Chapter 45, Song 45...
Qu Jiaying's Spring Festival that year passed uneventfully as she visited relatives and friends with her parents.
During the rest of the winter break, Yan Zheng and I went to Chen Li's bar to perform. Yang Jingyi passed the preliminary exam for postgraduate entrance examination this year.
"Congratulations!" Qu Jiaying said to Yang Jingyi with a smile.
"There's still a second round of interviews," Yang Jingyi said.
"You'll definitely be fine." Qu Jiaying knew she was very hardworking.
Yan Zheng asked curiously, "So, what will you do about your job here after you pass the exam?"
Yang Jingyi said helplessly, "I attend classes during the day and work at night, otherwise Chen Li won't give me money."
Chen Li complained, "Do you know how much it costs to hire people? The more money you spend, the less you get paid. How are you going to continue your studies if you don't have money?!"
Qu Jiaying interacted with them more and learned some inside information. Their parents did not support the business of opening a bar. The two of them pooled their money and found a way to open the shop. Chen Li's parents have softened their attitude over the years, but Yang Jingyi's parents are still very angry.
After so many years in business, the bar is barely breaking even and doesn't make much profit. Life is still tight, and Yang Jingyi is going to study music history, which is of no help to her career.
"You're not going to switch careers and become a music teacher after graduation, are you?" Qu Jiaying asked.
Yang Jingyi pointed at Chen Li: "Do you think she'll let me leave?"
Chen Li wiped the wine glass clean and said with dissatisfaction, "Do you think it's so easy to find a suitable employee? Even the musicians and bands for the performances are not stable."
"Skill or quality?"
"That's right! Regular customers often complain that they won't come if there's nothing nice to say!"
Qu Jiaying comforted her, saying, "You're not far from the music academy, and there's a constant stream of new talent every year."
“But none of them are you,” Chen Li said.
Qu Jiaying laughed happily: "Sister, what are you afraid of? Once we put up an ad that I perform here all year round, will we still have to worry about customers?"
"You're really bold!" Chen Li laughed. "But I'm waiting."
"I'm a little envious of them," Qu Jiaying suddenly said as she sat in the taxi on her way home.
"What are you envious of?" Yan Zheng asked.
Qu Jiaying said, "Their way of getting along is that they support each other."
"Aren't they a couple?" Yan Zheng asked in surprise.
Qu Jiaying chuckled helplessly, "What can I say about you? They don't have that kind of atmosphere; they're just partners and friends."
She said with a hint of disappointment, "So you understand? I envy them."
"I'll stay with you." Yan Zheng held her left hand.
Qu Jiaying smiled slightly: "I might go to Curtis later."
"Aren't you going to Germany?" Yan Zheng asked, both surprised and expectant.
“Yes, Ms. Xia has changed her mind and is willing to support my idea, but she is still unsure. She asked Wang Zhou for the recording from that day and sent it to Professor Müller in Germany. We chatted on video, and he suggested that I go to Curtis Institute in the United States, where a friend of his teaches,” Qu Jiaying said.
Yan Zheng was happy for her. Although Europe is the birthplace of classical music, most of the well-known performers in recent years have gone to the United States to study, or to the Curtis Institute of Music.
"So, you and I will both be going to America," Qu Jiaying said with a smile, "but a year later than me."
Yan Zheng exerted a slight force with his right hand. Perhaps Le Yi understood her music better, and perhaps there was a more complicated entanglement between Xiang Min and her, but he would always stay by her side.
...
Returning to the recording, Wang Zhou introduced Qu Jiaying to a female singer from their company.
"It's quite a coincidence," Wang Zhou explained. "After you finished recording that Mahler piece last time, I had it here. I was just about to give it to Teacher Xia when Xiaoxing listened to the recording. She liked it very much, and she and Dawei wanted to use some elements from Mahler's 'Das Lied von der Erde' in a song on their next album."
