The God of Conducting Starting from Absolute Pitch

Chapter 362 Joy!

After the first movement ended, Chen Qiu and the members of the Harmony Symphony Orchestra quickly began the performance of the second and third movements.

The second movement is a very lively Allegro, which is Beethoven's greatest and longest scherzo.

Traditionally it should be a slow version, but Beethoven broke this convention and changed it into the most massive scherzo form, even bordering on frenzy.

In the second movement, Chen Qiu led the orchestra to clearly create that distinction in the music.

He controlled the emotion of the music and led the orchestra to create a very cheerful middle section which was the opposite of the beginning.

The graceful movement of the baton in Chen Qiu's hand brought out Su Yue's shocking musical expression.

The flowing melody of the woodwind instrument created an alluring sound that stunned everyone.

Perhaps, this is also the sacred flame of love burning in the heart of the elderly Beethoven?
Everyone couldn't help but think so.

The theme of the entire second movement is bright and inspiring, full of forward momentum, which seems to give positive encouragement to the warriors who are fighting, and seems to make people suddenly see the warm sunshine and blue sky on the cloudy battlefield.

At the same time, the main melody has the characteristics of the Austrian folk dance "Landler", which is harmonious and danceable. However, if you listen carefully, you will find that at the end of the movement, the melody starts to hurry up again, vaguely revealing a very uneasy atmosphere. According to Wagner,

"Almost being chased by despair and escaping from despair, trying continuously and endlessly to obtain new and unknown happiness."

The basic theme of this movement was determined by Beethoven eight years before he composed this symphony. In this movement, illusory and bizarre images chase and intertwine with each other under the rhythm of dance. Compared with the uneasiness and somewhat flustered banter of the previous and next two sections, there is an idyllic fantasy statement in the middle.

After Chen Qiu and the orchestra finished their performance, everyone couldn't help but nod and praise in a low voice.

The orchestra's performance in the second movement was a bit unexpected, especially the strength of the orchestra's woodwind section.

Even though they had heard woodwind performances before and knew that woodwinds were strong, this was the first time they had heard an interpretation that was mainly woodwind-based.

In their hearts, the strength of the Harmony Symphony Orchestra has once again reached a new level.

At this time, the music entered the third movement.

The third movement is a cantabile adagio.

The form of the third movement is an irregular variation form, and Beethoven intentionally made innovations in the arrangement.

Chen Qiu also led the orchestra to create a "new" feeling in the music in this place.

This adagio movement seems much quieter and more peaceful than the previous two movements.

Although the melody is slow, it is still gentle.

This lyrical slow movement is actually a double-theme variation. The first theme is a contemplative, cantabile melody, full of quiet contemplation, with strong lyricism and philosophy.

The second theme has a slight waltz characteristic, which Beethoven labeled as "minuet style". It appears twice between the variations of the first theme, enriching the contemplative melody of this theme.

After the first two movements depict fierce battle scenes, the third movement seems to be a brief lull in the war, or perhaps a recollection of a loved one far away at home.

Nowhere else in Beethoven's symphonies is there such a sublime movement filled with love.

"Once the art of music is mastered by a figure like Beethoven, it can freely express the intricacies of love and thoughts that are difficult to express with pen and ink on a small piece of paper."

This is Romain Rolland's evaluation of the third movement.

Berlioz described this movement as a "great movement".

Although Chen Qiu has never been in love, he still remembers the hug under the moonlight when Su Yue left.

Although he didn't know if this was the feeling of being in love, Chen Qiu expressed this feeling as completely as possible.

Young, but with innocence and beauty.

This feeling made everyone present smile.

This feeling of youth is so good.

Except for the fact that it is slightly inconsistent with the feeling of Beethoven, everything else is pretty good.

However, considering that Chen Qiu looks so young and has such a high level of professionalism, it is actually normal.

Maybe this guy has never even had a relationship yet.

Everyone couldn't help but think so.

Of course, these are the audience's thoughts.

Chen Qiu had his back to the audience, so naturally he had no idea what everyone was thinking. He just followed the routine and led the orchestra to interpret the second and third movements.

With the help of Qin Xian and Su Yue, the orchestra's performance met his expectations.

He knew very well that the first movement was easy, but even if he were to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic, he might not be able to deliver a world-class performance of the second and third movements.

My understanding of the second and third movements is still a little lacking, especially in terms of love.

Therefore, Chen Qiu was already very satisfied with being able to perform a passing grade.

He did not expect his second and third movements to explode into super-god status.

However, if you want to show a perfect performance in this monastery, it is not enough to have an excellent first chapter and good second and third chapters.

The most important thing is the fourth movement.

Chen Qiu pulled his hand slightly, and the sound of the horn broke the silence of the music.

It also symbolizes the beginning of the fourth movement.

Chen Qiu's expression gradually became solemn.

His gaze also became serious.

The fourth movement is perhaps the most difficult one he has ever conducted.

It is not only difficult during rehearsal, but also during performance.

Because the fourth movement is a negation of the previous three movements.

Beethoven's plan in this symphony was to "make us dwell on the first three movements, and then to reject them one by one, so that we would feel that none of them could achieve the joy in which he believed. After these three movements had been abandoned, a new theme would become the hymn of joy."

