LES MUSICIENS
2006
A CROSSOVER STORY
This chapter was inspired by the song "Tu me acostumbraste" by Chavela Vargas. As the title suggests, this takes place one year after the last chapter of '2005'. Where the main characters reunite after being separated and recollect how their year went.
This is part one of a three-part situation, inspired from an episode of Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations when he was in Beirut, Lebanon. However, it's my take on one of my favorite episodes of the show, told from the teenagers' points of view over a two-week period. So in part, the first three chapters will take place in Beirut, Lebanon.
The new characters in this story, which will have larger parts later on, are Fatma Hahira Asgari, Cecilia Chaves Oliveira, and Ahmed Said. These same characters were mentioned once or thrice already in the previous story.
Again, I will try to keep clichés to a minimum, but as always, they have a way of creeping up without notice. And more importantly, trying to give a more humanistic approach to the characters and some historical insight, especially since this is becoming a story on the world stage, when nowadays its easy to criticize people based on their nation, culture, language, and ways of looking at life.
The story will be one chapter shorter than the previous installment, but by no means the message of the story will be diminished. As I wrote the outline for this story, I watched the film BABEL numerous times for inspiration. And like the previous story, this one went through quite a few drafts until one was finalized. Like the last chapter of '2005', this will be multi-lingual as the story goes on. However, no matter the language, we're connected by our actions.
"If a second is all we need, why isn't it enough to change our lives? The world fits into the eternity of a second."-Eliseo Alberto
CHAPTER ONE
A plane lands on the runway and some distance in the air, two more planes, miles apart were preparing to land in the airport. The passengers got off the plane and met the summer heat of the new land they arrived in. As they made their way to the check in stations, getting their luggage, and calling for cabs to take them to their hotels, one sign caught one teenager's eye, along with his family…
Welcome to Beirut, Lebanon
Bienvenue à Beyrouth, Liban
أهلا بكم في بيروت، لبنان
JULY 2006, WEEK ONE, PART ONE
WEDNESDAY, 1:45PM
Shinji was nervous about making his way to the hotel his old friends were staying at. Not because of the country he's in, but because its been nearly a year since leaving Philadelphia. Since then, his hair became more tousled and reached down to his shoulders. Asuka made recent comments about his hair whenever a live, on camera performance occurred over the course of eight months. He defended his hairstyle, but knew pretty soon he had to cut it…or at least trim it a bit.
After twenty minutes, he arrived at the hotel Le Royal that was on top of a hill. As they pulled up to the main entrance, his family checked in for a two-week stay. The reservations were planned out months in advance under Moradi's watchful eye.
The program the orchestra was a selection of pieces by Georg Philipp Telemann, Jean-Philippe Rameau, and Francesco Maria Veracini. There were also a few pieces that are going to be performed by Mohammad Moradi and his Lebanese colleagues from the baroque period as well, from the days of the Moors and a few earlier pieces from Jerusalem. It was in part to show the musicians, their families, and their viewers on the web that once upon a time, the cultures of the Jewish people, the Muslims and the Christians once lived amongst each in Southern Europe, in particular, the Iberian countries of Spain and Portugal. Three divergent paths on a collective search for the truth, and music provided the voice for their longing.
Their rooms were on the floor, it was a shared room complex, where one connected to the other. The parents stayed in one, while Shinji and Haruki stayed in the other. As the two boys unpacked, he received a text from Zane…
[Were at the pool! Alberto saw you and your family coming in the lobby ]
Shinji smiled and texted back…
[Cool! Meet you guys in a bit!]
Shinji closed his phone and noticed Haruki was looking at him, "それは何シンジですか? (What is it Shinji?)," he asked.
The former Third Child just smiled, "アメリカからの私の古い友人がプールでダウンしています。なぜ我々はそれらを満たしていませんか? (My old friends from America are down at the pool. Why don't we meet them?)," Shinji suggested and Haruki immediately agreed. They then told their parents who also agreed, since they have to meet up with Professor Moradi down in the lobby.
Shinji and Haruki headed downstairs via elevator and went to the pool, despite their exhaustion. Once at the pool, Shinji reunited with Wilfredo, Alberto, Gilberto, and Zane. Shinji introduced Haruki to them, "春樹、これらは私の友人です。 (Haruki, these are my friends.)," he said their names and Haruki bowed and shook their hands, as did they.
"Guys, heard anything from Dante or Asuka yet," Shinji asked, hoping they're on their way.
"I got a text from Asuka saying that she'll be arriving in twenty minutes," Zane said as she showed Shinji the text message, "And I got a text from Dante that he'll be arriving in forty minutes," Wilfredo said as he also showed Shinji his cellphone with the text.
