EFB Suite No. 19: Nuwa's Great Banner
Suite No. 19: Nuwa's Great Banner
Skill completion rate: 80%
[Skill Credibility 75%]
With the assistance of professionals and their specialized equipment, Lin Zhuoxin's newly created sonic energy practice has made several leaps in progress.
Just an hour in, the sound of that heavy iron bell became increasingly precise, harmonious, and natural.
By changing his technique of applying force, Lin Zhuo could control the movement of the clapper and the vibration of the bell body, producing a variety of tones and timbres.
He is currently able to play four octaves and twelve semitones according to the twelve-tone equal temperament, or nine semitones according to the Pythagorean tuning system.
As a musical instrument, this is already quite satisfactory; it can play most pieces with ease.
However, for the next three hours, Lin Zhuo continued to refine his technique of channeling energy, striving to produce each note in the simplest way and to achieve pitch changes and key shifts in the least effort.
The people in the studio were already in awe.
"Do you know what's on my mind right now?" the sound engineer muttered, pressing his fist against his cheek.
"you say."
"The classical Chinese text in the textbook, 'The Art of Ventriloquism,' is about hearing a bunch of incredibly lifelike sounds, then you push open the screen and see a person sitting inside. Look at this person behind the glass, isn't it the same? Such complex tones, performed with just a bell, amazing, isn't it!"
"Wow, that really captures the essence. So, should we write a classical Chinese essay when we get back?"
"Stop fooling around."
Everyone laughed, and the cheerful atmosphere dispelled the unconscious fatigue between their brows and eyes. Long hours of work are still exhausting, but the enthusiasm for witnessing extraordinary people in the mundane world made everyone feel refreshed.
Min Xinrou sipped her hot coffee and whispered to Min Peier beside her, "I've really seen something amazing. This playing technique, this comprehension... it's truly genius. And this unique timbre, like a temple bell. I had previously considered bringing a bell into a concert hall, but I gave up because its presence would be too overwhelming and would smother all the other instruments. But this has shown me that possibility."
Even though Min Pei'er was a complete novice, she was quite captivated by what she heard.
She had never heard such a complex and varied, clear and mellow musical instrument sound, like drinking strong liquor.
It sounds like a dull, lifeless bell, yet it can twist and turn in countless ways, sometimes faint like the cry of a bird in a deep ravine, sometimes soaring like an arrow soaring through the sky, sometimes fast like a sudden rainstorm, sometimes slow like the low murmur of an ancient well, sometimes mournful like a mountain ghost crying at a tomb, sometimes fierce and powerful like an iron horse crossing a river.
This is just a fragmented and disjointed percussion performance; if these notes were strummed together, who knows what kind of breathtaking performance effect could be created.
"Hmm." Min Peier answered absentmindedly, her gaze passing over the soundproof glass to Lin Zhuo in the recording studio. His face had turned as pale as it had the night before, like salt flats exposed to the scorching sun, yet sweat was streaming down his face like a river.
The studio staff had repeatedly advised him to postpone his practice tonight, because they were all afraid that he might suddenly faint from low blood sugar in his current condition.
The towel used to wipe his sweat had been washed five times and was still damp, hanging on his shoulder. In order to allow Lin Zhuo to continue playing, all the staff members offered him all the snacks they usually kept hidden away, and the snack cabinet in the studio was almost empty.
Lin Zhuo, however, never showed any signs of fatigue; his eyes remained bright and piercing, radiating the energy to ignite others.
It was precisely because of this selfless focus that onlookers were shocked by the coldness of his will and the strength of his soul, and unconsciously accepted the irrationality that Lin Zhuo displayed.
After all, people tend to convince themselves that a person with an iron will is destined to accomplish incredible things.
Just as everyone was preparing to stay up all night, Lin Zhuo stopped, walked out of the recording studio, and thanked the staff.
"Comrades, thank you for your selfless help, but it's getting late, and I've taken up too much of your rest time. I think we should call it a night."
"Us? No, don't worry about us."
"Yeah, yeah. Go on. We stay up late all the time."
These firsthand listeners are still reluctant to part with it.
Lin Zhuo had already completed all the preliminary preparations. Next, he needed to select a musical score for the sound wave technique and begin the final stage.
This process can be quite tedious, as you have to try different pieces repeatedly to find the right one, but it doesn't require much professional assistance because he can make the decision himself.
Lin Zhuo had no intention of causing any more trouble for everyone, but he underestimated the enthusiasm of these music professionals.
"At this point, no matter what, I want to hear you play a real piece," Min Xinrou said, her words both pleading and encouraging.
"Yes, me too." "Same here."
Lin Zhuo rubbed his face with a towel, pondered for a moment, then met everyone's expectant gazes again, "Okay, what do you want to hear?"
