Devil’s Music

Chapter 144: Stalker, Orchestra, and Zoo

The Bronx Zoo, exceptionally extending its weekend hours from 5:30 PM to 10 PM, ushered out visitors at 5:30 PM and reopened for free admission at 7 PM. Those who had arrived early, understanding the animals needed rest, waited patiently, dining at nearby cafes and restaurants.

Eric and Lila, having learned of this through the Bronx Zoo's website, dined elsewhere and arrived at the zoo around 6:50 PM.

"Wow, Eric! Look at all these people! Seems like the media is here too. There's a camera there, and there, and over there too!"

Lila, bubbling with excitement like a child, was watched by Eric with a fond smile.

"It's because of the celebrities appearing. But the website mentioned that the main event is a Juilliard Orchestra performance, with only the last piece featuring those celebrities. Should we watch the earlier parts too?"

Lila shrugged.

"It's a concert they've prepared diligently for; it wouldn't be right to only watch the last piece. Plus, we can't enter the areas with animals after the concert starts."

"Right? We shouldn't disturb the animals just for our entertainment."

"Ah! Looks like they're starting admission! Let's hurry and get in line; we want to get a good spot to see Kay closer."

"It's Kay, a star. Stars are just styles, Eric. It's unattractive to be jealous over such things."

"Well, if it's Kay, can't help it. He's indeed good-looking and an incredible musician."

"Hehe, glad you agree, Eric. But who's that gentleman the reporters are interviewing?"

"Where? Which one?"

"Over by the left entrance of the zoo."

Eric's gaze followed Lila's pointing finger, landing on a middle-aged man surrounded by reporters, answering their questions with a somewhat stiff expression.

The reporters crowded around, microphones extended towards the man from various angles. One of the reporters posed a question.

"Mr. Norman Lebrecht, we understand you rarely leave the UK; is it true you visited the US specifically for this performance?"

Norman replied with his usual stiff demeanor.

"Yes, that's correct."

"After Pantera's European tour, you acknowledged a mistake in your article via 'Telegraph'. Does this visit relate to that incident?"

Norman glanced sharply at the reporter, who backed off slightly but still insisted on an answer, pushing the microphone closer. Norman said,

"Indeed. During Pantera's tour, I was unaware of Kay's existence and hastily published an article. My visit to the US is to witness firsthand the orchestral music created by the genius Kay."

"You've called Kay a genius. There's public sentiment that only impulsive journalists bestow such a title on someone who is still a student without an album. Do you, as one of Britain's top critics, also acknowledge Kay as a genius?"

"Yes, certainly. To those forming such opinions, I suggest they listen to his music before speaking. Otherwise, they might end up embarrassed like I was in the UK."

"There's talk that this event, being a free performance by Juilliard School, is more of a recital than a formal concert. What do you think, Mr. Lebrecht?"

Norman looked incredulously at the reporter and replied,

"Dr. Dre, Damian Marley, Snoop Dogg, and Sean Lennon performing at a school recital? Are you serious with that question?"

As the reporter's face reddened and the microphone lowered, Norman gestured to end the interview.

"Let's stop here. It's open seating, and I need to find a spot."

With Norman leaving, the reporters checked their watches and hurried into the zoo. Eric and Lila, having watched the interview, entered the zoo, hand in hand, discussing.

"Do you know that man, Eric?"

"No, but from what I heard, he's a critic from the UK."

"Huh, I heard too. Why would a British critic come all the way to the US? To see Kay?"

"Seems like it. From the interview, that's the impression."

"Kay must truly be a genius. I'll definitely collect his album when it's released."

"Ha, I'll gift you his first album."

"Really? You promise?"

"Ha, yes, yes. Oh? Looks like that's the venue over there."

Before Eric and Lila, who were tightly holding hands, appeared a circular venue set amidst a vast forest. Already, the audience seats were filling up, leaving no room at the front, so they settled for seats a bit towards the back. Eric commented as he sat,

"Wow, why are there so many people? Must be thousands here?"