He read both messages and sighed, "Well that's good to hear," he added with a small smile. The American teens hugged him one at a time, "Well its good to see you again. And in Lebanon for Christ sake," Wilfredo said with excitement in his voice.
Shinji looked at him, "Forgive him you guys," Zane assured the two Japanese boys, "He gets excited like the history buff we all know he is," he added and Gilberto and Alberto grunted/chuckled in agreement.
"Just because of Montreal last year, I'm now labeled the history geek. Jesus guys," Wilfredo said exasperated. The guys laughed and Wilfredo chuckled a bit himself, admitting that he obsesses over history.
Haruki looked at the Americans and then at Shinji, talking and laughing. Although he felt slightly left out, he enjoyed watching them relishing their reunion. He's never seen his younger brother smiling this much. Most of the time, he's more introverted, but by no means a wallflower, just lost in his thoughts. Even though he's made friends back in Kyoto, he could tell he shared something unique with the Americans.
"春樹 (Haruki)," Shinji called his name and he snapped back into reality, "シンジうん?それは何ですか? (Yeah Shinji? What is it)," he asked, "の私たちのものを取得し、これらの人に参加してみましょう。 (Let's get our stuff and join these guys)," he suggested, "Unless you guys have been here long enough already," he turned his attention to the Americans.
"Nah, we've only been here for 10 minutes," Gilberto said and ran back to the pool, doing a cannonball, "すばらしい!春樹に来る! (Great! Come on Haruki!)," Shinji excitedly said and both ran back to the elevator.
"It's nice to see him again. Especially like this," Zane said as he lied back on the pool chair, "I know, more cheerful now. And his hair grew out? Jesus, I wouldn't be surprised he's a lady killer now in Japan," Wilfredo said as he dipped himself in the pool.
The Cantonese/Chinese American chuckled at his statement, "Asuka is going to kill you for that," he added and Wilfredo just laughed.
After a few minutes, Shinji and Haruki came back a few minutes later. Shinji came out dressed in blue swimming trunks and an open white long sleeved shirt, wearing sandals. Haruki came out in red trunks and a towel around his neck and barefooted. Shinji went in the pool to join Alberto, Wilfredo, and Gilberto in a mock game of water polo, while Zane attempted to talk to Haruki. It turned out Shinji's older brother knew English (spoke it fairly well) and was a high school senior who will be graduating in Spring 2007. Haruki also revealed how he was surprised that Shinji could communicate in English so well and could understand German and Italian extremely well. Zane smiled at this and the two continued with their conversation.
2:15PM
Asuka exited the airport with her mom and her mom's boyfriend, now fiancé. Going down the highway towards the hotel, she couldn't help but look at the startling contradictions of the country. Yes Lebanon is a Middle Eastern nation, but it is also westernized in their outlook when passing mosques and billboards of models advertising perfumes and the latest fashion trends. And also, seeing signs in English, French, and Arabic, an amazing level of tolerance in the country.
After a few minutes she arrived at the hotel, only to be greeted by Mohammad Moradi, "Ah Asuka! Its great to see you again," both exchanged friendly hugs, "Great to see you and this is my mom Angela and her boyfriend Pascal," she introduced them to her old music mentor and professor.
The adults greeted each other and said they will meet again in a bit. Angela checked the family into their double bed suite. But their room was on the fourth floor so after settling in, Asuka decided to head for the pool to take in some sun, dressed in a black and red bikini and there encountered her old friends and a certain someone.
"Shinji! Mein Gott! Sie befinden sich hier! (Shinji! My God! You're here!)," she yelled out happily. Shinji turned around in the pool and noticed his familiar, redheaded girlfriend. He quickly got out of the pool, ran up to Asuka and hugged her, "Mein Gott! Es ist schön, dich wiederzusehen! (My God! It's great to see you again!)," he said and gave her a light kiss on her lips. She returned the favor and Shinji brought Asuka to his brother.
"春樹は、この飛鳥、私のガールフレンド。 (Haruki, this Asuka, my girlfriend)," Shinji introduced her, "アスカは、これは私の兄春樹です。 (Asuka this is my older brother Haruki)," and then introduced her to him. The two exchanged handshakes and greeted each other politely.
The three American boys in the pool got out and went up to Asuka and hugged her in gracious reunion, "Nice to see all of you again and…I see Dante hasn't arrived yet. That Italian, he's always late," she said with humor.