The recording studio has excellent soundproofing, and Lin Zhuo has confirmed that the sound transmitted through the equipment will not have the emotional transference effect of Xuanji Zhenqi, so there is no need to worry about damaging the listener's mind.
Everyone in the studio enthusiastically recited a long list of classic pieces from ancient and modern times, like reciting a menu.
These are all pieces that professional musicians have rehearsed in their minds, and they believe that Lin Zhuo's instruments can produce amazing results.
But Lin Zhuo was only a novice; he had never heard of many of them. He went to his temporary colleagues, and they all gathered around the computer screen to choose songs, playing a section of each one.
The speakers played ethereal melodies from the dulcimer at times, followed by the clear, resonant sounds of the flute and xiao. One moment it was a gentle, simple folk song, and the next it switched to a fierce and complex symphony. From classical to pop to neoclassical, from blues to rock to avant-garde music, it seemed to be going through a whole history of music tonight.
Seeing Lin Zhuo caught up in the surging emotions of the crowd and feeling disoriented amidst the myriad of opinions, Min Peier coughed twice and said, "I suggest we all ask Comrade Lin Zhuo for his opinion?"
"I hope to choose a song that everyone will be satisfied with, to reward everyone for their hard work tonight."
Everyone felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this. The round-faced master tape engineer quickly said, "Oh, well, we all have different tastes anyway, so why don't you pick the one you like? That way, no one will have any objections."
Lin Zhuo nodded and smiled, "I can see that you all possess extraordinary skills and profound experience. I wonder if you could help me find a piece of music that evokes a dramatic emotional shift within a short period of time."
"Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata."
"Does anyone understand The Beatles' 'Life in a Day'?"
Lin Zhuo kept listening to the presentations and offering more detailed suggestions. Only then did everyone in the studio realize that this guy was just as difficult as all clients.
"You want a variety of emotions, like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, but that's like cramming a bunch of themes into one piece of music. The narrative space left for each theme is too narrow, and it will definitely seem chaotic. It would be better to choose a suite, with each theme corresponding to a movement." The young man in charge of arranging the music crossed his arms, and his gaze towards Lin Zhuo was already a bit fierce.
"Okay, does anyone have any recommendations?"
Min Xinrou placed her coffee cup on the edge of the table, her tone barely concealing her excitement, "Going back a bit, there's Mussorgsky's 'Pictures at an Exhibition' and Grieg's 'Peer Gynt,' but here I would like to solemnly recommend a contemporary artist from our human community."
"Who is it?" Lin Zhuo chimed in, playing the straight man.
"Yan Ke, a great composer from Cangli Star Commune, has a wonderful new work this year, the Nuwa Great Banner Suite. The seven movements are like seven epics, with very ingenious emotional progression and arrangement structure."
Min Xinrou's words drew unanimous agreement from the crowd.
Seeing the high praise rate, Lin Zhu asked her to describe in detail the wonders of the suite.
"The first part, 'The Words of Creation,' depicts the birth of humankind and is themed with joy and happiness. However, the mood takes a sharp turn in the 'Heaven Collapses and Earth Sinks' movement, reflecting on the madness of natural disasters and the fear of our ancestors. Then comes 'The Death of Nuwa,' a legend about Nuwa who died from exhaustion while mending the sky, leading humanity to lose its innocence and fall into pain and confusion."
"The first three parts are all mythological stages. Next, we will enter the history recorded by civilization. 'The Sorrow of Immortality' tells the story of the imperial era of mankind. Since ancient times, emperors have pursued immortality as long as they have power. Although the melody is solemn, a closer look reveals only cruelty and ruthlessness."
"The Book of Thousands of Mountains tells the story of all the wars in history. The emotions are very strong right from the start. Two forces are fighting each other, angry and crazy. As it goes on, it gets more and more out of control, like falling into an abyss and being completely crushed.
"In the last two chapters, 'The Great Han' tells the story of ideals, friendship and empathy that transcends barriers. It is my personal favorite episode. The mood is very light and the melody is beautiful."
"Chapter Seven, 'The Tomb of Green Hills,' is dedicated to all the burning souls that lie buried underground, whether they are martyrs, contemporary figures, or countless brave people who sacrificed themselves for their ideals in the future. Although it is a very sad feeling, you can feel hope, like a field full of sunflowers."
Lin Zhuo listened and watched her gestures as she earnestly described the story. Finally, he exclaimed, "With such a heartfelt recommendation from you, how could I possibly refuse? Then let's go with 'Nuwa'!"
Min Xinrou looked around and announced to her colleagues with a smile, "Looks like everyone's in for a treat! Let's all give this up-and-coming instrumental performer a round of applause!"
A burst of applause erupted from the group of young people in their twenties and thirties. They were really giving them face; there were fewer than ten of them, yet the applause was like a small, sudden downpour.