After hanging up Nakamori Akina's phone, Zhou Yan got up and went to the cafeteria, but the phone rang again before he took two steps.
He couldn't help but wonder, did Akina Nakamori and the others still have something to say?
After picking up the phone, an excited voice rang, "Teacher Zhou, you gave us a big surprise."
Although the phone sound was a little distorted, Zhou Yan still recognized Yu Songlin's voice at once.
It’s just that Yu Songlin’s words made Zhou Yan feel a little confused. What do you mean by giving them a surprise?
"Captain Yu, where does this surprise come from?" Zhou Yan asked.
“It’s about our group performing abroad.”
Zhou Yan was even more confused this time, “Didn’t you already know about our group going abroad to perform? What kind of surprise is this? ?”
“Haha, it seems that you don’t know yet, Teacher Zhou. Now there is a new situation about our group’s performance abroad. Just now, Zhang Youan called me and said that the number of performances has been increased to three. Twelve games, in thirty cities, seventeen cities in the United States, and thirteen cities in Europe."
Hearing Yu Songlin's words, Zhou Yan was also quite surprised. He didn't expect Zhang Youan to do it quietly. Such a major event has brought the scale of the Central Chinese Orchestra's performances to such a level.
The scale of this tour is even larger than the Piano Youth Orchestra’s current tour.
Of course, the main reason for the Piano Youth Orchestra is that time does not allow it. Otherwise, there is no problem in holding thirty or forty shows. Just one neon sign can hold more than ten shows.
In 1987, the Central Orchestra visited the United States, but only held 26 concerts.
Although I don’t know how Zhang Youan did it, Zhou Yan was still very happy for the folk band. He smiled and said, "Then you guys behind the band will have to work hard. There are thirty cities in Europe and the United States. I guess some days I can return to I can’t go home.”
Thirty-two performances, even if they are held every two days, would mean I would not be able to go home for more than two months, and one performance every two days is basically impossible, after all, most of them are in different cities.
When the Central Orchestra went to the United States before, the twenty-six concerts lasted for forty-two days. This was because there were not that many cities and they were all in the United States. Unlike this time, they had to fly to Europe, which cost a lot of money on the way. a long time.
There is no way to separate them in different cities. The folk orchestra is not well-known abroad, and the market effect is definitely average. It is difficult for the same city to support multiple performances, at least at this stage.
Unlike the Piano Boys Band, which can hold many shows in many cities, not to mention Neon, which is the main venue in China, this is the case even in the United States.
Previously, their band played three shows in three consecutive days at Chandler Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and every ticket was sold out.
“Yes, according to the plan, the band will celebrate the New Year outside.” Yu Songlin said.
"Then we have to tell the members in advance. The New Year is a big event."
"Haha, I believe they are all fine. Although the New Year is a big event, it also depends on what it is compared to. But , this performance will probably delay Qingyinfang’s schedule.”
Wei Yuru and the others will definitely go to the Central Chinese Orchestra’s overseas performance this time.
This matter has been agreed before, but the number of performances scheduled before is not many and the time is not very long, so it will not affect anything.
Now the number of performances has increased to more than 30, and Qingyinfang will not be able to have any work for at least two or three months in between. It really has a big impact.
Qingyinfang is now very popular in Neon, with various performances going on all the time, and their tickets are getting more expensive and easier to sell.
In the beginning, many neon music fans regarded Qingyinfang as the replacement of the Piano Youth Orchestra. After all, the repertoire they performed was very similar to that of the Piano Youth Orchestra.
But now, Qingyinfang has accumulated many loyal fans of their own.
Now is also a critical period for Qingyinfang’s career growth. If they are not working for several months, it will indeed affect their development.
If Qingyinfang signed a contract with an ordinary commercial company, I am afraid they would not let him go, at least not for such a long time.
But when Zhou Yan formed this orchestra, it was for the purpose of spreading Chinese music. Now that the Central Chinese Orchestra has such a good opportunity, Qingyinfang will of course make concessions for them.
Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Captain Yu, don't worry about the Qingyinfang matter. Your group should still be the main one. Let's do this. I will let Teacher Wei and the others return to China in a few days."
