BEHIND THE SCENES OF

THE LOST SYMPHONY

Gabriel Farago

Behind the Scenes of The Lost Symphony

Gabriel Farago

Copyright © 2020 Gabriel Farago

The right of Gabriel Farago to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright Amendment (Moral Rights) Act 2000.

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review) no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events 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.

Table of Contents

Title Page

Official Book Trailer

The Lost Symphony

Authenticity

Passion

Inspiration

Author’s Note

The Research

The Writing

Connect with the Author

Official Book Trailer

The Lost Symphony

A murdered tsarina. A lost musical masterpiece. A stolen Russian icon. Can Jack honour a promise made a long time ago, and solve an age-old mystery?

When acclaimed Australian journalist and author Jack Rogan inherits an old music box with a curious letter hidden inside, he decides to investigate. As he delves deeper into a murky past of secrets and violence, he soon discovers that he’s not the only one interested in solving the puzzle:

Frieda Malenkova, a ruthless art dealer, and Victor Sokolov, a Russian billionaire with a dark past, will stop at nothing to achieve their deep desires and foil Jack’s valiant struggle to uncover the truth.

Joining forces with Mademoiselle Darrieux, a flamboyant Paris socialite, and Claude Dupree, a retired French police officer, Jack enters a dangerous world of unbridled ambition, murder and greed that threatens to destroy him.

On a perilous journey that takes him deep into Russia, Jack follows a tortuous path of discovery, disappointment and betrayal that brings him face to face with his destiny.

Will Jack unravel the hidden clues left behind by a desperate empress? Can he save the precious legacy of a genius before it’s too late, and return a holy icon revered by generations to where it belongs?

Authenticity

I am frequently asked by my readers how ideas for a new book emerge and are shaped into a storyline with interesting characters who captivate, fascinating places that ignite imagination, and a subject matter that both teases the intellect, and entertains at the same time. A tall order for sure, but certainly possible if certain principles are carefully followed.

The very cornerstone of a successful thriller that becomes a 'page-turner' are authenticity and the element of surprise.  The storyline and the characters must be anchored in reality, and readers have to be able to relate to situations and characters they find both plausible and interesting. To do this successfully is only possible if the subject matter - in this case Russian history and the life and times of one of Russia’s greatest composers - is presented in the right way. And what exactly is that right way I hear you ask? Once again, we come back to authenticity.

I encourage and greatly value feedback from my readers. This not only tells me how my books are received, but helps me understand how they resonate with readers. What is important to point out here is the fact that every reader will see a book differently and therefore find different aspects appealing, or not. In short, it is impossible to please everybody and cater for all tastes and expectations. However, certain trends appear, and as my readership grows, certain aspects of my books become important, and are the very features of my writing that appeal, captivate my readers and create anticipation and make them stay with me and look forward to the next book. And to find out what that is can only be done through communication. In short, if I listen to what my readers have to say. And that, my friends, is exactly what I try to do, and why I believe it is important to tell you a little about what lies 'behind the scenes' of a book, especially one with subject matters that are complex, and therefore quite difficult to incorporate into an action-packed thriller.

As you are obviously all aware, The Jack Rogan Mysteries are a series, and therefore presented as such. However, I hasten to add that each of my books can be read as a standalone work without having to be familiar with all the books in the order in which they have been released. That said, reading the books in chronological order will of course add to the enjoyment and understanding of the overall concepts and ideas that have inspired the series and help the reader follow the journey of the key characters, especially Jack Rogan, who is of course at the very centre of the stories as they unfold.

Now that we’ve reached book 6 in the series, I believe it is both meaningful and appropriate to briefly talk about something important that stands behind the Jack Rogan Mysteries and underpins all of my writing. The subject matters introduced in each book are by no means arbitrary, but part of an overall, carefully structured plan and design. It is an intellectual journey through history and subjects that are linked, have fascinated me for years, and I want to explore and share with my readers.

In order to be able to do this successfully, a ‘vehicle’ was needed that would allow me to introduce such diverse subjects as theology, philosophy, the occult, archaeology and cosmology, deal with complex science, cutting-edge medical research, genomics, astro-physics and mathematics to name but a few, in a way that makes these often quite complex and esoteric subjects both interesting, and easy to understand.

The ‘vehicle’ I have chosen to achieve this, is the thriller. The reason behind this decision is as simple as it is effective. It is based on something I believe is in all of us: curiosity, and the joy of learning. This is certainly what motivates and inspires me to write. However, the real challenge here is how to make learning fun and entertaining, and how to make complex subjects interesting and ‘palatable.’ That’s where the action-packed thriller comes into play.

By carefully weaving these subjects into a captivating, page-turning storylines with fascinating characters, exotic locations often liked to current affairs, it is, in my view, possible to make the joy of learning part of the reading experience in a way that is both subtle, and effective. In short, the reader isn’t really aware that he or she is ‘learning’ about genomics and complex surgical procedures, how black holes work and how theoretical physics explains the laws of nature and the beginning of the universe, but is captivated by characters and a storyline that entertain and make the pages turn; irresistibly.

