King of Classical Music 201

Antonin Dvorak was one of Czech’s greatest composers of the 19th century.

This masterful musician who experienced the Czech national revival published his first musical piece at the age of 18, and at 24, wrote his famous 《The Bells of Zionice》. Since then, he crafted numerous compositions throughout his life and made glorious contributions to the splendid culture of classical music.

One named 《Symphony No. 9 in E minor》 was obviously Dvorak’s ninth symphony.

This piece was composed when Dvorak was the director of the New York Conservatory of Music in the US. So long as the name “Dvorak” was mentioned, everyone would think of this 《Ninth Symphony》.

This song also went by the alias 《From the New World》.

This was a symphony of hope and light with a passionate melody and a tenacious theme. For hundreds of years, it has inspired countless warriors who have struggled with darkness to never give up.

When he heard the name of this piece, Qi Mu asked, “Are you performing the fourth movement?”

The elevator doors opened at this moment, and a few people exited to see Hooke nodding. “Yes, Little Seven. We will finally use this fourth movement. No one has any doubts about the song choice, but there are conflicting views on the instrument lineup.”

As they spoke, everyone arrived at the solid wooden door of their destination, and Hooke, who had been very happy moments ago, was saddened terribly. He sighed heavily. “Mr. Dorenza, Mr. Tuckerman, Mr. Motl, Little Seven… I don’t need to say more. When you go in, you’ll understand.”

Under everyone’s surprised gazes, Hooke held the door knob as if resigned to his fate and gently pushed the door open. The door opened just a crack, and a faint noise emerged, growing as the gap got larger and larger…

Until it formed a wave of sound almost solid in its intensity to rush out the door!

“The horn, the trumpet, the clarinet! The Ninth is based on wind instruments. If you want to match this anniversary’s theme, there must be a concession somewhere! The focus of this year’s promotion is ‘Night of Strings’. It’s been advertised for so long. How can we possibly change the subject so suddenly?!”

“But have you seen an orchestra dare to use string instruments to perform the Ninth? Dali, don’t take it for granted! Have you ever heard of someone performing the Ninth on a stringed instrument?!!”

“What do you think, Lucas? For the finale, let’s finish off with a brass-themed song? Good God, it’s ‘Night of Strings’ on all the posters and tickets. Stringed. Instruments. Can’t you see?!”

“Then you tell me now, what are you going to use in place of the horn? The trumpet? How about the clarinets?!”

……

In the spacious conference hall, the lights shone in brightly through the clean windows. A ten-meter-long conference table divided the New York Philharmonic Orchestra into two. Both sides had their own opinion and argued fiercely, no one willing to step down.

And in the center position of the conference table, sat Mr. Boswell. Seeing this gentle conductor’s indifferent smile, Qi Mu asked, “Hooke, how’s it possible for New Ai to dispute like this? Is there anyone in the world who has the heart to refuse Mr. Boswell’s proposal?”

The bearded master said, wearing a complicated expression, “Little Seven, while I don’t think anyone could reject Mr. Boswell… Mr. Boswell might think both arguments are valid?”

Qi Mu: “…”

Only after arguing a while longer did someone notice Qi Mu and everyone’s arrival. Mr. Boswell was delighted and gave his old friends a hug. The smile on his face grew even brighter when he saw Qi Mu, “I really didn’t expect, two years ago, that we’d meet again… under such circumstances. Little Seven, it’s a pleasure to see you again.”

Qi Mu returned the hug and smiled, “I’m also very happy to see you, Mr. Boswell.”

After a few more greetings, Mr. Boswell brought Qi Mu and the others to sit. Qi Mu pulled out his chair but, before he could sit, suddenly heard someone exclaim, “Mr. Dorenza is here! Since Mr. Dorenza has a deeper understanding of the Ninth than us, let’s ask what Mr. Dorenza thinks!”

“Yes, yes, let’s ask Mr. Dorenza’s opinion.”

“Oh, surely Mr. Dorenza will agree there are some delusional people in the world that would play the Ninth on a stringed instrument. It’s ridiculous!”

