The Bronx Zoo, exceptionally extending its weekend hours from 5:30 PM to 10 PM, ushered out visitors at 5:30 PM and reopened for free admission at 7 PM. Those who had arrived early, understanding the animals needed rest, waited patiently, dining at nearby cafes and restaurants.
Eric and Lila, having learned of this through the Bronx Zoo's website, dined elsewhere and arrived at the zoo around 6:50 PM.
"Wow, Eric! Look at all these people! Seems like the media is here too. There's a camera there, and there, and over there too!"
Lila, bubbling with excitement like a child, was watched by Eric with a fond smile.
"It's because of the celebrities appearing. But the website mentioned that the main event is a Juilliard Orchestra performance, with only the last piece featuring those celebrities. Should we watch the earlier parts too?"
Lila shrugged.
"It's a concert they've prepared diligently for; it wouldn't be right to only watch the last piece. Plus, we can't enter the areas with animals after the concert starts."
"Right? We shouldn't disturb the animals just for our entertainment."
"Ah! Looks like they're starting admission! Let's hurry and get in line; we want to get a good spot to see Kay closer."
"What? You have a boyfriend glaring right here, and you're eyeing another guy?"
"It's Kay, a star. Stars are just styles, Eric. It's unattractive to be jealous over such things."
"Well, if it's Kay, can't help it. He's indeed good-looking and an incredible musician."
"Hehe, glad you agree, Eric. But who's that gentleman the reporters are interviewing?"
"Where? Which one?"
"Over by the left entrance of the zoo."
Eric's gaze followed Lila's pointing finger, landing on a middle-aged man surrounded by reporters, answering their questions with a somewhat stiff expression.
The reporters crowded around, microphones extended towards the man from various angles. One of the reporters posed a question.
"Mr. Norman Lebrecht, we understand you rarely leave the UK; is it true you visited the US specifically for this performance?"
Norman replied with his usual stiff demeanor.
"Yes, that's correct."
"After Pantera's European tour, you acknowledged a mistake in your article via 'Telegraph'. Does this visit relate to that incident?"
Norman glanced sharply at the reporter, who backed off slightly but still insisted on an answer, pushing the microphone closer. Norman said,
"Indeed. During Pantera's tour, I was unaware of Kay's existence and hastily published an article. My visit to the US is to witness firsthand the orchestral music created by the genius Kay."
"You've called Kay a genius. There's public sentiment that only impulsive journalists bestow such a title on someone who is still a student without an album. Do you, as one of Britain's top critics, also acknowledge Kay as a genius?"
"Yes, certainly. To those forming such opinions, I suggest they listen to his music before speaking. Otherwise, they might end up embarrassed like I was in the UK."
"There's talk that this event, being a free performance by Juilliard School, is more of a recital than a formal concert. What do you think, Mr. Lebrecht?"
Norman looked incredulously at the reporter and replied,
"Dr. Dre, Damian Marley, Snoop Dogg, and Sean Lennon performing at a school recital? Are you serious with that question?"
As the reporter's face reddened and the microphone lowered, Norman gestured to end the interview.
"Let's stop here. It's open seating, and I need to find a spot."
With Norman leaving, the reporters checked their watches and hurried into the zoo. Eric and Lila, having watched the interview, entered the zoo, hand in hand, discussing.
"Do you know that man, Eric?"
"No, but from what I heard, he's a critic from the UK."
"Huh, I heard too. Why would a British critic come all the way to the US? To see Kay?"
"Seems like it. From the interview, that's the impression."
"Kay must truly be a genius. I'll definitely collect his album when it's released."
"Ha, I'll gift you his first album."
"Really? You promise?"
"Ha, yes, yes. Oh? Looks like that's the venue over there."
Before Eric and Lila, who were tightly holding hands, appeared a circular venue set amidst a vast forest. Already, the audience seats were filling up, leaving no room at the front, so they settled for seats a bit towards the back. Eric commented as he sat,
"Wow, why are there so many people? Must be thousands here?"
Lila, sitting beside him, replied,
"The lineup is impressive. Even as we were coming in, people kept pouring in behind us. It's going to be even
more crowded."
As they predicted, the outdoor venue continued to fill with people: dignified elderly couples, newlyweds holding hands with joyous expressions, young couples like Eric and Lila, and families kept adding to the audience. Ten minutes before the show, the venue was overflowing, with people standing at the back and sides to watch.
As the murmur of the audience grew, the curtain that had been hiding the stage drew back, and the crowd erupted in cheers, anticipating the start.
"Whoo!!!"
"We've been waiting! Let's start!"
The stage revealed an unusual setup, split in half for the musicians, with a grand piano on the right front side and percussion on the opposite. A few minutes later, Professor Alan Gilbert, the conductor, elegantly dressed, walked onto the stage and bowed politely, receiving applause. After greeting the audience several times, he took his place on the conductor's podium, and the 80 orchestra members took their seats.
The appearance of a figure on the side of the stage, previously unseen by the audience, sparked an unmatched level of cheering.
"Wow!!! It's Dr. Dre!"
