shadow of britain

Chapter 865 Hastings, the Royal Household's Mother

Her Majesty possessed a strong, animalistic spirit, embarking on her new post with childlike interest and curiosity. No one was better at pleasing her than Melbourne. He treated her with boundless understanding and respect, taking her tastes and desires into account, making her feel at ease with his sincere and natural manners, while also entertaining her with his witty, whimsical, and ironic leaps of thought and his erudition on all topics.

—From *The Memoirs of Charles Greville* (1821-1859, Privy Councillor)

After Arthur bowed, the Queen gently waved her hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

Sunlight streamed through the entire glass window, making her lavender-colored dress almost glow.

She turned to look at the roses in the garden, her expression filled with an almost childlike excitement.

“Sir Arthur,” she began with barely suppressed excitement, “you know what? Even though I’ve been living in Buckingham Palace for half a month now, I still can’t believe I’m really here.”

Her eyes sparkled: “It’s even better here than I imagined. The light, the space, the mirrors, the chandeliers in the ballroom… everything makes me feel so bright. After I attend the closing ceremony of Parliament on the 17th, I’m going to Windsor to escape the summer heat. I’m going to stay there for the whole summer. These days, I hear everyone say that I’m like a different person since I ascended the throne. But I feel great, I feel good, and I’m living a happy life, which is exactly the life I love.”

Arthur smiled slightly and tapped his cane casually: "I saw it when I came in. The maids are busy scrubbing the floors, the craftsmen are laying carpets, and everyone is as busy as ants. You will like it even more after the renovation of Buckingham Palace is fully completed."

Victoria laughed at this, but her tone carried a hint of pride: "I gave the order that they finish by July 13th. Yes, they're as busy as ants. Perhaps my demands are a bit harsh, but I have to move in immediately and move all my things in. This is my home, not Kensington Palace."

She paused, turned her head to look at Arthur, and said somewhat embarrassedly, "You must think I'm too picky, right? I heard from Lyzen that the American Minister's wife seemed to have complained about me privately. She said something like, 'The Queen is so young, but she has so many demands.'"

Arthur chuckled and shook his head, saying, "I think if your uncle George IV were alive, he would just laugh it off. He spent far more on renovations than you do. If we're talking about being picky, His Majesty is far from it."

Victoria smiled even more upon hearing this: "But I won't put as much effort into interior design as he does. I don't care about fancy decorations; as long as it's bright, spacious, and comfortable, that's enough."

“Your Majesty,” Arthur looked up and glanced at the garden outside the window, “Buckingham Palace is in an excellent location and has certainly been renovated and looks brand new. But I advise you not to think too highly of it. The air in London, the coal dust, and the unfinished factory chimneys outside—sooner or later you will find all of this tiresome.”

Victoria listened without taking it to heart. She raised her chin, her eyes filled with longing for a bright future: "Perhaps, but at least for now, I'm happy. Everyone says I'm a completely different person since I ascended the throne. But I look great, I feel great, this is the life I love. Once this place is fully completed, I'm going to throw a grand concert to celebrate its completion..."

At this point, Victoria couldn't help but look at Arthur. She had always wanted to hear Arthur play his famous piece. Although she had heard the recording of "The Bell" before, she had never seen Arthur perform it live. Now that she had the opportunity, she couldn't help but invite her teacher: "Would you like to participate in this performance?"

Arthur was naturally uneasy upon hearing this, but he still smiled gently and said, "If it were a solo performance, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to carry the whole show with my current skill level."

“No, it’s not a solo. You just need to play one piece.” Victoria’s eyes lit up. “I’ve also invited many pianists. Mr. Sigismund Talberg has accepted the invitation, and Mr. Johann Strauss of Vienna has agreed to compose a dance for my ball.”

At this point, Victoria immediately turned around and handed Arthur the sheet music that had just arrived from Vienna: "Take a look, this is it, 'Homage to Queen Victoria of Great Britain'."

Arthur took the sheet music; the neat German title on the cover gleamed with a dark luster in the sunlight.

"Huldigung der Knigin Victoria von Grossbritannien"

He had actually heard this piece of music before, but that was many years ago. Now, the first draft of this piece had come into his hands in this way, which made him feel quite strange.

