Chapter 162 (1/2)
The waltz* was called “waltz”* in English. Transliterally, that is waltz*.
*This uses the Chinese word Waltz, then the English word Waltz, and finally, the Chinese pinyin for the English word Waltz.
As dance music, waltz tunes were melodious and brisk. Since its development in the 18th century, it had taken on a variety of forms. Among them was Vienna’s——the origin of the most traditional waltz.
Initially, Mozart wrote the fifty short but intricate 《Three German Dances》, then Schubert built upon them and wrote over 200 famous waltzes. Strauss and Son made further improvements and the Vienna waltz walked onto the world’s stage, bringing this warm, jubilant dance style all over the world.
The Viennese loved the waltz. How much did they love it? Most likely, if any concert by Vienna’s local orchestras didn’t include at least two waltzes, the concert was a failure.
《The Blue Danube》 was the most true to the Vienna heart.
《The Blue Danube》 was originally 《On the Beautiful Blue Danube》 and was known as Austria’s second national anthem. Its tone was beautifully coordinated, and the notes were rich and varied. Every musical note seemed to be a shining wave on the Danube, brilliant as diamonds.
Such a well-loved song had to be played beautifully. But, because even a junior high performance could be considered extraordinary, it was even more difficult to shine!
The more popular the piece, the harder it was for the audience to feel the music’s highlights. The entire Palisade Theatre rehearsed 《The Blue Danube》 every afternoon so their sound was dignified, but unchanged, for the older audience.
Now, the subtle sound of the violin filled the splendid music hall. Everyone drew their bows quickly, and a spring breeze blew over the Danube river waiting for dawn to awaken the city.
Most of the audience’s attention was focused on the young man at the front of the orchestra.
This young man who stood beside the conductor’s podium now sat with eyes slightly lowered and focused on his left hand. His left hand, slender and thin as it was, danced rapidly along the violin strings, but his right drew his violin bow with careful precision, filled with nervous expectation.
Over the past month, the Palisade Theatre had featured a full stadium. Many of the repeat audience knew there were many among them that had contributed to the ticket sales. And now, their ears listened to the beautiful music while their eyes focused on the youth on stage.
Oh, this kind of audio-visual feast for the senses was phenomenal!
No wonder the tickets were sold out, ah!
While blonds flooded most of Europe, this young, Chinese man with dark hair and eyes was like a clear stream, giving off the subtle, elegant, oriental beauty. The young man was handsome with delicate features, had a calm temperament, and wore a noble expression. People couldn’t help but like it!
Not to mention, he played such wonderful music!
In 《The Blue Danube》, the second waltz should have been an ensemble in B-flat; it was the beautiful, gentle tones of girls laughing and playing under the Alps.
But in Wallace’s adaptation, just after the theme in A, the entire orchestra fell silent and only the flute played softly as accompaniment.
To the surprise of the audience, a light, cheerful violin sounded out!
The young man and his dancing violin bow gave a very different 《The Blue Danube》 with dazzling skill!
The original 《The Blue Danube》 wasn’t a very difficult waltz, almost anyone that had studied the violin for more than three years could play it. This song wasn’t meant to suppress musicians with extreme difficulty, but to gift the beautiful melody to everyone.
But right now, the difficulty of the violin bow’s leaping display had the audience in an uproar!
They stared at the young man playing so intently and conscientiously. His fingers seemed to have a life of their own, dancing like butterflies. Although his left hand remained simple, the difficulty of his bow hand was amazing!.Without giving the audience time to adjust, the next moment…
The young man’s left hand plucked at the violin strings!
This left-hand pizzicato could already be regarded as performance level.
They had never seen such dazzling skills! No… they had never seen anyone play 《The Blue Danube》 in such a dazzling way!
The lightness that should have been provided by the trumpet was this time played by Little Seven and didn’t seem abrupt at all. Instead, it was softer and more moving. It matched the softness of the girls. The enthusiasm that should have been performed by the trumpet was replaced by the violin’s dancing bow which also brought out the girls’ coyness!
Such a brilliant change was impossible to deny. Everyone could only listen, dumbfounded, and watch!
A ten-year-old girl with round eyes looked at the most outstanding big brother on stage and tugged her mother’s sleeve, whispering, “Mommy, this doesn’t seem like 《The Blue Danube》…”