Classical Music | Cello Music

Recorded on 09/28/2010, uploaded on 09/28/2010

Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Jan Valta (1977): Fulcanelli -- Sinfonia concertante for cello and symphony orchestra Movement III world premiere,
Krystof Lecian-violoncello solo, Jan Valta- conductor, Pilsner Philharmonic Orchestra, www.christopherlecian.com, www.projectfulcanelli.com

For events in the third movement, see the screenplay with timecodes:



[Beginning] It is now the 30th April and a Walpurgis Night is beginning; the natural world is confronting the powers of the supernatural. The young man can't imagine undertaking the whole process again. The enormity is too great to comprehend. Therefore, in desperation at what to do, the young man runs away from the alchemist's workshop. Restless and tortured, he wanders through the streets, aimlessly.

Finally, he knows what he has to do: he walks to the Bridge of Suiciders.



[3:11] The night grows darker; the young man leans on the balustrade. Cars pass by and heavy rain chills the atmosphere. He summons all his mental courage and climbs the balustrade. He looks back for one last time.



[3:48] Suddenly, the alchemist appears behind him.

Face to face, they stare at each other; the young man trembling and soaking wet; watches raindrops evaporate silently over alchemist's head.



[4:12] Then, the alchemist raises his hands and speaks a few words in a low voice. Cars miraculously vanish and street lights darken. Clouds disperse and stars appear in the sky. Time stops. A long curtain spreads over the horizon and images start to form. The alchemist now relates his own story.



[4:34] In ancient times, the alchemist also loved a girl. He too had to make a decision between the Stone and Love. He chose the path of the Stone - and gained immortality and wealth. He achieved its creation.



[6:15] At last, the alchemist reveals his true identity. He is the Master of Masters, the Grand Fulcanelli.



[6:39] He finishes telling the apprentice his story. He mounts his machine and with supernatural speed he leaves, heading for the horizon. The curtain of heavens rips apart creating myriads of glowing sparkles, which then disappear in the night wind. Street lamps spring into light again, the vanished cars re-appear on the bridge, drivers blow their car-horns. Time is moving again.



[7:00] The young man finds himself in the middle of the bridge: he has no Stone, he has neither girl nor child and now he is without a Master. Step-by-step, he slowly moves to the house of his love.



[7:45] He goes to his girlfriend's house. He looks up to her window, longing to see her, and to talk with her. However, his better judgment knows that she won't want to see him.



[8:05] So he goes to the only place on earth where he can still live: the alchemist's workshop. He sits down at his table and retrieves from a hiding place the only remaining photograph of her he possesses, the only one he hasn't destroyed six months ago. He feels empty, his life ended.

Sunrise.



[9:16] Suddenly, a shadow appears on the wall before him. He slowly turns his head. In the doorway stands the girl. Without a word, they look at each other. The girl ventures a bit closer. His glance moves away from her face. The girl is full with child, she has kept their baby.

(Creating the Stone is dependent upon good light. As they cling to each other, a morning sunbeam passes through the girl's hair and reaches the cold motionless retort on the table. The material inside activates coming back to life, changing its colour to a bright shining red; the transmutation is finished. Neither he nor she mentions it.)



[10:58] The couple leave the alchemist's workshop. The young man puts his sweater around the girl's shoulders - in the early May morning, it is still chilly. Huddling close together they enter the street.



[11:36] At the corner, the young man once again looks back. In his long black coat, Fulcanelli stands in the middle of the street. The alchemist and his apprentice look at one another. The alchemist slowly nods smiling imperceptibly - his part in the young man's life has been accomplished. The young man understands that his child will become his Philosopher's Stone, a new Magnum Opus; for a child means an infinite wealth; and in children lie our immortality.



The young pair leave. Fulcanelli, with the Philosopher's Stone beating in his hand, departs in the opposite direction.



[12:13] Coda (credits)