Moscow Rocks
ALAN NAFZGER’s Moscow Rocks
Moscow Rocks – Pecan Street Press
Lubbock ● Austin ● Fort Worth
Moscow Rocks is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2016 Alan Nafzger
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 9781072030546
RUSSIAN TELEVISION PILOT
“MOSCOW ROCKS”
By Alan Nafzger
TITLE CREDITS
MOSCOW ROCKS
There are a series of old black and white photos mostly from the late 1990s. They are of young girls with musical instruments. They are childhood photos of a seven member all girl rock band that is about to form in Moscow.
Then there is a photo or two of a young boy sitting at his first P.C. This is the new band’s sound man and technician.
Moscow Rocks
Finally as the credits end there is an array of photos of Stanislav Tchaikovsky.
Moscow Rocks
Tchaikovsky (V.O.)
This is me. I’m Stanislav Tchaikovsky.
Moscow Rocks
We see old photos of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
Moscow Rocks
Tchaikovsky (V.O.)
This is my great-great-great-grandfather, Pyotr Tchaikovsky.
Moscow Rocks
We see old photos of a woman concert pianist.
Moscow Rocks
Tchaikovsky (V.O.)
This is my mother.
We see old photos of a male composer.
Tchaikovsky (V.O.)
This is my father.
We see contemporary photos of a male conductor.
Tchaikovsky (V.O.)
This is my brother. Ludwig Tchaikovsky. Big freaking deal he works for the Bolshoi.
We see a rapid succession of historic to modern musical figures. There are about ten that flash and give us the impression this is a musical family.
Tchaikovsky (V.O.)
In fact I’m from a very talented family. Unfortunately I was expelled from music school for beating my instructor and throwing him from the window onto the street. Perhaps is wasn’t entirely that; it might simply be that I had no talent for music.
We see one final photo – Stanislav Tchaikovsky’s official photograph as Director of the FSB. Stanislav Tchaikovsky is the villain of our series.
CUT TO…
INT. Lubyanka Building – OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Stanislav Tchaikovsky is on the phone with his director of counter-terrorism. From his office, he is watching a protest live on television.
Tchaikovsky
Shot them!
(pause)
No, you shot them and its over.
EXT. MOSCOW SIDEWALK — Museum of Power ART gallery
Police are seizing paintings of Russia’s president and prime minister and FSB director in women’s lingerie from an art gallery. There is an angry mob protesting. FSB counter-terrorism investigator, Vitaly Mironov, is there. However he is not assertive and isn’t the typical FSB employee. He is diplomatic and sensitive. He is single.
Vitaly Mironov
(to the angry mob)
Yes, I agree it is a satirical display and technically art. But my boss says they break several laws.
His phone rings. He anwswers. The crowd quiets politely so he can speak on the phone.
Vitaly Mironov
Yes, boss.
(pause)
Seriously?
(pause)
Okay I will tell them.
Evidently Tchaikovsky hung up without saying goodbye. Mironov puts the phone up and the crowd gets louder.
The officers remove a picture of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, his torso covered in tattoos.
Vitaly Mironov speaks to the crowd in a soft but understandable voice.
Vitaly Mironov
That was my boss. He wants me to shot you. I guess you better go home now?
The protesting Russians pause. They think about it and then matter-of-factly go home.
Vitaly Mironov seems pleased with his people skills. But then is disgusted when he turns to look at perhaps 10 or 12 paintings that have been confiscated on put on a truck.
EXT. MOSCOW MUSIC SCHOOL – NIGHT
Fausta is in all black and she appears to be a cat burglar. She is creeping along the roof wants to repeal down a rope into the side of the building and then enter quietly. She miscalculates and flies into a window.
INT. MOSCOW MUSIC SCHOOL – NIGHT
It happens to be the window to the office of the administrator who expelled her from the school ten years before. Glass breaks and alarms are sounding. She takes out her flashlight and begins to go through his files… she finds her file and removes a paper, “The Sounds of Moscow”. This is the paper and sheet music she was expelled over.
One police car arrives and Fausta throws a trumpet and a trombone out the window at them; the police duck for cover.