"Asuka why don't you join our team? We were playing water polo," Gilberto offered, "Sure why not, a way to pass the time," she agreed, she'll tan later.
"Three against two? That's bull," Wilfredo complained, "I'll join you guys," Haruki offered and Shinji was glad to have his brother on his team, "All right, its settled," Asuka said.
"And I'll be the referee," Zane said as he watched his friend reentering the pool and the game commenced.
More of the musicians came from their rooms after getting adjusted. There were some who were nervous about being in the Middle East, but later got comfortable and let their worries slip away at the pool and looking at the scenery of the city below and the sea just nearby. Many were already making plans to head for the beach, but after rehearsals for the next two weeks.
2:48PM
Dante arrived at the front entrance of the hotel with his parents and older sister. They checked in and head for their rooms, again, one suite for the parents while for their children; their room was connected to theirs. Dante and his sister decided to head for the pool to sunbathe for a while, just to relax from their long ass flight. He wore a black and red speedo, while his sister wore a navy blue bikini.
They told their parents who also said they were heading downstairs to meet with the orchestra's conductor/music professor. The two Argentines saw two available seats to lounge around and Dante immediately went up to Asuka, now exhausted from an intense game of polo.
"Dante, schließlich Sie zeigte sich! (Dante, finally you showed up)," she greeted with a smile and hugged her Italian comrade, "Lo so, la colpa l'aeroporto di nuovo dell'Argentina. (I know, I blame the airport back in Argentina)," he said and returned her hug. He introduced his older sister, Adriana to Asuka and both shook hands. Dante then went over to the others, greeting his four best American friends and Shinji in hugs worthy of comrades. Asuka and Adriana talked for a bit until they got to concentrate on tanning.
The boys decided to head back upstairs to clean up; leaving Dante to lie back and take in the Mediterranean sun he has missed for so long. Memories of his past childhood, and stories as old as time immemorial his grandparents would tell and retell on his behalf.
Leaving Dante, Haruki, Asuka, and Adriana on the pool deck, the boys went back up to their rooms to shower and put on fresh clothes. After ten minutes, they ventured back down to the lobby to ask Professor Moradi a few questions about the repertoire for the next two weeks; they encountered three new musicians they met online last year.
"Holy crap! I can't believe this," Zane yelled in excitement. Right at the door leading to a reception room, with Moradi and his colleagues discussing last minute details, Ahmed, Cecilia, and Fatma were there and they too noticed the boys.
Alberto and Wilfredo were too busy staring at Cecilia, an Afro-Brazilian as tall as they were, with her hair in curls tied in a pony tail, chocolate brown skin glistened due to the heat outside…and of course the figure they had to admire, a result of capoeira training and dancing. She dressed in a yellow blouse, white pants and sandals. Another talent she revealed during last year's summer and throughout the 2005/2006 school year, she could sing amazingly well in the mezzo-soprano and contralto range. Growing up in Salvador, Brazil, her background consists of seeing gang violence and some of her friends dying in the hands of the police, since she lives in city's favelas. But her father's community center allows kids to have classes on capoeira and other cultural activities, free of charge.
Gilberto snapped them out of it and the guys went over to introduce themselves. Ahmed trumped all of their fear and misconceptions of Middle Eastern people; a huge talent on the violin and viola, rivaling Gilberto and Asuka's skills, wore dark brown cargo pants, a white long sleeved shirt and sporting glasses for his nearsightedness. His figure was that of a soccer player, athletic, and also had a wicked intellect, often politicized about the affairs in the Middle East. Logical since he came from a family who taught at the university in matters of Political Science and History. His family has also witnessed the effects of Lebanon's past civil war and the recent occupation of Syrian forces, until they retreated last year due to massive protests.
They then turned their eyes on Fatma and can now see why Dante has a huge crush on her. She's a Middle Easterner as well, in this case of Iranian descent, coming from Turkey. She had superb talent on the violin and during the whole year, she demonstrated her adeptness on the baroque violin as well as the viola d'amore. She had thick dark brown hair that was almost black, tanned skin, almond shaped brown eyes, banana shaped eyebrows and a figure that was on par with Cecilia's, athletic with arms and legs toned. She dressed in white blouse, blue jeans, and sandals. Her mother is a professor of Journalism back in Istanbul and has a sister three years younger; her father is also running an independent news blog, but he was still in Tehran, Iran under surveillance.
"Jesus! I can't believe you guys are really here," Zane exclaimed, "I know! Neither can we," Ahmed agreed to their surreal gathering.
"And…we just overheard some information that's going to be good and going to suck at the same time," Ahmed said with a slight groan. Zane asked what it was and he whispered into the Asian American's ear.
