Chapter 11 8

August 5, 1960 Child: Mom wrote to you twice, but I didn't write because I was in poor health and lacked energy.There are very few times when I am not sick or have a headache, so I can only hurry up and do some work; I am exhausted after work, and I have no intention of doing other things.Of course, people will be full of diseases when they are old. There is only a difference between morning and evening, and there is no reason why it will come. Don't worry about me.I have always been very indifferent to life and death. I just do my best, live and work day by day, and only rest when the god of death comes one day and asks me to put down the pen.That's all.People who engage in art are always troubled, especially in such a big era for the old intellectuals.Although you are young, there are quite a few shortcomings of the old intellectuals you have acquired from me.But in your letters in the past four or five years, you always say that you forget all your troubles as soon as you start working; to be able to forget your worries at work like this is not bad.

Within 24 hours, except for eating and sleeping, we always have more working time and less free time; so even if we are troubled, the time will not be too long, don’t you think?But work and rest should also be well adjusted: when you play music, your nerves and emotions are particularly tense, and you should take a complete rest after a year.Going to the countryside to live for ten or eight days during the summer vacation will not only benefit your body and mind, but also benefit your musical experience.What's more, if you ask about the bans when you enter the country, and ask about the customs when you enter the country, you should also experience and observe their customs and customs.Lao Guan is in London, or he is always busy running around performing, some of them are not in touch with reality, and it is not appropriate.After seeing the letter, I immediately packed up my luggage and went out to rest, even for three to five days.

I am not surprised that you have recently specialized in Scarlatti and found many wonderful things in him.This is the inevitable result of your liking Hunter.In Scarlatti’s time, the Renaissance had already bloomed in the fields of painting and literature, and began to turn to music; people’s thoughts and feelings were demanding to be vented in another art, which required more direct stimulation of the senses, and was more ethereal and freer. One of the arts, that is, music, to meet their needs.Therefore, the musical works at that time were particularly vigorous and fresh, just like the paintings of Botticelli in the early Renaissance.Moreover, the laws of music are not as strict as they were at the end of the eighteenth century, and talented writers can easily display their spirit.What's more, the European musical tradition was still very weak in the seventeenth century, unlike painting and sculpture, which had reached their peak as early as ancient Greece.A vast and virgin land was waiting to be cultivated by Scarlatti and his successors. ——Writing here, I think you should often go to the British Museum, where the art treasures can be said to be endlessly enjoyed in a lifetime; for your general (comprehensive) artistic accomplishment, you should also go there to learn more.

Because of my many illnesses, I can only get in touch with art more. In addition to the original old paintings, I inadvertently studied the inscriptions: now I have made some clues about the origin and flow of Chinese calligraphy, and I have also added more insights into the entire history of Chinese art. I have some experience; unfortunately, I don't have the energy to talk with you in detail.When it comes to calligraphy, I suddenly remembered your signature in the April issue of "Music and Musicians", where you wrote the word Cong as "■".It should be noted that the last stroke cannot be prolonged, because in cursive script, "一" or "■" can represent the word "heart", and you can only write it as "■" or "■".The last stroke can reveal some aftermath of strokes, such as "■" or "■", but it must not be too much leftover, which becomes a foot dragging down.Please pay attention.

Your previous views on British critics were too harsh.Good critics are as rare as good performers; most can only be mediocre "professional critics".But a few of the reviews that were sent back were really on point.For example, "New Light from the East" (New Light from the East) written by JH Elliot [Elliot] on the Manchester Guardian ["Manchester Guardian"] on May 7 said that you do not fully accept Western music traditions, And there is a fresh and unprecedented point of view.He also said that when you leave the Western tradition, you always replace it with something better; and even the strictest defenders of Western culture do not feel that there is something "perverse" or "absurd" in your departure from the Western tradition, showing off your novelty. .This is a real understanding of your characteristics.If you can express Western music with Eastern thoughts and feelings, and still be accepted by the strictest Western defenders, it means that you have indeed made some new contributions to Western music.I am very happy for it.Not to mention that this is also one of the manifestations of the dominance of the east wind over the west wind, and it is the responsibility that Chinese artists should fulfill to world culture; only artists of different races can instill When some new blood enters, the world's culture will become richer, more perfect, and more brilliant.Hope you continue on this path!There is also a review written by Allan Biggs on the Hastings Observer ["Hastings Observer"] on January 2, which shows that he was sincerely moved and wrote it, and there is no void in the whole text Praise, pointing out the advantages everywhere.It seems that he is a very old man, because he said that among the thousands of pianists he has heard in his life, there are only two, Pachmann [Pikeman] ① and Moiseiwitsch [Moisei Witsch] ②, and there are pianists like you charm. Pach-mann has been dead for so many years, and he has heard "thousands" of pianists, so he must be an old man.The review on your record is also well written.

