musicians of old

Chapter 216 "Goldberg Variations" (4.8K [-]-in-[-])

"Suggestion? My Lord Marquis, please tell me." Bishop Mill, who was standing with his hands behind his back, politely indicated that he was listening.

McAdam said loudly: "It's still early, and everyone is still interested in discussing this topic. I suggest that if there are other familiar musicians, you can recommend one or two for us, which is also for more participants. It is an opportunity for those who are interested in pursuing art in China."

"Master Marquis is always willing to appreciate and support the juniors." Bishop Mill smiled warmly, "Actually, this is an open-ended discussion activity. The inspection is not an exam or a competition. There is no link to immediately rank high and low. I want to accept it." Come down, even without your suggestions, as long as any young artist stands up and expresses his willingness to give it a try, everyone is willing to listen."

Bishop Christopher, a colleague of Bishop Mill and a member of the inspection team at the ceremony, took over the speech and said, "Indeed, I guess what you are worried about is that these young people are overwhelmed by the master's handwriting, or too much influenced by the immature artists. How about your performance affecting me to come up with an idea, young friends who are unsure, how about pretending that this is an open master class?"

These words immediately touched the minds of many young artists in the back seat, and there was another eye contact and helpless laughter.

Indeed, their problem now is not that they have no opportunities, and they know that they have not yet reached the time to compete with mature artists. They are purely in the tangle of "desire to enter the field of vision" and "worry about being timid on stage".

There are several Mendelssohn, Chopin or Schumann figures who are comparable to Blue Star sitting in the audience listening to his performance. Who wouldn't panic if this changed?Even someone who has made a plan has a heartbeat much faster than usual.

"But I'm still very curious." Bishop Mill had a smile on his lips. "Which young artist has won the appreciation and favor of the Marquis McAdam with his amazing talent and inspiration?"

"Your Excellency, you are serious. My main focus on newcomers is age, potential and character." McAdam's tone was still calm.

Although the rhetorical level of Bishop Mill's question is relatively heavy, it is obvious that Lord Marquis used words with caution and restraint: "In return for some previous intersections, and of course based on objective evaluation, I think young composers , Conductor Caroun Van Ning can try to discuss this topic on stage, on the premise of his personal willingness and stability, it should be able to reach the level of vision."

He has met and inspected too many outstanding young artists. The wording not only shows the stability and high status of the McAdam family, but also avoids "praising and killing" objectively, leaving room for possible risks in the performance of the proposer. room.

As soon as this remark was made, almost everyone turned their heads one after another, and looked at an inconspicuous corner in the back row of the parlor, where Fan Ning showed a friendly and polite smile to the person who met his eyes.

"Carolne Van Ning? Is he the new permanent conductor of the Saint Lania Orchestra, right?" Everyone exchanged and confirmed information privately.

"The name is right. He is only 23 years old. He was hired as an honorary associate professor just out of school. It is very rare for this age to correspond to these titles."

"It should be said that he is indeed qualified to be included in the field of vision, and even to participate in the competition. His violin concerto, which is about to be premiered, was amazing from the opening of the radio station, but we don't know what the follow-up level will be."

Although the people in the music circle of Fort Santa Lambert were unable to match their names with their faces before, it is clear that the summer art festival is coming soon, and they are still very clear about Fanning's recent movements-although Saint Lania University and the "Three There is a gap between "giants", but the influence of music majors is also in the top five in Imperial College.

Can Carlone do it?Viadrin, who was sitting in the leftmost row in the first row, was secretly worried at this moment. The performances of himself and Master Nieman were a little too good. In addition, the level of the ten mature artists in the back is not easy. If the gap is too large, it is likely to have an impact on his artistic reputation, and his level of piano skills...

In his letter before his death, Anton Konner described Fanning’s piano level objectively and in detail in various aspects. He himself had also heard the live performances of "Fantasia Impromptu" and "Funeral March", and he was still very impressed with Fanning's technique. I understand that his finger function is currently at the level of an excellent piano graduate, but he is only strong in improvisation, sight-reading and score reduction. According to the perception of the art world, there is no "pianist" in his title one item.

As long as the anti-stress mentality can be stabilized, he should be able to compete with these mature artists with his improvisational ability that makes people unable to see the upper limit, but in order to perform well, he needs to spend more effort on music content.

To be on the safe side, I'd better not speak out against McAdam, it's not a good thing to raise your voice so high.

After thinking about it, Viadrin made up his mind and continued to wait and see what happened.

"Interesting coincidence." At this time, Christopher on his right said, "Although everyone can try, when it comes to introducing young artists, Mr. Fanning is also at the top of my mind in terms of priority."

