Old-time musicians

Fan Ning sat on the edge of the bed and waited for almost ten minutes. Just when he was wondering why the distance on the same floor lasted so long, there was a knock on the door, and two girls in loose pajamas pushed the door in.

"Sorry, I just checked in and tidied up the room and put things away." Sheeran said.

"It's not the room, she's cleaning herself up." Joan took over the topic, "Caron, what are you doing? Why are you still wearing a gentleman's formal attire, and you didn't even look at you taking out your luggage and putting things away... You were sitting on the edge of the bed in a daze. Why don’t you take a shower first…”

As she spoke, her eyes glanced at the trash basket - it was not high, and it was very clean inside. There was no other debris, except for the large pile of well-designed letterheads and cards.

"Beach pool party?" Joan held up a card, and Sheeran immediately came over.

Joan picked up more invitations: "Noble lady tutor, piano competition judge, music salon...Caron, your schedule is so full..."

"So the place where I threw it was the trash can." Fan Ning lay on the bed with his upper body lying on the bed, his hands resting on the back of his head.

"Well, it seems that you are not free recently, but after the performance, if you want to selectively participate, you can also plan your time reasonably. Artists need to communicate with the outside world frequently in order to collide with more inspiration... Do you lack such Personal assistant? I think I can do the job..." Joan looked at them one by one, and Sheeran, who was watching from the side, suddenly said in surprise, "Huh? Did you throw Sir Viadrin's letter into the trash can too?"

"Sir? I threw away two invitations from the earl..." Fan Ning waved nonchalantly while lying on the bed, then suddenly sat up straight, "What? You mean the president's letter?"

He took the note from Sheeran, and Viadlin's words were concise and to the point.

"Caron: Congratulations on your new appointment as permanent commander."

"After the opening ceremony of tomorrow's art festival, please come and join the condolence event organized by the "Discussion Group" for the great poet Bassani. You will appreciate the performance of a group of famous musicians competing for the nomination of "Boethius Artist". This pair of It’s very helpful to broaden your horizons and increase your knowledge, and many established artists are willing to help younger generations.”

"The address is "St. James the Sun Church" in Tulip Parish. Unfinished business is to be interviewed."

Fan Ning's eyes flashed as he packed Viadlin's letter.

I just met Viadrin and he disappeared within a few days. I didn't expect that the president would finally contact me after half a year, but I almost lost the letter... The thick stack before was too much, and I was pressed for time to read it. I lost it as a GG flyer halfway through, but this important letter happened to be among the last few.

...Condolences to Bassani? This great contemporary poet has passed away in his old age?

Of course Fanning knew this poet and had read several of his poems full of mysticism, symbolism and strong religious flavor. Moreover, during his previous trace-back investigation, he noticed that the last concert played by Vienne during his lifetime was the organ suite "Fourteen Poems of Bassani" composed by himself.

Bassani was a contemporary of the old organist Vienne. He was born in the year 825 of the New Calendar, one year older than the latter. Fanning was a little surprised by the length of his life at the age of 88 - the average for people in this world. The lifespan is sixty years. Even those who have learned "cocoon" and "pool" cannot change it. It is just that they can maintain better functions in their old age and avoid the risk of excessive aging diseases.

Therefore, he believed that Bassani was most likely a Deep One. Only by breaking through to this realm can more fundamental changes occur in the body and spirit, and one can live to be eighty, ninety or even a hundred years old.

...a memorial service for a great poet and seer? Fan Ning couldn't help but become curious about the next day's activities.

This is a high-quality cultural activity worthy of increasing knowledge.

In addition, Viadlin's letter also mentioned several terms that he had heard occasionally but was unfamiliar with, and it was obviously difficult to explain them clearly in the letter.

"By the way, look at this." Fan Ning stood up, locked the door that had been open, and picked up the top hat.

After a few minutes.

"I can't tell, I can't tell at all, this...how could it be like this?" The two girls were still looking at "Vasius" in front of them in disbelief.

Qiong clicked her tongue and said in wonder: "The behavior, tone of voice, various little movements... are all exactly the same. To be honest, I was scared at first. I thought it was the disappeared investigator who took over your body and came back."

This more detailed attempt allowed Fan Ning to discover that, in addition to his words, deeds, and tone of voice, he even seemed to have access to part of Wasius's subconscious, including emotions, personality, subconscious reactions to encounters, and some recent transcendental inspirations... But , basically no memory of experience.

Generally speaking, if it doesn't take too long, I should be able to firmly grasp the subjectivity of consciousness.