What made him feel even more uneasy was the possibility of performing on the same stage as Sigismund Thalberg, who was hailed by Londoners as the world's greatest pianist.

Sigismund Talberg is a protégé of Ignaz Mocheres, co-director of the London Philharmonic Society. Last year, he set a world record for ticket revenue of 10,000 francs for a single concert at his solo recital in Paris.

After hearing Thalberg's performance, Berlioz even wrote a passionate praise in his column in the *Il Trovatore*: "Mocheles, Karkbrenner, Chopin, Liszt, and Herz have always been great artists to me, but Thalberg has created a completely new art, the originality of which I have never seen before. He is not only an unparalleled piano master, but also an extraordinary composer."

However, while most people admired Thalberg, Chopin and Liszt held different attitudes toward his performances.

Chopin once wrote frankly to Arthur: "He plays brilliantly, but not in the style I admire. He is younger than me and more popular with ladies, but I don't particularly like his arrangement of 'La von Mute' as a hodgepodge, using the pedal instead of his wrist to control the dynamics. However, he plays tenths as easily as I play octaves, and this is while wearing diamond cufflinks, which speaks volumes about his talent. In short, he is a technical genius like you, and I think I can now understand why Thalberg was your backup pianist when you were in the Third Orchestra of the London Philharmonic Society."

If Chopin's lack of contact with Thalberg was merely due to differences in musical philosophy, then Liszt's dislike of Thalberg stemmed from a sense of threat he perceived from him.

Since Thalberg went to Paris last year, Liszt's title of "King of the Piano in Paris" has been strongly challenged. He even published a controversial review in the Music Review, publicly belittling the value of Thalberg's works.

Of course, the great German liberal poet Heinrich Heine could not stand by and watch such injustices.

The day after Liszt's article was published, Heine immediately wrote an article fiercely criticizing Liszt for being petty and intolerant, and praised Thalberg as the greatest pianist London has produced in recent years since Arthur Hastings.

—Mr. Liszt, the Napoleon of the piano, openly made sarcastic remarks about Thalberg in yesterday's *Musical Review*. He seems to have forgotten that he too once won the applause of Parisian ladies with his overly ornate compositions and flowing hair, yet now he criticizes the so-called "artistic value" of this young rival. It's like a peacock complaining that another peacock's feathers are too bright.

The Parisian music scene has always had a penchant for creating crowns and thrones. Yesterday they called Liszt the "King of the Piano," today they haile Thalberg as the "World's Greatest Pianist." And what about tomorrow? Perhaps they'll place the crown on both of their heads simultaneously, tearing them apart like the brothers vying for the throne in Shakespeare's plays. But at least in terms of the dignity of music itself, Thalberg appears purer than Liszt. He doesn't need to write volcanic eruptions and thunderous roars on the margins of the score; he simply lets the melody speak for itself.

—Liszt's writing reveals not some noble criticism, but the hasty order of a frightened general amidst the enemy's bugle calls. He was afraid. Yes, Liszt was afraid of Talberg's composure, for composure is true strength.

As for the ladies, they would still waver between the two. They marveled at Liszt's fiery passions, yet found peace in Talberg's gentle touch. Paris is a city that loves the flames of passion, but needs even more the warmth of a fireplace. And Talberg is that fireplace.

Heine had also sent this article to Arthur, but Arthur read it from beginning to end and still couldn't figure out how much Heine liked Talberg. However, Arthur could clearly see how much Heine hated Liszt.

Arthur slowly brushed Heine's article from his memory, his gaze returning to the sheet music in Victoria's hands and her sparkling eyes. If Victoria had invited someone else to the concert, Arthur would have gone up, but Talberg was originally his substitute at the London Philharmonic Society. If others discovered during the performance that his ability as a former mainstay was inferior to that of a substitute, it would be too embarrassing.

Although he no longer needs to rely on music to make a living, he still hopes to retain his reputation as a pianist. How could he do something that would damage his reputation?
“Your Majesty, it would be the highest honor for any pianist to accept your invitation. But I must confess that my fingers have long since become rusty. I am more comfortable signing documents than playing the piano. I am afraid I cannot conquer the audience with my music like Thalberg.”

Victoria paused, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She had assumed Arthur would readily agree, as she had hardly ever heard anyone utter a word of refusal since his ascension to the throne.