"Is Dr. Dre really here? Amazing!"
"He's so handsome~~~!!!"
Dr. Dre, dressed in a white shirt, black pants, and white Nike sneakers, waved back at the cheering crowd, then looked at the conductor with headphones on. Professor Gilbert nodded at Dre, then turned to face the audience with a microphone in hand.
"Good evening, we're the Juilliard Orchestra."
The orchestra members stood and greeted the audience, who responded with roaring applause. After the applause, Professor Gilbert announced,
"The first piece is Antonin Leopold Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E minor, 'From the New World'."
Professor Gilbert scanned the quiet audience, put down the microphone, and picked up his baton. Turning back to the orchestra, he slowly raised the baton, and the musicians began to play, enveloping the audience in the mystical introduction that seemed to lead into a new world. The combination of soft violin and trumpet sounds, against the backdrop of the zoo surrounded by forests, created a magical atmosphere. As the baton pointed towards the brass section, the sudden burst from the tuba was like an exclamation at the sight of a new world, followed by a serene full orchestra performance that captured the peacefulness of a green meadow.
Dvorak's music, incorporating elements of American Indian and African American music, was accessible and resonated with a broad audience. The choice of a familiar piece as the first allowed even those unfamiliar with orchestra music to relax and enjoy, without fearing that the music might be beyond their understanding.
Norman Lebrecht, watching the Juilliard Orchestra with a critical eye, was deep in thought.
'Is this the level of the Juilliard Orchestra? They're on par with famous philharmonic orchestras. What's happened to them? Such volume, perfectly capturing the emotions 'From the New World' evokes.'
Despite the chill running down his spine, Norman couldn't take his eyes off the orchestra. Reporters and producers from a classical music channel were also spellbound during the performance. Although the general audience might not notice the difference, the experts recognized the orchestra's performance was beyond the level of student musicians, expressing their amazement.
As the lengthy first piece concluded, the experts, holding their breath until then, stood and applauded. Their ovation held a different significance from the cheers of the general audience.
"Bravo!!!"
A pleased Professor Gilbert turned around to bow, then picked up the microphone.
"The next piece will be Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, 1st movement."
The night at the Bronx Zoo was filled with the majestic and melancholy strains of Tchaikovsky's concerto, leading up to Geon's final piece. Over two and a half hours passed, and the audience, in high spirits, awaited the last piece. Finally, as the order for the last piece came, most of the 80 musicians bowed and exited the stage, leaving about 30. Even the conductor, Professor Gilbert, bowed and left the stage.
Norman Lebrecht, puzzled, whispered to himself,
"Orchestras adjust the number of musicians as needed, but why would the conductor leave too?"
The audience was also bewildered, murmuring among themselves as the curtains on either side of the circular stage slowly closed, even though the last piece was yet to be performed, causing the murmuring to intensify.
For about five minutes, the curtain blocking the stage remained closed. As the audience's murmurs grew, speculating a cancellation of the final piece, the curtain began to slowly open. The crowd pointed and shouted as the curtain moved.
"Ah! It's starting again!"
"Thought it was over, I was so worried. I came just for this piece."
"Start quickly~~"
As the curtain opened fully, revealing the stage, the audience exclaimed in surprise.
"What? Why are all the musicians facing the center? Where's the conductor's podium?"
Indeed, the musicians on the revealed stage were seated in two blocks, facing an empty space in the middle, where a stunningly beautiful guitar stood on a stand. The sight prompted screams from the audience.
"Screams!!! It's the White Falcon!"
"It's Kay! It's Kay's guitar!"
Unfazed by the screams, Damian Marley and two black session musicians emerged from behind the musicians, waving as they walked out, eliciting more screams from the audience.
"Wow~~~~ Damian Marley!"
"It's Bob Marley's son, Damian!"
As Damian checked his instruments at the percussion set, the audience cheered him on. Then, from the right side of the curtain, Sean Lennon appeared. Dressed in a black tuxedo and smiling, he walked to the grand piano and bowed politely.
"Wow~~~!!! To see the sons of Bob Marley and John Lennon on the same stage!"
"Screams!! I'm so excited!"
Sean sat at the grand piano, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. The majority of female audience members screamed as if the zoo itself was collapsing.
"Screams!!! It's Kay!!!"
"Screams!! My love!!"
"Oh my, oh my! Kay in a tuxedo! So handsome, screams!"
"Honey! Your lover is me, not Kay!"
"Quiet! You're not even worth Kay's toenail, hmph!"
As the women screamed, Geon, dressed in a black tuxedo and a high-collared dress shirt, walked through the musicians seated in blocks. As he smiled and waved, another round of tremendous cheers and applause erupted.
"Screams!!! Kay!!!"
Geon raised both hands, focusing the audience's attention, then smiled and gestured towards the side curtain. The audience followed his gesture with their eyes.
"Screams! What are those adorable little ones?"
"What? Bears? Tigers? They look like baby animals?"
As Geon pointed, Ricky and Pye emerged, wiggling their little behinds onto the stage, looking curiously at the screaming audience. Ricky, reacting instinctively to the loud noises, stood on two legs and raised his front paws as if greeting the audience, causing laughter.