"What," he exclaimed in exhaustion and a bit of laziness on his part. He told his friends about that and they groaned with equal intensity.
They headed for the pool to tell this new update on the issue of rehearsals. The rest were still sunbathing or swimming in the pool. Zane and the others told the other musicians, while Fatma and Cecilia went up to Dante and Asuka.
"Looks like you two are enjoying yourselves," Cecilia looked down on the German and Italian.
"Cecilia? My God! How are you," she got up and shook her hand vigorously, "I'm fine, but the flight took a lot out of me. We arrived last night and we slept like the dead," she joked about her private suffering, "And your English is excellent," Asuka commented and Cecilia brushed it off abashedly.
While Asuka and Cecilia talked to each other, Dante and Fatma stood in front of one another, not really knowing how to interact. It was one thing to talk to one another via video chatting, but it was a completely different dimension when talking on a one-to-one visceral level.
"Hey Dante," she said softly, wanting to say something else, but at the moment, a bit tongue tied, "Hey Fatma," he replied back, and thankfully for her, he was in a similar dilemma.
After a brief moment, Dante cleared his throat, "You're much lovelier in person," he said slyly, finding his groove again. Fatma relaxed and found her rhythm again, "Likewise, although, I have to wonder if you're really as bright as you are online," she replied in a similar fashion.
He responded by raising an eyebrow in an intrigued fashion, "Well, when we're alone during these two weeks, I'll show you how bright I can be," he stepped a foot closer in front of his crush.
Fatma smiled, hoping she could learn more about her crush. The two went off to the other side of the pool, overlooking the city below and talked for a bit, describing their flights, their exhaustion, and excitement about being in Beirut. After ten minutes, everyone decided to head back to their rooms and change.
Zane then told his friends, along with the former Children about Moradi's plans for the evening. Instead of using the reception room for rehearsals during their two-week stay; they would have to travel to the university tonight for their first rehearsal. They decidedly groaned in exhaustion and laziness, hoping their first day would be nothing but pool time and lounging around the hotel…sadly the god of the ensemble had other plans.
4:55pm
The young musicians have been in the music hall for about half an hour now. Tuning their instruments and reacquainting themselves with their familiar setup, prior to a live performance posted on their website with international musicians. Some of the teenagers looked over their repertoire and felt the nerves coming on. Over the past year, they've performed music by Alessandro Scarlatti, Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Friedrich Händel, and Antonio Vivaldi.
However, with this repertoire of Francesco Maria Veracini, Jean-Philippe Rameau, Carlos Seixas, Marin Maris, and Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, they felt their talents are about to be tested, as well as promoting this music for their classmates and viewers their age online. This music was unknown to many, even to those who studied classical music for years.
They noticed their parents sitting in the chairs below, wondering how the dynamic of the orchestra will play out. The teenagers were of course nervous, but determined to give their best during the rehearsal and their second international performance in the next two days. Their first piece will be Overture No. 5 in B Flat Major by Francesco Maria Veracini.
Mohammad Moradi walked up the stage and clapped his hands to settle down the musicians, "All right everyone, I'm glad to see everyone here. I know most of you are exhausted from your flights, but the sooner we finish rehearsals tonight, the sooner we can head for bed."
The students nodded in agreement and readied themselves. Their music professor/conductor raised up his arms. Then the music began playing throughout the auditorium…
THURSDAY, 2:11pm
After a morning of rehearsals, absorbing advice from their music mentor/conductor, most of the musicians left the university for lunch, with the help from the music students in the music hall. Their parents accompanied them, while Dante and Fatma decided to find a place to eat on their own. Their parents were a bit worried, but Fatma assured them they wouldn't get lost.
Cars passed by as well as mopeds and scooters as Fatma and Dante headed down to a restaurant called 'Le Chef'. She wore jeans with sneakers and a black shirt while he wore white pants, a pair of Converse with a blue plaid shirt with rolled up sleeves. They stepped inside and after getting greeted by the owner, they sat down and ordered lunch. As their food cooked in the kitchen, the two sat down talking.
"So Dante, how do you like visiting a Middle Eastern country," Fatma asked. Dante looked at her while taking a sip of water.
"I don't know really. I mean, I've never had any negative preconceptions about the Middle East and…meeting you last year via MySpace made me want to visit Lebanon and…" he started to speak quickly, until Fatma cleared her throat, which made him pause for a moment.
"It's a simple question Tripodo. Do you like visiting the Middle East? Yes or no?"
