Old-time musicians

"I heard 'Giant' on a friend's gramophone."

The troubadour Philly's eyes lit up, "It is a long music and painting scroll that expresses the integration of man and nature. It contains beautiful morning light, dew, flowers and pastoral poetry, and the whole text hints at some irresistible force." Violence is infiltrating and coming, and it is hard to imagine that such a work that coincides with the secret of 'Fanghui Poet' would be born under the pen of a composer from the Northland."

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"This fully demonstrates that only artists can escape the limitations of their own world and explore the possibilities of the infinite spiritual realm." Martini, another troubadour, counted on his fingers, "Well, it has been out for more than a year. However, it should be premiered in the Southern Continent this time. Mr. Bruno, the traveling conductor, has worked hard to plan its performance. I wonder if he has the artistic ambition to achieve the "Awakening Song" during the "Flower Ceremony"?

"It depends on the level." Masenegu joined the discussion, "I think if Mr. Fanning of Theoline personally conducts the old symphony orchestra here, he will definitely be able to awaken the 'Fanghui Poet' with his achievements in the 'Giant' Symphony." , but it should be noted that the scale and difficulty of this work are not small. If Mr. Bruno wants to win the championship, it depends on his own performance and the level of the orchestra. "

"It makes sense. 'Giant' only premiered in the Southern Continent. Strictly speaking, it is no longer a new work." The people around him nodded.

This has been the rule for hundreds of years. The success rate of the premiere of a new work is greater than that of revisiting a classic. The performance of old works will put forward more stringent requirements on the level of musicians - if the "Awakening Chant" can be realized simply, then the masters His works are so vast that if you just put together a second- or third-tier orchestra and perform a symphony by the Gillesian master, you can easily win the title first.

"So what orchestra are you talking about? Is it the most powerful resident orchestra, the United Principality Festival Orchestra?" People around him joined in the discussion in twos and threes.

"I'm afraid not. As far as I know, the position that Mr. Bruno obtained during his travel expenses was the permanent conductor of the Akobe Symphony Orchestra. The artists should have come from the city-state of Akobe for a festival tour here."

"It's the third-ranked professional band in the South. It's also a famous band. I've heard it live and the level is pretty good."

"It depends on the comparison. The United Principality Festival Orchestra is ranked first, but it is only seventh in the world. Our own country is ranked third, and its ranking is even further."

"Well, after all, the symphony is not as rich as the Western Continent," someone sighed.

"Actually, the orchestra of the Eleanor State Opera House, which is second in our country, is of very high standard and has hundreds of years of heritage, but it has never been among the top ten. Even the newly established Old Symphony Orchestra has become the eleventh. This The ranking is somewhat unfair." Some people complained.

"The problem is that the genre is too narrow, and the opera house tends to 'make stars' in traditional culture. As the saying goes, they are good at acting but not good at writing. Famous singers have created one after another, but few of them are good at it. "Master composer" has some rational analysis.

"Isn't it Mr. Dominic? He was the poet laureate of the 'Awakening Song' one year at the Opera House."

"But people conferred the title of god as an opera master, and that was also at the Janus Harvest Art Festival later."

"When will the Opera House premiere 'Resurrection'? Aren't they very good singers?"

"What are you thinking about? The Northern Continent has only been around for twenty days. Mr. Capron erected the monument so high that even Janus's city of San Perto didn't dare to recreate it. Moreover, it is said that the essence of this piece of music is Although it is a chorus, the difficulty is still the instrumental part. The beginning is difficult with 'Fanning's standard persuasion', which a troupe used to performing in operas simply cannot handle. It will be good if we can perform 'Giant' well first."

"It's better to listen to the record first and be realistic. Has any of you pre-ordered 'Resurrection' arrived?..."

More and more people joined the discussion in the large open-air courtyard on the second floor of the hotel.

Before a concert with a good repertoire begins, music fans will always talk about and predict the gimmicks, and start a lot of thinking. This is a very familiar scene no matter in the past or present.

Where there is music, there are music lovers.

Fan Ning felt that he was quite enjoying the slight noise surrounding his ears. He was carrying his guitar, drinking a cold drink, and stood by the bleachers overlooking the street scene. The breeze and flower petals fluttered his clothes, and the shadows danced gently on the hot sunlight on the ground.

"Teacher, will you write symphonies in the future?" An walked to Fan Ning's side.

"Why do you ask that?" Fan Ning glanced at her.

"Because you said you have never written anything." She leaned on the railing next to her and looked down, with one calf slightly raised behind her canvas shoes. "They were discussing Mr. Fanning's 'Giant' and 'Resurrection'. "The discussion was very lively, which shows that symphony is a great genre that can prove your ability, and I have no doubt that you also have this ability."