"Laughs!! So cute!!"
Pye, though a baby tiger, bravely glanced at the people before hopping towards Geon. Ricky, after a moment of confusion, hurried over to Geon as well.
As Geon stooped to pet Ricky and Pye who had come to his side, the two baby animals playfully rolled around on the floor, charming the audience into hanging broad smiles unknowingly on their lips. Geon stood up and received a microphone from a nearby cellist.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, Geon spoke into the microphone.
"Thank you all for being here today. I'm Kay from the Juilliard Orchestra."
Cheers poured out as Geon waved.
"Screams~~ I love you!!"
"I've been looking forward to this! You're really handsome, Kay!"
"Oh no, I think I'm really falling for him!"
Geon looked at the cheering crowd and then spoke again.
"Today's performance was a regular free concert by the Juilliard Orchestra. As always, it wasn't held in a hall within the Juilliard School but here at the Bronx Zoo. Actually, today's performance was for the animals. Oh, I don't mean to ask for donations for the animals. Haha."
The audience laughed at Geon's light joke, and he continued.
"The beginning of this connection started one night when I sang in front of the large birdcage on the right side, without much thought, holding my guitar."
Following Geon's gesture, the audience looked at the large birdcage rising on the right side of the stage. The cage, hidden by lush trees with only its top visible, showed many birds flying vigorously within.
"Many of you may know the story from the articles. It was fortunate for me, who was wandering and pondering, to come to the Bronx Zoo. I met Ricky and Pye here as well."
As Geon mentioned their names, Ricky and Pye, who had been playfully rolling on the ground, looked up curiously at him. The audience laughed again at the cute sight of the two baby animals. Geon looked down at Ricky and Pye, smiling, then continued.
"I'd like to thank zookeeper Olivia and Director
Emma of the Bronx Zoo for teaching me what sounds animals and nature make and for allowing this performance."
As Geon prompted applause, the audience clapped. He then pointed towards two women in the front row of the audience, who awkwardly stood and waved back. The audience realized they were Olivia and Emma and sent them a louder round of applause.
After Olivia and Emma sat down, somewhat embarrassed by the attention, Geon picked up the microphone again.
"Lastly, the song I will present to you is 'Parachute' by Sean Ono Lennon, arranged for orchestra. It's a song that expresses the emotions of sad love, containing the beauty of love, the fear of separation, and the concept of death."
As Geon earnestly explained the piece, both the general audience and the experts listened intently.
"It's not just about expressing the emotions conveyed by the song through the orchestra arrangement. I prefer to play first and leave the interpretation and judgment to you. Isn't that the fate of those who create art?"
Geon reached for Haku, slung over his shoulder, and spoke.
"One of the people I consider a mentor in my musical life once said, 'Music that does not intend anything is meaningless. Music must signify something; if the listener experiences an emotional change upon hearing it, then the music's meaning has been conveyed to them.' I hope what I intended with this arrangement reaches you."
The audience saw a beautiful boy, mic set aside, strapping on the world's most beautiful, dazzlingly white guitar, closing his eyes, and tilting his head towards the sky. The boy's focused form shone brilliantly among the concentrating musicians. The audience, maintaining silence so as not to disturb his concentration, heard a woman's murmur.
"So, so beautiful.."
Geon, gently picking the pick tucked into Haku's head, placed his hand over the guitar strings and opened his eyes. Confirming that all musicians were focused on him, he nodded to Damian and the two percussion session players waiting at the percussion set. The session man softly struck the first rhythm on the percussion.
"Ah!"
With Damian Marley's soft exclamation, the percussion softly opened the performance with a distinctive reggae rhythm. As Damian led the rhythmic percussion, causing the audience to sway, the reggae's unique rhythm subtly moved the bodies of the audience, who had been watching the performance with decorum. Geon raised a hand to signal the violin and cello players, then swung his hand down to start. The violinists, following Geon's cue, began the prelude to 'Parachute', quickly joined by the cellos.
The reggae rhythm combined with the grandeur of the violin and cello created the illusion of a new instrument's sound. As the audience marveled at the novel performance, Norman Lebrecht and classical experts watched Geon with astonishment.
'The guitarist is conducting!'
Norman wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, his eyes trembling.
'A musician conducting, and this volume? It's lower than classical music I've heard before. How can there be absolutely no jarring to the ears? I can't tell if I'm listening to music or the sound of the wind calling from the African plains.'
The classical channel's PDs, mouths agape, ran to the sound director to ask,
"Is the recording going well, Director?"
The sound director nodded but uncertainly added,
"The recording is fine, but I'm not sure it will convey what we're hearing when it airs on TV. In 20 years of filming performances, I've never encountered sound this challenging to capture. I'm not even sure this is music."
The PD murmured worriedly while looking at the stage,
"A performance like this being free, it's something people should pay to see. Ah, this might be the biggest crisis of my PD career. How well I convey the greatness of this performance to the viewers will be the measure of my ability."