Dante looked at her, slightly embarrassed, "Sorry. To answer your question, it would be yes. I do like visiting this part of the world. Its where the Italian Renaissance got its start," he responded.
Fatma smiled at his response, "Finally a European who knows history. But I don't understand why many would deny this fact? I'm asking you because, with no offense to the other musicians, you're the only one who could probably answer this question the best. You are Italian after all."
Dante chuckled, "Yeah well, I don't really know how to answer that. It could relate to ethno-centric ideologies, European colonialism, imperialism, past resentments from the Crusades, religious fundamentalism…a lot of shit basically," he said with a small laugh. Laughing at the absurd truths of the past.
She laughed as well, "Yes a lot! It's strange to think we know more about the Europeans than you guys know yourselves. And yet, you strive to know a lot about other cultures," she added to the absurdity.
"Are you talking about Europe or the entire Western world in general," he asked, now stimulated by his intelligent, and hot friend.
Fatma thought about it for a moment, "I would say a bit on the entire West, but I'm mainly talking about Europe right now. It's the world I'm most in contact with. The United States, Canada, or even Latin America I'm entirely in the dark," she explained her limitations on understanding.
But Dante was curious with her response, "Wait a minute. You're not entirely ignorant of the US or Latin America. Don't forget, you're in contact with the orchestra from Philadelphia, my friends in Germany and Japan…and myself in Argentina," he stated, hoping she would get the hint.
She looked at him, feeling her face getting warmer a bit, but credited it to the warm weather of the city, "Right. Well, I suppose I'm not that ignorant," she said and looked at him with warm eyes. He felt his face getting warmer, but like Fatma, credited it to the warm weather.
Then, after their semi-serious conversation, their food arrived. For the rest of their lunch, they talked about their school lives, poking a bit of fun on a few of the musicians, and their brief crushes…
"And he just looked at me a bit confused and walked away. I swear, nowadays guys prefer the big busted idiots," she said half dejected.
Dante swallowed his mouthful of food, "Well he's an idiot. And so are the other guys at your school," he commented upset about her rejection.
"Well the same goes for that girl you mentioned. Calling you uncool for enjoying the harpsichord," she also commented on his rejection and also upset.
"Thank you! I mean...I can't understand why you were rejected! You're extraordinarily intelligent, articulate, talented, gorgeous…" he stopped but Fatma didn't notice and added her thoughts.
"And you are talented, well read, incredibly smart, handsome…" she also stopped and both teens blushed. For once, neither said a word and continued eating, briefly taking glances at one another. However, in the midst of eating, both shyly smiled and started thinking of other possibilities during their two-week stay.
2:47pm
Shinji and Asuka left one restaurant with their friends in the front, talking amongst themselves. She wore a white sundress with black patterns with black low heels and her hair in a bun. He however sported a black polo shirt with white pants and low shoes with no socks. They started talking about what was said inside when Shinji reacted negatively when she explained she once beat up a male student who tried to feel her up. He was dubbed the jealous lover by one of the musicians and Asuka had to defend him. Then Gilberto playfully said she was 'defending her man' and both blushed.
"Shinji, thanks for caring. But you didn't have to overreact. I took care of it, in my fashion anyway," she said with a sly smile, remembering the joy of making the poor boy's nose bleed.
Shinji sighed, "I know, but since we're 'together', I didn't feel comfortable when you mentioned it. Get me really pissed off that some bastard tried that," he said still kind of upset.
"Again thanks and once we head back to the hotel I can calm you down again, unless I excite you too much," she teased him and he blushed heavily, "Asuka," he stammered and laughed. He also put his arm around her waist to bring her closer to him.
She chuckled a bit, "Amazing to think we've arrived at this point in our relationship. When we first started going out, we were…at odds with one another," she said with nostalgia for last year.
Shinji raised his eyebrows, "Wow Asuka, you're actually picking your words carefully," he playfully bantered and got a playful hit on his chest.
"I'm serious. Last year, we were still reeling from what happened to us. And now, separated by thousands of miles and only to be brought together again for two weeks…I don't know whether to feel frustrated or thankful for the time we've been given," she said, now feeling a bit down.
Shinji looked down at her and immediately knew what she was trying to say, "We've sort of talked about this before we left America. And I think I said that our new arrangements weren't enough," he said in a low voice.
Asuka caught what he said, "Great, I'm becoming you," she jokingly said, "But I guess from what I was before, it's a vast improvement," she said and felt Shinji's grasp tighten lovingly around her waist.
