King of Classical Music 204

《From the New World》.

Dvorak’s most famous ninth symphony, 《From the New World》carried forward the music master’s orthodox style. As the fourth movement, it was even more popular. The world praised it as “hitting the soul”.

It was no different from how 《From the New World》was normally played. It still carried the fierce, rapid opening of the string instruments. A few bass staccatos quickly brought the audience into a tense and dreary atmosphere. The sound of the violins rose and the tension grew. The audience became excited. 

This ensemble of Wei Ai and New Ai’s members combined the advantages of the two orchestras. Just as in the opening scene, Wei Ai’s delicate but proud sound brought out the majestic solemnity in New Ai’s. Sure enough, this deserved to be the world’s top orchestra! And all under Master Dorenza’s command!

Thehorn should begin to play next…

Suddenly!

Suddenly, the cry of the violin rose so high even the audience was shocked. They straightened in their seats, eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at the two lead violinists onstage!

Rather than the original performed by the horn, it was played by these two violinists together instead! The original momentum of the music at this moment had a slight tenderness, as though in the iron-blooded body was given a new, fresh beating heart!

Since ancient times, many people believed that stringed instruments were relatively soft compared to wind instruments. In particular, the violin, known as the “Queen of Musical Instruments”, was loved by many for her beautiful, euphemistic timbre. Even those who loved it agreed that the violin was a soft instrument.

But in fact, there had never been a bad instrument in the world, only players who weren’t good enough!

On the brilliant stage, the two outstanding violinists held their breath. The strong melody had an irresistible momentum. Every note shook the entire concert hall, as if it was a powerful, enthusiastic army general atop a golden horse, shaking the very souls of the listeners!

Under the first two violins’ lead, four other violins served as accompaniment. Behind the roar of the two violas, there was a low chorus of three more. Then there was also the whine of the cello and the high-pitch of the double bass!

Such a piece as 《From the New World》, with string instruments in place of wind instruments, had not lost any grandeur at all. On the contrary, behind that powerful aura, the tenderness and delicacy of the string instruments filled the air!

This was a desolate and miserable land, which God had forgotten. Darkness mercilessly shrouded it. But! The flame of hope was never extinguished. The stringed instruments sang the determination to fight to the death with soft but unyielding notes. Blood spread across the land, but they would use everything to fight the enemy, even their own flesh and blood!

We are from a new world!

There will be a better tomorrow!

The new world has the dawn of humanity, and the new world will be a splendid and beautiful home!

Darkness can’t dominate everything, the cold-blooded can only scream for a while!

When the sun rises in the East, it will be a wonderful new world!

The fast, compact music and the increasingly indignant sound of the strings all mixed together, finally sublimating the piece into a song of praise and exclamation! They used music to describe this beautiful new world, they used music to sing a song of hope!

After the storm, there was a rainbow. 

Look forward to that beautiful new world, and surely there will be a better tomorrow!

The whole piece ended in a powerful, sonorous staccato. When the final murmur faded, Dorenza’s fingers tightened, and the violins disappeared into silence. The reverberations were the only reminder that a stirring hymn had just been played! 

There was a long silence in the auditorium. 

No one knew how long it took before a high, male voice called from the back, “Bravo!!!”

Then came the warm applause that never stopped!

With such a refreshing adaptation displaying imposing music, even the most ruthless, indifferent people couldn’t help being moved by the light of hope and horn of progress.

Some thought of the terrible disaster that took place in Utah, the floods and mudslides. Nature used the most ruthless means to destroy humankind’s hope, but they still forged on without fear. Beyond the darkness there was still a beautiful, new world!

On the top floor of a high-rise apartment in Berlin, a stern, elegant man applauded quietly, sending the most sincere compliments to the magnificent piece of music. 

In fact, Wei Ai was not suitable for such impassioned music. While New Ai had a similar style, this was slightly different. The world’s most suitable musician for such a solemn style of music was the mighty master now sleeping in Berlin. 

As Bai Ai’s conductor, Min Chen couldn’t help applauding the ensemble of the two top orchestras. He knew deeply that Bai Ai could never have played the fourth movement of 《From the New World》as softly as this. 

