Free Web NovelChapter 1988: Chapter 175: The Royal Family’s Housekeeper, Hastings (Part 2)
However, although most people appreciated Talberg, Chopin and Liszt held different attitudes toward Talberg’s performance.
Chopin once candidly wrote in a letter to Arthur: "He plays excellently, but he’s not the type I admire. He’s younger than me and more favored by the ladies, but he turned ’The Mute Girl’ into a hodgepodge, using the pedal instead of the wrist to control dynamics, which I don’t really like. However, he plays a ten-note span as effortlessly as I play an octave, and he does it while wearing diamond cufflinks, which speaks to his talent. In short, he’s a technical genius like you, and I think I can finally understand why Talberg was your substitute pianist when you were in the third orchestra of the London Philharmonic Association."
If Chopin avoided interaction with Talberg merely due to differing musical philosophies, then Liszt’s dislike for Talberg was because he felt threatened by him.
Since Talberg went to Paris last year, Liszt’s title of "Paris’ King of Piano" has been aggressively challenged. He even published a rather controversial music review in the Music Review Newspaper, openly depreciating the value of Talberg’s works.
Naturally, the great German liberal poet Mr. Heinrich Heine couldn’t stand such injustice.
Heine wrote an article the day after Liszt’s publication, sharply criticizing Liszt for being narrow-minded and lacking magnanimity and highly praised Talberg as the greatest pianist to emerge from London in recent years, after Arthur Hastings.
—— Mr. Liszt, this Napoleon of the piano, openly expressed his opinions in yesterday’s Music Review Newspaper, sneering at Talberg. It seems he has forgotten how he once captured the applause of Parisian ladies with overly ornamental passages and flowing locks. Yet now he picks on so-called "artistic value" in his young opponent. It’s like a peacock complaining about another peacock for being too colorful.
—— Paris’ music scene has always loved crafting crowns and thrones. Yesterday they called Liszt the "King of Piano," today they call Talberg the "World’s Greatest Pianist." And tomorrow? Perhaps they will place the crown on both heads, making them pull at each other like the rival brothers in a Shakespeare play. But at least in terms of the dignity of music itself, Talberg appears purer than Liszt; he doesn’t need to write notes of volcanic eruptions and thunderous roars in the margins, he only needs to let the melody speak for itself. freёwebnoѵel.com
—— From Liszt’s article, I did not see noble criticism, but rather a startled general hastily giving orders amidst the sound of enemy trumpets. He was scared. Yes, Liszt feared Talberg’s composure, for composure is true strength.
—— As for the ladies, they will still linger between the two. They marvel at Liszt’s gusts and tempests, but find peace of mind in Talberg’s gentle fingertips. Paris is such a city, it loves the flame of passion but needs the warmth of a fireplace even more. And Talberg is that very fire.
This article Heine also sent to Arthur. However, from the beginning to the end, Arthur couldn’t tell how much Heine liked Talberg, though he clearly saw how much Heine disliked Liszt.
Arthur slowly brushed off the memory of Heine’s article, his gaze returning to the music sheet in Victoria’s hands and her sparkling eyes.
If Victoria had invited someone else to her concert, Arthur might have just gone up, but Talberg was originally his substitute at the London Philharmonic Association. If others discovered that his, the former lead’s, abilities were inferior to that of a substitute during the performance, that would be truly embarrassing.
Even though he doesn’t need to make a living through music now, he still hopes to retain his title as a pianist. It’s not something he can afford to mess up.
"Your Majesty, accepting your invitation is the highest honor for any pianist. But I must confess, my fingers have long become rusty. Compared to playing the piano, signing documents is more convenient for me now. If it requires conquering the audience with piano sound like Talberg, I’m afraid I can’t manage that."
Victoria was momentarily stunned, a hint of surprise in her eyes. She thought for sure Arthur would agree readily, as since her ascension, she had hardly heard words of refusal from anyone.
"But I don’t need you to measure up to them, Sir Arthur. I only hope you could let everyone hear your piece ’The Clock’ with your continuous octaves in the left hand. Just that, and I’d be content." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Arthur slightly lowered his gaze, as if seriously pondering Victoria’s request. However, Agares, sitting on the windowsill, had long seen through him, full of worries beneath his calm exterior.
In this era, the most common, and also most ruthless entertainment among pianists is the competition of skill.
Paris salons, London drawing rooms, Vienna concert halls, many places have seen similar scenes.
In 1781, the "Father of Piano" Clementi and Mozart had that famous showdown in Vienna, and a few years later, the peak duel between Hummel and Czerny which established their status in European music circles.