After Fan Ning expressed his idea of ​​using it, Sheeran said: "Though we two low-level knowledgeable people know the truth, we still haven't found out through any means that the aura, including the characteristics of the spirit body, are exactly the same. , but this does not mean that the risk is completely eliminated. First of all, it is not clear whether higher-level knowledgeable people can identify it. Furthermore, if you take the initiative to contact the Special Patrol Office, on some communication matters involving Vasius’ experience and memory It might also be revealed.”

"That's right. I haven't mastered his invisible power." Fan Ning nodded, "But I can use some conservative method first to prevent Uvranser from thinking that Vasius has been lost." United…”

"As for the rest of the actions and purposes, we will test it step by step when the time is right. Let you know about it first. In addition to facilitating response in emergencies, you can also help me convey some information when 'Vasius' comes out for activities. 'Professor Fanning is busy' signal..."

After finalizing some coordination details, Fan Ning sent the two girls out, emphasizing that the rehearsal tasks were still tight and told them to go to bed early.

Then he went into the bathroom to wash up quickly, spread pen and paper on the table, and prepared to write for a while before going to bed as usual.

The creation of the single-movement symphonic poem "Funeral March in C Minor" is basically nearing completion, and Fan Ning is currently orchestrating it while completing the finishing work of the recapitulation.

He felt that this orchestral piece basically achieved the effect he had in mind of a "funeral march that is different from the stereotype, majestic, with a sense of struggle and speculation".

Fanning continued to use the "Anton Konard-style" foggy sound band technique at the beginning of it, but the temperament was the same as the beginning of "Symphony No. 1", which was cool and moist, extremely pianissimo and very light. The background of the extremely high la is completely different.

If the string writing method in the introduction of "Symphony No. 1" is "quietly descending and penetrating", then the introduction here is "suddenly torn out from the silence" -

Under the sudden uneasy tremolo of the string section, the double bass played a whirlwind passage of "questioning motives". This sound effect came from "the inexplicable inspiration of some prophetic picture" in Fan Ning's mind: the darkness shrouded in In the lonely cemetery, a sudden glow broke through, the soil cracked, and the stone tablets shook.

But this scene is like a flashback, and soon fades away with the introduction, leaving only the "questioning motive" that always wanders and deforms in the bass area. Against this background, the music then enters the presentation part of "Funeral", There is a first theme that looks like a solemn torture, a second theme that is pastoral, and a third theme that looks like a trumpet that symbolizes hope and redemption...

Overall, this is a complex and extremely expanded sonata structure. Fan Ning has always used his favorite polyphonic technique, and after the huge exposition theme group, he wrote three wonderful and different developments. Part, and a more condensed, streamlined, and dramatic recapitulation.

After reading the lives of many musicians, he satisfied his desire to explore and express death, found the "higher angle", and successfully made the deceased lie solemnly under the garland, and also let others A life is "reflected in a spotless mirror."

But Fan Ning, who was finishing the work, began to feel a little confused.

He felt that this funeral march left a vital question unanswered.

In other words, this crucial question is raised naturally as the song progresses: "The end of the funeral is death, so what will happen after death? What is the world like after death? A short life is better than a long life Does it make sense in terms of the terrifying 'world's existence time'?"

Fan Ning suddenly thought of Kaplan, who was suffering from leukemia. Compared with those who are mediocre all day long, he can be regarded as a person who has found the meaning of life, but he couldn't help but ask questions like this:

Is human life just a terrible and huge prank?

Can the current piece...can answer this question?

Perhaps, what I need is a symphony with richer content, grander background, and stricter logic, but I currently don’t have a clear idea of ​​how to write other movements.

"Dong dong" Two gentle knocks on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Who?" Fan Ning raised his head with his pen.

"Mr. Fanning, it's me." Roy's voice came from outside the room, "Is it convenient for me to come in tonight?"

Fan Ning opened the door with a creak, and immediately smelled the faint smell of shampoo in the air after bathing.

"It's eight or nine o'clock, why don't you rest?" He glanced at Roy, who had put on an elegant white dress and had a slight moisture at the ends of his hair, and motioned for her to come in.

Then he moved a chair against the open door.

The girl looked at Fan Ning's movements thoughtfully, but soon her blue eyes filled with curiosity and she quickly looked around the room where he lived.

"Are you disturbing your composition?" She found that the only place in the guest room with obvious signs of use was the writing table with a pile of manuscript papers and notebooks spread out.

"She's stuck in one place and can't move." Fan Ning gestured for her to sit on the soft single sofa and sat down on the chair next to her. "So, it's fine if you come over to chat with me or talk about things."