“It doesn’t have to be so early. After all, the performance won’t start until the end of October, and there are still nearly four months left.”
“Come back early and leave enough time to join the group. Practice. Teacher Wei has not practiced much with the group during this period, so it is inevitable that she will be a little rusty. It is better for them to be fully prepared. Their work should be scheduled until the end of this month. I will let them finish the tasks that have been set. I will not take the job."
Yu Songlin sighed, "Teacher Zhou, thank you for your support of our orchestra. In fact, you have helped us a lot."
"It's not about help, it's just mutual benefit." Zhou Yan said with a smile, "And I am also a member of folk music. I also have a responsibility in promoting folk music."
"You can think of it this way. , I am both happy and touched. There is one more thing I want to tell you. After Mr. Zhang told me about the folk band’s performance, I reported it to the leader, and the leader also gave some instructions during the last Spring Festival Gala. The program "Memory of the Forbidden City" has been well received, so the leader thought that three or four of your songs could be added to the program for this overseas performance. "Memory of the Forbidden City" is one song, and I also recommended "Memory of the Forbidden City." "Journey to the West Fantasia", do you have any ideas for the other one or two? "
Hearing what Yu Songlin said, Zhou Yan was not surprised at all. Adding his music would be a good thing for the orchestra and him. It's a win-win thing.
After pondering for a moment, Zhou Yan said, "If there is another one, I propose to add the "Three Kingdoms Suite". After all, the four major masterpieces are still well-known abroad and are also representative."
"Three Kingdoms Suite?" Yu Songlin expressed doubts, "Is it from "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms"?"
Zhou Yan nodded and said, "Well, these are some of the songs I wrote for the soundtrack of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms." When I performed at Neon, I put them together to make a suite. If I want to add them to your program, I'll rearrange it to make the music richer."
Yu Songlin said with a smile, "Oh, that's good. I'm quite familiar with the soundtrack of "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms". It's very listenable and has a good style. It suits our group. But how long is this suite?”
“If I make another version, it will be about seven minutes.”
“If it’s only seven minutes, it can be more. Add another song, what do you think of this last song, "The Great Wall"?"
The name of "The Great Wall" is very representative, and this song was one of the theme songs during the Olympic bid. One, it’s really suitable to add. Zhou Yan nodded, "This song is also okay, but I think that if you want to attract more European and American audiences, you can add "Guanghan Palace" to it. I made a new version of this song for Qingyinfang and then changed it. It’s not difficult. The most important thing is that the album "Yulin Ling" is selling well in Europe and the United States, and "Guanghan Palace" is more famous than the other songs."
Several other pieces of music are indeed representative, but they are not popular enough in Europe and the United States. Zhou Yan believes that if they want to be representative, "Three Kingdoms Suite", "Memory of the Forbidden City" and "Journey to the West Fantasy" are enough, and there is no need. Plus "The Great Wall".
Hearing what Zhou Yan said, Yu Songlin also felt that it was very reasonable, "It is true. Since we want to promote it, we still have to consider the feelings of ordinary European and American audiences. In this case, we will study it later and wait. I’ll let you know when I’ve decided on the repertoire.”
Zhou Yan nodded and said, “No problem, there are ready-made versions of “Memory of the Forbidden City” and “Journey to the West Fantasia” that don’t need to be modified. Even if there are a few other songs that need to be modified. It’s not difficult. I’ll have time to do it after you decide.”
“Okay, I’ll have to work hard for you then.”
"You're welcome."
......
After talking to Yu Songlin, Zhou Yan went to the cafeteria to have a meal. After returning to the office, he called Zhang Youan.
Zhang Youan has returned to China and is now in Shanghai.
After receiving a call from Zhou Yan, Zhang Youan immediately guessed what he was doing.
"Did Captain Yu Songlin call you?"
"Well, when I first received his call, I was a little confused. I don't know why I surprised him."
“After the news was confirmed, I told him first, and he was really excited after knowing it.”
“Thirty-two concerts, this is not a small scale, of course he was excited "But what I'm curious about is how you got it done. This was not the case last time we talked about this." Zhou Yan said curiously.
