Copyright – Björn Rudberg
The run-down bar in the St. Petersburg is nearly deserted, apart from some late night music enthusiasts.
“You play well lad”, Vladimir quips keeping his lute down.
“Nothing compared to what you played just now” the guy replies. “Whose composition?
“Would you believe if I said it’s mine?”
“Why not, you can mint money with it. With my lyrics – we name it ‘City of Gold’!”
“Don’t be silly. Nobody knows Vladimir Vavilov. And Vladimir doesn’t need money. Music is enough to fill my tummy. If you really want to make money with this – you tell them its “Сanzona by Francesco da Milano”.
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And that was the name world came to know the composition – “City of Gold”. It was an instant hit. But Vladimir never reaped the popularity. He was consumed by cancer of pancreas a month before it was released. Like most of his composition he attributed this composition to Italian great de Milano. The composition again garnered popularity after the rock band Aquarium released it in 1987. It was only in 2000 when the world came to know about Vladimir and his compositions – “City of Gold”.
This 100 word Flash Fiction written for Friday Fictioneers challenge dated 25 April 2014. It’s a weekly challenge organized by Rochelle Wisoff.
You can see the other Fictioneer’s take from the froggy link below –
Abode of Horus 
Thank you for this wonderful piece of music history… enjoyed it a lot… the song sounds like it could could have been a fado just like it was on the picture.
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I thought the fado being played with the lute and tried to read and listen to some lutenists and voila ! 🙂
Thanks for the appreciation and the photo.
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Thank you! As Bjorn says, this is a wonderful piece of history, that makes your story strong.
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Thanks Alicia – found it while I tried to find more about lute and lutenists..
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Dear Indrajit,
A wonderful slice of history. Beautiful song. I enjoyed the photos of familiar sites.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle for the appreciation – I chanced upon it while reading about lute !
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That’s how it is with research. The threads take me on some incredibly wonderful and unexpected journeys. It’s sweet to see others take the same path.
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Thanks for the fascinating look at some musical history. If you like, you may have an extra word, as “run-down” needs a hyphen. And “lute” isn’t capitalized. Now I’m off to listen to some music.
janet
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thanks for the suggestions Janet ! and thanks for reading my piece. 🙂
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Good story, history and pictures of Jerusalem. Very well done. 🙂
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Thanks Patricia 🙂
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What a lovely, interesting story. Sadly, it may well be true that his music would never have been heard had he not attributed it to a more famous name.
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I enjoyed the story, the music and the video. Now that’s what I call value for money! 🙂
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Thanks sandra… Coming from you, it has double the value 🙂
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i enjoyed reading your story and watching the video. well done!
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Interesting story I never knew. Thank you. Great job!
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Thanks for the good word Perry
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I love history, and this was a piece of history beautifully told with just a few words. Thanks so much for posting. This really blessed me.
God bless you,
Cheryl
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Thanks a tonne Cheryl for such wonderful praise. Am glad you liked how it got penned !
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I too enjoyed this bit of history, the song., and your story. Bravo!
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Thanks for liking it ! 🙂
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Lovely story and a great piece of music, thank you for sharing
Dee
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Thanks for liking it Dee – am glad to share the history !
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Great bit of history. Lovely piece!
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Thanks Amy – thanks for the praise !
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that’s touching. thanks for sharing it Indrajit!
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Thanks for liking it Sharmistha !
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