sovbooks Chapter 37: Heroes Compete for Supremacy, High Scores Continue
Chapter 37: Heroes Compete for Supremacy, High Scores Continue
CCTV studio, 8 p.m.
All the lights suddenly went out, leaving only a few spotlights that shone precisely on the center of the stage.
The hundreds of people present fell silent instantly.
Under the brightest beam of light, host Liu Lu walked out steadily.
She wore a pure white suit skirt, with an exquisite gold phoenix brooch pinned to her collar, and her makeup was dignified and elegant.
He held the silver microphone with the CCTV logo on it in his hand.
After she stood still, her gaze sharpened as she swept over the dark mass of audience members below the stage and the conspicuously prominent judges' seat in front of her.
He wore a friendly smile.
She didn't speak immediately, but let the silence linger for two seconds, firmly capturing everyone's attention.
Then, her voice resounded throughout the venue through the sound system:
"Distinguished guests, dear viewers, good evening. This is CCTV, the final of the 5th National Young Singers Television Grand Prix."
She turned slightly to the side, and on the huge screen behind her, flowing images of rolling mountains, ethnic songs and dances began to appear.
How many types of music are there in China?
She posed her first question in a deep, resonant voice, as if she were questioning history.
Then he asked and answered himself:
"There are folk songs in the Book of Songs that have been sung for two thousand years; they are the rhythm in our blood."
There are 56 ethnic groups, singing their songs amidst mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, sand, and ice—a tapestry of the land's bounty.
Chinese music has always held an unchanging global perspective.
Bel canto, a seed from a foreign land, fell into the soil of the East and blossomed into a unique charm belonging to China.
"No matter the era, pleasing sound is the eternal gold standard for music. Only pleasing sound can make music popular; only popular music can endure; and only what endures can become classics of the era, ultimately being recorded in the millennia-long annals of Chinese music!"
"Tonight is the time for this music library to search for new voices. This is the stage for the finals of the 5th CCTV Young Singers Television Grand Prix. We have not only gathered the best young singers in the country, but we are also honored to invite a judging panel that represents the highest level of Chinese music art."
Then the music became grand, the lights blazed on, and the camera panned to the judges' panel.
Liu Lu's voice was clear and respectful as she introduced each item:
"Welcome to the pillars of China's art landscape!"
The National Centre for the Performing Arts, where the grand chapters of our times are performed.
The China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater, which composes epic poems for the nation.
The China Oriental Performing Arts Group showcases the charm of Chinese culture.
The China National Symphony Orchestra, playing a powerful melody of a prosperous era.
The Chinese Musicians Association, which leads the development of music.
The Central Nationalities Song and Dance Ensemble, which carries on diverse cultural traditions.
The Kyoto Opera and Dance Theatre, showcasing the splendor of the capital.
Each name pronounced represents an authoritative endorsement from a national-level art institution.
Then, she spoke faster, as if reciting a familiar story:
"At the same time, we also welcome the cradles of dreams that have nurtured countless musical talents: the Central Conservatory of Music, the China Conservatory of Music, the Central Academy of Drama..."
These names symbolize the entire pyramid of Chinese music education.
"Tonight, 30 of the most outstanding young singers have made it to this final stage after going through layers of selection across the country."
Liu Lu's voice suddenly rose in pitch, full of tension.
"But ultimately, only five people can lift the gold medal trophy!"
Who will win the sole gold medal in each of the professional and amateur categories for bel canto, popular and folk music?
She paused, her gaze sharp as she swept across the camera: "Let's wait and see!"
Backstage, Lin Hanjiang, Zhang Ye, and Zu Hai, who were watching the scene through a small monitor, were all stunned at the same time.
Their teacher also came; he was a judge for the folk singing category.
"Teacher Jin!" Zu Hai covered his mouth and exclaimed softly.
"Is this the surprise the teacher mentioned at noon?" Zhang Ye's eyes widened as he looked at Lin Hanjiang.
Lin Hanjiang was deeply shaken.
The teacher's casually mentioned surprise at noon carried such weight.
Jin Tielin personally sat on the judges' panel during the finals to cheer him on.
There were also a few familiar judges for the folk singing category.
Li Shuangjiang, a renowned tenor whose songs have resonated with a generation.
Representative works include "The Red Star Guides Me to Battle" and "I Love Wuzhishan, I Love Wanquan River".
The famous soprano singer, whose voice accompanied the country's gradual prosperity, is Teacher Li Guyi.
Representative works include "Hometown Love", "Unforgettable Tonight", and "My Motherland and I".
On stage, the competition officially began.
The first event was the final round of the bel canto singing category.