Yes, they could make music sonorous. They could make it terrifying. They could have a tone as cold as metal. But, they couldn’t play bring out this softness that was unique to string instruments, hidden behind perseverance!

This piece… was the most wonderful 《From the New World Min Chen had heard in his 30 years. 

“Well deserved… first?” 

……

New York, Carnegie Hall, Isaac Auditorium. 

When the six pieces had finished, the applause continued for a long time. Under Dorenza’s leadership, Qi Mu and all the members of Wei Ai smiled and bowed to the audience, thanking them for their praise. Then, all the members of Wei Ai left the stage and returned it to New Ai. 

Mr. Boswell stepped onto the stage from the side, and the remaining 30% of the New Ai members returned to their original positions. After all, this was New Ai’s anniversary, and they would play the next three encores alone. Wei Ai’s mission was completed. 

As soon as they exited the stage, Wei Ai’s members embraced and excitedly encouraged each other. 

Every concert was the most anxious time for any musician. No one could guarantee the success of a concert forever, just as the saying, “You can do your best, but you can’t guarantee God won’t joke with you.” 

Once, at one of the London Philharmonic’s concerts in the last century, one of their violinists suddenly… had their string break.

This kind of joke made by God was like a terrible car accident, and it was. Not. Funny. At. All. 

“Huh, Little Seven, I was so nervous when I played the sub-theme just now. Fortunately, you and Mr. Hooke were leading me!” A musician from the first violin group said emotionally. 

This musician was selected as one of the four violinists who played instead of the horn and accompanied Qi Mu and Hooke, which was not only a supreme honor but also a great pressure and responsibility.

Qi Mu smiled and gave them a comforting hug. “Mason, you did a good job.” 

“Did you see it just now, Little Seven? Mr. Eto, the editor in chief for the New York branch of the Voice of Vienna was sitting in the first row! He’s interviewed us before, um… His language is so sharp, he won’t make any bad comments about us, will he?

Qi Mu couldn’t help laughing. “You can rest assured, Richard. I saw Mr. Eto clapping the loudest.” 

“Really? That’s great!!”

……

Onstage, New Ai’s encore still continued. When they finished, Qi Mu had already packed his things and left the concertmaster’s lounge with his violin case. 

Qi Mu saw the members of New Ai leave the stage one by one. Before he could react, he felt himself being hugged tight. “Oh, Little Seven! The ensemble was fantastic! I can’t believe 《From the New World》could be played like that!

Qi Mu struggled to free himself of the bearded concertmaster’s iron grasp, but who was he, with his small arms and legs, compared to this muscular man?

Qi Mu smiled helplessly. “Mr. Hooke, if you keep holding me like this, I’m going to suffocate.” 

Hooke replied carelessly, “You’re leaving tomorrow, Little Seven, I’m afraid we won’t see each other for a long time. Let me hold you for a while.” 

Qi Mu: “…” 

He wasn’t a Buddha’s foot, what was he holding him for!!!

After a while, Dorenza and Boswell came over with smiles on their faces. Boswell said, “Okay, Hooke, let go of Little Seven, you’re not his girlfriend. Why are you holding him so tightly?” 

At his conductor’s gentle reprimand, Hooke reluctantly let go. “Do I miss Little Seven too much, Mr. Boswell?” 

Dorenza thought for a while and smiled. “But, Mr. Hooke, Little Seven really has a girlfriend. If you do this, she will be jealous.” 

As soon as the words fell, the crowd burst into an uproar. All the musicians gathered around, talking over each other in their surprise——

“What, what? Since when does Little Seven have a girlfriend?!”

“Who! Who is it! Who dared to steal my Little Seven?!” 

“It must be a King Kong Barbie, my Little Seven is so cute, who stole him!” 

……

Not to mention the members, even Qi Mu looked at Dorenza in horror. He swallowed, then asked incredulously, “Mr. Dorenza, did you say… I have a girlfriend?” He didn’t tell Dorenza anything at all!

The kind old man nodded then smiled as he said, “Yes, Little Seven, don’t you have a girlfriend? I often see you secretly smiling and laughing on your phone. Oh, my daughter often messages her boyfriend like that. Aren’t you texting your little girlfriend?” 

Qi Mu: “…” 

He had to go back and put Min Chen on the blacklist!