Chapter 295: Feedback and Expectation
Translator: Kris_Liu Editor: Vermillion
Lucien bowed to the audience in the warm applause for nine times, and then went back to the backstage to prepare for the ending symphony, the most important symphony piece of tonight’s concert.
On the municipal square, people were still immersed in the great nostalgia. An old man in his late sixties said to a stranger next to him to let off his emotion, “Maybe you don’t know, but I’m from the Kingdom of Shaq. That’s a country in the south part of the continent, close to the Federation of the Free Cities. We have the great navy, and I was in the navy, too, fighting against the pirates… The thing in Aalto that I’m the most unhappy with is that the liquor here is not strong at all, not even close to the liquor called Peled in my hometown. When you take a sip of it, the burning feeling in your throat and stomach is just… I cannot describe it with my words. Also, we have a special kind of white wine made from the grapes growing in the high mountains. No one who’s ever tried it can forget the sweet and refreshing taste. But only Count Lucio and the king could enjoy the wine… You know how I got the chance to taste it? It was on Count Lucio’s wedding. At that time, I was a guard, and I was lucky to find some of the wine left in the glass… Come on… don’t go. Just let me finish. You know the pork paste made in Lucio? Also we have goat cheese, the best honey and roasted lamb… Girls in Lucio are like glowing flowers and they are as passionate as fire! They like brave guys who can beat bulls…”
The middle-aged man was not interested at all. Slightly shaking his head, he felt quite bothered, since he also missed his own hometown.
The old man did not know what to do after the middle-aged man took a few steps away from him. Then, he started to murmur to himself, “I haven’t mentioned the small house I have in the countryside in Lucio. The green vines must be covering the entire wall, and the light yellow flowers are more beautiful than any other flowers. The floor in the corner must be crooked now, but I cannot go back to fix it…”
The old man had been away from his hometown for more than thirty years. He was afraid that he would die on his way back to his hometown.
His voice became deeper and deeper. Tears came out of the corner of his eyes. He kept asking himself, “Go back? Shall I go back?”
Then, suddenly, he made up his mind. His fists forcefully waved and said out loud, “I’m going back!”
Glinton was a bit startled and asked, “Are you alright?”
The old man grinned, “Yes! I’m going home!”
His face was glowing.
Then he added, “Before I die, it is such a great blessing that I have the chance to listen to this symphony here from Mr. Evans. This is a masterpiece as a combination of folk music and symphony! After I get back home, I think I’m gonna miss Mr. Lucien Evans and his great music pieces!”
Glinton hurriedly nodded and agreed, “You’re definitely right! When the first movement came out, I was a bit hesitant. I wasn’t sure how to comment on it. But after listening to the second movement, I can say it for sure that New Country Symphony is more than just outstanding. It’s going to be a classic masterpiece! Maybe just this little behind Symphony of Fate…”
Glinton used his two fingers to suggest how close New Country Symphony was to Symphony of Fate. In his mind, Glinton still preferred the latter, probably because he could always go back home from time to time.
Then Glinton sighed, “I wonder what kind of symphony can be used as the ending piece if even New Country Symphony isn’t qualified.”
It was totally within people’s expectation that Fate was played at the very beginning, because it represented Lucien’s past accomplishment, however, in their mind, they felt that this masterpiece, New Country Symphony, was totally enough for being the ending piece of the symphony, but it was not.
The old man smiled, “Maybe it’s even better than New Country Symphony. I believe in Mr. Evans.”
“Me, too.” Glinton turned to look at the crystal wall again.
They were not alone. People were waiting for the ending piece with the great expectation and the belief in the young musician in their mind.
…
In the Psalm Hall.
Elena wiped off her tears and said to Felicia in a low voice, “I can tell how much Lucien missed his hometown, relatives, and friends in the past three years. The feelings are so real in the music, and the true feelings are beyond touching.”
