Dionysus\' laughter

Henry Lion Oldie

Dionysus' laughter

* * *

Gods laugh seldom and their laughter

is of little joy to the mortals.

Frasimed of Melkh

The final chord rolled through the hall and faded. Complete silence lasted for a moment, then it turned into applause, which was neither an ovation nor rare scornful claps; the audience simply performed its duties thoroughly. After all, they came here to listen to the music and they had payed for it, and not the applause. Jon Orfie banged closed the grand-piano lid, leaned back and closed his eyes. He rested that way for a few seconds, forgetting about the whole world, then he again noticed the noise of the belated clapping hands, scraps of conversations, shuffles of the feet – the audience was rushing towards the exits. Weary, Jon stood up and went to the dressing room. Malcolm Cate was already there. Conductor, concertmaster, artistic director, last instance of all discussions – Cate was all that.

"You were not bad today, Orfi," he said.

"Thank you." Jon threw off his tailcoat and started working on the buttons of his stiff white shirt.

"You are welcome. Anyway, this piece should be removed from your repertoire by the end of next week, otherwise we lose our audience. Besides, I read what you gave me last week." Cate shook sheet music covered with scribbles at Jon. – "Interesting. I would even say extremely interesting. But it's not for us. We are a symphony orchestra and this is far closer to rock. To sympho-rock. We'd need different instruments, and the style is far too strange for the general public. But, once again– the piece itself is most interesting. Do dare, Orfi...

"Someone has to be the first," entreated Jon. – "Someone who is willing to digress from the norm. After all, rock, jazz, sympho – they're only conventions."

"Certainly. But I don't like adventures. The conventions you mentioned are expected by the audience; they're stronger than ferroconcrete, and I don't want to break my head against those expectations.

"But you said..."

"I know I did. And I will repeat it again: the piece itself is interesting. Try to contact some rock band, although I doubt that your style will blend with anything those long-hair rockers put out. Whatever you decide to do, Orfi, remember this tailcoat will be waiting for you, in case you reconsider.

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