Passion

To create a successful thriller is only possible if the author is passionate about the subject matter he has decided to write about and is in total command of it. Why? Because this passion will shine through every line, and either draw in the reader from the very beginning or, if this passion is not genuine, or the author’s knowledge of the subjects superficial, turn the reader away. It sounds simple, but let me assure you, it’s not easy to do. To begin with, this passion has to be real. Without that, the enormous research to make such a book feasible, just wouldn’t be possible. And research is the very cornerstone of authenticity, especially if we are dealing with complex subjects.

Inspiration

Those of you who have read some of my previous books would have noticed that I briefly explain at the very beginning of each book what has inspired me to write it.

The ideas for the storylines developed in this book took shape during a visit to St Petersburg in September 2019, and were triggered by three separate events: A concert, a visit to the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul where the Romanovs are buried, and a visit to the fabulous Peterhof Palace.

I have referred to these events in the Author’s Note:

Author’s Note

Very few cities in the world today have as tortured a soul as St Petersburg. The wheel of history has been particularly cruel to this extraordinary place.  Bloody revolutions, uprisings, and assassinations resulting in untold misery and devastating wars causing the death of millions have shaped this city, and can still be felt today by visitors who are prepared to observe and listen to the echoes of a painful past.

Inspired by Venice and Amsterdam, this spectacular Versailles on the Neva, Peter the Great's 'window into Europe,' became the capital of Russia in 1712. I visited this fascinating city in September 2019 to prepare the way for the release of The Curious Case of the Missing Head, book 5 in the Jack Rogan Mysteries series, and to continue my research for a novella, The Lost Symphony, that I’ve had in the back of my mind for some time. But things don't always turn out as planned.

Actually visiting this jewel on the Baltic and being surrounded by its extraordinary history had a profound effect. It is important to mention this here at the very beginning, as it has a bearing on how the storylines unfolded, and how the many fascinating characters who shape this book came to life.

Initially, The Lost Symphony was planned as a short novella about a tormented genius – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – one of my favourite composers who visited St Petersburg often, and died there in 1893. I have referred to this in chapter 62 of The Curious Case of the Missing Head, part of which has been incorporated into the Prologue as an opening scene that explains how the storylines of this book fit into the Jack Rogan Mysteries series, which doesn’t always follow Jack’s life chronologically.

I thought at the time of my visit that St Petersburg and its turbulent history would provide a most suitable backdrop and setting for the novella. Then several things happened that changed all that:

The first was a wonderful concert. One of my readers, an eminent Russian musicologist I had corresponded with for years, knew that I was planning to delve into Tchaikovsky’s life and times, and kindly arranged tickets for a concert showcasing Tchaikovsky's sublime music. During the stirring fourth movement of Symphony No.6, the Pathetique, with its sense of gloom and foreboding, my mind began to wander, and the first shoots of a new, much wider storyline began to take shape. I have no doubt, this was all due to the spell of this extraordinary city that was soon to captivate me and hold me in its grip. I also recalled the words of my friend at the beginning of the concert: ' If you want to get to know the soul of Russia, listen to its music.'

The next event that had a bearing on all this, was a visit to the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul where the Romanovs are buried.

In addition to the Tchaikovsky research, I also wanted to explore the tragic history of Tsar Nicholas II and Rasputin, that enigmatic evil genius who contributed so much to his downfall. The tsar and his entire family were brutally slaughtered by the Bolsheviks in Yekaterinburg in July 1918, two and a half years after Rasputin himself had been murdered in the Yusopov palace in St Petersburg. I have been fascinated by these cataclysmic events and what followed for years, and had planned to make them the centrepiece of the next book in the series. But first, I was going to write the novella about Tchaikovsky.

However, all of these plans evaporated as I stood in the crypt where Tsar Nicholas II was finally laid to rest on 17 July 1998, eighty years to the day after his murder. It was a deeply moving moment. For some reason I still can't explain, I kept hearing the sombre notes of Tchaikovsky's Sixth Symphony, my eyes firmly fixed on the last tsar's modest sarcophagus in front of me, wondering...

A flash of inspiration often lasts for only a millisecond as an idea appears, but can have a profound influence on the creative process that shapes an entire book and ignites the passion needed to write it. And that is exactly what happened during that moment of reflection in that solemn place that day. The idea was simple enough: why not combine the storylines of the novella and the next book and create a Russian epic worthy not only of a great composer, but of a tragic chapter in Russian history that has changed the modern world?

The next day, I was taken to the Peterhof Palace by my Russian friend, and it was there while strolling through the stunning palace gardens with their spectacular fountains, golden statues and waterfalls that the ideas and story-threads all came together, forming the inspiration for this book. It was like opening a window to let in the sunshine. Once that window was opened, there was no turning back. I pulled the little notebook I always carry with me out of my pocket, sat down on a bench overlooking the fountains, and began to jot down an outline for this book.

