The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 101



Only Noblemtl

101 childhood memories

* * *

Ettlingen International Youth Piano Competition.

Immediately after the announcement of the 20 second round finalists.

The judges were gathered in the conference room and chatting.

“Because number 1 became the standard, a big surprise almost occurred. Anna burst into tears like that… “She was a little surprised.”

“Fortunately, I regained stability after the introduction. “If I had messed up just a little bit more, I could have been eliminated.”

“Were there a few missed touches in the introduction?”

“No. 3. “It was breathtaking.”

If this stage had been to select final round participants, Anna Becker might have been eliminated.

This is because the threshold is so narrow that only 10 people can advance to the finals.

“In addition to Anna, there were many other participants who were shaken. In the end, winning was decided based on one’s ability.”

“The audience’s reaction played a role. “It seemed like the other participants were intimidated when they heard the cheers.”

“Yes. In the end, the reason we looked at the screening more closely was because of number 1. “I still think of his ⌜Tempest⌟.”

“It really gave me goosebumps. “It felt like a reenactment of Shakespeare’s play.”

“ha ha ha. “That’s a great expression.”

The judges all highly evaluated number 1.

But there was also one person who mediated them.

It was Anna Becker’s teacher Jonas Brandt.

“We are the judges. Shouldn’t we always strive for fairness? “The first round has only ended, but it seems like they are giving too much attention to just one participant.”

“what······.”

“That’s it…”

Since what Brandt said wasn’t entirely wrong, the judges calmed down the mood a bit.

“Although it is said that number 1 showed a large gap from the other participants in the first round, you don’t know what will happen in the future, right? What’s more, I might have been lucky enough to be a specialist in that song.”

Beethoven’s ⌜Tempest⌟ is a fairly popular song.

Among the songs presented by Ettlingen in the first round of the finals, this song was the most famous.

What Brandt meant was that Ettlingen may have suggested Number 1’s favorite song by chance.

Of course, to prevent this, the second round of the finals will be conducted in a slightly different way.

First, all participants are given the same three songs.

And one of those songs must be randomly selected and performed on site.

Participants may like or dislike a particular song.

However, this creates a stage where one can see a little bit of the performer’s overall skills.

There is definitely an element of luck here, but in the competition, even luck was a matter of skill.

“Then, other than those two, if there are any notable participants…”

“It would probably be Louis Wolff. “It is rare to find a performer who plays that cleanly.”

“The Chinese participant, Fan Hui, was also good.”

“What was number 21’s name? “Her Schubert was impressive.”

That kind of talk has been going on for a while.

Jonas Brandt kept thinking about number 1 as he talked.

The first stage of the finals showed an overwhelming performance.

But that won’t last until the finals.

‘Because Anna has a powerful card: experience performing in an orchestra.’

Being called the genius of Munich, Anna had the opportunity to perform with several orchestras.

‘Last year alone, we performed together more than 10 times. Although most of them were youth orchestras.’

Considering my age of 14, that alone could be considered an incredible experience.

Typically, young performers have never worked with an orchestra before.

It is not easy for 60 to 70 orchestra members to devote time to just one ‘soloist’.

‘Anna will eventually show off her full skills in the finals. There will definitely be a difference there.’

There was still hope.

Ettlingen’s strong favorite to win was still Anna Becker.

Variable number 1 suddenly intervened, but the big picture did not change.

With that comforting thought, Jonas Brandt stood up.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here. “There are important guests coming to Ettlingen tomorrow.”

* * *

When I woke up in the morning, there was something that looked like injeolmi in my arms.

“Koooooooo.”

“······.”

When did he come?

After coming to Ettlingen, I stayed in a private house on Airbnb. To a slightly more spacious place. Thanks to this, there were three rooms in this place.

Mother’s room.

my room.

Suyeon’s room.

‘And yet you sleep in my room like this.’

I touched Sooyeon’s cheek for a moment.

Then, “Hmm. “Oppa, your performance was great… So… Come live with me… Our house is big… Tofu and Hotteok are your bodyguards… 300 pyeong…” he suddenly says in his sleep.

‘What on earth am I dreaming about?’

After covering Suyeon with a blanket, I went out to the living room.

Even though it was early in the morning, my mother was already up. She looks at me and immediately offers me a cup of her tea.

Herbal tea.

Since coming to Germany, I have been drinking one cup every morning.

I took a seat at the table.

