Chapter 336: “The Blue Danube”
As Lin Tian started scribbling like a madman on the paper, Gan Yan Yu curiously widened her eyes and leaned in.
But halfway through, Lin Tian still couldn’t resist turning to Gan Yan Yu with a serious face and wagging his finger.
“No talk of ‘losing isn’t regrettable’!”
“It’s bad enough the enemy is right in front of us. We can’t just say depressing things!”
It was clear as day.
Gan Yan Yu’s dream was to play on the “highest” stage, maybe even make it to the finals, which would be halfway there.
But Lin Tian mused that wasn’t really the peak; surely the highest should be the Ke’er Cup in Vienna’s Musikverein concert hall?
To just aim for the grand finale is such a small mindset!
It should be the Vienna Golden Hall at least!
That said, there was one thing that was for certain.
She’d have to play first in the Longqin Cup final to reach the Vienna Golden Hall!
No questions about that.
“Got it,” Gan Yan Yu nodded earnestly, also glancing over at Lin Tian’s sheet music.
This was the first time she had seen Lin Tian compose from scratch up close.
The speed impressed her silly. Still, she knew Lin Tian well—he’d always told her he’d recorded tons of musical ideas in his head, most coming from dreams.
When he needed to make music, he’d pluck the best ones out, like withdrawing from a savings account—so of course, when he started jotting down notes, he’d be lightning fast.
Gan Yan Yu marveled at how many wild dreams Lin Tian had and admired his memory to recall them all so clearly. She half-believed he could chat with spirits of the past in his sleep and share their lives, explaining why his tunes were so rich.
While watching him write, Gan Yan Yu found herself humming along gently.
Suddenly, she saw a spark in her own eyes.
“Just one try,” she decided, leaving no time to change slippers and rushing out to grab her cello.
She closed the doors, sat next to Lin Tian, and started playing.
Her bow danced, a silky stream winding around them, high and low, smooth and elegant.
In that moment, Gan Yan Yu imagined herself in the resplendent Golden Hall, performing in the hallowed space where music has been worshipped for centuries, feeling connected to centuries of classical music.
“So beautiful,” she murmured, barely opening her eyes.
Meanwhile, Lin Tian finished his composition and set down his pen.
Now, Gan Yan Yu finally got to glance at the title of the piece:
“The Blue Danube?”
“The Danube?” she turned to Lin Tian.
The boy chuckled and nodded.
After all, the Danube flows through Vienna, Austria, known as one of the river’s most romantic embodiments.
Through the ages, countless poets and musicians have sung its praises.
For many, the Danube symbolized the soulful essence of music, especially the Golden Hall, the ultimate musical haven.
Gan Yan Yu dreamed of performing in such an exalted place.
Though she wasn’t quite confident yet, being able to do so on the Longqin Cup stage already brought joy.
Lin Tian sensed this happiness.
Similar to this piece—a famous waltz by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II—the tune conveyed joy too.
Even though it originated in a dark period, it created an incredibly romantic atmosphere.
Back in 1866, Vienna was under the shadow after a heavy defeat. The city’s energy was low.
But the choral master of the Viennese Men’s Singing Association asked Strauss to create a waltz to “awaken the city’s heartbeat.”
With help from poet Karl Beck, Strauss crafted the “Blue Danube.”
It moved Brahms so much he wished he had written it himself.
Even today, it’s considered “Europe’s second national anthem.”
Though created during turbulent times, its melodic beauty still makes it a dream for musicians seeking to perform in the Golden Hall, something unimaginable for most.
Lin Tian wanted Gan Yan Yu to imagine that vividly.
He believed only she could portray such a dream fully.
“I’ve never seen the Danube,” Gan Yan Yu said, looking flustered.
“It’s fine; you’ve not been to Spain or Hungary either. We’ll be world ambassadors of Vienna!” said Lin Tian, grinning.
Sure, maybe countless Austrian composers have written majestic odes to the Danube.
But Lin Tian believed none could match their interpretation.
“Where we go doesn’t matter; after this performance, we’ll be Viennese ambassadors!”
(End of Chapter)
