The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 108



Only Noblemtl

108 finale

* * *

The piano plays arpeggios (expanded chords) with a very strong tone.

Free distributed chords.

The beautiful trill that immediately follows announces the beginning of ⌜Emperor⌟.

It expresses a grand scale by crossing octaves.

The grandeur.

That splendor.

It spoke volumes about the level of this performer.

‘What is this…’

The piano’s first cadenza at the beginning of ⌜Emperor⌟ is not very long.

Solo drinking for a while.

It was from the ‘development section’ that the piano really revealed its true colors in ⌜Emperor⌟.

But that child’s piano seemed to play the coda from the ‘introduction’.

The performance was not at a level where there was no hesitation.

If ⌜Emperor⌟ starts off so intensely, how on earth do you plan on ending it?

It was impossible to go to the third movement and hit the piano with a hammer.

‘Are you really saying that you can play to the end with this tension?’

I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.

I couldn’t believe it.

No, to be exact, this was not a possible performance.

I don’t know about the virtuosos sitting over there who have devoted their entire lives to the piano.

After achieving remarkable results in Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Queen Elizabeth.

Those who have completed hundreds or thousands of performances may be able to perform like this.

However, isn’t this Ettlingen a youth competition?

Moreover, that child is 13 years old.

The youngest in this contest.

The youngest participant ever.

Among all the participants, the introduction to ⌜Emperor⌟ was the most powerful.

Choi Seon-young was surprised by the boy’s performance, but at the same time, he was worried.

I wonder if it might be a stroke from a child.

Or maybe I made a poor interpretation.

If a performance of 100 is shown at the beginning, it is common to show a performance of 150 in the next part and 200 at the end.

Not all classical music is like that, but most classical music is made that way.

‘Really… will that boy be able to maintain this tension until the end?’

My heart was racing.

My hands were sweaty.

But what if?

What if we could truly continue this tension until the end?

The boy’s ⌜Emperor⌟ cannot be compared to anyone in Ettlingen.

Unrivaled.

Overwhelming.

Such a modifier would be appropriate.

Choi Seon-young swallowed his saliva without thinking.

After the piano’s introduction in 4/4 time ends, the orchestra gives a voice corresponding to the piano.

It was a powerful orchestra that matched the powerful piano.

All five strings produce the same note in unison.

The brass and woodwinds leap powerfully.

The rhythm of the timpani follows and marches without hesitation.

Choi Seon-young’s body froze for a moment at that loud sound.

‘Everyone is crazy… Leaving behind a 13-year-old child…’

Beethoven put everything into this song.

It showed the end of the splendor that can be expressed with the piano, and the essence of orchestration was compressed into ⌜Emperor⌟.

Beethoven created ⌜Emperor⌟ in E flat major, which is known to best express heroic aspects.

If we only look at Beethoven’s intention, this interpretation would be correct.

This is if you look purely at ‘intention’ without considering each performer’s skills.

The orchestra shows off its heroic appearance.

Soon after.

The piano, which had been holding its breath, slowly reappears.

Quietly, in contrast to the proud melodies of the orchestra.

Like watching an emperor silently walking through war.

The gap gave me goosebumps.

‘The dynamic expression… is so detailed.’

The piano didn’t stop.

With the change of Mars, a reversal of the arrangement is attempted.

So that it runs counter to the melody of the orchestra that is just starting to die down.

The boy hit the piano keys as hard as he could.

Play the piano using the strength of your upper body while keeping your legs strong.

It seemed as if he would never lose to the majesty of the orchestra just moments ago.

It’s as if he wants to stand at the front of the emperor’s parade.

It proudly displays its majesty.

A glimpse of sublimity amid splendor.

The boy played the true ⌜Emperor⌟.

“······.”

Choi Seon-young was speechless.

My head went blank.

The evaluation was meaningless.

Even competitions have become meaningless.

Anyone who visited Ettlingen’s final stage will know this.

To the performer who is already showing this kind of performance.

What’s the use of competitions and what’s the use of rankings?

For now, it was enough to just watch the boy’s ⌜Emperor⌟ until the end.

The value of pure, unadulterated music.

The boy on stage was showing such music to the audience.

Meanwhile, a woman sitting on the second floor smiled deeply.

A woman who momentarily snapped her fingers without realizing it.

I couldn’t help but smile at my own unconscious actions.

‘It’s better than the last practice. The piano, the orchestra, the conductor, and the emperor. And the one who created it all is that kid.’

Chloe Laurent looked at the boy.

‘The ⌜Emperor⌟ touched my instincts…’ It’s just amazing. I don’t think I’ve seen a performer like that in recent years. Regardless of age. Should I also choose ⌜Emperor⌟ as my next repertoire? ‘It’ll be fun.’

The boy’s music was influencing many musicians.

That’s how impressive his ⌜Emperor⌟ was.

‘I went beyond the scope of simply doing well or not.’

