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The Best Episodes of Nodame Cantabile Season 1

Every episode of Nodame Cantabile Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Nodame Cantabile Season 1!

Binge this in 8h 49m•Peaking at 8.3/10

Shinichi Chiaki is a first class musician whose dream is to play among the elites in Europe. Coming from a distinguished family, he is an infamous perfectionist; not only is he highly critical of himself,

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 11 - Lesson 11: Piano
    8.3/10(28 votes)

    S1:E11

    It is finally Stresemann, Chiaki, and the A Orchestra's turn to perform for the school's fall festival. They manage to captivate the audience with their Rachmaninoff performance. Chiaki and Stresemann go their separate ways as Stresemann returned to Europe the next day. Nodame becomes desperate to perform in an orchestra like Chiaki and is left with a message and present from Stresemann. Saiko, still thinking about Chiaki, comes by for a visit. Nodame also comes by after practicing Rachmaninoff for days without bathing and hardly any food. The piece performed in this episode is Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  2. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 20 - Lesson 20: World
    8.1/10(25 votes)

    S1:E20

    Nodame advances through the preliminaries of the Maradona piano competition, while the R-S Orcherstra's fame increases, drawing more and more attention. The pieces performed in this episode are Piano Sonata D845 by Schubert, Prelude and fugue no.16 (only the fugue) WTK book 2 by Bach, Etude Op. 10, No. 4 by Chopin, Transcendental Etude No. 5 "Feux Follets" by Liszt and L'Isle Joyeuse by Debussy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

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  3. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 23 - Lesson 23: Future
    8.1/10(27 votes)

    S1:E23

    Chiaki conducts his last piece with the Rising Star Orchestra and contemplates how he even got there in the first place. With Nodame still away in Okawa, Chiaki is urged to persuade her to return to piano by visiting her home town after the concert. Chiaki and Nodame share an intimate moment at the riverbed as her father catches sight of them from his boat. Chiaki and Nodame will be looking forward to seeing each other in Europe. The pieces performed in the episode are Symphony No. 7, Op. 92 by Ludwig van Beethoven and Piano Sonata D845 by Franz Schubert.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  4. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 19 - Lesson 19: Flight
    8.0/10(25 votes)

    S1:E19

    After the concert, Nodame uses hypnotism to cure Chiaki's fear of flying. The pieces performed in this episode are Symphony no.1 in c minor by Johannes Brahms, Piano Sonata D845 by Franz Schubert, and Transcendental Etude No. 5 "Feux Follets" by Franz Liszt.

    Director:Shigeru Ueda
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  5. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 21 - Lesson 21: Accident
    8.0/10(26 votes)

    S1:E21

    Nodame makes it to the final round, but an untimely fever from practicing too much sets her back as it now becomes a race against time to finish memorizing the pieces for the final round. Just when the pressure couldn't have been any heavier, she runs into a colleague from her childhood, Segawa Yuuto, which in turn brings back her bad memories she had repressed. Chiaki, on the other hand, has his hands full with the new violinist, but attends the Maradona finals to observe Nodame and the other contestants. The pieces performed in this episode are Variations on a Theme of Paganini by Johannes Brahms, Gaspard de la nuit by Joseph-Maurice Ravel, Piano Sonata No. 23 Op. 57 by Ludwig van Beethoven, Piano Sonata No. 8 K.310 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sonata No. 2 in G minor by Robert Schumann and Petrushka by Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  6. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 17 - Lesson 17: Wastefulness
    7.9/10(25 votes)

    S1:E17

    Nodame finishes her last "Moja Moja" song and now must do her part in her deal with Etou sensei. Meanwhile, some members of the R-S Orchestra take a break on rehearsals to dedicate to their solo competitions. The piece performed in this episode is Symphonie Espagnole, op. 21 - 1. Allegro non troppo by Édouard Lalo.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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    The 20 BEST Episodes of Nodame Cantabile

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  7. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 18 - Lesson 18: Awakening
    7.9/10(24 votes)

    S1:E18

    Finally the time comes for the R-S Orchestra's first concert.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

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  8. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 22 - Lesson 22: End
    7.8/10(25 votes)

    S1:E22

    Nodame is in deep trouble as her train of thought is robbed at an unfortunate moment. She leaves the competition hall disappointed as well as Chiaki who had hoped she would goto Europe with him. The New Year's concert is around the corner and Chiaki has yet to inform the Rising-Star Orchestra of his pending departure from Japan as well as his replacement conductor, Matsuda. Sakuma also shares his reasons as to why he had helped Chiaki throughout his past 2 years starting from his Rachmaninoff performance. The pieces performed in this episode are Petrushka by Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky, Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune by Claude Debussy, Carmen Fantasy by Pablo de Sarasate, and Till Eulenspiegels lustige Streiche Op.28 by Richard Strauss.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  9. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 9 - Lesson 9: Music Festival
    7.7/10(30 votes)