Magnificent arias and art songs echoed through the studio, showcasing the contestants' superb skills and fierce competition.
In the end, Lu Liping won the gold medal in the bel canto category with a high score of 9.435 for his song "River of Love".
There was thunderous applause.
Next up was the highly anticipated final of the professional popular singing category.
Liu Lu went on stage again:
"Next up is the competition for the popular singing category in the professional group. First up is Chen Hong, a singer selected by the Naval Political Department Song and Dance Troupe. She will be performing the song 'Football, a Girl's First Love' for us."
The music began, its melody stirring and full of hope.
At that time, football was still something that excited the nation.
Chen Hong, dressed in a pale yellow dress, stood in the center of the stage, her voice high-pitched and passionate, delivering a sincere and moving rendition of a song that looked forward to the future of football.
After the performance, the judges gave their comments, and then the scores were revealed.
Final score: 9.406 points.
A pretty good opening score.
……
After several contestants finished their performances, Jiang Tao and Mao Ning were left.
"Next up is Jiang Tao, a singer selected by Qingdao TV, who will be performing 'Snow in My Hometown'," Liu Lu announced.
This song was specially composed for Jiang Tao by his mentor, Mr. Fu Lin, for this competition.
Jiang Tao, wearing his stylish leather jacket, strode onto the stage, bowed to the judges and audience, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath.
The prelude is a melody tinged with a touch of nostalgia.
Having witnessed so many vicissitudes of life, how can we not look back?
Having experienced so many foreign landscapes, how can one not look back?
How many times have I grasped the reins of dreams, pulling the plow soaring across the ice?
……
May the snow of my hometown freeze over my doors and windows.
I'd rather it hit my face again.
……
Jiang Tao's singing voice rang out, high-pitched and affectionate, full of longing for his hometown and pride, perfectly blending the northern snow and the feelings of a patriot.
The performance was so captivating that you could even see some judges in the audience nodding slightly.
Final score: 9.455 points!
Highest score so far!
Backstage, the contestants, looking at their scores, let out a murmur of surprise.
Jiang Tao himself clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth in the background.
This score is significantly higher than his semi-final result, so he should have a good chance of winning first place.
"The last one to appear is..." Liu Lu's voice carried a hint of suspense, "Mao Ning, a singer selected by Guangdong TV, who will be singing 'Annie in My Heart'."
Mao Ning appeared amidst enthusiastic applause and expectant gazes.
His bright silver suit shone brightly in the center of the stage; with his stylish hairstyle and handsome face, he already had the aura of a star.
I wonder when I'll be able to see you again.
[Anne in my heart.]
When the autumn wind blows and the leaves fall to the ground.
I'm still calling out to you silently.
Perhaps I've seen you before.
[Anne in my heart.]
……
The music is typical of early 1990s pop love songs, with a smooth and catchy melody.
Mao Ning's singing was deeply moving, with steady breath control and effortless grace, clearly demonstrating his status as a seasoned singer who has been tested by the market.
He also added a gentle dance move in the middle of the song, which drew cheers from the young audience.
The applause was exceptionally enthusiastic when the performance ended.
The judges whispered among themselves, and their discussion seemed to last longer than that of the first two judges.
The final score was 9.450.
He was only 0.005 points behind Jiang Tao!
"Wow!"
The scene erupted in uproar.
Such a tiny difference!
Jiang Tao ranked first in the popular singing category of the professional group with an almost negligible advantage!
When Mao Ning saw the score on stage, his perfect smile faltered slightly.
Unexpectedly, they missed the gold medal by just 0.005 points.
But he quickly recovered, gracefully bowing to the judges and audience to express his gratitude, though his steps seemed a little slower as he walked off the stage than when he went on.
The atmosphere backstage became even more subtle.
Jiang Tao breathed a sigh of relief and shook hands with those who congratulated him.
Lin Hanjiang, Zhang Ye, and Zu Hai also went over to congratulate him.
Congratulations! Congratulations!
"We won the gold medal! That's an incredible honor!"
"They could be on this year's Spring Festival Gala."
……
When Mao Ning returned backstage, he was surrounded by several people who comforted him. He smiled and said, "It's a competition, it's normal."
But the resentment on his face was still evident.
Who could be happy about being a few points short?
The fierce competition in the popular singing category completely ignited the atmosphere at the scene.
This made the contestants in the upcoming folk singing final even more nervous.
The competition for both professional and amateur popular singing categories has concluded.
Liu Lu's voice rang out again, clearly igniting the next battleground:
"Thank you to the popular singing contestants for their wonderful performances. Now, let's move on to the finals of the amateur folk singing category!"
"First, please welcome our first contestant, from the General Political Department Song and Dance Troupe..."