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.
Show: Nodame Cantabile
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, but of others as well. The only thing stopping Chiaki from leaving for Europe is his fear of flying. As a result, he's grounded in Japan.
During his 4th year at Japan's top music university, Chiaki happens to meet Noda Megumi—or as she refers to herself, Nodame. On the surface, she seems to be an unkempt girl with no direction in life. However, when Chiaki hears Nodame play the piano for the first time, he is in awe at the kind of music she plays. To Chiaki's dismay, Nodame moves into the apartment next to his and finds out that she is head-over-heels in love with him.
Lesson 5: Many Years of S Orchestra's Direction
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.
Lesson 4: Master Milch's Appearance
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).
Lesson 3: Queen of Percussion Instruments
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.