Magnum Opus

The orchestra moved as one, hitting each note with poise, precision and pertinence. Eustace stood in front, swishing his conductor's baton rhythmically, keeping time while simultaneously cueing the different sections when their part was up. It was a contemporary piece that he had written, and was releasing it upon his orchestra for a dry run. The melodies and harmonies spewing forth were very familiar to him, and they sounded almost like what he had imagined over the past eight months as he was composing it.

It was a nostalgic piece that spanned the eras of music that Eustace had spent his life exploring. From the baroque period, to the Byzantine melodies, to the Indian scales, to the court music of southern China, they were all represented, their influence manifesting themselves under the ambit of a contemporary musical conversation. A modern Fantasia, Eustace would call it himself, but he was just too modest, despite being the doyen of modern orchestra compositions.

Eustace was an old man. Seventy nine going on to eighty. Sprightly. A wealth of musical experiences, having travelled to the far reaches of the world and spending up to a decade in each major region to absorb and learn the music culture there. This piece was, in a sense, his magnum opus. He knew his time was soon to be up, something about the way his wrists clacked where they never before, the way his shoulders loosened, the way his hips clicked in certain angles. The last time he composed anything was nearly five years ago, and he knew it was time for his final piece.

And so, this was born. The musicians were clearly enjoying the technically challenging piece---it catered to their sense of adventure and yet provide that calming effect of something familiar but still new and exciting. It was the final rehearsal before its debut in the evening, and everyone in the orchestra knew about the importance of this piece.

When the final note was held and dimished to soundlessness, Eustace stood there and held his baton out for a little longer, savouring that wonder he beheld. It was indeed a worthy magnum opus and would surely be much welcomed at the concert in the evening.

(Based on an exercise generated by WriteThis - 15-May-2014 22:07:41)