She smiled back and both got in the van with their friends, who still talked about other things the two former Children didn't bother to listen to for once. Their drive back to the hotel was an uneventful one, except one of the musicians said they should visit certain places in the country once they finished most of their rehearsals.
After five minutes they arrived back to the hotel and rest for a bit until the last bit of rehearsals for tomorrow night's concert. Shinji and Asuka headed up to his room and remembered his parents were with Moradi and his colleagues while Haruki was at the pool, trying to hit on some American women.
Shinji lied down on the bed facing each other and caressing each other's hair. Shinji scooted closer until his nose touched Asuka's, "Stop breathing, it's tickling me," she said with a bit of a laugh to her comment.
Shinji just smiled, "But you smell good. Can I just stay here and admire your beauty," he said in a half joking, but overall sincere tone. Asuka just chuckled at him warm heartedly, "I suppose I can allow you such a pleasure," she said nonchalantly, but still in a soft warm voice.
Bannst mich in diese Kühle,
Gibst nur im Traum Gehör.
Ach, auf dem weichen Pfühle
Schlafe! Was willst du mehr?
She finished, "That was from a poem called 'Nachtgesang' by Johann Wolfgang van Goethe. Nocturne in the English translation," she added.
Shinji smiled, "It's beautiful Asuka. Sorry I can't recite any equally beautiful Japanese poem for you," he said as he continued caressing her hair.
"There's always a next time my little Casanova," he said jokingly said and Shinji gave a chuckle, "I'm not a player you know that."
Asuka smiled and rubbed his hair, "And I'm glad you're not, but since we have huge distances between us, its okay to have some fun," she said with the most civility she could muster.
Shinji smiled, albeit a small one. He then lowered his head and started kissing her and to his pleasure, she responded back, warmly. Their innocent kissing quickly turned into French kissing and over the course of a few minutes, Shinji sat up with Asuka on his lap, gently necking each other. Then Asuka had Shinji lie down on his back and both straightened out their bodies, with her head on his chest.
"True, but I also want to see that when we do reunite together again, we can try more things," he said softly with slight sternness in his voice. Like a boyfriend who is sure he found his 'one girl'. Both looked at one another and the two stayed this way until they took a nap, embracing one another.
Unbeknownst to them, Haruki stood at the doorway, discreetly peeking inside and watched the two sleeping and genuinely happy with each other, "仲間を移動するための方法。彼女はキーパーです。 (Way to go bro. She's a keeper)," he whispered and went to the bathroom to clean up.
FRIDAY, 9:25PM
The orchestra started playing Overture No. 5 in B Flat Major by Francesco Maria Veracini, a composer they only started to love from their just finished school year. Albeit, they only performed his sonatas sporadically with only four to five musicians at the most; as opposed to the present with 18 musicians.
At first they didn't really care for the composer, especially when they looked at a portrait of him, they figured he would sound similar if not the same as Antonio Vivaldi or any of the other Italian composers from the time. Even Dante had some reservations, but it was more to the technical skill needed rather than the superficiality of one man. However, as they began to play his music throughout the year, they noticed how this composer rivaled and even surpassed the talent of Antonio Vivaldi. Moradi dubbed him the Beethoven of the Baroque Period for his emotional outbursts in the Court of Dresden and near unrivaled talent on the violin.
Gilberto and Asuka had their moments where they argued at one another over how to play certain bars of music. Dante would come in and try to set them straight, since his knowledge in this genre of music is only eclipsed by Moradi himself, but that would only set the stage for a fire. And at times, he, Gilberto and his German colleague would get into fierce arguments until Moradi put his foot down. The other musicians reveled in the challenge, especially tonight. The aggressiveness of the piece as well as the creative sophistication of Veracini, he did remind them of Beethoven.
Their parents in the audience in the university knew of their children's talents on their respective instruments and even seen their live performances with the collaboration from international musicians. But only tonight could they witness the pure enthusiastic energy of their playing and their growing emotional maturity in their performances. They also harbor secret fears whether or not their kids will be able to find good careers in music, but only wanted the best for their kids. But seeing them tonight for a full 16 minutes of beautiful music, they started to have genuine hope. Hope that this orchestra might transform into something broader than just an ensemble for period performance for solely baroque music.
After finishing their segment, they bowed and exited the stage. They retreated to the audience and sat with their parents. After a few moments, they noticed their professor Mohammad Moradi walking on stage carrying a zither with one of his five colleagues (three men and two women) carrying with them an instrument that looked like a viol and the others bearing other instruments including an oud and an percussive drum specific to the Middle East, harp and one of the women was presumed to be the singer, a Spanish graduate student. They performed El moro de Antequera a Sephardic Jewish song from the long past days of the Moors in Spain. Performed on a rebab (a viol like instrument), two lutes, an oud, a flute and a percussive instrument.
