The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 102



Only Noblemtl

102 A letter from a friend

* * *

There are competitions called the three major piano competitions in the world.

Chopin International Piano Competition.

Queen Elizabeth Competition.

Tchaikovsky Competition.

Those who win this competition are usually able to pursue a career as a ‘performer.’

Not all of the award winners are active as performers, but as they have proven their skills in major competitions, great opportunities will open up for them.

It can be seen that these ‘three major piano competitions’ are the ones that laid the foundation for activities around the world.

So what is the role of the Ettlingen Youth Piano Competition?

You can think of it as laying a huge foundation before participating in the ‘Three Major Piano Competitions’, which can be called the Battle of the Stars.

Those who win awards in Ettlingen may advance directly to the finals without having to go through the preliminary round of the competition.

Through Ettlingen, you can also collaborate with great artists.

You can also receive various educational opportunities and support.

The sponsorship mentioned here could be corporate sponsorship, but it could also be the teachings of masters who want to have students.

Masters do not receive money to teach their students.

Those who just want their students to stand on the world stage.

Receiving their help is both an honor and an opportunity for great growth.

Ettlingen may be seen as ‘just a youth competition’ by the public.

However, if you look closely at the inside, you can clearly see that it is not an easy competition.

Ettlingen’s authority was maintained against this backdrop.

And we strive to continue to maintain that authority.

That is why the difficulty level of the Ettlingen Competition gradually increases every year.

Without knowing it, the difficulty of the song gradually increased, and the tasks also became more difficult.

20 years ago was different from 10 years ago, and 10 years ago was different from now.

This year in Ettlingen, there were five songs that performers had to prepare.

Those are large pieces that do not include small pieces, small pieces, or etudes (pieces for practice).

It was very difficult for a young musician to practice five songs like this.

Ettlingen wanted them to become real performers.

A real pianist, not a performer with poor skills who simply answers test questions well.

A professional performer who can fill the recital stage alone and perform in collaboration with an orchestra.

Ettlingen took great pride in consistently producing such award winners.

but.

“That’s why only youth participants die. Even your 13-year-old participated this year, right? Do you think he ate properly? What about rest? What are your hobbies? You probably just practiced in front of the piano all day? “Until right before I die.”

“I heard that that kid from Italy prepared for over a year and failed in the first round. I understand he practiced 10 hours a day. “I couldn’t even show you the rest of the songs.”

“It’s just crazy.”

A contest that is too harsh for children.

Because of this, the Ettlingen participants had a slightly sharp side.

But there were exceptions everywhere.

“You’re playing for fun? Is it fun? Just because you want to? Also, do you communicate with the audience? Is that okay? “What kind of superpower are you?”

“Then why do you play the piano?”

“That’s because I’m good at it… Because I found what I’m good at… Because I can do it…”

Anna Becker was next to me and talked non-stop.

I came here to pick the number for the second round of the finals, but he keeps following me around.

I turned left and it followed me to the left.

I turned right and it followed me to the right.

And that too while keeping your eyes sparkling.

‘What kind of dog is this?’

Out of curiosity, I handed him one of the snacks I was eating and he happily ate it. And it follows again.

Louis Wolff, who was watching this from a third party’s perspective, made his decision.

“I guess I like you.”

“why?”

“I don’t know that either.”

“······.”

In fact, Anna continued to tickle other children. Even though it seems like we know each other, it’s like that.

I watched it quietly and spoke to Anna.

“Go to your friend and apologize.”

“why me?”

“It’s not polite to say to a child who asked to work hard together, ‘But I think your performance will be difficult in the second round.’”

“Is this another example of courtesy? And he seemed like it was going to be really difficult. I told you this because he is a kid who misses a lot of touches. Don’t get your hopes up for nothing. “If you get eliminated, you’ll be even more upset.”

“But that’s not polite. Think about it carefully. “Wouldn’t he be more upset because he heard what you said?”

“Even though I told you the truth?”

“Let’s think about it for just one minute. “How would you feel if I told you that?”

“······.”

In the end, Anna apologized to her friend for going to Zorro. She also promises not to do that in the future.

I felt like I knew the person named ‘Anna Becker’ that Louise Wolff had mentioned.

He’s a little social, has no sense, only cares about his own business, and speaks without thinking, but he’s basically a good kid.

I once again realized that Anna Becker is a ‘second year middle school student’ in Korean terms.

“I came here to apologize. “He says he’s okay now.”

“Did you sincerely apologize?”

“huh!”

“okay. good job. ruler.”

Then he handed Anna Becker a chocolate cookie. Om nyom nyom. I take it well.

Louis Wolff looked at me and laughed.