    S1:E9

    Stresseman sends Chiaki, Nodame, Mine, and Masumi to a musical festival where each takes lessons from famous musicians in order to better their playing. An unprepared Mine is quickly overwhelmed by the many talented musicians there. Meanwhile, Chiaki is ordered to look out for Stresemann and thanks to Stresemann's hangover, is also made to conduct an orchestra (the piece performed is the Symphony No. 5 in F major, Op. 76, B. 54, by Antonín Dvořák). Nodame is yelled at by the festival director, Nina Lutz, for not having motivation. At the end, however, after much practice, Nodame plays Bartok's Allegro Barbaro magnificently, but disappears from the practice room just as Lutz comes to see who was just playing.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  10. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 10 - Lesson 10: The Notion That Where It Can Charm
    7.7/10(30 votes)

    S1:E10

    The school festival is here and the S Orchestra is to perform without the aid of Chiaki, who is busy practicing with the A Orchestra with their performance. Chiaki discovers what was missing from his playing courtesy of the S Orchestra, but Stresemann tells him to disregard it for their upcoming performance after insisting on it throughout all his practices. The pieces performed in this episode are Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff (brief) and Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin (pianica version).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  11. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 1 - Lesson 1
    7.6/10(40 votes)

    S1:E1

    Shinichi Chiaki was almost giving up his dream of becoming a conductor, until he met Megumi Noda, also known as "Nodame". The pieces performed in the episode are Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns (brief), Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major "Emperor" by Ludwig van Beethoven (brief), Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 "Adagio Cantabile" by Ludwig van Beethoven (brief) and 2-Piano Sonata in D Major, K.448/375a by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  12. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 7 - Lesson 7: Kazuo's Many Years
    7.6/10(33 votes)

    S1:E7

    Chiaki is still having trouble getting the orchestra into shape, and everyone's confidence shatters under his harsh criticisms. With help from Nodame, Chiaki finally realizes Stresemann's reasoning behind the S Orchestra just in time for the concert subscription series, and the S Orchestra manages to impress their audience with an unorthodox display. The piece performed in the episode is Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 "Eroica" by Ludwig van Beethoven.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  13. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 12 - Lesson 12: Course
    7.6/10(27 votes)

    S1:E12

    Chiaki and Nodame perform Rachmaninoff on two pianos and cause quite a stir attracting an audience including Saiko and Etou-sensei. Later Chiaki meets with the writers from Classic Life magazine and they try to investigate why Chiaki is still in Japan when he could be going abroad. Nodame goes around bringing candy to various 4th year students in the S Orchestra as they reflect on their experience playing under Chiaki and on their future as graduation looms around the corner. The piece performed in the episode is Piano Concerto No. 2 (for 2 pianos 4 hands) by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

    Director:Shigeru Ueda
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  14. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 15 - Lesson 15: Change
    7.6/10(26 votes)

    S1:E15

    Chiaki's relatives are awaken by Chiaki and Nodame's playing. Both uncle and cousin agree that Chiaki should continue his music studies. Just before leaving Chiaki and his relatives all agree that Nodame should become a concert pianist and not a kindergarten teacher (seeing as she will be bullied). Nodame is perturbed and decides to go home by herself (as opposed to riding a taxi with Chiaki). Later, back in school, Chiaki meets up with Kiyora (violin), Kuroki (oboe), and Kikuchi (cello) to discuss the new orchestra they were about to "build". Meanwhile, Nodame has been officially transferred to Etou-sensei (famous for his white fan for hitting people with). Later that night, Chiaki goes to a drinking party of the new orchestra deciding the piece of their first performance. Mine's father called and said that Nodame dropped by to look for Chiaki but did not eat anything. The piece performed in this episode is Violin Sonata (Sonata for Violin and Piano) op.82 by Edward Elgar.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  15. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 16 - Lesson 16: Starting
    7.6/10(25 votes)

    S1:E16

    The R-S Orchestra starts rehearsing for their first concert, while Nodame and her new teacher finally come to an agreement. The piece played is Mozart's Oboe Concerto in C major K 314.

