Encountering the Master

Author: Jia Hongtu / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The influential "Wen Hui Original Series" in the publishing industry and among readers has now launched a new work, and this book is one of them. It records the experiences of the renowned reportage writer Jia Hongtu as he travels to famous scenic spots around the world and "encounters" great masters. In life, walking alongside masters will make you as strong as steel and as boundless as the sea. You will find eternal happiness by dedicating yourself to the cause you love, just like them. The sound of church bells, the chirping of birds in the woods, and the roar of cars on the highway form the morning symphony of Vienna. The beauty of spring in this musical city is both vibrant and colorful. The trees are fully green, even more lush than in Beijing; the flowers are all in bloom—yellow Forsythia, white pear blossoms, and tall magnolias with white and pink flowers, blooming like flames. Describing Vienna is a painter's and composer's forte, but the writer finds it almost impossible, for all adjectives seem to pale in comparison. "Too beautiful!" "Too magnificent!" These are the words we use most in this city. Our guide, Mr. Yuan, claims with authority that Vienna and Geneva are the best cities in the world for their environment and suitability for human habitation. I believe this must first be credited to the Romans' choice of location for the city over 2,000 years ago—on the northern foothills of the Alps, by the Danube River, surrounded by forests, with deep valleys and open plains to the south. The Romans first built castles in this beautiful landscape and later established it as the capital of the Roman Empire in the 15th century. Despite conquering many beautiful cities, they remained particularly fond of Vienna. Later, it became the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The beauty of a riverside, mountain-surrounded city is unparalleled. The city is nestled in forests, homes are in gardens, and people live amidst flowers—this is the city's distinctive charm. The famous Vienna Woods extend into the city, with towering pines and cedars lining the riverside roads, and dense forests not far beyond. From royal gardens to private gardens, they are scattered throughout the city, and many balconies are adorned with flower pots. Gardens and buildings complement each other without distinction. Although it is still early spring, the tulips planted in the gardens have begun to bud, displaying a spectrum of colors—red, yellow, blue, white, and purple. I saw gardeners kneeling on the ground, meticulously planting flowers, as if they were artists at work. They transformed each flowerbed into a large basket or created geometric shapes and musical notes from the staff of music. The scenery of Vienna is endless, but what interests us most is its music. There are countless places to visit in Vienna, but the People's Park is a must-see, as it stands the "city landmark" of this musical city—the statue of Johann Strauss. This man and his father, Johann Strauss I, and his two brothers, Joseph Strauss and Edward Strauss, are the eternal pride of the city. Their melodies have brought Vienna to the world, and many people around the world often dance and sing to the tunes of Vienna. The golden Johann Strauss stands in the center of the park atop a white marble column, dressed in a tailcoat, his left hand on the violin, his right hand playing the bow, his head slightly bowed in a trance. We seem to hear the familiar melody of "The Blue Danube" and the heartfelt singing of "Spring has come, the earth is laughing." Behind Strauss is a white marble archway carved with winged muses and goddesses, symbolizing the magnificent life melody of Strauss's waltzes. In front of the sculpture lies a garden with red and white patterns, surrounded by lush forests. As we stroll through the People's Park, Mr. Yuan shares with us the extraordinary life journey of this musical family. Born in 1804, Johann Strauss I was the son of a hotel owner. The daily performances of a group of down-and-out musicians in the hotel made him fall in love with music. At the age of 15, he became a violinist in the group, later becoming the band's conductor and composing his own music. In 1825, Johann Strauss I fell in love with Anna, a hotel owner two years older than him, and married her. That same year, they had their first son, whom they named after the father—Johann Strauss, who later became known as the "King of Waltz." In 1827, they had Joseph, and in 1835, Edward. Later, all three sons became renowned waltz masters. Johann Strauss I quickly left Vienna and traveled extensively throughout Europe, making his orchestra and music famous worldwide. In 1849, after returning from a performance in England, Johann Strauss I contracted scarlet fever due to exhaustion from the journey and died in Vienna at the age of 45. He left behind 250 works, including 18 marches, 152 waltzes, and 13 polkas. The famous "Radetzkymarch" is a staple of the New Year's concerts at the Golden Hall. No matter which conductor takes the baton, this patriotic march, which celebrates the victory of Field Marshal Radetzk over invaders, is performed at the end of the concert. The audience applauds rhythmically in unison with the conductor's gestures, a tribute to Johann Strauss I's creation. At the Beijing New Year's concert in the Great Hall of the People, I was once moved by this piece, clapping softly and then crescendoing, only to gradually soften again, sharing in the emotional swell with the entire audience. It is a moment unforgettable for any music lover. P1-3