A second police car arrives and Fausta throws a French horn and a snare drum at them. They also dive for cover.
A third police care arrives and Fausta throws a big bass drum and a tuba out the window. As police can’t enter the locked building; Fausta runs downstairs and exits out the back. She runs down the alley with is paper.
The next morning…
EXT. MOSCOW MUSIC SCHOOL – DAY
Vitaly Mironov is assigned the case. He slows as he approaches the building looking at the musical instruments out on the sidewalk. One of the badly dented police cars is still there. Mironov looks up at the open window.
INT. MOSCOW MUSIC SCHOOL OFFICE – DAY
Vitaly Mironov is greeted at the crime scene by the school administrator.
Vitaly Mironov
Hello. I’m Vitaly Mironov, FSB counter-terrorism.
ADMINISTRATOR
Terrorism?
Vitaly Mironov
You don’t know my boss. Any case about music gets his attention.
ADMINISTRATOR
Oh I see.
(pause)
Well, that is good.
The office is trashed. The secretary is straightening things up.
Vitaly Mironov
What happened here?
ADMINISTRATOR
Well it is more serious than someone playing the wrong key. Someone stole a file…
SECRETARY
Not the entire file… just a paper and the sheet music.
Vitaly Mironov
Why?
SECRETARY
Fausta.
ADMINISTRATOR
Oh my.
(pause)
A troubled former student.
(pause)
She wanted to mix everyday sounds… drills, knives and forks clanking on plates, dogs barking, car horns into music.
Vitaly Mironov
What did you do?
ADMINISTRATOR
We expelled her, of course.
Vitaly Mironov
Why? She was only a child.
ADMINISTRATOR
Seventeen! A child prodigy ruined by modern ideas. A shame.
The SECRETARY hands Mironov the file. There is a photo inside and her grades.
Vitaly Mironov
Quite attractive. Almost perfect grades.
ADMINISTRATOR
She tortured us with her innovations. She created music with baby pacifiers. Bear ejaculations. And dogs she trained to bark on key.
Vitaly Mironov
What is wrong with that?
ADMINISTRATOR
She was a disgrace to this establishment. It took us years to build our reputation back up.
Mironov is already in love with the woman. He photo and her artistic flare. He clearly doesn’t like the administrator. But he is professional and doesn’t allow it to show.
Vitaly Mironov
Do you have any of her work?
ADMINISTRATOR
No. That is what she stole.
Vitaly Mironov
That is what someone stole.
(pause)
What instrument did she play?
ADMINISTRATOR
All of them of course.
Vitaly Mironov
Thank you.
ADMINISTRATOR
Your boss is Stanislav Tchaikovsky? Is he any kin to Ludwig Tchaikovsky, the Bolshoi conductor?
Vitaly Mironov
Yes. They are brothers.
ADMINISTRATOR
That explains the interest in music. He must be very proud of his brother.
Vitaly Mironov
He hates his brother.
ADMINISTRATOR
Your boss plays an instrument?
Vitaly Mironov
No.
ADMINISTRATOR
Well, we can’t all be musicians. It takes talent and disipline.
Vitaly Mironov
He hates musicians.
MOSCOW Music – Moscow Rocks
Moscow (/ˈmɒskoʊ/ MOS-koh, US chiefly /ˈmɒskaʊ/ MOS-kow;[10][11] Russian: Москва, tr. Moskva, IPA: [mɐˈskva] (audio speaker iconlisten)) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 12.4 million residents within the city limits,[12] over 17 million residents in the urban area,[13] and over 20 million residents in the metropolitan area.[14] The city covers an area of 2,511 square kilometres (970 sq mi), while the urban area covers 5,891 square kilometres (2,275 sq mi),[13] and the metropolitan area covers over 26,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi).[14] Moscow is among the world’s largest cities; being the most populous city entirely in Europe, the largest urban and metropolitan area in Europe,[13][14] and the largest city by land area on the European continent.[15]
First documented in 1147, Moscow grew to become a prosperous and powerful city that served as the capital of the Grand Duchy that bears its namesake. When the Grand Duchy of Moscow evolved into the Tsardom of Russia, Moscow still remained as the political and economic center for most of the Tsardom’s history. When the Tsardom was reformed into the Russian Empire, the capital was moved from Moscow to Saint Petersburg diminishing the influence of the city. The capital was then moved back to Moscow following the October Revolution and the city was brought back as the political centre of the Russian SFSR and then the Soviet Union.[16] In the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Moscow remained as the capital city of the contemporary and newly established Russian Federation.
