“I’ll talk to you tomorrow about getting together to rehearse,” Daniel told Eric on his way out.
Finally, Jason had to leave. Eric shook his hand and then pulled him into a hug. “I’ll never forget what you have done for me, Jason. You are a true friend!”
“Good night, Eric. The feeling is mutual! Call me if you need anything!”
THE CONCERT
(Friday Night)
Friday was the first day in over a week that Daniel didn’t have anything pressing to deal with. He decided to go to the YMCA in the morning and do some swimming and working out, something he hadn’t been able to do for a while. He first did some floor exercises and weight lifting until some of the people there came up to him and wanted to talk about Ethan Savage. Daniel told them a few details, and then made his escape to the pool. He spent a good 45 minutes doing laps and just treading water. It felt great to swim and be away from all of the pressures and memories of the past week.
That afternoon, Daniel met with Diana at Merriam High School to work out the arrangement of ‘Shenandoah’ that they would perform at Anna Acosta’s funeral next week. They wanted to get things all figured out before they asked Eric to join them. Diana’s friend Cindy Carson was a good pianist and knew how to write down music. She came and worked with them for a couple of hours until everything was figured out. She also suggested that they include a piano part, so they could involve whoever was doing the rest of the music at the funeral. “It will take some pressure off of you, Daniel, if there is another person reinforcing the chords,” Cindy told him.
Jason was also having a kickback day. In the morning, his neighbor Richard Liu dropped by to see if he wanted to play some basketball. With nothing in particular planned for the morning, Jason thought that was a great idea, and so they got in a good forty-five minutes of one-on-one right in Jason’s driveway. That afternoon he went over to Laura’s for swimming and hanging out with her. They would take swims in the pool, then lie down poolside on lounge chairs and let the sun dry them off. Sometimes they would go sit in a shady area and hold hands or snuggle. When Laura’s mom wasn’t around they would embrace and get more intimate. Jason could sense that their relationship was beginning to get serious. Although he had been wary of any formal commitments earlier in the summer, there was too much spark in their relationship to deny that they both had real affection for each other.
After about ninety minutes outside, they went back in the house and got dressed. Jason asked Laura if she knew anything about classical music. “I know a little,” Laura said. “I had piano lessons for four years when I was younger. Why do you ask?”
“My good friend, Robert Fischer, is playing horn in the honor orchestra that is performing downtown tonight, and he gave Daniel and me his two tickets. You know that Mr. Molinari, the conductor, and his son Davey were the bicyclists who rescued Daniel when he was left tied up in that barn. I even have donated some foundation money to the orchestra. Robert made the concert sound so exciting when he described it that we just had to say yes to his ticket offer. I’m still not exactly sure what to expect or how to behave.”
“Don’t worry about it, Jason, you will do fine. Just remember that you don’t clap in between the movements of a symphony or a concerto, and you are expected to be quiet and listen during the performance. If you are still not sure, watch how your neighbors are behaving and follow their lead. There should be program notes that you can read before to help you understand the pieces and what they are about. Who knows, Jason, maybe you will really discover you like going to concerts like this and you can take me sometime!” Laura said with a smile on her face.
That evening Jason and Daniel took the light rail downtown to the theater where the concert was being performed. Although they still wore their chucks, both boys had replaced their usual shorts and tee shirts with a light blue polo shirt and khaki dress pants for Jason, and a dress shirt, open tie, and navy blue broadcloth trousers for Daniel. Jason’s mom Edith drove them to the closest light rail station. “You boys look great tonight! Enjoy the concert and be sure to call us if you need a ride home. It’s not a problem to pick you up here at the station or even downtown.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Jason replied. “I think we might be going to the post concert party. If we can’t get a ride home, we’ll call you.”
