King of Classical Music – Chapter 204 Part 1

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“From the New World”.

As Antonín Dvořák’s most famous Symphony No. 9, “From the New World” continued to embody the solemn, orthodox, magnificent musical style of this music master. Especially its fourth movement, which had been praised by people as music that “strikes the soul”.

No different from the usually heard “From the New World”, the piece still started with the intense and rapid introduction of the string instruments. A few low-pitched staccatos quickly immersed the listeners into a tense and oppressive atmosphere. The tension built as the sound of the strings rose higher and higher, intensifying the atmosphere, leaving the audience below even more eagerly anticipating what was to come.

The combined performance of the Vienna Philharmonic and the New York Philharmonic brought together the strengths of both orchestras. Just from the opening, one could discern the Vienna Philharmonic’s delicacy and depth, and the New York Philharmonic’s grandeur and solemnity. They were indeed top world-class orchestras! And with Maestro Albert Dorenza conducting, it was even more remarkable!

Next, it should be the french horns’ entry into the theme…

Suddenly!

The sudden loud sound of the violin astonished the entire audience. They sat up straight, wide-eyed in complete disbelief, staring fixedly on the two concertmasters standing at the front of the stage!

The main melody, which was supposed to be performed by the french horns, was unexpectedly played by the two concertmasters joining hands! The originally formidable music seemed to have gained a touch of tenderness at this moment, as if within those iron-clad bodies, there was a vibrant and beating heart!

Throughout history, many people had believed that compared to wind instruments, string instruments were always somewhat softer. Especially the violin, often referred to as the “queen of instruments”. Its exquisite and graceful tones were loved by many. Yet, they also agreed with the notion that “the violin is a gentle and beautiful instrument”.

But in fact, there was no instrument in the world that could not be played well, only players who were not outstanding enough!

On the dazzling stage, two outstanding concertmasters were putting on a breath-holding performance. The vigorous melody, the resolute notes, this music carried an unstoppable momentum. Each melody resonated throughout the entire concert hall, like a mighty army, overwhelming and dominant, shaking the souls of everyone present!

Under the main melody of the two violins was the gentle accompaniment of four violins; behind the howling of two violas were the low chorus of three violas; there were also the lamenting cellos and the chanting double basses!

In this rendition of “From the New World” that completely uses string instruments instead of wind instruments, not a single bit of its majesty was lost. On the contrary, behind the more powerful and impressive aura, there was an added touch of tenderness and delicacy unique to string instruments!

Here was a desolate and tragic land. God had forgotten this place, letting it be engulfed mercilessly by darkness. But! The flame of hope had never been extinguished. The gentle yet strong and unyielding sound of the string instruments sang of the determination to fight to death, to sprinkle fresh blood onto this land, to fight against the enemy with blood and flesh.

We come from the new world!

There will be a better tomorrow there!

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

Darkness cannot dominate everything, cold-bloodedness can only boast for a moment!

When the sun rises from the east, it’s another wonderful new world!

The fast and compact music, the increasingly angry sound of the strings, everything mixed together, ultimately subliming into an anthem of praise and admiration! They used music to depict a beautiful new world, they used music to sing a song of hope!

After the storm, there will be a rainbow.

Let’s look forward to that beautiful new world, there will surely be a better tomorrow!

The entire piece ended with a sonorous and powerful staccato. When the last murmur gradually faded away, Mr. Dorenza tightened his fingers, and the sound of the orchestra abruptly disappeared, giving way to silence. Only the seemingly lingering music in the concert hall seemed to be reminding everyone that just now, a soul-touching hym had resounded here!

There was a long silence in the auditorium.

No one knew how long it had passed before a resonant male voice rose from the back of the audience, “Bravo!!!”

Immediately afterwards was enthusiastic applause that showed no signs of stopping!

Such a refreshing adaptation, such majestic music that stirred the soul, even the most ruthless and indifferent people couldn’t help but be deeply moved by the light of hope and the call for progress within the piece.

Some people had even associated it with the terrible disaster that had occurred in Utah last week. Floods, mudslides, nature destroying human hope using the most ruthless means. But we had never been afraid. We advanced fearlessly, because behind the darkness was a beautiful new world!

On the top floor of a high-rise apartment in Berlin, a cold, elegant man applauded gently, offering the most sincere praise towards such a magnificent piece of music.

In fact, the Vienna Philharmonic was not quite suitable for such passionate music, and although the New York Philharmonic’s style was close to it, there were slight differences. The most suitable orchestra in the world for such a solemn and majestic style was the mighty army sleeping in Berlin at this moment.

However, as the chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, at this moment, Min Chen couldn’t help but applaud the collaboration of these two top orchestras. Because he deeply knew that the Berlin Philharmonic absolutely could not reproduce the gentleness of the fourth movement of “From the New World” he had heard just now.

Yes, they could produce the sonorous sounds, they could also produce a terrifying momentum, they had a tone as cold as metal, but they had no way of playing that tenderness that belonged solely to string instruments, hidden behind the resolute and unyielding nature!

This piece… was the most beautiful “From the New World” Min Chen had heard in the past thirty years.

“The well-deserved… number one?”

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