The northernmost and coldest megacity in the world, with a history that spans eight centuries, Moscow is governed as a federal city (since 1993)[17] that serves as the political, economic, cultural, and scientific centre of Russia and Eastern Europe. As an alpha world city,[18] Moscow has one of the world’s largest urban economies.[19] The city is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world,[20] and is one of Europe’s most visited cities. Moscow is home to the fourth-highest number of billionaires of any city in the world,[21] and has the highest number of billionaires of any city in Europe. The Moscow International Business Center is one of the largest financial centres in Europe and the world, and features some of Europe’s tallest skyscrapers. Moscow was the host city of the 1980 Summer Olympics, and one of the host cities of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[22]
As the historic core of Russia, Moscow serves as the home of numerous Russian artists, scientists, and sports figures due to the presence of its various museums, academic and political institutions, and theatres. The city is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and is well known for its display of Russian architecture, particularly its historic Red Square, and buildings such as the Saint Basil’s Cathedral and the Moscow Kremlin, of which the latter serves as the seat of power of the Government of Russia. Moscow is home to many Russian companies in numerous industries and is served by a comprehensive transit network, which includes four international airports, nine railway terminals, a tram system, a monorail system, and most notably the Moscow Metro, the busiest metro system in Europe, and one of the largest rapid transit systems in the world. The city has over 40 percent of its territory covered by greenery, making it one of the greenest cities in Europe and the world.[15][23]
Rock Music of Russia
Music of Russia denotes music produced from Russia and/or by Russians. Russia is a large and culturally diverse country, with many ethnic groups, each with their own locally developed music. Russian music also includes significant contributions from ethnic minorities, who populated the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union and modern-day Russia.
Russian music went through a long history, beginning from ritual folk songs and the sacred music of the Russian Orthodox Church. The 19th century saw the rise of highly acclaimed Russian classical music, and in the 20th century major contributions by various composers such as Igor Stravinsky as well as Soviet composers, while the modern styles of Russian popular music developed, including Russian rock, Russian hip hop and Russian pop.
Russian pop music is well developed, and enjoys mainstream success via pop music media such as MTV Russia, Muz TV and various radio stations. Right after the fall of the Iron Wall, artists, like Christian Ray, took an active political stance, supporting the first president Boris Yeltsin. A number of pop artists have broken through in recent years. The Russian duet t.A.T.u. is the most successful Russian pop band of its time. They have reached number one in many countries around the world with several of their singles and albums. Other popular artists include the Eurovision 2008 winner Dima Bilan, as well as Valery Meladze, Grigory Leps, VIA Gra, Nyusha, Vintage, Philipp Kirkorov, Vitas and Alsou. Music producers like Igor Krutoy, Maxim Fadeev, Ivan Shapovalov,[16] Igor Matvienko, and Konstantin Meladze control a major share of Russia’s pop music market, in some ways continuing the Soviet style of artist management. On the other side, some independent acts such as Neoclubber use new-era promo tools[17] to avoid these old-fashioned Soviet ways of reaching their fans.[18] Russian girl trio Serebro are one of the most popular Russian acts to dominate charts outside of the European market. The group’s most known single “Mama Lover” placed in the US Billboard Charts, becoming the first Russian act to chart since t.A.T.u.’s single ” All About Us”.[19]
Russian production companies, such as Hollywood World,[20] have collaborated with western music stars, creating a new, more globalized space for music.
