Tori Matsuzaka Plays a ¥1.1 Billion Violin at the "Maestro!" Movie Completion Preview Screening

A special preview screening for the film "Maestro!", opening next January, was held on December 2 at Marunouchi Piccadilly in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. The packed venue, with some attendees reportedly lining up from 7 AM, welcomed cast members actor Tori Matsuzaka, Toshiyuki Nishida, singer miwa, and director Seitaro Kobayashi, who took the stage for greetings.

The film is based on "Maestro," a manga series by Sasou Akira serialized in "Manga Action" and other publications from 2003 to 2007, which won the Excellence Award in the Manga category at the 12th Japan Media Arts Festival. Given the numerous performance scenes throughout the work, director Kobayashi expressed his commitment: "As a matter of respect for making a music film, I wanted to create a work that wouldn't be disrespectful to professional musicians." Matsuzaka, who played the violinist protagonist Kosaka, reflected on the "hellish days" (his own words) of training that began a year before filming: "At first, I didn't even know how difficult the violin was, but as I practiced more and more, I gradually became less talkative."

Though Matsuzaka mastered the playing technique through filming, she also showcased her skills to the audience that day. When a Stradivarius violin, crafted between 1700 and 1720 and valued at approximately 1.1 billion yen, along with a bow worth about 20 million yen, were carried on stage by security guards, the four performers on stage visibly revealed their awe at its presence, with Nishida remarking, "My legs were shaking." After playing a long note with a tense expression, Matsuzaka commented not only on the violin's tone quality but also on the bow: "It had a weight to it, and it felt like it was naturally drawn to the violin."

Beyond its dedication to acting, this production also features Japan's leading musical professionals. Conductor and acting supervisor Yutaka Sado, renowned globally for guest appearances with orchestras like the Berlin Philharmonic, oversees the musical direction. The ending theme is composed by Shin'ichi Tsujii, a pianist celebrated for his immense popularity both domestically and internationally. Additionally, singer-songwriter miwa, making her acting debut, was cast as the heroine. She commented, "Please enjoy the year-end with the Kōhaku Uta Gassen (where I'll be performing), and then start the new year with 'Maestro!' in January."

"Maestro!" opens nationwide on January 31, 2015. For more details, visit the official website: ( http://maestro-movie.com/ )