The three pieces selected for the last half of the concert completely stunned the American and international students, except for the Middle Easterners present. Alberto was transfixed by the oud and had a growing desire to learn the instrument and Wilfredo felt some sort of nostalgia for the singing, knowing the nearly forgotten past of the Middle East coming to the Iberian Peninsula. Dante looked at Fatma down the row and the two glanced at each other briefly, knowing their cultural linkage. Asuka and Shinji held hands in the dark, absorbing the music. Cecilia just looked on and attempted to imagine dance steps that might go well with the music, but after a while she relented and just enjoyed the music. Gilberto and Zane were on some level slightly intimidated by the music, as were the other American musicians.
10:55pm
The musicians were back to the hotel, exhausted from their daily excursions and of course their demanding rehearsals. The teens slumped back to their rooms with their parents and their only thoughts were solely on what to do the next day.
Mohammad along with his wife and daughter stayed at his parents' home for the duration of the trip. After going over the program for the next few days, he along with his wife headed for bed. His daughter posted the updated information on the orchestra's website. Zane assured her that the website doesn't have any bugs so the concert will be posted after the two weeks are over. She collected the cameras and viewed the footage before heading for bed around midnight or so.
WEEK TWO, WEDNESDAY
9:34PM
The musicians were out on the town, enjoying themselves after Moradi gave them the day off. Their next concert wasn't for the next two days, performing a piece by Rameau. He sat down on a table with the musicians' parents, eating breakfast and catching up on the news.
"Senhor Moradi, what's up for tomorrow since our children are with your daughter and the university's students enjoying their day off," Fernando, Wilfredo's father asked as he set down the newspaper.
Moradi sipped his tea, "Tomorrow we'll rehearse the selected piece by Jean-Philippe Rameau and after that we'll perform the final piece by Georg Philipp Telemann. Also, during the end of those performances, my colleagues and I will perform more pieces," he explained and looked at the parents.
"So what is your overall goal in all of this," Angela, Asuka's mom asked, "To present your kids the other side of the Middle East. Providing musical performances with cultural and historical insights. Something that is lacking nowadays," he said, hoping they understood and don't take offense.
Soledad, Alberto's mom spoke up, "To be honest, my husband and I were nervous about coming here. Because of the news presented back home, but being here, listening to the music and eating the food," her food bit made the parents smile and chuckle a bit, "I can see this is really beneficial for our children," she added.
Takuya, Shinji's dad spoke up, "I completely agree with you. This is really beneficial, not only for possible music careers, but giving them a more culturally aware outlook on life," his wife rubbed his shoulder lovingly and he gave a slight smile to her.
"However, we should note that not everyone back in the States are in favor of this orchestra," Gilberto's mom, Maria spoke up and continued, "They say this won't work due to the lack of funding for school orchestras."
"Not only that, its mainly lack of interest," Manuel, Gilberto's father explained, "The young people today might have noble ideas they want to pursue, but the lack of commitment to carry them out is what's stunting many music programs from developing in our country."
Carlos, Dante's father looked at him and countered, "I disagree. I disagree on half of what you have said. Yes, there are people who lack commitment, but they have drive. It's the circumstances that hold them back. The thing we have to work on as parents is ridding them of indifference."
"I agree," Laura, Zane's mom spoke up, "Indifference is what's killing most artistic programs nowadays. Specifically because many don't think the arts are beneficial to society when compared to engineering, finances, health services," she gave her point as she took a bite of her melon.
Wilfredo's mom, Mariza looked at him, "Why just indifference? Why not apathy or conflicting preconceived notions we all have," she asked.
Moradi responded, "Because indifference breeds apathy. It also breeds ignorance and hatred," he said with a heavy voice and the table was silent for a moment. Then they resumed their conversations.
10:15am
The teenage musicians headed for the Hariri Memorial with a guide, who is a graduate student at the university. He showed them where Hariri was assassinated and nearby was the memorial.
"How do you think Danny and the others are doing back home," Zane asked Wilfredo. He looked at his best friend, "I bet still bat shit confused that we even came here at all," he said with a laugh.
Zane rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I bet. Listen, since the start of sophomore year, things have calmed down. I mean, not that much things that breaks souls or something," he said quietly to Wilfredo as they looked around the memorial while the others where at adjacent points talking.
Wil sighed, "Yeah…last year was intense. Like a drawn out beat down that punches you in the stomach and you keep getting up, only to find something else that's just bizarre and dangerous."