Why is the Church of the Holy Sun also on Calone's side?Now Viadrin really found that he couldn't understand.

After working on it for a long time, apart from the Special Patrol Office, the Guidance School didn't make a statement?
The number of nominations for "Boethius Artists" is related to the promotion qualifications of the masters. There are only more than [-] masters in the official organizations within the empire, which is undoubtedly extremely precious. Behind those artists just now , it is the invisible pushers of various organizations that are at work, but one more is never too much.

Anton believed in religion during his lifetime. Could it be that Christopher was in the relationship of La Fanning's mentor?Or because there are too many people with stage fright today, apart from the original contenders, they really don't have any other suitable candidates?

Viadrin couldn't think of any other reason.

"Thank you very much, Your Excellency, Bishop, for recognizing the artistic personality of our school members." Puzzled, he thanked politely.

Unexpectedly, besides Guidance School, the other two organizations also support him?He Meng who was sitting in the middle was a little surprised.Vassius' information is very accurate. Fanning's "Grid" has reached the limit of "Groom" or "Sower", and is close to the "Blade Holder" equivalent to a group of mature artists.

Is this situation good or bad?He Meng was a little undecided, but he would definitely follow Poglerich's instructions.

"Then let's see Mr. Fanning's wishes." He Meng's smile was a bit dark anyway, "Frankly speaking, I very much hope to hear more discussions and deduction ideas on this topic."

"To be honest, I'm very nervous." Finally, Fanning stood up from behind and spoke.

His tone and attitude are very sincere, and there is helplessness and anxiety on his expression that everyone understands: "I do have some small thoughts, maybe the style is a bit different, but the words of His Excellency Christopher gave me a little psychological retreat. ..." He paused, and slowly walked out of the audience seat, "Well, I hope I can perform well, and it should work well, but if it doesn't, it will be regarded as an example for everyone in the master's open class."

"A veritable 'Master Open Class', right?" Fanning walked forward.

His words not only showed the modesty and etiquette of a gentleman, but also did not use too much force to be overly humble. At the same time, he conveyed just the right amount of awe and confidence. A hint of encouragement.

"You can, Mr. Fanning!" When Fanning passed by Roy, she raised her small fist.

Sitting in front of the piano, the warm and delicate black and white keys are once again close to me.

The church was silent, the shaking of people's figures was reduced to the lightest, and even the sound of clothes corners rubbing disappeared.Within ten seconds of lowering my head and moving the piano bench to adjust my sitting position, I could only hear my heart beating.

The nervousness that Fanning said is by no means a scene.

Compared with performing with a symphony orchestra on the podium, a piano solo concert is like a lonely and long battle. The pianist under the spotlight on the stage can only rely on himself.Hundreds of thousands of listeners may close their eyes, or hold the score, or look at the stage. What kind of music they will hear and what kind of evaluation they will give, all depend on their ten fingers.

The scene at this time is also similar to a concert. Although the audience in the peripheral vision is not as large as the number of people in the auditorium of the college last year, it has gathered a group of artists with the highest attainment in Tiolein.

Fan Ning's feeling of recalling the music in the audience just now was smooth, and he thought that the fragments that could not be continued could always be remembered at the previous moment, but now that he was actually sitting in front of the piano, facing this great work of a huge scale, he didn't know In the next long performance, whether it can still do this.

After taking a few deep breaths, Fanning, who was sitting in front of the piano, turned his head and stared at the eight notes on the bass staff.

I never had the courage to play this great work in full in front of others, but its bass lines are here today.

It should speak for it, and let the world appreciate its glory.

There is nothing to be timid about.

With a pious mood like a pilgrimage to Bach, his emotions gradually calmed down.

Raising both hands, the 3 fingers of the left hand and the 2 fingers of the right hand gently land on the two G notes at the same time, which opened the prelude to this masterpiece.

"Goldberg Variations", theme aria, polyphonic structure of four parts.

The music under the fingertips is quiet, sacred, and spotless, just like the opening remarks before telling a story, and also like a guide, leading the visitors into the magnificent church door.

"Kashuniche's style? Does he really not discuss it with romantic vocabulary?" As early as the first 4 bars, the three masters had already noticed.

This Mr. Fanning adopts the ornamental note playing method from the downbeat, and the left hand seems to be playing the broken three chords, but in fact it is not the case, each of his notes is kept in time, and the unison is guaranteed by changing fingers. The legato of the bass line shows that besides the right-hand melody, he actually set up three other independent voices.

These are the characteristics of the medieval music period, or the characteristics of the Baroque music of Fanning's previous life.

Sure enough, then they began to move at different levels, embellished with pleasant ornamental changes, coupled with simple and beautiful textures, simple and melodious melodies, all of which embody the medieval legacy of the Kashunich era.