Felicia’s eyes also looked a bit red from her tears, “It reminded me of my trip with Mr. Victor. At first, I did not feel much, but after a month, I started to miss my parents and my bedroom like crazy. I tried to turn this emotion into music, so I wrote the piano piece you heard. But it can never be compared to Lucien’s presentation. His music has greatly inspired me again… Maybe, maybe I started to admire Lucien…”
As a student who studied music with Lucien together in Victor’s class, although Felicia was surprised and even shocked for a few times with Lucien’s talent and the music pieces he wrote, and she also respected him as a great musician, she never felt this admiration in her heart right now.
“Me, too.” Elena smiled.
Felicia put her right hand in front of her chest and said, “Let’s wait for the last piece of symphony. Let’s admire Lucien even more!”
“Grace said to me that both Mr. Franz and Mr. Fabbrini praised Ode to Joy very highly, even higher than New Country Symphony,” said Elena. “Lucien won’t let us down. When I get old, I can tell my grandchildren by the fireplace that I am a friend of the legendary musician…”
…
In the balcony for the nobles, after hearing what Christopher said, Natasha asked, “Mr. President, are you leaving before finishing the religious music piece?”
“Maybe my hometown could inspire me even more.” Christopher smiled peacefully, “Your Highness, did Lucien ever mention New Country Symphony to you in the letters? You look the same impressed as we are, as if it were the first time you heard it.”
Natasha slightly lifted her brows and said, “It is my first time. He was good at keeping secrets. But I am not surprised with the theme because I could tell how much he missed Aalto from his letters. Of course, I have different feelings toward New Country Symphony, after all, Aalto is my hometown, and my memory belongs here. Lucien’s music reminded me more of my childhood when I was traveling in Holm.”
The grand duke agreed. Although the symphony provoked lots of memories in him, as a man born and raised in Aalto, he did not feel much nostalgia.
“I feel the same way, but I did feel the nostalgia when I was doing the tour concert.” Victor nodded and spoke highly of his own student, “At that time, I missed Aalto a lot. I missed the place that Winnie and I built together. But my Love Symphony is not about this, and I also don’t think I can compose such an excellent music piece…”
Othello slightly shook his head and said, “I have mixed feelings toward the symphony. I like the second movement a lot, but I don’t like the structure of the other parts. I hope Ode to Joy can be more consistent.”
“It must be a great piece of music that can be compared to Symphony of Fate.” Natasha had faith in her friend.
Although it was not hard for her to listen to Lucien’s rehearsal beforehand, she restrained herself from doing so and left all the excitement for today.
Victor also nodded, “I’m sure Lucien won’t let us down.”
“Don’t put too much pressure on a young fellow.” Christopher grinned, “But I have to say that I’m very, very excited as well.”
The grand duke said with mixed feelings, “Let’s wait and see.”
Count Hayne, Count Rafati, the cardinal Gossett and many others were all waiting for the ending piece of the concert.
…
In the backstage.
Lucien’s coughing was getting worse.
“Mr. Evans, are you alright? Maybe we should have Mr. Franz to conduct…” suggest Fabbrini gently.
Lucien covered his mouth and shook his head, “I’m… alright. It’s just temporary. I’ve been doing fine for almost three hours, and I’ll be still fine in the last hour. After all, I’m a knight!”
Because Lucien had been coughing quite a lot, but nothing big really happened, people in the backstage listened to Lucien and were not very concerned.
Lucien looked at Fabbrini sincerely and said, “There’s no excellent baritone singer in Aalto, so… please, Mr. Fabbrini, although I know it’s hard.”
Opera was not as popular as Symphony in Aalto, therefore, it was also hard to find really good opera singers here.
Mr. Fabbrini’s face flushed a bit under Lucien’s gaze, “I assure you, Mr. Evans. I’ve been practicing a lot, and I won’t let you down.”
Using some secret techniques from the church, Fabbrini now could make the best use of his throat to sing different parts, which required a lot of practice time.
Lucien nodded and stood up. He looked around at the singers and chorus members, and then raised his arm, “My friends, let’s forget the same old platitudes and sing for joy!”
“Sing for joy!” All of the people in the backstage repeated out of great passion.
When Fabbrini and the chorus members were prepared, Lucien adjusted his suit a bit and walked out of the backstage with confidence.