The rock music scene has gradually evolved from the united movement into several different subgenres similar to those found in the West. There are youth pop rock and alternative rock (Mumiy Troll, Zemfira, Splean, Bi-2, Zveri). There are also punk rock, ska and grunge (Korol i Shut, Pilot, Leningrad, Distemper, Elisium). The heavy metal scene has grown substantially, with new bands playing power and progressive metal (Catharsis, Epidemia, Shadow Host, Mechanical Poet), and pagan metal (Arkona, Butterfly Temple, Temnozor).[21]
Rock music media has become prevalent in modern Russia. The most notable is Nashe Radio, which promotes classic rock and pop punk. Its Chart Dozen (Чартова дюжина) is the main rock chart in Russia,[22] and its Nashestvie rock festival attracts around 100,000 fans annually and was dubbed “Russian Woodstock” by the media.[23] Others include A-One TV channel, specializing in alternative music and hardcore. It has promoted bands like Amatory, Tracktor Bowling and Slot, and has awarded many of them with its Russian Alternative Music Prize.[citation needed] Radio Maximum broadcasts both Russian and western modern pop and rock.
Other types of music include folk rock (Melnitsa), trip hop (Linda) and reggae (Jah Division). Hip hop/rap is represented by Bad Balance, Kasta, Ligalize, Mnogotochie, KREC and others. An experimental rapcore scene is headlined by Dolphin and Kirpichi, while Moscow Death Brigade is a relevant techno /rap/punk band, well known for its stance against racism, sexism and homophobia. Other bands like Syberian Meat Grinder shares an experimental style of music.
A specific, exclusively Russian kind of music has emerged, which mixes criminal songs, bard and romance music. It is labelled “Russian chanson” (a neologism popularized by its main promoter, Radio Chanson). Its main artists include Mikhail Krug, Mikhail Shufutinsky, and Alexander Rosenbaum. With lyrics about daily life and society, and frequent romanticisation of the criminal underworld, chanson is especially popular among adult males of the lower social class.
Electronic music in modern Russia is underdeveloped in comparison to other genres. This is mostly due to a lack of promotion.[26] There are some independent underground acts performing IDM, downtempo, house, trance and dark psytrance (including tracker music scene), and broadcasting their work via internet radio. They include Parasense, Fungus Funk, Kindzadza, Lesnikov-16, Yolochnye Igrushki, Messer Für Frau Müller and Zedd (Russian-German artist). Of the few artists that have broken through to the mainstream media, there are PPK[27] and DJ Groove,[28] that exploit Soviet movie soundtracks for their dance remixes. In the 2000s the Darkwave and Industrial scene, closely related to Goth subculture, has become prevalent, with such artists as Dvar, Otto Dix, Stillife, Theodor Bastard, Roman Rain, Shmeli and Biopsychoz. Hardbass, an offshoot of UK Hard House originating in Russia in the late 1990s, has spread internationally via the internet, with acts such as DJ Blyatman, Hard Bass School, & XS Project amassing significant followings.
The profile of classical or concert hall music has to a considerable degree been eclipsed by on one hand the rise of commercial popular music in Russia, and on the other its own lack of promotion since the collapse of the USSR.[29] Yet a number of composers born in the 1950s and later have made some impact, notably Leonid Desyatnikov, who became the first composer in decades to have a new opera commissioned by the Bolshoi Theatre (The Children of Rosenthal, 2005), and whose music has been championed by Gidon Kremer and Roman Mints. Meanwhile, Gubaidulina, amongst several former-Soviet composers of her generation, continues to maintain a high profile outside Russia composing several prestigious and well-received works including “In tempus praesens” (2007) for the violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter.
The early 2000s saw a boom of musicals in Russia. Notre-Dame de Paris, Nord-Ost, Roméo et Juliette, and We Will Rock You were constantly performed in Moscow theatres at the time. The popularity of musicals was hampered by the 2002 Moscow theater hostage crisis and was only revived at the end of the decade.
2010s saw the rise of popularity of Russian hip hop, especially rap battles on the internet by artists like Oxxxymiron and Gnoyny, among others.
Ethnic roots Russian music – Moscow Rocks
Russia today is a multi-ethnic state with over 100 ethnicities living under one flag. Some of these ethnic groups has their own indigenous folk, sacred and in some cases art music, which can loosely be categorized together under the guise of ethnic roots music, or folk music. This category can further be broken down into folkloric (modern adaptations of folk material, and authentic presentations of ethnic music).