"Polyphonic music needs too much rationality and written structure. He can start with this bass progression and improvise such a pure style of medieval music, which is not simple, very simple." Master Swellink, who is in his 80s Nodding again and again.

"Variations with a fixed bass as the development logic were very popular in the music of this period... This aria seems simple, without any showy elements, but the arrangement of each note, the continuation of the subsequent harmony, and the voice parts Complementary assistance with the vocal parts...all are just right, one more seems redundant, and one less has no structure." Master Schillings secretly commented in his heart.

32 bars, 4 regular parts, follow the tonal layout of major G major-dominant D major-parallel minor E minor-main G major, the sixteenth note of the ending sentence is restrained and gentle , so that all restless and restless emotions can be safely released.

"Although it's a bit short, the logical structure is perfect. This level of improvisation is by no means attainable by the artistic attainments of ordinary young composers." Niemann's vision is so vicious. He believes that Fanning does have the ability to enter the field of vision of the delegation. qualifications, ready to give applause for the courage of this young man.

At this moment, Fan Ning lifted the pedal to cut off the main chord sound that was sounding quietly in the piano body, and at the same time opened his slightly closed eyes, and his spiritual state became high in an instant.

With his left hand down decisively, he repeated metallic basses and big jumps, while his right hand played bright and light sixteenth notes.

"Hey guy, there are variations? A harmonic variation with a fixed bass." Nieman put down his hand that was just about to applaud.

Variation 1, two-part, polonaise dance form.It originated in France in the previous life, and is often seen in weddings and festivals of court nobles. It is presented at a medium speed, with strong beats starting and weak beats ending, and it has a noble and solemn temperament in a warm atmosphere. (Note: The transliterated names and folk origins of dance music genres assume similar origins in other worlds by default. Due to the wide variety, in order to avoid confusion, we will not make them up separately.)
The first variation emerged from the quiet atmosphere, and Fanning played it confidently and heartily, especially the left hand, creating a harmony change of "majestic march" with the frustrating bass and staccato touch keys, In addition to being bright and joyful, people's eyes are filled with tears purely because of the sense of advancement of harmony.

Now that there is a variation, there must be more than one variation. Under the psychological preparation of everyone, Variation 2 is coming as scheduled. Here, the fixed bass of the left hand is presented in eighth notes, and the two voices of the right hand appear ascending fourths. The jump + descending fifth scale form a three-part invention full of wit and humor.

"Caroun has something this time." Viadrin was very surprised. "The theme plus two variations is already the third ditty. His structure still maintains a strong logical stability."

The length of each song is 32 bars, which are divided into 4-bar sections by 8 groups of tonal layouts, and the sections can be evenly divided into 4+4 and 2+2 phrases and sections. Repeatedly presented in the shape structure, let everyone initially feel a certain kind of foresight - this artist seems to want to build something majestic step by step with the smallest units that are regular and changeable.

The right hand falls back to the main tune in the form of a sixth-degree double tone, and at the same time, the left hand takes a terminating step, almost without stopping, pops out an eighth note similar to a broken chord in a skipping manner, and at the same time plays a singing melody with the right hand.

Variation 3, Tongdu Canon.The real stroke of genius is when, starting from the second measure, when the singing melody of the right hand continues, another melody that is exactly the same reappears, and it is also in charge of the right hand!

As a result, the audience found that Fanning's right hand was playing two identical melodies at the same time, but the time was staggered by a bar, forming a strange chasing effect.

The subtlety of the music is fully presented in the third measure, when the eighth note in the left hand suddenly doubles in speed and becomes a very long-breathing joint sixteenth note-a continuous undulating cluster, two The canon melody is chasing, and the three parts still maintain the delicate counterpoint in such a dense movement, and also follow the harmony and bar structure of the previous variation.

The first one to react violently was Marquis McAdam. He straightened his body from his seat, turned his head and asked his daughter in a low voice: "He usually composes like this? Why didn't you talk to me? "

Roy, who was listening attentively to Fanning's performance, was a little dazed by Lord Marquis' inexplicable question.

"Father, you never talked to me about anything other than asking me to notify him to attend the meeting this time."

Lord Marquis took a deep breath, sat down again, and muttered to himself: "The sword is swaying, it is really the sword. When everyone is doing their best to be romantic, he just made such a choice... 23 years old His age, recent art career experience after graduation, improvisation in the style of medieval music... Not only can he compete with mature artists, but it definitely exceeds the average line of those in front of him. A variation."

Christopher next to him agreed deeply, and carefully analyzed in a low voice: "Generally speaking, there should be a total of five or six variations."

(End of this chapter)