This is why Ode to Joy is so important.

Chen Qiu had previously taken the Harmony Symphony Orchestra to rehearse and perform.

They worked on Mahler's First Symphony.

This was mentioned before when we performed Mahler.

The "Giant" in Mahler's works is actually a tribute to Beethoven.

He also wanted to create a sense of writing about some themes and then negating them one by one.

Obviously, he did it.

His song "Giant" has also become his important representative work in the classical music world.

Therefore, Chen Qiu's interpretation of the fourth movement is actually to use Mahler's feeling to make everyone think backwards.

Chen Qiu swung the baton in his hand violently.

A trumpet not far away suddenly blew an extremely fast allegro.

Chen Qiu swung the baton in his hand randomly and met the gaze of Rui Jia who was not far away. Rui Jia nodded very seriously and led the double bass in her hand to deny the melody that had just appeared.

At this moment, the double bass is the protagonist.

The cello next to it is actually the supporting role of the work.

The recitative of the two voices negates everything.

Her delicate arms pulled the huge bow, vibrating the strings.

Bringing wails like from the depths of hell.

No, this is not the happiness I want.

This is not enough to express the joy in my heart.

So, go ahead!

Chen Qiu raised his arm, and the baton in his hand drew a powerful line, swinging towards the Ai drum behind Rui Jia.

Ai Gu's mouth corners raised, and the muscles in his hands suddenly tensed. He clenched the timpani hammer tightly in his hand, and on the timpani in front of him, accompanied by the howling of the trumpet in the distance, he played the tremor of the world.

Wave after wave of emotions rise, trying to break through the limitations of the previous double bass and show something new.

But it's obvious.

invalid.

The fall of the baton in Chen Qiu's hand brought about another negation of the bass recitative.

Ruijia continued to lead the bass section of the orchestra to express their opposition.

Such happiness and joy are still not what they expect.

This is definitely not the feeling they really want.

So, continue.

Continue to search for the happiness that truly belongs to them.

The painful feeling rolled back, covering up the emotion before the music.

The feeling of confusion came over me again.

There is no real direction to be found in music.

It seems that everything will end here, and be completely lost in this land.

but……

not at all.

The music doesn't end here.

The fortitude that exists in the music keeps the music going.

The baton in Chen Qiu's hand became steady.

His body couldn't help but bend forward.

The sound of the music gradually faded.

The line slowly moved forward in Chen Qiu's hand.

This is a trial.

A test for the future.

A test of the ideal.

pity……

This attempt did not produce any results.

The cello not far away pulls the focus of the music back to itself.

Xu Shuwen and the cello group continued to deny all of this.

It's just obvious.

This denial was obviously hesitant.

Is it really wrong this time?

What you think for yourself, what you want for yourself, is the real joy.

What exactly should it be?
Beethoven didn't know.

Everyone in the orchestra didn't seem to be quite sure either.

They followed Chen Qiu and expressed a feeling to everyone.

That is……

confused.

This is the confusion of young people.

He lives in this world, but has no idea what his future will be like.

They don't even have a clear plan for what they are going to do in the future.

They are just trying and failing again and again, looking for their own path.

until……

A flute not far away slowly blew out a sound, representing the sound of Ode to Joy.

The moment this sound came out, the bass voice habitually wanted to deny it.

It seems that I have long been accustomed to denying myself.

but……

This time!
The denial of music did not continue.

All that's left is doubt. No, no, no, oh, yes, yes...

Right, right, right…right?
It seems as if...

Yes?

Everyone seemed to sense something, and a light gradually appeared in their eyes.

They felt it.

The main theme of this music.

The feeling of this music.

This is the feeling I want to express.

It seems to be the happiness and joy they are looking for.

At this moment, music broke through the blockade.

The sun broke through the dark clouds and enveloped the earth.

The light appears.

The prelude to joy is about to begin.

This is the theme of Ode to Joy!
The holy theme of Ode to Joy sounded in this church.

There are no superfluous sounds, just the purest joy.

The waves of emotions conveyed the joy from earth to heaven.

This is not the sound of heaven.

This is the voice of the human world.

This sound is transmitted from the human world to the highest point.

Chen Qiu looked at the audience behind him, and a trace of worry flashed across his eyes.

He was not sure whether the audience behind him could complete the piece with him.

If they didn't keep up, then the work would truly become a solo for the orchestra rather than a "chorus".

Chen Qiu led the orchestra to play the main melody of the music.

The sound of music flows, soaking into the hearts of the audience below the stage.

until.

"That's not the sound, my friends!"

The orchestra stopped.

The baritone's voice was exceptionally clear.

The person in charge of the monastery walked out from the crowd. He came to the front of the orchestra with a smile, looked at Chen Qiu beside him, nodded slightly, then looked at the audience below the stage and continued.

"Let us sing with happier voices!"

“Let us sing songs of joy!”

He took a step forward and spoke loudly to the crowd.

"Joy!"

Some male audience members under the stage looked at each other and whispered.

"Joy!"

Person in charge: “Joy!”

Bass: "Joy!"

