History Comparison source:

Source A: Post by Zhi Chao, the Ex-Ex-Sl of the Cello section
(Please refer to post on 25 September, 2009)

Source B: Video of Shen playing Shostakovich's cello concerto
(Please refer to post on 13 September, 2009)

How similar are the sources in telling us how great shen is?

The sources are similar in telling us about the power of shen. Both are similar as they show that shen is great and powerful. In source A, shen "can sightread at actual speed any score of any clef on any intrument, except bass (source: poh zhichao) 神 also has the uncanny ability to play two notes on one string (source: zhang naifu). 神 is also equilavent to one whole celo section (source: Min jun)". Not only that, shen "can sightread the whole william song without any mistakes at all and any loss of rythm" and he "does not mug at all". There are many similarities, however there is not time and space to elaborate the greatness of shen.

In source B, shen can be seen playing the shostakovich cello concerto no. 1 movement 1, a cello concerto which is probably one of the hardest. As one can see, shen has purposely made mistakes in his futile attempt to be like a normal person, when he is actually shen. In fact, with my contextual knowledge, shen has even made mistakes in making mistakes in that he plays all the imba-hard pieces perfectly without even mugging. In support with that, shen will be recording the 2nd, 3rd and 4th movement soon, in order to show his shenness.

These two sources are different as they do show differently why shen is deemed "shen". In source A, shen is merely said to "read any score of any clef" and that "Even if make up a totally new clef i (Zhi Chao) have confidence that he will still sightread it all the same" asides from the facts that have been presented above. However this does not show all of shen's prowess.

In source B, it is merely a video source and is concentrated on shen's playing when he has played the shostakovich cello concerto a few times already (without mugging of course). This source does not show that he can read any clef or play two notes on one string. Besides, it also does not cover fully the power of shen. Even with 1 billion sources, none can add up to shen's power.

Now, we explore the purpose and tone of the sources. In source A, the purpose is to reiterate the ownness of shen even though he has left the cello section (high school). It also serves as a reminder to all cellists to TRY to be like him, when it's impossible to BE him. The tone is one of reverence and awe, as the writer (Zhi Chao) is elaborating on how great shen is.

In source B, the purpose is to show shen's power in playing ANY piece, in which the piece for source B is shostakovich's cello concerto. It is to show his power in playing the cello and probably every instrument that can be created. He probably could even play shostakovich's cello concerto with a double bass that has its strings tuned down 1 octave. The tone, likewise, is also of reverence and awe, as the power of shen is overwhelming.

Thus, both sources have different purpose but have similar tones, as everyone is so stunned by shen's pwnness.

Titus
P.S. It was my bdae yest and is sean's bdae tmr. :) 2 days dif.