Like a virtuoso.

Depending on the individual listening to the music, it can be divided into good and bad.

There will be no one who listens to that boy’s performance now and makes a harsh evaluation of the performance itself.

In fact, the Ettlingen judges’ evaluation was similar to Chloe Laurent’s evaluation.

‘Fantastic! That kid far surpassed even his first and second performances.’

‘Did my playing skills improve during this competition? I don’t think it was like this until ⌜Tempest⌟. I can only admire this child’s ⌜Emperor⌟.’

‘I never thought the orchestra in Ettlingen would do its best… ‘I didn’t know a 13-year-old could make them move.’

‘You made Hauser and Richter on your side? how? Ordinary participants would have been too busy just playing the piano.’

‘The Emperor’s March. Literally, the boy is playing ⌜Emperor⌟.’

“······.”

Anna Becker’s teacher, Jonas Brandt, stopped judging and looked out the palace window.

Warm sunlight is streaming into the arch-shaped window.

The sunlight falls on the stage.

The black piano sparkles as if in response.

The orchestra’s brass shines colorfully.

and.

The ⌜Emperor⌟ they make…

A beautiful light was being created.

This is what music was like.

People are amazed when they hear beautiful music.

People shed tears when they hear moving music.

It’s not something someone told me to do.

Just naturally.

Like the flowers of Ettlingen smiling in the sunlight.

Everyone can hear and understand music.

One of the blessings that humans receive from birth.

There was no room for lies.

Jonas Brandt also recognized the boy’s music.

As Anna Becker’s teacher, I probably shouldn’t say this.

He internally evaluated the boy’s ⌜Emperor⌟.

‘······ It’s beautiful. ······ Very much.’

There was no need to consider deduction factors or the value of interpretation.

The boy’s music was beautiful.

Those words were enough.

To watch the final performance of the Ettlingen Competition, all the finalists gathered in one place.

9 finalists excluding the boy on stage.

They looked at the stage, smiling, frowning, laughing, and crying.

The blonde girl stared at the stage with her mouth tightly shut.

Anna Becker’s eyes were already red.

After the first movement ends, the second movement begins with an elegant melody.

From the moment the piano played a heightened musical image with a change in tonality.

The sad melody expressed by the boy shook the girl’s heart.

And that, coupled with the separation that would soon follow, made the girl’s emotions surge.

‘Now the last movement…’

‘I want to listen to more of your music…’

‘I want to talk more about music with you…’

‘a little bit······.’

‘Please play it a little longer…’

If she could catch the passing time, she might have done so.

But I couldn’t.

Music is beautiful as it flows.

It is valuable because it is a moment that never comes back.

Unlike recorded music, which can be listened to again at any time.

Raw music that can be heard directly in the same space as the performer, breathing together.

It was unique in itself and shined in itself.

Anna Becker recalled the time she shook hands with Han Seo-jin a little while ago.

‘An unforgettable contest…’

Anna Becker seemed like she would never forget this moment.

forever.

* * *

Sweat is beading on my forehead.

My heart responds to the sound of an orchestra made by about 60 people.

My hands didn’t stop, and the conductor’s baton didn’t stop either.

The second movement will soon end.

The second and third movements of ⌜Emperor⌟ proceed without pause.

This was Beethoven’s instructions, not my interpretation or will.

Beethoven pushed pianists to the limit.

The orchestra was also pushed to the limit.

As soon as the second movement ended, the third movement began.

Allegro (fast) in 6/8 time.

The piano’s melody unfolds like an explosion.

The descending note and dominant chord splendidly decorate ⌜Emperor⌟.

Beethoven was unable to premiere this song in person.

Although he played the piano himself in the previous four piano concertos, he had to borrow the help of another pianist for this piece.

This was unavoidable due to hearing problems.

What were his feelings like?

Beethoven even experienced war when he composed The Emperor.

Because of the war, support was cut off.

Hearing problems have always bothered him.

Nevertheless, he created this masterpiece.

Indomitable.

⌜Emperor⌟ was a song that showed his beliefs.

That’s why I love Beethoven’s music.

‘He’s a wonderful person. So Seojin, you should learn to listen more to his music. Someday, when you get to play Beethoven on a big stage, I hope you become someone who can fully understand him. That way, the audience will also understand your performance.’

That’s why I love Beethoven’s music.

‘In the end, the rescue team didn’t come. Then let’s build a boat. There’s nothing we can’t do with you and me. ‘Escape from here in style.’

That’s why I love Beethoven’s music.

‘Seojin. You must learn to cherish every moment. Because life shines in itself. Regardless of your achievements, you are already a great musician. I guarantee it. This Mark Miller.’

That’s why I love Beethoven’s music.

‘If I were alone, I wouldn’t have lasted long here. It was easy because you were there. You have no idea how happy I am that you are a musician. music. I think we were able to understand each other through music.’