“I never thought there would be another child in the world who could educate Anna. “And he’s one year younger than Anna.”

“My mental age is higher than I thought. “I feel a little younger these days because I only spend time with kids.”

“You’re an unusual kid too.”

“It’s a bit like that.”

After a while.

The drawing of participants’ numbers has begun.

My number was still number 1, but my turn to play became number 7.

“Being 7th out of 20 is pretty good.”

“Lewis, what number are you on?”

“I am the 17th. “It’s almost the finale.”

“Hey guys! I picked it too! “Ask me too!”

Anna was the fifth.

Lewis informed us that the entire Ettlingen Orchestra will participate in the second round of the finals.

It is to check the participants’ skills in advance in preparation for the final stage.

Most people will be seated on the second floor.

“How on earth did you know that?”

“A privileged location for local participants. “There’s a rumor that goes around unknowingly.”

“Good.”

“And you? “Didn’t Professor Hoffman tell you?”

I shook my head in response to Lewis’ question.

“I haven’t met him since I came to Germany this time. “There was no contact.”

Professor Yuhan Kang also said that there was no need to contact Conductor Hoffman.

Plus, the only places I usually spent time were the practice room and the dorm, so we never ran into each other.

Louis Wolff widened his eyes a little when he heard what I said. Then, he nods his head once.

“I see. Then, let’s all do our best together for the second round. “Because there are a lot of eyes watching this time.”

“okay. “I hope everything goes well.”

As soon as I finished speaking, Anna joined in.

“I’m really looking forward to it too! This time, your turn is after mine, so I think I can watch it comfortably. For your information, if you do well in the second round, I will praise you again! Understand?”

“······.”

After Anna’s cheering(?), we went outside the competition association building.

Anna Becker keeps chatting.

Louis Wolff occasionally throws away important words.

Thanks to this, I wasn’t bored in Ettlingen in the evening.

* * *

The second day of the contest finals.

Ettlingen Palace was more noisy than the first time.

“oh my god! “It’s him, right?”

“no. 1. I guess that’s right? and. You look very young. “What is the level of kids these days?”

“I guess we can see that there is an upward leveling process. That’s why Ettlingen is becoming more worth coming to see every year.”

“As expected, Hoffman’s eyes are never wrong.”

“I enjoyed hearing you play ⌜Tempest⌟ last time!”

“go for it!”

“no. 1! “The performance was really good!”

Everyone I met at the entrance of the hall cheered me on.

“haha. I can’t believe I got this much response from just one performance. “I look forward to every day.”

Professor Yuhan Kang smiled kindly next to me.

I also exchanged greetings with some musicians on the way to the waiting room.

Most of them are familiar with Professor Yuhan Kang, so they are briefly introduced.

However, among them, there was one who took on the role of concertmaster in this year’s Ettlingen Orchestra.

“Hey, do you remember me?”

The person who gave me his business card after a recital at church last winter.

There was no way I wouldn’t remember the person who held my hand tightly.

“It was Professor Richter. I tried to contact her when she came to Germany, but she was too busy with the competition. sorry.”

Max Richter calmly shook his head.

A faint smile was visible on his face.

“Your German has improved a lot. And for a performer, playing should always come first. “There is absolutely no need to feel sorry for me.”

After gently holding my shoulder, he suddenly disappeared with the words, “I hope we can play together in the finals.”

I had to look at his back for a while.

For some reason, he was someone who caught my eye.

“He is called the melody of Dresden. “He is also the winner of Queen Elizabeth.”

“You were a great person.”

“Because he was a violinist who dominated that era.”

I nodded to Professor Yuhan Kang’s explanation.

Maybe… that’s why I felt this way.

I parted ways with the professor at the entrance to the waiting room.

From here, only participants could enter and exit.

As I entered the waiting room, many participants glanced at me. Anna, the fifth person in line today, was also here. When he sees me, he gently waves his hand.

I sat down in an empty seat and started looking at the sheet music.

Three composers will be presented in the second final stage.

Franz Liszt.

Robert Schumann.

Frédéric Chopin.

Liszt and Chopin were songs that focused on transcendental virtuosity, while Schumann’s were pieces that looked at the ability to interpret huge compositions, including virtuosity.

Later on, one of them will be chosen at random on stage.

‘Personally…’

I liked Chopin’s music.

The composer who studied with Uncle Miller for the longest time on the desert island was Chopin.

Perhaps because Mr. Miller was a finalist in the Chopin Competition, I was also greatly influenced by him, whether I knew it or not.

‘I remember drawing notes in the sand with a stick.’