The Chinese to be written is not Westernized, only more writing.When writing, you must make a draft and revise it carefully.There is no other way.In particular, tick out the words that are optional or not. It is of course comforting for us to be able to make a living in a foreign country without running through the doors of the rich and powerful.I believe you will persevere. This arrogance is also one of the most beautiful traditions of Chinese artists, and it is worth setting an example for the West.But don't forget an old saying: after the cold season, you will know the tone of the pines and cypresses; you have not passed the test of "the cold season", you have to be vigilant to yourself!Everything is precious!Do take care of it!

August 29, 1960 Dear children, the good news reported on August 20 has filled our hearts with unspeakable joy and excitement. You have embarked on a new stage in your life journey and started to take on new responsibilities. We would like to congratulate you, bless you, and encourage you.I hope you will learn the most profound lesson in the art of life with the same perseverance, confidence, and piety as you do with the art of music.May you be as successful in this art as you are in the musical art!Whenever any problem or distress arises, ask one or two honest and experienced middle-aged and elderly people for advice at any time (you have been in London for a year and eight months, you should have such an old friend, right?) Think carefully, and then make a decision. Don't just act on impulse: as long as you can do these things, we will be at ease.

The requirements for a life partner, just like the requirements for everything in life, should not be too strict.There are always positive and negative sides to things: if you chase you too urgently, you feel that the burden is heavy; Meek people can sometimes appear cowardly, strong and almost authoritarian.Too many fantasies are unrealistic, and the capable housekeeper's wife feels tacky.Where are the people who have only strengths but no weaknesses?Is there any perfect person or thing in the world?Ask yourself, how perfect is yourself?You must have considered this type of question more than once.I think the most important thing is the essential kindness, the kindness of nature, and the open mind.With these three things, others can be cultivated gradually; and with these three things, even big or small disturbances in the future will not turn into tragedies.Being an artist's wife is harder than being anyone's wife; if you don't understand this in advance, even if you know "too strict with others and too lenient with yourself", it is not easy to learn to be wise, considerate, and tolerant.As long as you can solve the trivial matters of life for you, and at the same time you are interested in your career, you don't have to expect extravagant studies on learning, etc. for the time being, it depends on your life after marriage.Both sides should first learn mutual respect, understanding and tolerance.

① Pikeman (1848-1933), Russian pianist. ② Moisevic (1890-1963), British-Russian pianist. It is dangerous for the other party to regard you as her whole world, but it is also very precious!Now that you have noticed it, you will definitely wake her up slowly; it is better to insinuate rather than raise it directly, and make her feel that it is to maintain her independence of personality and expand her worldview.If you have already thought of Olivier's story, tell her to read the book once or twice, paying special attention to that episode.Love, love, love, like Jacqueline! [Love, love, love! ] is just a character in a fairy tale. In the real world, not only can she not get love, she can't even live a life, because she knows nothing, has nothing, and loves nothing except love.How can such a narrow paradise look like a world!How can such a one-sided outlook on life lead to happiness!Regardless of men or women, only by focusing on career, learning, and art, and putting aside the small ego as much as possible, can we be happy and feel that life is meaningful.Inexperienced girls often have absurd dreams, thinking that the emotional climax during the love period can also be maintained after marriage.

This is a delusion that violates the laws of nature.There is an old saying, "The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water"; there is another saying, "Husband and wife respect each other like guests."It can be seen that only calm, reserved, and gentle feelings can last; the meaning of another sentence is that the husband and wife are completely a relationship of confidantes and friends, which is what we call lifelong partners.Both parties can deeply understand this point before they get married, which will lay the most reliable foundation for the future and avoid many unnecessary misunderstandings and pains.