“But I don’t need you to stand shoulder to shoulder with them, Sir Arthur. I just want you to hear your 'Clock' in front of everyone, to hear your left hand strike an octave. That alone would be enough for me.”

Arthur lowered his eyes slightly, as if carefully considering Victoria's request. However, Agares, sitting on the windowsill, had already seen through him. Beneath the boy's calm exterior lay a deep sense of worry.

In this era, the most common, and also the most brutal, form of entertainment among pianists is to compete in playing the piano.

Similar scenes have been staged in many places, including salons in Paris, drawing rooms in London, and concert halls in Vienna.

The famous duel between Clementi, the "father of the piano," and Mozart in Vienna in 1781, and the pinnacle duel between Hummel and Czerny more than a decade later that cemented their status in the European music world.

In 1830, Irish pianist and founder of the nocturne John Field was challenged by Liszt in Paris.

Two years ago, Heinrich Herz, the "darling of social salons," suddenly attacked Chopin at a salon ball.

Although Arthur knew Talberg as a very polite and gentle young man who had diligently studied the piano under Mocheres, that was before he became famous.

If Talberg were to launch a surprise attack on him during a concert, Sir Arthur Hastings couldn't just smash a teacup and have three hundred Scotland Yard axemen immediately appear from either side, could he?
Ok……

That's so undignified!

Arthur gently stroked the cover of the sheet music with his fingers, as if trying to find a way out from within the staff.

"Your Majesty, I actually have a compromise idea."

Disappointed, Victoria's eyes immediately lit up: "What's your idea?"

“Since this is your first real concert since your coronation, there’s no need to limit ourselves to exchanges between London and Vienna.” Arthur smiled gently and tapped his knuckles twice on his silver eagle cane. “If you allow, I would like to personally travel to the continent to invite some of my old friends. For example, Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, and so on. Of course, I would also not rule out the possibility that Mr. Liszt might accept the invitation.”

Upon hearing these names, Victoria's breathing quickened involuntarily.

Her eyes widened, she was so happy she almost fainted: "Liszt and Chopin, and Mendelssohn... are you serious? Will they be willing to come?"

“Your Majesty,” Arthur said, not making any definitive statements, because he was not entirely confident about any of the aforementioned people except Chopin: “Before speaking with them in person, I dare not say that I can definitely persuade them, but if you give me enough time and keep at it, some of them should relent.”

Victoria gripped the folds of her skirt tightly with both hands: "Then it's settled! Sir Arthur, you must go, even if you can only invite one of them."

As she said this, she suddenly seemed to remember something: "However, you will have to wait until after the parade on the 19th before you set off. I have already asked the Viscount of Melbourne to arrange a seat for you on the reviewing stand in Windsor Park. It is in the most prominent front row, right next to the ministers."

Arthur, who was holding the sheet music, frowned upon hearing this.

It wasn't that he didn't want to sit there, but he felt he had been drawing too much attention lately. In politics, unless you have exceptional power, it's best not to flaunt your abilities all the time. The most typical example of this is the Viscount Melbourne. As Prime Minister, he had only recently grown closer to the Queen, and rumors were flying all over London. If the same amount of public scrutiny were directed at Arthur, he didn't think he, as the Secretary-General of the Police Commissioner's Committee, could withstand it.

"Your Majesty, this... if I am absent, making arrangements in Europe beforehand might increase our chances of success. As for the military parade... could someone else attend in my place?"

“No.” Victoria’s answer came almost out of her mouth: “You must be there. It is a recognition and commendation for you. You were already wronged enough when you refused to accept the title of baron.”

Arthur pursed his lips, half sighing and half probing, "Then... will the Duchess of Kent be on the reviewing stand?"

This question was like a shadow suddenly cast under the sunlight.

Victoria's initially excited expression froze instantly, and her smile vanished completely.

“Of course, she will be there. Mom has her place, behind you.”

The moment Victoria said those words, Arthur felt a chill run down his spine.

If he had known who arranged the seating, he would have even wanted to strangle that person.

Wasn't it a deliberate attempt to humiliate him by placing the Duchess of Kent behind him in the seating arrangement?

Why not put the Duchess of Kent behind the Viscount of Melbourne?
In this way, the German widow could take her anger out on the prime minister, and all the newspapers would certainly not focus their attention on him.

(End of this chapter)