"Do you think since then, Danny understands," Zane asked, "Oh yeah! No doubt about that, but he and I…we don't mix," Wilfredo explained as he glanced around to see various people, Christians and Muslims walking around without killing each other.
"How do you figure," Zane asked with an incredulous look, not buying what his friend had just said. Wilfredo just shrugged his shoulders, "A hunch I guess," he stated simply.
The two then rejoined their friends as they headed outside into the daylight, only to hear disturbingly distinct sounds in the distance that only came closer…automatic weapons fire.
They walked down a bit and noticed cars and trucks passing by, waving Hezbollah flags. But the image that shook them the most was that kids were inside, a few were their age but the rest were 12 or younger. Firing flares into the air and gunshots, celebrating something.
"What are they saying," Cecilia asked Fatma who stood with an angry expression, "They're saying they captured two Israeli soldiers," she said with restrained anger as she watched the scene unfold.
"And they killed seven or so down the south, near the border with Israel," Ahmed added and the three looked on and glanced at the other musicians, who also asked the older university students for confirmation.
Fatma then heard Alberto to her left next to Gilberto, "Man, Moradi is going to flip when he finds out," he said in a harsh, but shocked tone of voice. Gilberto simply nodded, not knowing how to respond.
As the last of the cars with Hezbollah banners drove up the road and disappeared into the traffic, the students decided to head back to the hotel. They head for their vans and drove away.
7:30pm
Later in the evening, one of Moradi's colleagues sang a Palestinian Lament, not really written down but of oral tradition accompanied by one lute and two woodwind instruments that had an eerily graceful sound. Since finding out about the events unfolding earlier in the day, he decided to perform other distinct pieces with his colleagues. They also performed an Armenian Lament.
Afterwards, the intermission came, leaving Les Musiciens members to themselves, talking about what's going to happen next.
"I'm nervous. I'm thinking about various events that might play out," Asuka said with anxiety in her voice, but she tempered it so she wouldn't overreact.
"I'm anxious as well," Cecilia said and looked at Fatma and Ahmed, "What do you two think? What's going to happen tomorrow," she asked what everyone is wondering.
"Tonight, we're going to see what's the extent of the events and tomorrow…tomorrow we're going to see international reactions to the state of affairs here," Ahmed, looking surprisingly calm.
"This country has historically fucked over for centuries. You know that right," Wilfredo pointed out the obviously sad fact of Lebanon, one which Ahmed laughed a bit to, "I know its true, but what can you do," he shrugged his shoulders and gestured his hands in line with his statement.
"I love that," Fatma spoke up, smiling and laughing, "That spiteful streak that is truly Lebanese. Basically 'I don't care if you're bombing the beach! I'm going to stay here and work on my tan!' That shit rocks," she added.
Ahmed laughed and spoke up, "Well that's Lebanon. You guys have to understand that nobody here wants to go back to the past where everybody was divided and fighting each other. And to add to that, we live to the max here, knowing that…that there might not be a tomorrow," he added to Fatma's statement.
Wilfredo looked at him and spoke up, "But today was unusual right," he asked and Ahmed looked at him with a worried and concerned looked that was underneath the laughing façade from just moments earlier.
"I think so…Because Lebanon has been through so much and everybody has a story here," he said somberly. The teenagers sat in silence for a few moments until they heard the doors opening, seeing the audience returning and their parents returning as well. They looked at each other for brief moments until the program for tonight resumed.
THURSDAY, 8:12am
Fatma groggily woke up and the sunlight pierced through the window. She got up and went to turn on the television. Her mom and sister were still asleep so she lowered the volume, but then the news for the morning jumped out and punched her in the stomach.
She turned up the volume, "فاطمه عزیز، چه می گذرد؟ (Fatma dear, what is going on?)," her mother woke up and when she looked at the screen, she knew what would come next, "خدای من! (My God!)," she said under breath.
The news showed that the airport they flown into, was bombed by Israeli fighter jets.
The piece by Francesco Maria Veracini was from their album "Concerti 'per l'orchestra di Dresda'" performed by Musica Antiqua Koln. The other piece, which was a Sephardic Jewish song came from the album "Díaspora Sefardí" performed by Hesperion XXI, under the direction of Jordi Savall. Great music on both albums!
Less action here as far as ghost fighting is concerned or even the Campa boy from the previous story. I used Google translator for the languages involved and for those who don't know, I used Persian in the end. Its not Arabic.
Well, thus ends the first chapter of '2006'. Read, review, critique, and see you readers in chapter two.