That’s why I love Beethoven’s music.

‘······ Even though this is vast, the end will be visible someday. Let’s not give up hope. There is a road everywhere in this world. Just like I started studying music again after being frustrated at the Chopin Competition. We can get out of here.’

That’s why I love Beethoven’s music.

‘It was a pleasure meeting you. My eternal companion. My eternal understanding. my forever friend. Seojin. I hope that a brilliant path will open up for you in the future.’

When you leave an uninhabited island, you are put on a small wooden boat and you are stuck in a windless area.

When I was tired from the heat and fell asleep.

I remembered the last thing Mr. Miller said to me.

His words, which I didn’t even know I had forgotten, suddenly came to mind.

My eternal companion.

My eternal understanding.

my forever friend.

Uncle Miller may have already known.

In that sea.

It’s not long before I say goodbye to you.

Still, he sang to me until the end.

The song didn’t come to mind clearly, but it still remained inside me.

Uncle Miller’s music remained with me.

and.

Someone else’s music must have been inside Uncle Miller as well.

That other person must have also had someone else’s music.

Beethoven’s music was passed down to me like that.

That’s why I love Beethoven’s music.

That’s how I understand Beethoven’s music.

At that time, the orchestra’s fifth string section made a wild appearance.

‘······ Mr. Richter.’

The melody of Dresden did not pay attention to me.

They are still trying to take away the initiative.

Like when Uncle Miller taught me music.

Like musician Mark Miller, who considered me a colleague, understander, and friend.

Max Richter viewed me as a musician.

I responded to that.

The ⌜Emperor⌟’s noble steps always begin with the piano.

then.

I have to be one step ahead of the orchestra in Ettlingen.

This will complete Beethoven’s music.

A little more.

Just go a little further.

Towards the end of the ⌜Emperor⌟.

I hit the keys intensely.

.

.

.

‘okay. That’s what you should do.’

Max Richter’s eyes shone brightly.

The movement of the Ettlingen Orchestra lowered its bow strongly.

Accordingly, all five strings simultaneously create magnificent harmony.

The piano and orchestra compete.

No one gave in.

In that tension, intimacy is created.

A piano that plays trills rhythmically.

Accordingly, the orchestra gradually concluded the rondo theme.

Leon Hauser’s baton moved loudly, signaling the beginning of the coda.

Max Richter looked at the boy.

I looked at his small back.

A child who shows incredible performance.

A friend who showed me an unbelievable performance.

The two appear strangely overlapping.

So Max Richter smiled kindly.

He did not mourn the losses of the past, but focused on the wonders of reality.

‘Miller. There’s a kid who looks like you playing with me. Here in Ettlingen.’

Richter closed his eyes.

The steps of ⌜Emperor⌟ played by a child move forward.

‘I wanted to play ⌜Emperor⌟ with you someday. ‘I couldn’t do that.’

Mark Miller gave up playing the piano at a young age.

So, we didn’t have the opportunity to perform large-scale songs together.

‘But today, I was able to relieve my resentment in a small way. This kid looks like you. It resembles your tone. Now this is certain.’

That doesn’t mean the child’s voice matched Miller’s voice 100%.

But to some extent.

A part of Miller’s voice that healed people’s hearts was present in the child.

That kid is making it new.

By your own strength.

We are creating a new path.

‘Are you watching? Your music remains here. A child who can play healing has appeared in Europe.’

A child’s piano expresses a huge scale in an instant.

The melody starts from a low note and quickly rises to a high note.

The most spectacular finale that the piano can show.

The child’s hands finally came off the keys.

The piano’s work is all done.

Max Richter pulled his bow as hard as he could.

For the performer who showed the majesty of the ⌜Emperor⌟ in detail.

Ettlingen’s orchestra will do its best until the last moment.

The brass, woodwind, string quintet, and timpani play the same notes.

Leon Hauser waves his baton sternly.

Timpani signals the end.

The strings stop all at once.

About 60 orchestra members took a long breath.

The boy’s back shakes slightly.

A moment of silence fills the space.

⌜Emperor⌟ is gorgeous music.

A concerto that stands out for its clarity and brightness.

Therefore, the audience could easily understand.

The best performance was shown in Ettlingen.

The fact that it is these people.

Cheers louder than the music of ⌜Emperor⌟ came out.

The audience all stood up from their seats.

No one paid any attention.

There was no need to pay attention.

Music is one of the blessings that humans receive from birth.

There was no need to understand this.

The performer’s feelings were conveyed.

Emotions were conveyed.

The child’s performance was beautiful.

Everything was clear.

Leon Hauser steps down from the podium and takes the child’s hand.

And raise your hand high.

Ettlingen’s concertmaster went to the child’s side and gently placed his hand on his shoulder.

amid endless cheers from the audience.

The boy finally became a pianist.

I looked silently at the window where warm sunlight was streaming in.

With a faint smile…