My mother has been writing in her notebook since I came out. I also brought the sheet music and read it slowly.

Sunlight slowly began to come in through the glass-fronted veranda window.

It was then that my mother put down her pen.

“I guess inspiration struck me.”

“I know. “Maybe it’s because I came to Europe with my beloved children, or maybe it’s because I heard my son play so well, but the writing comes out on its own.”

“Can I take a look?”

“of course. Instead, please give me a cool-headed evaluation.”

My mother turned the note towards me.

Ever since I was young, my mother would show me poems she had written herself. She read aloud and interpreted difficult texts.

As a result, my mother’s writings were now very familiar to me.

‘Warm poetry. You’re talking about happiness.’

Phrases that will make you smile.

I gave an honest evaluation.

“You can participate in the Spring Literary Contest once again. “I think you will be proudly elected.”

“oh. Is it true?”

“of course. Poet Song Ye-in. In fact, she has been a fan for a long time.”

“Tsk tsk. He’s sly. Huh! MJ If composer says so, I will know so.”

“Then let’s work together sometime.”

“Good. However, my fee is quite expensive.”

“I thought it was because the writing was good.”

“Hey. Seojin, your lip service has increased a lot since you started living in society, right?”

“This is how I can make a living.”

After joking with my mother, I went outside for a moment.

Even when I came to Germany, I always jogged in the morning.

Part of the reason was to control my condition, but it was slowly becoming a habit.

Ettlingen was a quiet city.

A place with many low European-style buildings.

There were trees and flowers planted along the road, and Ettlingen Palace could be seen in the distance in the center of the city.

People who came out early in the morning said hello to each other.

And to me too.

I familiarized myself with their faces by lightly shouting “einen schönen guten Morgen (good morning)!”

After running around this beautiful city a little more, I returned to my accommodation.

When I opened the door and went in, Sooyeon handed me a towel.

“Oppa, good job!”

“You woke up so early?”

“huh. When I woke up in the morning, the owner of the bed had disappeared without saying a word. “I woke up while looking for it.”

“Who on earth said that without saying anything?”

“well. I guess there are some very sincere people. “I hope he tells me later what happened while he was jogging.”

“I definitely have to do that.”

“Hmm! That’s it. “I have to look at it.”

I wiped my sweat with the towel Suyeon gave me and took a shower with warm water.

I clearly felt that a new day was beginning.

Breakfast was beef bulgogi.

Thanks to my mother, I was eating very well even after coming to Ettlingen.

The taste was delicious, but I definitely felt comfortable eating home-cooked food.

After finishing our meal, we headed straight to the building where the practice room was located.

A place about a 10-minute walk from the accommodation.

I decided to practice on my own in the morning and have Professor Yuhan Kang watch the lessons from the afternoon.

As I entered the building lobby, several Ettlingen participants caught my eye.

But they seemed to be secretly avoiding me.

It doesn’t approach, as if it’s burdensome.

‘Like Professor Kang Yu-han said, I feel like I’ve become a completely different species.’

Among them was Anna Becker. He is very surprised when he sees me. She could almost be seen flinching.

I walked hurriedly toward the elevator.

But then.

“This, once!”

Anna shouted at me. They don’t even call me by my name. I lightly ignored the call.

I casually pressed the elevator button.

“Hey… Han Seo-jin! “Just look at me for a second!”

“······?”

Anna Becker called me right behind me. Some people in the lobby look at us.

Anna bit her lip slightly. She looked around several times before finally getting her words out.

“that······.”

Anna’s words didn’t even become ‘words’.

“What’s going on?”

“I······.”

“I have to go to practice so I don’t have time.”

Just then, the elevator arrived with a cheerful sound.

I tried to ignore Anna and get on the elevator.

“······ Sorry.”

Anna held my arm and apologized. What’s happening again? Thanks to this, the elevator that arrived at the first floor went up again without picking up anyone.

I turned my head and looked at Anna.

Anna had her head down.

“What are you sorry about?”

“······ I was rude. Sorry.”

“suddenly?”

“······ I thought a lot after hearing your first performance. You deserve a letter of recommendation. I understand. “I think I was only looking at you negatively because of Mr. Hoffman.”

“······.”

“So I’m saying there was a misunderstanding. “I said I should apologize if I knew that wasn’t the case.”

“who?”

“······ Louis.”

“······.”