Fan Ning shook his head with a half-smile upon hearing this: "If I write a symphony, which one will be more popular than his 'Giant' or 'Resurrection'?"

"You." An replied without hesitation.

"Hahaha." Fan Ning laughed loudly and continued to overlook the scenery.

"Teacher, have you ever heard of Fox Lily Field?" she asked again.

"It's hard not to know it." Fan Ning said "hmm".

For foreigners who have truly learned about the customs and habits of Tia City from books, the most impressive and curious place is probably the Holy Land Fox Lily Field. It is said that the fox lilies have peculiar shapes, gorgeous and elegant temperaments, and the fragrance penetrates the lungs. Looking at it, it is like a sea of ​​fire burning on the southern plains.

"I will accompany you there after the competition. It will definitely give you very novel inspiration."

The girl bowed slightly to Fanning when she said this: "Thank you for practicing singing these days, teacher. The Eleanor National Opera House will start the selection in the afternoon. I need to take a bath, change clothes, and put on makeup before leaving. I also need to practice my voice. I have to leave now."

Fanning had already known the arrangement and waved her hand to indicate that she should prepare on her own.

"Ah, I forgot to ask you a question." An turned around and turned back.

"What?"

"Do you have a specific singing order for the five "Rückert Songs"?"

Fanning pondered for a moment and shook his head:

"No, it's up to you."

"I want a word of encouragement to increase your confidence."

"Under the premise that there are no major mistakes, the difficulty of this stage is a bit bullying to use "Rückert Songs."

"Okay! Thank you, teacher."

The other party left with a light and happy back and steps.

The next few days of getting along dispelled many of Fanning's concerns. Based on some previous experience, the two subsequent situations that he had to disconnect with the most headaches did not occur: Miss Nightingale respected others and respected herself, and her words and deeds were still polite and measured, and she did not become resentful or depressed, but still exuded frank, cheerful and confident energy, and continued to work hard towards her dream of becoming a famous singer.

After I said that I would not accompany her in the "selection" stage, she just happily said that if she could enter the finals, I hope I can consider watching.

In fact, the famous singer competition started as early as early July. There were six rounds from the "general selection" of various archipelagos and city-states to the "re-selection" of the Tia city-state, and then to the finals.

The invitation letter held by Miss Nightingale was a green card. The "final selection" she participated in today was independent of the six rounds. If we look at the progress, it is equivalent to the second-to-last effect, and there is still one step away from the finals.

So he was not interested in watching it for the time being.

After returning to his hotel room, he took a shower and took a short nap.

On a whim, he marked the five art songs with piano accompaniment with symphonic arrangements.

Such practice will make "Rückert's Song" form two versions. The former is convenient and refreshing, with a prominent theme, while the latter has a more three-dimensional atmosphere and richer expression.

In the afternoon, he wandered aimlessly on the bustling streets for a while. Under the sunlight, the huge and warm city-state of Tia was like a maze filled with fragrance. Less than a month ago, he was still in Theolian, which was so close yet so far away. He often sat on the balcony wooden floor of the living room of the Turner Art Hall thinking about some irrelevant life problems. Whenever he emphasized or pondered these contrasts in his heart, he felt like he was dreaming.

At the market, Luna held a small black umbrella as usual, and Fanning held a cup of "egg coffee" cold drink that he had never tasted before. In front of him, there was a lot of traffic and people coming and going. A pair of hot young girls passed by him and praised the handsomeness of this foreigner with a sincere tone. Fanning turned back and smiled to thank him, and sniffed the ocean-flavored perfume left in the hot wind.

The cold drink in his hand looks like a layer of black coffee covered with brown cream. It is a milk foam substitute made by the locals with raw eggs, brown sugar and condensed milk. It tastes silky and unique, with a fragrant aroma. The dense egg yolk and the bitter coffee collide and blend, with rich and interesting layers, without any fishy feeling.

Fanning's thoughts diverge from the cold drink, briefly passing through some figures in distant countries, but soon he travels directly to more than 40 years ago.

At that time, Vincent and Professor Anton were still children, and Vien flew across the sea with a "gel fetal membrane" with a D minor triad, and completed the "Awakening Chant" with a work called "Prelude" a few years later. Fanning tried to think about what might have happened in the meantime, but failed. The midsummer here is very hot, and the pedestrians are dressed in bright colors, which is far away from the gray old time and space, and there is no connection.

Under the colorful parasols, on the low roofs, arches or flat rooftops, and on the outer edges of the store blinds... Fanning saw the "traditional arts" of the South as always: toads staring at him, mushrooms with strange shapes and colors, and insects placed on the barbecue grill that made people dare not eat them at all... But this time he stayed a little longer at one of the stalls-

"Skull drilling surgery"

Luna also saw it when she took him to buy a piano at the Puerto Baquerizo market.