    Director:Shigeru Ueda
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  16. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 13 - Lesson 13: Graduation
    7.5/10(26 votes)

    S1:E13

    It's graduation time at the Momogaoka College of Music and its graduating students (including Chiaki and Masumi) put on a performance of various classical pieces for their graduation recital. Kiyora, the former concert mistress of the Nina Lutz Seminar Youth Orchestra, proposes to Chiaki her idea of assembling an orchestra. She invites Chiaki in as their conductor. Needless to say, she also requests that Chiaki and his "superstar" status to invite some of the elite musicians (cellist, violinist, and oboist) into the orchestra. The S Orchestra has their final get together as they disband and move on. The pieces performed in the episode are Concerto for Flute and Percussion by André Jolivet and Mephisto Waltz No. 1 (Der Tanz in der Dorfschenke) by Franz Liszt.

    Director:Hideaki Uehara
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  17. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 14 - Lesson 14: Past
    7.5/10(26 votes)

    S1:E14

    Under rather bizarre circumstances, Nodame makes a visit to the home in which Chiaki grew up, meets his family, and even makes dinner for them (onigiri and nabe). Since the passing of Chiaki's grandfather, tensions seem to have risen within the family, nearly to a breaking point. The pair end up staying over night, and when a nightmare wakes Chiaki, he retreats to his grandfather's audio room. Upon waking to the sound of the opera, Nodame finds Chiaki in the study, listening to records. Eager to play, she convinces him to accompany her on the violin while she plays the piano. There are no pieces performed in this episode; however, Chiaki listens to Matthäuspassion by Johann Sebastian Bach in his Grandfather's audio room.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

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  18. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 2 - Lesson 2
    7.4/10(35 votes)

    S1:E2

    Ryutaro Mine is a violinist who needed a piano player for his violin jury. But when he chooses Nodame as his partner, little did he know his troubles were just beginning. The piece performed in the episode is Sonata No. 5 "Spring" for Violin and Piano, Op. 24 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  19. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 5 - Lesson 5: Many Years of S Orchestra's Direction
    7.4/10(36 votes)

    S1:E5

    With Stresemann knocked out cold, Nodame "convinces" Chiaki to be substitute conductor for the special orchestra. Chiaki agrees and finds out that the group he's conducting is out of synch. As the rehearsal falls apart, Stresemann takes over and demonstrates everything that Chiaki failed to do. Stresemann finally accepts Chiaki as his student but tells him to remain a piano major. The piece performed in the episode is Symphony No. 7, Op. 92 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

    Director:Youhei Suzuki
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  20. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 8 - Lesson 8: Milch's Repatriation
    7.4/10(32 votes)

    S1:E8

    Chiaki is asked to leave the S orchestra to play the piano solo of Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff as requested by Stresseman for the A orchestra. It is revealed that Stresseman was asked by his ex-lover, a member of the academy's board of directors to instruct Chiaki in conducting. The piece performed by Nodame towards the end of the episode is Etude N° 4 in C Sharp Minor by Frédéric Chopin. The short piece that was played by Stresseman's ex is an excerpt from Nocturne Op 55 No. 1 in F minor, also by Frédéric Chopin.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 4 - Lesson 4: Master Milch's Appearance
    7.3/10(35 votes)

    S1:E4

    A foreigner visits Chiaki's school and becomes friends with Nodame. Chiaki refuses to let him into his house because of his perverted behavior. It turns out the foreigner is Maestro Franz von Stresemann and is attending the school as head of the conducting department. Chiaki, interested in changing his major to conducting, gets rejected by the new professor who is apparently at odds with Chiaki's former "teacher", Vieira. The piece performed in the episode is Fantaisie Impromptu, Op. 66 by Frédéric Chopin (brief).

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Masahiro Yokotani

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  22. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 6 - Lesson 6: Secession
    7.3/10(34 votes)

    S1:E6

    The S orchestra is to perform before the A orchestra at the upcoming concert. However, Stresemann takes "business" leave and Chiaki is forced to take his place conducting the S orchestra. In a twist of events, Stresemann quits the S orchestra and in revenge against Chiaki, plans to lead the A orchestra in humiliating the S orchestra at the concert. With the concert just a week away, Chiaki becomes the S orchestra's new conductor. The piece performed in the episode is Symphony No. 3 Op. 55 "Eroica" by Ludwig van Beethoven.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  23. Nodame Cantabile Season 1 Episode 3 - Lesson 3: Queen of Percussion Instruments
    7.2/10(36 votes)

    S1:E3

    An admirer of Chiaki, timpanist Masumi Okuyama becomes jealous of Nodame's relationship with him, and torments her with pranks. To sort out their rivalry, they compete to see who can snag a date with Chiaki on Christmas Eve. The piece performed in the episode is a jazz arrangement of Chiaki's composition arranged by Nodame, Mine, and Masumi.

    Director:Shigeru Ueda
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Lesson 11: Piano" is the best rated episode of "Nodame Cantabile" season 1. It scored 8.3/10 based on 28 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Tomoko Konparu, it aired on 3/23/2007. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Lesson 20: World".