Symphonic Premiere
MOTE Week 49, 2025
This week on MOTE, my first prompt of Advent came from nother Mike: Adding the sounds of breaking glass and screeching tires to the symphony did change it…
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They were midway through the second movement of the new symphony. The composer was a little worried that it was a little too similar to stuff that had gone before, and had voiced an opinion that perhaps adding something unexpected was the way to go.
Then over the top of the massed strings came a very different sound. An unexpected sound. It sounded like screeching tyres. Perhaps the composer had added something extra to the piece.
Then came the sound of shattering glass, and everyone realised that something had just gone through the glass frontage to the city’s Concert Hall.
Someone ran up to the stage, signalling for the orchestra to shut up as he did so. The musicians complied, but not everyone realised at the same time, and the result was a bit of a discordant racket. The conductor was the last to realise, lost in the movements of the role.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I regret to inform you that due to unexpected events, the concert has been terminated. If there are any members of the audience or orchestra with first aid or other medical training, their assistance will be greatly appreciated out in the vestibule. Everyone else is requested to remain where they are until such time as the emergency services release us.
“The concert will be rescheduled, on a date to be determined. All members of the audience will be offered either a free ticket to the new performance or a full refund. We apologise to all concerned for the inconvenience that these events outside of our control have had on your enjoyment of this evening.”
It was about an hour before everyone was released through the back passages of the venue. The incident was all over the local evening news – a joy rider showing off had lost control and went into the venue head first.
It was several months before the Concert Hall was in a suitable state for the concert to be rescheduled. Everyone who could turned up. The new symphony was roundly applauded on its completion, not needing any gimmicks, merely being a symbol that life must go on.
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My prompt this week went to Fiona Grey. I’m looking forwards to reading what everyone comes up with.