That was how it all began. What is contained in the pages that follow, is the product of an inspired idea that floated into my mind’s eye in the Romanov crypt on that grey autumn afternoon as a whisper, and then turned into a literary symphony I hope you will enjoy.

The Research

Authenticity, especially in a book of this scope and complexity, can only be achieved through meticulous research. I carry out all the necessary research myself, and whenever possible, visit all the places mentioned in the book, and try to view the original works of art and other key objects dealt with in the storylines.

In that regard, this book was one of my most ambitious projects by far. I spent two months in Europe in 2019, especially Russia, to carry out the research. For me, visiting the actual places where various scenes in the book are set and the action takes place, is of critical importance, because only then am I able to write about them convincingly, and with confidence.

Getting a ‘feel’ for a place is a complex process, and involves many things, and not just the obvious ones. Smells, sounds – especially of the languages spoken – the climate and so on, all play a significant part in bringing a story, and the all-important characters, convincingly to life in a way that draws the reader into the world of my imagination. This process allows me to make an emotional connection with my readers that is essential if the book is to have meaning and result in an enjoyable, and satisfying read.

Nothing can replace the feeling of standing in front of Tchaikovsky’s grave in the Tikhvin Cemetery in St Petersburg, or listening to one of his symphonies in the Bolshoi Zal, or being enthralled by Swan Lake in the stunning Mariinsky Theatre. I have done all that, and tried to capture the essence of these places and experiences later, when I was actually writing the relevant chapters back home in Australia, up in my attic in the Blue Mountains.

Imagination and creativity work in ways that are very personal, and difficult to describe. These things cannot be leaned. They have to be nurtured, and listened to, and actually visiting the various places featured in the book helps me to do just that.

As part of the research I visited not only Russia, but travelled to Paris, London, Berlin, and Budapest. I walked through the Jewish Cemetery in Prague, visited countless museums and went up to the Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden to Hitler’s former mountain fortress, and many other places that form part of the tapestry of the multi-layered stoylines, and many complex and fascinating characters that bring The Lost Symphony, book 6 in the Jack Rogan Mysteries series, to life.

Looking back, I was very fortunate to be able to complete my travels in late 2019, and make it back to Australia just before Covid 19 hit, and the world changed. Because of the dramatic shutdown that followed, it was possible to write this lengthy, and complex book in record time. There’s no ill wind that...

The Writing

I am often asked about my writing habits. This may be a good place to tell you a little about that.

Writing is a solitary, time-consuming pursuit that requires a lot of discipline and focus. I approach each book as a separate project, and plan my approach accordingly. Needless to say, research comes first, followed by visits to all the places mentioned in the book. I believe authenticity demands this, and getting a real ‘feel’ for a particular location rewards you with insights and detail that are only possible through first-hand experience.

Capturing smells, sounds, colours and atmosphere for instance, is just not possible through imagination alone. They transcend the merely factual, and enter the subjective realm of feelings and emotions. Yet all these elements are absolutely essential if you want to reach out and engage with your readers. It’s the difference between an ordinary book, and a special one readers just can’t put down! Nothing else comes close.

Once I begin writing a book, I write every day. In fact, my conscious hours are consumed with the subject matter, and even if I don’t sit at my computer, I think about my characters, dialogue, storyline, etc. I even have a notepad next to my bed to jot down ideas, should I wake up during the night inspired with an answer to something I have been wrestling with during the day.

I take frequent breaks and go for long walks in the rainforest just below our house, or do some work in our garden. Even then, I have a notepad in my pocket because ideas flow in unexpected ways, and must be captured at once before distractions make them disappear forever.

Because I do all my own research, writing itself can be exhausting and draining, often making almost impossible demands on your time, emotions and memory. Translating ideas and emotions into text can be very challenging and frustrating if the written word doesn’t do the subject matter justice, or just doesn’t look and feel like what you intended to say. When that happens, there’s only one answer: rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, then polish and rewrite again, until you get it right. Not easy, but absolutely necessary.

Most of my writing is done in my attic at home in the Blue Mountains just outside Sydney, where I live most of the time. I am surrounded by a unique World Heritage National Park, and have a wonderful park-like garden full of exotic plants and trees where native birds like parrots, cockatoos and kookaburras are frequent visitors.

During the warmer months, I spend a lot of time outside and actually write in the sprawling garden. If this sounds idyllic, I suppose in a way it is. I draw inspiration from my surroundings, and the beauty and solitude of this unique environment give me the energy to weave my thoughts and ideas into stories that will in turn, I sincerely hope, entertain and inspire my readers.

I hope you have found this brief journey ‘behind the scenes’ of The Lost Symphonyinformative, and it has ignited a spark of curiosity that will entice you to step into the world of my imagination and read the book. And that, my friends, is what every writer strives for.

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