Baroque Notes: Flowers and Duets

Baroque Notes: Flowers and Duets

Author: Rossi

sequence

Saxony-Anhalt, Magdeburg, 1700.

"Philip."

Maria Haltmeier Telemann/Maria Haltmeier Telemann is a strong and determined woman.When her husband died of illness before her [-]th birthday, family responsibilities and social oppression fell on the mother of three children prematurely, and she was forced to learn a difficult and tough way of doing things.Independent, assertive and stubborn, her deep eyes, combined with an elegant smile, silently hurt the child in front of her.

The son in front of the mother's armchair, less than 20 years old, an ordinary German boy, with an oval face, small eyes, and not so prominent facial features—except for the protruding nose.He stared at his mother nervously, hesitating to speak, his tightly closed lips trembling with anxiety and anger.

"Your father left us when you were five," Maria said gravely.A portrait of her husband, Heinrich Telemann, hangs on the wall behind her, expressionless in shadow. "I have given you my all for the past 15 years. I am grateful to God for your musical talent, whether it was at the grammar school in Zellerfeld or Hildesheim. I am very proud that you finished 150rd out of 3 students in Hildesheim's most prestigious pre-university class, which proves that the path I have chosen for you is also what you do best."

Georg Philipp Telemann shuddered with terror when he heard "a fun little hobby".The mother's keen eyes caught the slightest change in her son, and she said in a kindly tone, "I know your after-school hobbies, Philip. The neighborhood has always liked you because of your delightful flute, violin, and cymbals. You play the cittern (an ancient instrument similar to the guitar); I also understand your talent in this area. When you were 12 years old, you composed the music for the Hamburg opera Sigismundus, and everyone rumored that a young composer star was rising in the neighbourhood. "

Philip was silent for a while, and whispered in a trembling voice, "But Mom, you took all my instruments after that... you took half of my life at that moment.

"Philip, listen to me." Maria seemed to have expected her son's reaction, and replied calmly, "Your relatives and I never forbade you from touching music, but the situation was so critical at that time, you Almost playful, I had to make a tough stance. In Zellerfeld, when your tutor, Mr. Caspar Calvor, allowed you to compose music for the church choir and public events in the city, I said nothing; I also said nothing about sneaking off to the neighboring city of Hannover to learn the trendy French orchestral style. Your studies are still on track and thriving, and I thought it would be a good idea to combine work and rest.”

"Thank you, mother, for your understanding." Philip couldn't help but shudder with gratitude, he had no idea that his whereabouts had been fully known by his mother.He keenly felt that his mother's acquiescence at this time was the calm before the storm.

"Philip, all I think of you is for you and our fading family, I never doubted that. Now you are about to turn 20, the past carefree teenage days, whether you like it or not, It’s gone forever. As an adult, you can no longer just think about yourself.” Maria said earnestly, “Our family is not rich and our social status is not high. Time and money are only for my own happy family. Although it is a bit selfish to say this, although as a mother, I never expect anything in return, but I hope you can live a wealthy and decent life in the future, so that I can rely on you when I grow old." Mary Yat paused, and said, "Music, I admit it is so beautiful, watering our souls, but no matter how perfect music is, it cannot replace bread. First, I have no way to support you to study music. Second, Even if I really support you in studying music, after such a huge investment, how much can we gain? Philip, don't laugh at my utilitarianism, but please take a look at how many famous musicians are in this world. How many people are famous but have no guarantee of life? Except for the few musicians who can serve the court, how many people are unknown and living in the market, despised by the people around...Philip, I don't want you to live like this I don't want you and our family to be despised by the world."

"Mother!" cried Philip, "a career in music is low and disrespectful, it's prejudice! Besides, I didn't try, how can you deny that I can't be a successful musician now?" Woolen cloth?!"

Maria smiled bitterly, "But my child, we live in such an era of prejudice. Can you change it alone? Philip, let me ask you another question, if one day you are hungry and Wandering, I also died because of overwork, would you still like music at that time? Would you still be very honored and proud to say, I am very happy that I chose music? Hobbies and careers are not the same! "

"Mother, I beg you not to say that!" pleaded Philip, "you will not be overworked... I will make you a good life, by my own labor! But believe me once, mother, I do I love music so much... I can definitely..."

"Sure...? What is certain in this world? Your father, didn't you agree with me back then, that you will definitely watch you grow up and have your own family one day..." Maria said sadly Say, "Son, I know it's cruel for me to say this, but if the gods let me be cruel once, I will make choices for you at this critical moment. Listen to me, Philip, your grades So good, you don't need to be one of those down-and-out artists... put down your music, go to Leipzig University to study law//law, become a lawyer//teacher, then you can live a rich and decent life, and I can too ..."

"Mom! What are you talking about! Law//Law! I don't want to study law//Law! I don't care so much about anything in this world except music..." Philip knelt in front of his mother, and he tugged Wearing her mother's long skirt, struggling to hope that none of this is true.

"Philip," Maria gritted her teeth. How could she not understand the child's mood?But there are some things that a young man who is not deeply involved in the world can see clearly. "20 years from now you will not regret the decision I made today. Georg Philipp Telemann, I order you to study law//law at the University of Leipzig - everything related to music, stay here, Nothing is allowed to be taken away.”

old haunt

Hamburg, Germany, 2011.

"I'm apprehensive..."

"Don't be nervous, Antonio. Maybe you're thinking about what Wolfgang told us last week: he just went to an ordinary confectionary shop in Salzburg to buy chocolates, and the clerk recognized him as Mozart and turned the shop away." All the chocolates were given to him... But at that time he was arguing with Mr. Salieri about how much chocolate to eat to cause dental caries, maybe it is easier to recognize each other by calling each other."

Vivaldi was still worried, obviously Bach's consolation didn't have any effect.However, walking around the streets of downtown Hamburg, Germany, with two 30-inch suitcases, even if they are just ordinary tourists, it is hard not to look conspicuous.A week-long trip out of the shelter of the Society and into the 21st-century present would have been no easy feat for these two very domesticated people, had it not been for the letter they had received a few weeks earlier with a mix of heartfelt and slightly crass humour. Invitation letter: First, there is a neat and careful small print, "Dear old friends Mr. Antonio Lucio Vivaldi and Mr. Johann Sebastian Bach, on this midsummer, we sincerely invite you to come to Hamburg to spend the summer, Talk about the old days, our humble house in Hamburg is open to you." Then there is a slightly illegible short note, "The middle and early July is the best. We have fully considered that your death dates are all in late July, and hope that Hamburg's Traveling will bring you some consolation and fond memories in the sorrow of your death." Finally, the very early eighteenth-century signature reads, "Your most humble and obedient servant, Georg Philipp Telemann with Georg Friedrich Handel".

"Such a signature makes me feel awkward." Vivaldi smiled bitterly, "especially when he and Mr. Handel were rehearsing the Baroque drama "Magic Island"/The Enchanted Island in New York a few months ago, he told me and Mr. Rameau Yelling and yelling." After turning a street corner, they came to Peter Road, which is a typical German small block in a well-preserved old style. On both sides of the green and clean stone path, red brick houses stand next to each other. with.They paused before a modest archway decorated with beds of begonias and tulips. "39 Peter Road, this is Philip's