The waiting room was quiet. Even Anna was looking at the sheet music intently today. It seemed like he was looking at me from time to time, but he was basically calm.

After a while.

The name of the contest official began.

The first participant stood up.

In the meantime, I delved deeper into the score.

List.

A song that requires you to show off your technical skills.

Although I couldn’t express this song perfectly yet, I prepared it thoroughly.

I can sufficiently persuade the audience by utilizing my strengths.

I had that much confidence.

Time passed quickly.

second.

third.

fourth.

Cheers could be heard from the stage in between.

Perhaps this is why some participants wear earplugs in their ears.

“me······”

At that time, Anna came in front of me and started talking to me.

You can see at a glance that he is hesitating.

So I told him first.

“Do well. “Don’t be nervous.”

He smiles brightly at a few short sentences.

“huh! Anna’s answer, “You too!” made me chuckle.

Fifth participant.

Anna’s performance could vaguely be heard all the way to the waiting room.

Intense performance.

It was Chopin’s sound.

Just from the faint sound of the piano, I could tell that Anna’s skills were great.

However, I wasn’t nervous.

It was very quiet inside me.

When I had just escaped from an uninhabited island, there was a time when I was stuck in a windless area in a small wooden boat.

Like the waveless sea I saw every day back then,

I became increasingly quiet.

That was just amazing.

“Han Seo-jin. korea. no. 1. “Please prepare the seventh player.”

Finally, I was called.

Now that I think about it, when did Anna finish playing?

As I was looking at the score, my sense of time became a little dull.

I went up on stage.

A similar stage to the first round.

The only difference would be that the audience is more full.

The audience who saw me gave me a huge cheer.

They shout my name and my number until my ears are deafening.

Lewis’ words came to mind and I looked at the second floor for a moment.

Suyeon caught my eye first. To like it. My younger brother’s bright expression was always impressive. Her mother was also by her side.

I was also able to find Professor Yuhan Kang and Conductor Hoffman.

and.

Melodies of Dresden.

‘Max Richter… teacher.’

Ettlingen’s concertmaster was also quietly looking at me.

A contest official handed me three folded pieces of paper.

Among them, I chose the first paper.

It was a contest official who opened the paper.

“Schumann! Fantasie in C major, Op. 17!”

Schumann’s Fantasia.

This song is considered one of Schumann’s greatest solo piano pieces.

It was dedicated to Franz Liszt and was created to contribute to Beethoven’s memorial fund.

This piece should express pianissimo (very softly) especially well.

Press the piano keys with very little force so that it can be heard as you play.

It can be said that this is a song in which the expression of gentleness is very important.

Schumann was the composer of ⌜Treumarei⌟, which I played for the first time after leaving the desert island.

So, when I play Schumann’s music, I think of that time.

Grand piano in the lobby of Singapore National Hospital.

Lots of people sitting in the lobby and a gorgeous fountain.

That image still lingered in my eyes.

I sat in front of the piano and slowly touched the keys.

The slightly cold feel of the keyboard was conveyed directly to my hands.

The black keys protruding above the white keys tickle my hands.

Schumann also had a deep knowledge of literature.

To the point where I was wondering which path to take between music and literature.

When Schumann composed this fantasy, he wrote a quote from German poet and philosopher Schlegel’s poem ⌜The Bush⌟ at the beginning of the work.

I made full use of my time.

And I quietly thought about Schlegel’s poem.

⌜In the dream of the earth of all colors.

Through all the sounds, only one quiet note.

It is heard by those who secretly listen.⌟

I hope that my feelings are fully conveyed to the audience.

I touched the first key very delicately.

Only to those who listen in private.

So that you can hear me play.

* * *

To the soft melody of the piano that seems almost inaudible.

The performer’s inner feelings and thoughts are revealed.

Extremely quiet atmosphere.

To hear that performance, you needed to focus all your senses.

I couldn’t even take a deep breath here.

The melody, which starts with an arpeggio in the left hand, quickly meets the right hand.

The breathtaking melody expresses turbulence as it meets the right hand’s strong fortissimo (very strong).

This difficult performance.

That kid was expressing himself perfectly.

One person who was listening to the performance gently closed his eyes.

This is because Schumann was recalled at that time.

Max Richter called him silently.

I tried talking to him.

Hoping that the inner voice would reach there.

My old friend…

How are you doing there?

Your old friend, I am Max Richter.

Here today.

I heard your voice again.

I don’t know how it happened.

A boy who holds your voice in his heart.

It fills up this space.

iced coffee. my old friend

In a dream of the earth of all colors.

Please listen secretly.

Through all sounds.

Just this quiet note.

I don’t know if I can reach there…