Xiao Xing is her stage name. She is Qu Jiaying's junior in school and studies pop music. Dawei is her cousin. He grew up abroad and also studied music. The two hit it off during a casual chat while visiting relatives and friends and began to collaborate.
"I don't understand pop music," Qu Jiaying said.
That's why I need your help.
Don't have too high expectations.
After returning to school from the winter break, Le Yi and Xiang Min's relationship became strained. They happened to have chosen the same elective course, but after learning that the other had also chosen it, they both dropped the course. Qu Jiaying was confused about what was going on and couldn't mediate their conflict, so she readily agreed to help.
Qu Jiaying took some time to visit the music company where Wang Zhou worked, and met Xiao Xing and Da Wei.
Xiao Xing can be called a genius girl. She sang her own songs online in middle school. Professionals could not find any flaws, and the audience loved them. The number of plays was very high. She was immediately noticed by the music company where Wang Zhou worked.
It was only after the music company contacted her that they learned that Xiaoxing's first song was mostly written by her cousin Dawei. However, she had a very high vocal talent, could easily sing high notes, and her voice was very distinctive. She also had an outstanding appearance.
After a period of negotiation, both sides signed a relatively fair contract.
"Because of Xiaoxing and Dawei's creative philosophy, her fan base is relatively smaller, but very stable," Wang Zhou explained.
“However, she participated in a music program before, which increased her popularity. We’ve taken the right path, so we want to challenge ourselves again,” David said.
Xiao Xing pulled Qu Jiaying aside and talked about her understanding of Mahler and "Das Lied von der Erde" (The Song of the Earth).
Although Qu Jiaying told Wang Zhou not to have too high expectations, she was no longer the person she used to be. She had a deeper understanding of music and did all her homework. She not only understood Mahler's compositional style, but also knew that his daughter had passed away and he had been diagnosed with heart disease before he composed "Das Lied von der Erde". In addition, he was constantly ostracized by the anti-Semitic movement. At this time, he received a collection of Tang poems from a friend, which deeply moved him and led him to compose "Das Lied von der Erde".
Even though Xiaoxing is younger than Qu Jiaying, she also understands the way "Das Lied von der Erde" expresses the themes of death and the impermanence of life.
“This symphony has six movements, each incorporating a different Tang poem, and the themes are not exactly the same. Dawei and I haven’t decided yet whether to do one or several,” Xiaoxing said.
David is a few years older than Qu Jiaying. Born and raised abroad, he is no stranger to ancient poetry and also understands classical music better. He said, "This time, we are making an album, unlike the singles we made before. We will keep one or two popular songs, and the rest are basically decided. The six movements of 'Song of the Earth' can only be squeezed into two songs, one cheerful and one melancholic."
The third, fourth, and fifth movements of "Das Lied von der Erde" are relatively cheerful, which better contrasts with the painful theme and allows for a better "farewell" to life.
Therefore, Qu Jiaying also agreed with David's point of view: "At most two, otherwise squeeze them into one."
Xiao Xing nodded slowly, then smiled and invited Qu Jiaying: "We're going to participate in a music festival in a while, would you like to come and join us?"
Because David studied classical music, and specifically folk symphony with a Chinese composer abroad, Xiao Xing's songs blend pop, folk, and symphonic music, making them very unique. He also frequently collaborates with classical musicians.
"I am not a soloist yet."
"It's only a matter of time," Xiaoxing said with a smile.
"What piece should I play?" Qu Jiaying chuckled.
Xiao Xing tapped the score of "Song of the Earth" with her fingertips: "Two new pieces."
Qu Jiaying laughed heartily; she really liked Xiaoxing.
David opened the piano lid and took out the sheet music he had written earlier. Xiaoxing sat next to him and played the piano. The two of them adjusted the parts they had written earlier, dividing them into two pieces. Xiaoxing then played and sang it again. The lyrics were the same as the adaptation of the ancient poem in "Song of the Earth." She only used a part of the original poem's sentences and then revised the details with David.