The ride downtown was quick and easy, and the station was about a block and a half away from the theater. The California Theater was a renovated movie theater that had become an attractive performing venue for Silicon Valley performing arts groups. The interior of the theater contained many ornamented arches with plaster posts and beautiful old-fashioned chandeliers. Jason and Daniel had great seats, right in the center of the grand tier. “Robert wasn’t kidding when he said that these were primo tickets,” Jason said as he and Daniel settled into their comfortably upholstered seats.
The honor orchestra members were starting to come out and take their places on stage. Jason and Daniel looked for people that they knew from school. “Look there’s Cecily Chin in the violin section,” Jason said. “And over in the woodwind section is Anton Vargas. What instrument is that?”
“It’s a bassoon,” Daniel replied. “Over in the brass section is Stefan Gavrilov playing trombone. Look, there’s Robert!” Robert Fischer came out with some of the other members of the horn section. Pretty soon all the seats on stage were filled, and the hall resonated with the sounds of instruments warming up. Then everything went silent. The concertmaster came out to rousing applause. He had the oboe player give a tune up note for the wind section, and then the strings. He took his seat, and after a short dramatic pause, out walked David Molinari. The entire orchestra stood up out of respect and there was a great ovation from the audience. Maestro Molinari smiled and took a deep bow. After everyone was seated and quiet again, he mounted the podium. The concert was about to begin.
The first selection, Egmont Overture by Ludwig van Beethoven started with a loud unison note, followed by dramatic minor chords in the strings. The opening section continued with intricate lines by woodwinds contrasted by a beautiful lyrical melody in the violins. Then quickly the tempo picked to a rapid pace. The violins and cellos spun out a heroic theme that continued to build into loud climaxes highlighted by the wind section. Eventually there were solo quartet chords played by the horns. Soon after that the tempo sped up again into a forceful ending section that featured dramatic brass fanfares and rapid sinfonia style string playing. The tonality switched from minor to major and the soaring musical lines came to a pounding finish.
The audience erupted into loud applause. “That was a real good start!” Jason exclaimed. “Robert and the horns sure sounded good!”
“Yeah, this group sounds very polished considering the short amount of rehearsal time they had,” Daniel replied. “I think we are in for a good show tonight!”
There was a pause in the performance as the grand piano was brought up from the orchestra pit and positioned in place for the upcoming Lizst Piano Concerto No. 1. When everything was set in place, out came the guest soloist, Sergei Korkovitz, followed by David Molinari. The audience erupted in loud, appreciative applause. Mr. Korkovitz had a very enthusiastic following in the Bay Area.
Jason couldn’t believe the way he looked. “He looks like the butcher in the local deli!” Korkovitz was big and broad shouldered with large meaty hands. When he sat down at the grand piano keyboard, it was clear who was in command.
“He may look like a butcher, but there the resemblance ends. Look at his fingers and wait until you hear his touch on the keyboard!” Daniel said.
After a brief orchestral introduction, Korkovitz pounded out the dramatic opening piano passages and from the first few measures he had the entire audience with him. His performance was a pyrotechnical display of piano prowess, alternating between super difficult arpeggios, rapid octave passages and wonderful heartfelt lyrical passages. You could hear a pin drop during his solo passages, and then when the music went back int
o the technically difficult parts there was a feeling of excited anticipation in the hall. After twenty minutes of this magic, the concerto came crashing to its end in a flurry of brass fanfares and the last few runs of piano octaves and scales.
When the music finished, the audience erupted as one to its feet. Loud cheers of “bravo” echoed throughout the hall. Mr. Korkovitz had to come back for four curtain calls, and the audience would not let him go until he played an encore. And Sergei did not disappoint them. He chose to play the Chopin Polonaise in Ab Major, known as the “Heroic”. The polonaise in itself was like a miniature concerto, with its distinctive sections, virtuosity, and soaring themes. When he was finished the hall again erupted into a loud and boisterous ovation. You could feel the electricity in the hall. When the applause finally died down, and the lights came on for the intermission there was a real buzz of excitement in the theater.