Lila, sitting beside him, replied,

"The lineup is impressive. Even as we were coming in, people kept pouring in behind us. It's going to be even

more crowded."

As they predicted, the outdoor venue continued to fill with people: dignified elderly couples, newlyweds holding hands with joyous expressions, young couples like Eric and Lila, and families kept adding to the audience. Ten minutes before the show, the venue was overflowing, with people standing at the back and sides to watch.

As the murmur of the audience grew, the curtain that had been hiding the stage drew back, and the crowd erupted in cheers, anticipating the start.

"Whoo!!!"

"We've been waiting! Let's start!"

The stage revealed an unusual setup, split in half for the musicians, with a grand piano on the right front side and percussion on the opposite. A few minutes later, Professor Alan Gilbert, the conductor, elegantly dressed, walked onto the stage and bowed politely, receiving applause. After greeting the audience several times, he took his place on the conductor's podium, and the 80 orchestra members took their seats.

The appearance of a figure on the side of the stage, previously unseen by the audience, sparked an unmatched level of cheering.

"Wow!!! It's Dr. Dre!"

"Is Dr. Dre really here? Amazing!"

"He's so handsome~~~!!!"

Dr. Dre, dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and white Nike sneakers, waved back at the cheering crowd, then looked at the conductor with headphones on. Professor Gilbert nodded at Dre, then turned to face the audience with a microphone in hand.

"Good evening, we're the Juilliard Orchestra."

The orchestra members stood and greeted the audience, who responded with roaring applause. After the applause, Professor Gilbert announced,

"The first piece is Antonin Leopold Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World'."

Professor Gilbert scanned the quiet audience, put down the microphone, and picked up his baton. Turning back to the orchestra, he slowly raised the baton, and the musicians began to play, enveloping the audience in the mystical introduction that seemed to lead into a new world. The combination of soft violin and trumpet sounds, against the backdrop of the zoo surrounded by forests, created a magical atmosphere. As the baton pointed towards the brass section, the sudden burst from the tuba was like an exclamation at the sight of a new world, followed by a serene full orchestra performance that captured the peacefulness of a green meadow.

Dvorak's music, incorporating elements of American Indian and African American music, was accessible and resonated with a broad audience. The choice of a familiar piece as the first allowed even those unfamiliar with orchestra music to relax and enjoy, without fearing that the music might be beyond their understanding.

Norman Lebrecht, watching the Juilliard Orchestra with a critical eye, was deep in thought.

'Is this the level of the Juilliard Orchestra? They're on par with famous philharmonic orchestras. What's happened to them? Such volume, perfectly capturing the emotions 'From the New World' evokes.'

Despite the chill running down his spine, Norman couldn't take his eyes off the orchestra. Reporters and producers from a classical music channel were also spellbound during the performance. Although the general audience might not notice the difference, the experts recognized the orchestra's performance was beyond the level of student musicians, expressing their amazement.

As the lengthy first piece concluded, the experts, holding their breath until then, stood and applauded. Their ovation held a different significance from the cheers of the general audience.

"Bravo!!!"

A pleased Professor Gilbert turned around to bow, then picked up the microphone.

"The next piece will be Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, 1st movement."

The night at the Bronx Zoo was filled with the majestic and melancholy strains of Tchaikovsky's concerto, leading up to Geon's final piece. Over two and a half hours passed, and the audience, in high spirits, awaited the last piece. Finally, as the order for the last piece came, most of the 80 musicians bowed and exited the stage, leaving about 30. Even the conductor, Professor Gilbert, bowed and left the stage.

Norman Lebrecht, puzzled, whispered to himself,

"Orchestras adjust the number of musicians as needed, but why would the conductor leave too?"

The audience was also bewildered, murmuring among themselves as the curtains on either side of the circular stage slowly closed, even though the last piece was yet to be performed, causing the murmuring to intensify.

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