Roy smiled happily: "Then let me tell you directly. My father wants to see you tomorrow, so can I take you there?"

"Your Majesty, Marquis MacAdam, wants to see me?" Fan Ning was surprised at first, and then put on a guilty smile, "What time will it be? Such a big shot wants to see me, and I don't dare to refuse."

His anxiety is normal, not because of Roy or the title, but mainly because he has learned from Vasius that Marquis MacAdam is the president of the Bologna School and is known as the "right person" in Theoline. The enemy has the most bizarre tactics." This is a bit scary.

The only thing Fan Ning has seen is the incomplete power of the Dawner that Dean Gould has used, and Vasius's evaluation obviously means that Marquis MacAdam is extremely powerful at the level of the Dawner. existence.

He had been mentally prepared before. There must be more than just an uncle from the vice-principal of St. Lenia behind Roy, but who knew that she was directly the daughter of the head of the Bologna School?

Even in the hidden time and space of the small town of Watznai, Vasius did not dare to take action against Roy, saying that he was afraid of being surmised. In Fan Ning's current understanding, the invisible power that a person of Marquis McAdam's level can summon is probably close to the ceiling of a knowledgeable person.

"I'll take you there." The girl who keenly caught Fan Ning's emotions repeated, while the smile in her eyes grew stronger.

"So, can Miss Roy reveal something in advance?" Fan Ning tried to ask.

"Neither of us is the protagonist of the condolence event for the great 'Boethius artist', poet, mystic and cellist Bassani, we are just participating in the event."

Roy said that he was also thinking secretly in his mind. With Mr. Fan Ning's artistic attainments and personal strength, although he is not better than his father, he still wouldn't be able to meet him. Well, could there be some other reasons for this? Is he worried?

"Ah, so you are going too." Fan Ning was surprised. Could such a thing happen by chance?

"President Viadlin also told you, right?" Roy lowered his head and caressed the folds of his dress, "The burial time instructed by Bassani before his death was 12 o'clock or 0 o'clock at midnight on the alternating days of the old and new dates. According to the arrangement, The 'discussion group' will entrust the Special Patrol Office to start the preparation of nominees for the 'Boethius Artist' in 913 during the previous condolence activities."

"Therefore, we will be able to see many contemporary mature artists with high attainments and reputations attending the event. Several major official organizations will also send some representatives to participate, and at least one high-level executive from Xuexiaozhe will be present." She told Fan Ning Zhan smiled, "This will be very helpful for us to get to know famous artists and increase our knowledge. I think with Mr. Fan Ning's talent and momentum, it may only take another three to five years to join this competition."

The nomination list of "Discussion Group" and "Boethius Artist" was brewing these unclear words. Fan Ning heard it three times in just one day. In addition to the letters from Roy and the president, Vasius once also stated that the special tour The Department is considering "using the fragmentary materials of the phonetic series as examination questions."

Listening to some previous expressions, "the discussion group entrusts the Special Patrol Office to do something" and "the Special Patrol Office performs something on behalf of the discussion group", the discussion group is like another layer above the Special Patrol Office.

He began to wonder in his mind whether it would be better to directly ask Roy about these unclear points at this moment, or whether it would be better to bypass these key words for a while and talk about her father or topics related to the poet's condolence activity itself.

Sharing secret information is also a favor. I can see President Viadlin tomorrow, and he should bring some relevant information.

Who would have expected that just when he was making up his mind, Roy approached and asked mysteriously: "Mr. Fan Ning, speaking of which, do you know some of the secrets of the 'discussion group'?"

"I just wanted to ask you." So Fan Ning smiled frankly, "If the eldest lady of the McAdam family doesn't know much about this, don't talk to me."

The girl's clear blue eyes stared at her unblinkingly, looking thoughtful and curious.

Relating to the initial experience of the two getting acquainted, Fan Ning naturally knew what she was thinking, and explained seriously: "Everyone has some secrets, but I don't like to act like I have a profound background to the people I work with. , I look very strong, unless it is for defense, so Miss Roy, you may need to adjust your 'personality' for me."

"Personality refers to a person's image or characteristics in the impression of others, right?" Roy recalled the meaning of the word, "Well, it removes some illusions of alienation and overestimation in some aspects, but it further clarifies Those qualities that I admire, overall, the characters are more realistic and relatable.”

Seeing her looking at him seriously, Fan Ning smiled and shook his head to express his helplessness.

Then he asked directly: "So, the discussion group is an empire's knowledgeable organization? An organization that is above the Special Patrol Office?"