Daniel and Jason edged out into the lobby and decided to get drinks. As they were standing in line, Jason said, “I never realized that there could be so much excitement at a classical concert!”
“Sergei Korkovitz is quite an impressive musician. Definitely at the top of his profession! It sure was a good break for the honor orchestra to get him to perform.”
“The piano is an amazing instrument!” Jason exclaimed. “Can you imagine the amount of work and practice he went through to get that good?”
“You unquestionably have to be dedicated!” Daniel said with a laugh.
“I’m really looking forward to the second half of the concert now,” Jason said eagerly. “Robert told me he has some big solos in the next piece.”
“They sure have their work cut out for themselves after what we just heard.” Daniel replied.
“I think that they will be inspired by what they just heard!” Jason exclaimed.
After they finished their drinks, Jason and Daniel wandered around the lobby looking at the beautiful restoration work, said hi to a few acquaintances from school they ran into, and headed back to their seats.
The second half of the concert did not disappoint. The Shostakovich Fifth Symphony was full of all kinds of dramatic and lyrical moments. The first movement started with a fugue-like dialogue between the upper and lower strings that set the stage for much of the musical conflict that followed. The second theme was an angular and lyrical theme in the high register of the violins and later the violas. Occasionally the strings would be interrupted by passages in the woodwinds, horns or trumpets. In this performance the wind section was playing everything in a masterful fashion, from loud forceful passage in extreme high or low registers to tricky solos with soft dynamics. As the main development of the movement built to a climax, there was a dramatic double fugue between the brass and strings. This was answered by a delicate duet between the horn and flute as they replayed the second theme, and other solo woodwind passages leading to the end of the first movement. At the very end, the first violins played an ethereal melody in their high register bringing things to a close.
The main musical themes of the symphony had now been introduced. The next two movements were a medium paced dance in triple time that reminded Jason of a huge Russian dancing bear followed by a long and introspective slow movement that was filled with tension. All this was a great set up for the last movement, which was a barnburner, full of extended loud passages featuring the brass, timpani, and percussion. Eventually the music built up to a huge climax that suddenly turned from minor to major, from conflict to glorious resolution, from darkness to light, as the orchestra brought the music to a tumultuous conclusion in D major. The music stood for the triumph of the human spirit over adversity stated by forceful trumpet and trombone fanfares accented by the timpani and all of the percussion section. It was a fabulous ending to a great concert, and again the entire audience stood up and cheered. David Molinari was given several curtain calls, and at the last one he literally went throughout the orchestra and had the different sections stand up and take bows for their magnificent performance.
When the lights came back on in the hall, Jason turned to Daniel and said, “Robert was right, this orchestra really rocks! I never thought this kind of concert could be so exciting!”
“Yeah, our classmates and the other musicians did a super job! It’s not the style of music I want to play, but you have to admire the power and craft that went into their performance tonight!”
“Let’s see if we can get in back stage and talk to Robert and congratulate David Molinari. He sure knows how to put on a great concert!” Robert Fischer had told Jason where the backstage entrance was, and had put them on the list to get in, so they were able to get past the entry guard.
Once inside, they saw where Robert was putting his horn away and talking with the other brass players. Jason went up to Robert and very enthusiastically said, “Fabulous performance, Robert. You sounded so forceful. You are really a terrific performer. You rock! And those seats you gave us were super!”
“Thank you! You know what we do is mostly a team effort. We were really fortunate this year to have such a great brass section,” Robert said indicating some of the players around him.”
“Oh yeah, everything sounded great, especially in that last movement!” Jason added.
“I’m really glad you guys could come tonight!” Robert continued. “What did you think of the pianist, Sergei Korkovitz?”
“That was quite a performance. He had the audience eating out of his hand after the first few measures he played!”
“It was so much fun for us to get to work with him. That concerto is really exciting when you have a pianist like him to play it!”