You are a person who lives by artistic power, and you are also a person who regards truth, justice, personality, etc. above all else, and a person who enjoys work; I don’t need to babble, I think you have already expressed these beliefs, And I tried my best to instill in the opponent.I just want to remind you a few points: -- First, the most powerful argument in the world is practical action, and the most effective education is to lead by example; don't ask others for what you can't do; criticize yourself first if you have to make mistakes , change your own first. ——Second, never forget the many excessive mistakes I made when educating you.If my past mistakes could save you from the same mistakes, my guilt would be lessened; and your sufferings will not be in vain if you do not inflict them on others.In general, even if you teach others, don't give people the feeling of "being a good teacher". Honorina, do you still remember the novella by Balzac?Most of the misfortunes are self-inflicted, and a small part is also because her husband's attitude of educating her has hurt her self-esteem.Anyone who has an unhappy childhood is particularly vulnerable (there are some who have been trained to be extremely strong, but only a few), and are extremely sensitive. If you think back to yourself, you will know how to deal with your lover delicately [gentle], how to 6iscreet [cautious] . I believe that you take love issues more seriously and seriously than before; in this period of trial, I hope you will treat everything with a more serious attitude, especially to cultivate a loyal, solemn and reverent attitude towards the responsibilities after marriage ! September 7, 1960 (translated from English) Dear Mira: ??Man is insignificant in the universe and cannot help himself, but to others, he is mysterious and has his own way.Therefore, it is quite difficult to understand a person thoroughly, and it is even more difficult to add differences in race, religion, culture and political background.Therefore, we think it is indeed wise for the two of you to decide to be engaged for a period of time in order to get to know each other well, especially the other's character. (But it's not good to prolong the "engagement" period, which we will explain to you later.) I think there is another important thing during the engagement period, which is to be fully prepared to understand reality and face reality.The reality is very different from what the pure hearts of young people imagined.Life is not only full of unforeseeable struggles, but it also contains a myriad of everyday chores, perhaps even more unbearable. Because this kind of trouble seems so small, so trivial, and often has no reason, it is hard to guard against.A husband and wife can only be safe on the journey of life if they have a thorough understanding, wholehearted tolerance, constant forbearance, sincere and unswerving feelings, consistent views on life, and common lofty ideals and beliefs. Overcome big and small storms and become Qin Se's harmonious life partner. October 21, 1960 (translated from English) Dear Mira: It seems that you have already cultivated quite a lot of literature and don't need any guidance. I just want to recommend a few books. I hope you can learn from them after reading them, especially in the art of life. . Moroa: One, "Love and Sacrifice"; Second, "Five Big Questions in Life". (Both are Grasse editions) Balzac: 1, "Memories of Two Bridesmaids"; Two, "Honorina" (usually combined with two other stories, "Colonel Chabe" and "Interdiction"). Because you are very interested in all arts, you can read Danner's "Philosophy of Art" (published by Hachette, a total of two volumes).This book not only provides scientific insights on aesthetics (there are many aesthetic theories, but this theory is extremely useful), but also is a general theory of art history. It is not in the form of a general textbook, but points out the main trend of art development with profound and profound insights.I translated this book in 1958 and 1959, but it has not yet been published. I will send it to you immediately after it is published. You have probably finished reading John Christophe by now, right? (You read the French version, don't you?) This book is an epic of intellectual circles from 1870 to 1910, and I believe it will inspire you a lot.Judging from Cong's letters—although there are very few in them and only casual observations—the Western art and intellectual world has not changed much since the time of Christophe: honesty, diligence, Creative young people still have to go through the same ordeal, and I myself have not yet passed through the last stage of Christophe: as a radical skeptic, I used to fight against all forms of idols in my youth. , and deeply influenced by traditional Chinese philosophy and morality, I have experienced incomparable difficulties and endless pains to adapt to this era of faith.Do you remember all the conflicts between old Christophe and Olivier's son, young Georges? (In the third part of "Fudan") This is the tragedy of those who have experienced the turmoil of the great era.There are certain fragments in the book, and after re-reading, Cong may have a new experience.On the other hand, like Gottfried.Modesto, Professor Suz, Olivier, Jacqueline, Emmanuel, Grazia, and many others still live around you in Europe today. Of course, after reading this classic masterpiece, we cannot discuss all kinds of emotions, problems, and thoughts that arouse in this letter, but I believe that after reading this book, your vision will be expanded a lot , you will definitely start to pay attention to people and deeds that you have never noticed before. ??Your venerable father must also understand my feelings, because he wrote to me and described the situation of Cong's concert in detail.It makes me very happy to know that Satoshi can control his enthusiasm with a strong will, which is what I have always expected from him.Since this was told to me by an artist-critic like your father, of course it is extremely credible.There is nothing more sublime than poetic inspiration and passion expressed in perfect form.This is the consistent ideal of classicism.For Cong's happiness, I cannot but hope that he will sooner or later achieve a state of harmony and balance in the art of life as in the art of music.