“Is that what you think, Lucas? Mr. Dorenza will definitely agree with us!”

“We’ll have to see, Dali! What do you think we should do, Mr. Dorenza?”

All of New Ai turned to Mr. Dorenza who had just sat down. Even Boswell nodded with interest and turned to look at Dorenza, seated beside him, as if waiting for his answer.

The very stressed Mr. Dorenza: “…”

After a long silence, the gentle master wiped away the sweat gathering on his forehead and tentatively asked, “First of all, will someone tell me… what the hell is going on?”

Hooke took the initiative to explain this “From the New World Dispute Incident” from start to finish.

Indeed, no one would object to 《From the New World》 as the concert’s finale. The song was uplifting and would encourage people to work hard. It also fit perfectly with Boswell’s wish to “play for the victims of Utah.”

However, the problem was also precisely this song 《From the New World》.

All of New Ai had tacitly decided to add the fourth movement of 《From the New World》 to the repertoire. However, in this fourth movement, the main theme involved the horn and trumpet while the sub-theme utilized the clarinet——all in all, all were wind instruments.

And on all the promotional posters and tickets already released to the public, this concert’s theme was printed in large font: the night of stringed instruments.

A concert with the theme of “strings” ending on a piece that prioritized wind instruments?

Without considering what the audience would think, even Qi Mu thought it was! not! appropriate!

Dorenza frowned at Hooke’s explanation. “The tune is good, the theme is also good. There’s really nothing to change, but there is indeed a conflict. So… What are you thinking, Boswell?”

Boswell bluntly replied, “If I had a good proposal, Dorenza, I wouldn’t have been waiting for you.”

Dorenza, who was made a fool of by an old friend: “…”

Being stared at by nearly a hundred pairs of eyes from all over New Ai, Dorenza started to sweat. This kind of thing could cause large disturbances for extended amounts of time. Even Albert Dorenza couldn’t come up with a solution.

Grey eyebrows tightened further and further as he thought. Then Dorenza caught sight of a shadow from the corner of his eye. A thought flashed through his mind, and he asked, “Little Seven, you young people have so many ideas. Have you any suggestions?”

Immediately, all eyes turned to Qi Mu.

The completely frozen Qi Mu: “…”

Is there such a misfortune as you, Mr. Dorenza!!!

Under such intense pressure, Qi Mu thought for a long time then pulled out a smile with some difficulty. “The theme’s been advertised, so it cannot be changed anymore. But one’s ever heard of the fourth movement of 《From the New World》 on a string instrument…”

“Little Seven, have you come up with a solution?” Hooke asked in surprise.

Qi Mu: “…” Where did you see he’d come up with a solution!

……

Depressed at heart, Qi Mu opened his mouth, planning to admit “I really have nothing,” when a thought struck the back of his mind. A familiar scene, in the conference hall of some theater, there was also a quarrelsome group anxious for innovation, and they chose…

“Is it really not possible to replace wind instruments with strings?”

The young man’s voice stunned everyone. In the bright sunlight, this handsome young man raised the corners of his mouth in a smile. “Mr. Boswell, Mr. Dorenza, before I took office at Wei Ai, I used to be the concertmaster in the Parisian Theater in Vienna. Our theater holds a concert every Christmas Eve, and last year, we faced a similar problem…”

Dorenza nodded, “Yes. I still remember the time you played a violin solo instead of the vocals in 《Ave Maria》, Little Seven. I had a hard time believing you guys could come up with such a creative adaptation.”

With Dorenza’s approval, the others who were still skeptical were relieved.

Qi Mu continued explaining with a smile, “Yes, Mr. Dorenza. If the violin can be used in place of the human voice… why can’t it replace a wind instrument? What we’re facing now is nothing more than two problems: First, how to adapt? Second, what lineup of strings should be used instead of wind instruments?”

Mr. Boswell nodded, “Yes, you’re right.”

“《From the New World》 is about positivity and has high-spirited momentum. Wind instruments can easily express this.”

“But one violin isn’t enough. What about two? How about a viola and a cello?”

“Without taking that first step, no one will know what the next will be. Maybe… it’s actually very easy.”