Without any prior rehearsal, everyone was simply told that they needed to sing the music in different parts, and they immediately followed the baritone voice of the person in charge.

Those sounds of joy seemed particularly sacred in this church.

The person in charge couldn't hide the smile on his face.

He chanted loudly.

"Rejoice! The goddess of joy is holy and beautiful, and the bright sun shines on the earth."

"With passion in our hearts we come to your palace."

"Your power brings people together to eliminate all differences."

"Under your light, people unite as brothers."

The sound of the orchestra rested softly beside him, assisting his singing.

His voice is not pleasant, and he is not a particularly great bel canto singer.

But the moment he sang, the whole concert hall seemed to be bright.

The eyes of the audience below the stage were also filled with light.

The moment he finished his last sentence, the audience below the stage all stood up and sang loudly along with the orchestra and the person in charge.

"Your power brings people together to eliminate all differences."

"Under your light, people unite as brothers."

Chen Qiu waved the baton in his hand, and the orchestra members continued to lead everyone's emotions and push the music to a higher level.

Under the baton in Chen Qiu's hand, the audience was in an uproar.

They looked at each other and soon introduced several responsible persons.

Tenor, bass, soprano, alto.

The four of them left the audience and came to the front of the orchestra.

After smiling at the person in charge, he turned and looked at the audience below the stage.

There was no rehearsal, it was purely based on the spontaneity of the audience.

Their voices blend into each other, and you can no longer hear the pure male and female voices.

All you can hear is an angelic voice, humming over there.

"May the creatures in this world who have shared our hardships, the virtuous ladies and upright brothers in the world, rejoice with us and share the great harmony with us, and let the villains who do not deserve to enjoy this blessing cry and beat their breasts in the dark."

The audience sang loudly.

“May all the virtuous ladies and upright brothers in the world rejoice with us!”

"Let us all enjoy the great blessing together, and let the villains who do not deserve this blessing go to the dark and wail and beat their breasts."

The soprano voice stands out at this moment.

At this moment, the high-pitched sound seemed to reach the sky.

They were in this church, talking to God.

Express their hope to God.

The orchestra played a transition, and the tenor, baritone, and bass sang in harmony.

"People surrounded by nature drink fine wine, and all the wise and foolish people in the world work together for a bright future. Nature gives us love and wine, and friendship that lasts through life and death. Even the humblest people stand before God with joy like angels."

The orchestra followed closely behind.

"Nature has given us love, wine, and friendship that lasts through life and death!"

“Even the humblest of men rejoice as angels in the presence of God.”

“Joyfully stand in the presence of God.”

“Joyfully Stand in the Presence of God!”

After this section, the glorious flame went out, and in the deep darkness some eerie sounds broke the solemn silence, which gradually turned into a mysterious and distant military march.

A veil drawn over horrors too high for human comprehension.

At this moment, the music finally reached its final climax.

Variations of Ode to Joy sounded.

As they walked, the person in charge also sang with a smile.

"Joy is like the blazing sun crossing the magnificent boundless space. Brothers, quickly embark on the journey and march towards victory joyfully like heroes."

The sound is getting louder and louder.

The power is getting higher and higher.

The sound of the choir behind him, along with the sound of the orchestra, pushed the music to a higher level.

The members of the string section frantically pulled the bows in their hands and led the orchestra towards the sky.

In the end, it just became dim again.

But this gloom is neither disappointment nor despair.

This gloom is just to pave the way for the final sound.

Chen Qiu turned around, looked at the audience behind him, and raised the baton in his hand suddenly.

The chorus of the crowd sang at this moment.

That supreme human voice imprints all of mankind’s beautiful fantasies about the future and conveys them to the future they expect.

"The goddess of joy is holy and beautiful, and her brilliant sunshine shines on the earth."

"With passion in our hearts we come to your palace."

"Your power brings people together to eliminate all differences."

"Under your shining light, people unite and become brothers!"

"Your power brings people together to eliminate all differences."

"Under your shining light, people unite and become brothers!!"

The music stopped, Chen Qiu looked at the male voices and nodded at them.

A low hum sounded.

"All peoples, embrace each other and kiss everyone in the world."

Everyone sang.

"All peoples, embrace each other and kiss everyone in the world."

The two sang in unison.

"Brothers, above the stars, there must be a loving father who lives forever in the world."

"Why do you all bow down to the ground?"

"People of the world, do you have a premonition of the Creator?"

"Fly across the starry sky, fly into space to worship the Supreme."

"Above the starry sky is His residence."

"..."

The sound gradually faded.

What followed was the final masterpiece.

"Friends, friends, the God in the sky is looking at us with kindness!"

"Joy! Brilliant light shines upon the earth!"

"Your power brings people together to eliminate all differences."

"Under your shining light, people unite and become brothers!"

"All peoples, embrace each other and kiss everyone in the world."

"Brothers, above the starry sky, there must be a loving father who lives forever in the water world!"

"I embrace you, this kiss is for all living things on earth."

“This is for all life on earth!”

"Joy!"

"The goddess of joy is holy and beautiful!!"

"The bright sunshine shines on the earth!!!"

(End of this chapter)