"Let's leave it at that for now." David handed the sheet music for the cheerful song to Qu Jiaying.
Qu Jiaying opened her violin case and tried playing it once.
Xiaoxing and Dawei exchanged a surprised glance. They had listened to the audio, but it was still not as good as the live performance. Qu Jiaying's performance was better than they had imagined, even better than the musicians they had worked with before. She had grasped the essence of the music on her first sight-reading.
Qu Jiaying commented, "It's very interesting, but I had some trouble breathing."
"Breathe?" Xiaoxing asked, puzzled.
"You can sing the whole song in one go, right?" Qu Jiaying asked.
Little Star nodded.
“I understand you. I used to love showing off my skills too, building one climax after another. But now I understand better the pauses in a piece. When the audience thinks we’ve reached the climax, we pause for a moment and then move on. That makes it more interesting,” Qu Jiaying said.
David understood: "Although you studied traditional classical music, this is a good suggestion."
“I am a performer, and I can’t be as innovative as you composers,” Qu Jiaying said.
David said, “Many of your classmates and friends are classical musicians. Your world is still relatively closed off.”
“Maybe so, but this is the world I chose,” Qu Jiaying said.
Xiaoxing elbowed her brother, and Dawei rubbed his side and apologized, "I'm sorry, I wasn't blaming you..."
Qu Jiaying looked at the brother and sister with amusement. She wasn't angry, just a little helpless. She smiled and said, "It's nothing. Aren't I cooperating with you right now?"
David smiled and said, "Let's adjust our schedules a bit more. It's almost rush hour. I'll take you home later; it's on my way. I have an appointment with Professor Cai Rui to visit him."
Qu Jiaying nodded in agreement and sat down to listen to their adjustments once again.
The addition of an air vent enhances the sense of breathing, and the interlude also incorporates wind chimes and birdsong.
David was driving, and Xiaoxing was sitting in the passenger seat. The two siblings were still discussing how to make changes.
"How about adding a flute to the somber interlude?"
"It would be better to add the sound of wind chimes and birdsong to the intro, and change the interlude to drum sounds for a better effect."
After discussing the matter thoroughly, David said to Qu Jiaying in the back seat, "Sorry, listening to us talk about this must be boring."
"It's quite interesting." Qu Jiaying only had a general understanding of Xiang Min's compositions. He always wrote them himself first, which is how classical music majors in composition departments do. He would finish writing them before having the symphony orchestra perform them, and then make adjustments. The works were very long, so the creation time was also long.
"I never imagined that the creation of pop music could be completed in as little as a day," Qu Jiaying said.
“It will be longer with the arrangement and recording, but you’re right. After all, a piece of music is only three to five minutes long, and no matter how complex the structure is, it can’t compare to a symphony,” David said.
The car slowly pulled up in front of the music academy. Dawei got out of the driver's seat first and opened the car door for Qu Jiaying.
Qu Jiaying smiled and said, "Will we record something next time we meet? I look forward to your finished product."
"And there's the preparation for the music festival; Xiaoxing pays close attention to the stage effects," David said.
Xiao Xing secretly rolled her eyes. Don't use her as an excuse.
Qu Jiaying nodded and said, "Remember to send me a copy once the score is finalized."
“No problem.” David extended his right hand.
Qu Jiaying shook his hand.
Just after saying goodbye to them, Qu Jiaying saw Le Yi, Yan Zheng, and Xiang Min walking side by side.
After a few seconds of silence, Yan Zheng asked, "Who was that man just now?"
Qu Jiaying gave a brief explanation.
The words "composer who studied folk symphony" and "the creative process is very interesting" immediately triggered alarm bells for Yue Yi and Xiang Min. They glanced at each other, reached a preliminary reconciliation, temporarily set aside their differences, and united against a common enemy.
"We're very interested too. Could we go together next time?"
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