Franz Klaus

About

Franz Klaus is a famous German pianist, and Akira's father — whose only memory of him is Franz criticizing Akira's playing as "disappointing". This, in turn, led to Akira's mother pushing her son to practice more, in the hopes that Franz would approve of him.

He is currently teaching Julian Clement.


The relationship between Franz and Akira's mother was a tumultuous fling, and he financially supported her and Akira while continuing his career and remaining distant from them. After she died in a car accident, he kept his distance from Akira as he didn't know how to interact with him. Every year since, Franz has visited Japan and, unable to visit her grave, played Mozart's "Requiem" in her memory in the confines of his hotel room.

To the young Akira, he meant to imply that while Akira's playing was skillful, it was mechanical and devoid of passion. After Takami's intervention, he offers Akira the opportunity to study under his guidance in Germany.