother instantly knew he wanted to play the piano, fascinated by how it could produce several notes in perfect harmony. On the other hand, I had no idea which instrument to choose. None of the brass instruments intrigued me enough, and while the instruments my father played sounded magnificent, I felt like something was missing in each one.
We attended one of my father's performances, where he would play the piano as a duet with my uncle, his mentor and teacher. My uncle had become a part of our family, always supporting my father's practice and artistic growth. While skilled in various instruments, his mastery was undoubtedly the violin. As my father and uncle bowed to the applauding audience, they took their positions. Gracefully, my father started playing the piano with professionalism, and I was mesmerized by the fluid movement of his hands along the keyboard. Lost in the trance, I was snapped back to reality by a loud yet beautiful high pitch. I turned my attention to my uncle, who played the violin. His form and confidence were unlike anything I had ever seen. He swayed to the rhythm with elegance, producing powerful pitches as he skillfully moved the bow up and down. His fingers danced on the fingerboard with precision.
I had never seen him perform before, as he primarily taught my father. However, even my father didn't know how to play the violin. Witnessing my uncle's performance on stage in front of thousands of people, I was enchanted by his playing. The sound of the violin, unlike the deep thunderous notes of the cello, was high-pitched, reminiscent of birds singing in the morning. It had a range from low to high pitches, changing along with my uncle's movements. It was love at first sight, hearing the violin played in such a manner. I instantly knew that the violin was the instrument I wanted to master.
The performance concluded with tremendous success as the audience roared with enthusiasm. It was an enchanting performance and one I will never forget. Little did I know that it would be the last performance of the two individuals I looked up to.
After the show, my mother, twin brother, and I went to the changing room where professionals typically practiced and prepared before performances. We planned to surprise my father and uncle with a cake in their room, eagerly awaiting their arrival. However, my twin brother and I were engaged in a fight, while my mother watched us with a fond smile. The atmosphere was calm before the storm. Suddenly, a sound pierced the air, a cry for help followed by the smell of smoke. My mother rushed to us, holding us closely, attempting to calm our fears. My older brother trembled, tears streaming down his face, and I clung tightly to my twin brother, scared by the chaos and screams beyond the door. Through teary eyes, I saw a calculating and serious look on my mother's face as she embraced us. Finally, she sighed deeply, trying to calm herself, and brought our attention to her.
"Osamu, take care of your brother. Satoshi, be calm. It will be over soon. No matter what happens, keep going and don't look back, understood?" With those words, she left, and a few minutes later, an explosion shattered the door, filling the room with thick smoke and dust. Instinctively, I ran toward the door to find my mother, but a tight grip on my hand held me back. "Let's hurry. We can't stay here any longer!" I heard Osamu yell from behind.
"But Mother is in danger! Father and Uncle could be hurt too! We need to help—" I turned to look at my brother, and his red, swollen eyes conveyed the unspoken truth. He wanted to save them as well, but the reality was that we had to go without them.
From there, everything became a blur. My brother and I held each other tightly, searching for a way out of the building. The flames grew wilder with each passing second, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Frantically, my brother called for help through the engulfing flames, but his voice was swallowed by the smoke. Ash and tears blurred my vision, and I stumbled, falling to the ground alongside my brother. He tried to gather his strength, but it was futile. Our strength waned rapidly, our bones weakening, and the air in our lungs depleting.
My eyelids grew heavy, and I reached out my hand slowly, hoping my brother would reach back. His mouth moved, but I heard nothing. The world around me faded into silence. In my last moments of consciousness, I realized there was one more thing that created the marvelous music I cherished. Music that moved hearts across the world, bridging different cultures, bringing people together, connecting us to one another. It was a music special to my mother, father, and uncle. How could I forget the final element that brought forth such beautiful music