Zhang Youan laughed and said, "You think I did nothing during that time in the United States. I contacted many companies for this matter and finally finalized this plan. This time the folk band will tour Europe and the United States. The performance was invited by ICM, and the conditions they gave were very good and the planning was very reasonable.”
"With so many concerts, if we had to do it ourselves, it would be time-consuming and laborious, and the effect might not be good. After all, ICM is doing very well in Europe and the United States, and its channels in all aspects are also very complete."
Zhou Yan said I have also heard about ICM, which is a very famous agency in Hollywood. Today, ICM is very popular in Europe and the United States. It is said that their annual income can exceed 100 million US dollars.
ICM's business scope is very broad and has now expanded to the publishing, theater and television news industries in several major European countries.
I heard that their company also wanted to enter the film industry, but it failed due to antitrust laws.
If you are invited by ICM, you really don’t have to worry too much.
"I just said that Yu Songlin said that the concert will not start until the end of October. But I remember that you said before that you rented the Golden Hall in September? Does it mean that the schedule has been changed? Do you still want to go to the Golden Hall?"
"Of course I still have to go to the Golden Hall, but the time has been postponed. I will go to Carnegie Hall first in November."
Zhou Yan was relieved to hear that the Golden Hall trip was not cancelled, but just postponed. After coming down, he still valued performing at the Golden Hall.
Going to the Golden Hall will not only enhance the reputation of the orchestra, but more importantly, it can enhance the self-confidence of the orchestra members.
Just imagine, the band members have even been to the Golden Hall, will there be any psychological pressure if they go to other places?
Before, Wei Yuru and Wang Ciheng only performed three concerts in Los Angeles. After returning, their status has undergone earth-shaking changes. The impact of the big stage on the performers is huge.
From the perspective of ordinary people, when I heard that the orchestra held a concert in the Golden Hall, it felt completely different.
In fact, it’s good to go to Carnegie Hall first. After all, Carnegie is also the world’s top concert hall. Carnegie has a long history and many famous artists have performed there. When it was first established, music The premiere of the concert was performed by Tchaikovsky as the guest conductor.
Nowadays, being able to perform at Carnegie Hall, like the Golden Hall, has become a sign of success.
“In November, I should still have the opportunity to go and see the scene.”
"If you have time, you can still perform on stage. The program for this tour will include a few of your songs. Do you know this?"
"Well, Captain Yu told me, It is said to be the leader's instruction. "
"The leader's instruction is on the one hand, and ICM also made suggestions. As a purely commercial agency, ICM naturally cannot afford to do so early. They are willing to invite the Central Chinese Orchestra to hold the ceremony. The reason for the tour is that Wei Yuru and Wang Ciheng performed very well at your concert at the end of last year and caused a wave of popularity in the United States. If you can add your music to the program, the tickets will definitely be sold much better. "
Zhou Yan nodded, "It should be no problem to go and see it live. As for whether to go on stage or not, we'll talk about it later."
"If conditions permit, you can still go on stage to have fun, for you and for the folk band. And it is beneficial to all three parties of ICM. Oh, one more thing, I want to tell you, this time ICM not only wants to promote the Central Chinese Orchestra, but also has a purpose, which is to promote their cellist Yo-Yo Ma. Do you know this Yo-Yo Ma? ”
Zhou Yan's brows twitched when he heard Yo-Yo Ma's name.
How could Yo-Yo Ma not know? He is the world's top cellist, a well-deserved classical violin master, and Yo-Yo Ma's fame is not limited to the classical music world, but also spans many fields. He is also very good at modern music, and he also has a reputation in film soundtracks. expressed.
However, Zhang Youan would ask this, and Zhou Yan also expressed understanding, because Yo-Yo Ma's international reputation today is not as great as it was later.
If Zhou Yan remembers correctly, Yo-Yo Ma should be about forty years old now.
Although Yo-Yo Ma is a genius and became famous very early, and entered Carnegie Hall to perform as a teenager, he cannot yet be called a top master.
Hearing that Yo-Yo Ma would also go, Zhou Yan wanted to go there even more. (End of this chapter)