Fanning looked at the nails, hammers, drills and knives in the toolbox, frowned and fell into thought. He felt that the thing in front of him was related to something, but he couldn't grasp it for a while.

Seeing a customer stop by, the plump lady in flowery clothes turned over the plaque hanging from the rope, revealing some "paid content" behind it. However, she did not start to introduce it attentively like other stall owners. Instead, she kept smacking her cigar, looked around, and quickly returned the plaque to its original position.

In a short time, Fanning had already seen that the effects of these "drilling operations" included "relieving fatigue", "treating pain", "enhancing inspiration and insight", and even obtaining the mysterious power of "communicating with the dead" or "seeing fortune".

The amazing thing is that its price only ranges from 5 shillings to less than 10 pounds, depending on the "workload" or "difficulty factor" of drilling.

"Teacher Schelesian, bards like you don't have to deal with them!" Seeing Fan Ning's interested expression, Luna beside her quickly spoke in a low voice and stretched out her hand to pull him away.

"What is the relationship between these people and the church?" Fan Ning asked after leaving.

"How could they have something to do with the church!" Luna opened her eyes wide, "Didn't you see that person looked so sinister just now? They are just afraid that people from the church will come and investigate the stall!"

"Is it some of the evil god's peripheral operatives who have appeared recently?"

"It is a very ancient indigenous tradition in the South, but you are right. They are pagans and were liquidated as early as the 'Duchies of Chaos' period. Any slightly more privileged class or family will educate their children to stay away from these so-called Skull drilling surgery "from curing illness and removing pain to enlightening heaven and earth".

Fan Ning stirred the egg coffee in the cup with a small spoon: "So they are not scammers. This type of surgery has proven effectiveness?"

"It's just a liar." Luna said, "Maybe some descendants of ancient pagans have mastered this method of stimulating mysterious power, but how could it be possible that a quack with a few shillings and a few gold pounds at a street stall can do it? , Um, but they can always deceive people. Even now that industrial science is so advanced, there are always people in the hospital who suffer from infection, heavy bleeding or mental problems due to this kind of surgery."

Fan Ning nodded slightly.

What is the reason that makes you feel that it is connected to something you saw before?

At least, this strange ancient tradition should not be directly related to the "Red Pond".

There are many secret organizations, and there are four or five types that are active in Tioline. There cannot be only the Pleasure Listening Club here.

He thought for a moment and then asked: "What gods or organizations do those indigenous pagans believe in?"

The little girl finally shook her head in confusion.

"Find a place to have a light meal and then go to the concert."

The glow in the sky is like several fiery red rivers flowing out of the clouds. The embers with golden light spots are settling in the air, soaking the magnificent stone pillars and stone steps at the front entrance of the "United Principality Festival Concert Hall" in the light and shadow of wine. .

In the wide stands at the ticket gate, Fanning saw Chretien waving, so he took Luna to join them. The nearby music fans were socializing in twos and threes, which was different from the citizens of Tia who went out to the streets on weekdays. , the dress is always more formal on such occasions, so it looks closer to the Northern Continent. Even Masenegu, who is dressed as a knight, looks like an out-and-out gentleman tonight.

"The three Mr. Troubadour and Mr. 'Guide' need to wait a moment." Chretien laughed loudly, "There are still three minutes before the appointed time. My conductor friend Mr. Bruno Walter will ask him The assistant will send you the tickets for this concert.”

"The scenery here is mind-blowing." Seeing that the other party mainly looked at himself to explain, Fan Ning smiled lightly and said it was okay.

As someone who often chats and laughs with Tioline's wealthy people, he knows very well what these ordinary merchant families are thinking.

In fact, it is simple to pay the ticket price and go directly to the concert. However, if it is "gifted" or "invited" to attend the concert, the meaning is different. What if it is reserved for the artist who performed or performed on the stage? An internal vote would be more honorable, so Chretien would always emphasize that the famous conductor was his friend.

But in fact, in the Northern Continent, if Fan Ning is invited to attend a concert, who will have to wait at the door for the "friend's assistant" to deliver tickets? That was something that had to be written in the preliminary publicity news. We had already sent a special car to pick us up and guide us along the way, including reception and tour introductions.

But Fan Ning didn't care about these frivolous things. He took off his top hat and looked at the red clouds on the horizon to fan himself. Then he suddenly heard an old and deep man's voice:

"Thanks."

He followed the sound, and his pupils contracted and expanded for a moment.

A large number of people in suits and ties, as well as a few people in clergy uniforms, were crowding in with several distinguished guests, saying "here, here" incessantly.

The leader among the distinguished guests has a tall and stiff back, wearing a broad hat and holding a silver cane.

It seems to be Rudolf Homon, the inspector general of the Special Inspection Office's headquarters in the Northern Continent!