Anna’s eyes were already filled with tears.

A girl who is only one year older than me.

After all, he was a child too.

If this is going to happen, it would be better not to complain from the beginning.

As I remained still, Anna shed a single tear. I felt like it would get worse if I left it like this. Isn’t this what she said, putting aside her pride?

So I accepted the apology within a reasonable range.

“Really?”

“okay. I am not your great enemy. “This is my first time seeing it.”

“So you’ll answer when I talk? “You won’t ignore me from now on, right?”

“What do you mean by that?”

At that time, I thought I heard laughter from somewhere, and then a brown-haired boy appeared.

Lewis immediately started teasing Anna.

“Hey! oh my god! Anna apologized profusely! Guys! Look at this! “The world seems to be turning upside down!”

After hearing Lewis’ words, Anna’s face turned bright red. What to say to Lewis! Shout out. A completely incomprehensible German word came out.

“Wow. “I guess you were embarrassed when you suddenly heard the Bavarian dialect coming out?”

“noisy! “This is not a dialect, it’s a regional language!”

“That’s the dialect. “After all, you’re from Munich.”

“Oh my! Don’t you understand what I’m saying? Bavarian ‘regional language’ La Ancana!”

“······.”

Thanks to this, the image of Germans as boring was about to change. It’s fun. These guys.

The two of them bickering in front of me.

In the end, Lewis gave up and ran away.

“Look. “That’s what I ended up getting.”

“I······.”

“You say you’re a wag?”

“Why don’t you write in standard language? “I can’t understand half of what you say.”

“······.”

Anna’s expression became tinged with shame. This was clearly visible. Then she suddenly warns me.

“You… no, you! “I’m not allowed to go around talking about my dialect?”

“You just said it wasn’t a dialect, it was a regional language.”

“I understand everything you say! “You speak German so well!”

“I studied hard to be polite.”

“······.”

Anna pressed her temples gently.

I barely continue speaking.

“Uh, anyway! Because I know your skills well. Let’s do well in the future. In particular, make sure to pass the second round. Because I am confident about the final stage. I will never lose to you. In the finals, I will show a great performance like you. okay?”

“······ Well, that’s it.”

“Thank you for answering that way. Please make sure to answer my questions in the future. Don’t ignore me like last time. Understand?”

“okay.”

“I’m not saying that necessarily, but for your information, your ⌜Tempest⌟ was amazing. Now I’m praising you. “Be thankful.”

“······.”

Anna Becker. She is 14 years old.

I felt like I had discovered an unusual German from Munich.

* * *

Late evening.

Countless people began arriving one by one in Ettlingen.

Performers who will assist the concerto on the final stage of the competition.

The affiliations of these performers were diverse.

There are members who belong to famous orchestras.

There were also members of the orchestra working in a small way in a small region of Europe.

Even some soloists came here.

Senior musicians who willingly gave up their time to help juniors.

Even though they only received support for transportation and lodging expenses, they were very excited.

“This year is already the 5th time. “Which kid will win this year?”

“I guess it’s Anna Becker? There was a lot of noise in Munich.”

“but. Because he’s already famous. “I heard you have a lot of experience playing concertos?”

“That alone is an overwhelming advantage.”

Meanwhile.

Those who heard the news about the first round of the Ettlingen finals were also sharing their own stories.

“I heard there is a child recommended by Maestro Hoffman?”

“They said the reviews were overwhelming. The audience’s response was also good.”

“I hope you show a great performance.”

“We’ll have to wait and see during the second round. Ettlingen’s variables always started to appear in the second round.”

And the two men standing behind them.

The conductor, who will be in charge of conducting Ettlingen, and the concertmaster (principal first violinist), who can be said to be the head of the orchestra, have a light conversation.

“I’m definitely looking forward to this year even more. “I heard there are a lot of good kids.”

“I’m looking forward to it too. “I heard that a child I saw at a church recital before appeared at this competition.”

“A church recital?”

“yes. “It happened last winter.”

The musician thought back to that time for a moment.

A child who looks very similar to his teammate who swept the European stage almost 40 years ago.

‘I thought it was a memory I had sadly forgotten, but that child reminded me of my friend.’

A virtuoso violinist known as the melody of Dresden.

Max Richter raised his head and looked at Ettlingen Palace.

At that time, at the young age of 14, my friend swept the stage here with overwhelming skills.

Thinking of Mark Miller.