Just then Daniel felt somebody grab onto him from behind. “Daniel! My cool friend, Daniel!” It was little Davey. “Look Daniel! I’ve got my new chucks on.” Davey pointed to his new black high tops that he had purchased with the gift certificate. “These are so cool, and I love my new bicycle too. You have to come on a bike ride with me!”
“Hey, little buddy, good to see you too,” Daniel said. “That was some concert!”
“Yeah, my dad really knows how to conduct an orchestra! Come with me. He said to be sure and bring you over if you came backstage.”
Daniel went with Davey over to the conductor’s green room. Inside the room were David Molinari, his wife Marie, a couple of donors to the orchestra, and Sergei Korkovitz. “Dad, look who I brought!” Davey said in an excited voice.
“Daniel!” David exclaimed. “It’s good to see you again. I’m so pleased that you could attend the concert.”
“It was a fabulous performance, Mr. Molinari. I was so impressed with how polished the group sounded!”
“Thank you, Daniel. But most of the credit goes to your peers who auditioned for and made the orchestra one of the best we have ever had. Let me introduce you around. You know my wife, Marie, of course, and these gentlemen are Theodore Bartholomew from the Symphony Society and Roberto Pasquale from the Arts Commission. And may I present our special guest soloist, Sergei Korkovitz.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you all,” Daniel replied shaking hands with everyone. “I really enjoyed your performance tonight, Mr. Korkovitz. You were outstanding! You had the whole audience with you from the first notes. It was quite an amazing experience to be a part of. And that ‘Heroic’ encore. That was like a little symphony by itself!”
“Thank you, my young friend,” Sergei replied in a thickly accented voice. “I appreciate your kind words, and I want you to know that music like that was written for people like you. David here has told me of some of your adventures recently, and how you have bravely stood up for your friends and for strangers. Although we travel in very different circles, I have actually met Ethan Savage at a benefit performance several years ago. You would think that things would be very different for us, him being a rock musician and all, but we were surprised to discover how similar our experiences were.”
“He was so kind and appreciative to me,” Daniel replied. “To thank me for helpin
g him out, he gave me one of his best custom-made guitars. It was like receiving a Stradivarius violin!”
“That shows real respect for you, Daniel. He must think very highly of your potential as a musician to give you something like that!”
“I don’t know if I am worthy of playing it, but I know I will have some great performances because I have it!”
“That’s the spirit, Daniel. Take what is offered to you and do something with it. Now I want you to have this. It is a solo piano recording which has a number of the Chopin favorites like you heard tonight. Let me autograph it for you.” Sergei took out a compact disc recording, signed it, and gave it to Daniel.
“That is so awesome, Mr. Korkovitz. Thank you so much!”
“Daniel, did your friend Jason come to the concert tonight?” David Molinari asked.
“Oh, yes. He really liked the concert also. He has been hanging with his longtime friend Robert Fischer. They used to walk to school together when they were much younger.”
“Theodore and Roberto, you have to meet this kid. He’s 15 years old and just donated $5000 to our honor orchestra! Daniel, you and Jason have to come with us to the post concert party.”
“Sounds great to me,” Daniel said. “Does that mean I get to hang with my buddy little Davey?”
“Please do.” Marie said. “He has been on us all week to arrange another meeting with you, Daniel. I hope you don’t mind spending a little time with him.”
“Are you kidding? If it wasn’t for little Davey here, who knows where I would be now. That kid is my hero!”
David had Davey go get Jason. Once he arrived, introductions were made, and after Jason complimented David and Sergei Korkovitz on their performance, he got into an animated conversation with Theodore and Roberto about his foundation and his program for providing arts instruction for teenagers who were crime victims as part of their recovery process.
Soon it was time to leave for the post concert party, which was being held in one of the meeting rooms at a nearby hotel. Theodore, Roberto, and Sergei said their goodbyes and left. Marie and the boys waited outside of the green room while David changed out of his concert clothes. When David was finished changing, they brought his things to the Molinari van parked in the parking garage across the street, and then walked over to the party.
Double Fugue Page 23