The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 109



Only Noblemtl

109 in Europe

* * *

Kai Hoffmann took a quick look around the concert hall at Ettlingen Palace.

The audience is giving tremendous cheers.

The applause continued, and smiles were evident on their faces.

“What a great response. “It will be a stage worthy of being recorded in Ettlingen’s history.”

“Europe has finally recognized this child.”

“You’ve had a hard time. “It must not have been easy to teach that child.”

Kang Yu-han shook his head at Hoffman’s words.

“I say this all the time, but I didn’t teach that kid anything in particular. I was a child who found his own way. “I only gave a signpost.”

“haha. The problem is that Asian musicians are too humble. In times like this, all you have to do is close your eyes and accept the compliment.”

“But how can that be? If I tell you one thing, the child who knows ten is Seojin. I watched the incredible growth of this child from the side. And didn’t I say that it’s only been a year since I last saw that child? But can he still say that I taught him something?”

Hoffman, who heard Kang Yu-han’s words, said, “Anyway. “You haven’t changed since then,” he said with a chuckle.

however.

Chloe Laurent, who was listening next to them, widened her eyes.

“Pianist Kang Yu-han, did you say it’s been a year now? “You’ve only taught that child for one year?”

“yes. “I was just lucky enough to meet that kid.”

“And what about before that? A year ago? “Then who did that kid learn to play the piano from?”

Kang Yu-han, who noticed Chloe Laurent’s surprised expression, smiled kindly.

“I learned it from my student. But I don’t think she can be said to have learned everything about her from him.”

“······ Then?”

“well. The more I look at Seojin, the more fascinating he is, so I can’t really give him an answer. I wonder if Seojin himself had some kind of opportunity… I’m just guessing that much. Laurent, why don’t you use your imagination too?”

“······.”

Laurent immediately looked at the boy on stage.

Putting aside complicated thoughts and complex imaginations, I only thought about what I heard from pianist Kang Yoo-han.

The period of learning directly from the master was only one year.

It seemed safe to say that the education I received before that was ordinary.

A 13 year old child.

then.

That child can be said to be a genius with almost infinite possibilities.

Chloe Laurent slowly opened her mouth.

“‘Mozart’ came out in Korea. “I said this without joking or exaggeration.”

“I won’t deny it. “Because I was thinking that too.”

“The result of the competition won’t really matter. The musicians gathered here have already seen it with their own eyes. The child’s performance left a mark on me. “I am one of them.”

“I’m satisfied with that too. “Isn’t that what competitions are all about?”

The reason for holding the contest is simple.

To find any hidden gifted people.

And to give them a chance.

That kid has already shown everything here.

It showed the end of ⌜Emperor⌟.

In Chloe Laurent’s eyes, that child looked like a young Mozart.

Of course, I wanted to give that kid a chance.

A musician’s instinct.

There is no musician in this world who passes by genius.

‘Other musicians’ thoughts won’t be much different from mine.’

That child has already achieved the goal of the contest.

So Laurent thought that the ‘result’ might not matter much.

Meanwhile.

The judges were thinking for a moment.

It was because I had no idea how to evaluate that child’s ⌜Emperor⌟.

“I can’t do it. “I think this year will have to be evaluated a little unusually.”

One judge gave his opinion seriously,

After hearing the story, the rest of the judges eventually nodded.

“I agree.”

“I think it’s right for me to do that too.”

“It’s a smart solution.”

The judges finished recording and looked at the stage.

A child who is still receiving cheers from the audience.

It seemed different from last year’s performance in Ettlingen.

* * *

Waiting room behind the stage.

I was able to return here only after two curtain calls to the cheers of the audience.

‘When did you come?’

Meanwhile, most of the finalists gathered here.

“It was a total hit! “I never thought I would perform on a stage like that with the Ettlingen Orchestra!”

“I got goosebumps when I heard about your ⌜Emperor⌟? “The interpretation was amazing.”

“I didn’t think about it to this extent. “Honestly, it was overwhelming.”

“good job! no. 1!”

These people all congratulate me.

Among them, the most impressive participant is…

It was a blonde German girl.

When they spot me, they come running towards me.

Just embrace me

The momentum was so great that I didn’t even have time to avoid it.

It jumps into my arms and starts complaining.

“don’t go!”

“······ Where?”

“Don’t go back to Korea!”

“······?”

Now there is no bottom or end.

The finalists burst out laughing wahahaha.

Those who had known Anna for a long time seemed to enjoy this situation.

“I didn’t know there was someone in Korea who could control Anna.”

“I never thought that kid would follow someone. “He was a kid who didn’t talk much to anyone other than Lewis.”

“Is Anna finally becoming human?”

“well. Where would your true nature go? Munich’s bad boy…”

At the last word, Anna glared at the contestant.

It seemed like an opportunity arose, so I tried to get Anna away, but it was impossible.

“Would you mind moving away a little bit?”

“no!”

“Why on earth are you doing this?”

“You’re going back to Korea soon! So when are you coming to Germany? I hate that. “Just live in Germany!”

“······.”

“instead······.”

Anna offered me a deal.

First of all, I will look into Young Jae-won.

He said he would personally persuade Director Jonas Brandt.

“For your information, there is also a dormitory at Youngjaewon. All rooms are single, and the facilities are good. I’ll help you clean sometimes too. Once a week? Oh, no… twice a week! I’ll buy you ice cream too! Sweets too!”

“······.”

Anna looked closely at me to see if she thought it was a reasonable deal.

He blinks while looking at me.

But there was no way.

I threatened to stop playing with him for the rest of my time in Germany if he continues like this.

This method worked very well.

“······ too bad. “I didn’t mean it that way…”

Only then did Anna let me go.

Now that I see it, I think he cried.

The area around the eyes is red.

‘Did you cry while watching the performance?’

But Anna was in tears again.

‘Anyway.’

I tried to appease Anna with a few words of coaxing, and as if it had never happened before, Anna was busy praising ‘my playing’ right next to me.

Louis Wolf quietly watched this situation and was amazed.

“I will also recommend you to the Youngjae Center. Seojin, how do you like living in Germany?”

“What’s wrong with you too?”

“I’ve never seen anyone control Anna like that. “My work will be reduced.”

“hmm. “Then… for you, everything about Anna was work.”

“yes. “It was all calculated business.”

Anna glares at Louis.

Lewis slowly takes a step back.

The two bickered for some more time.

After a while.

The participants’ families came to the waiting room.

Among them, there were some very happy faces.

“Oppaaaaa!”

Sooyeon runs to me and falls into my arms.

Perhaps because she was wearing a dress, there was no princess in sight.

“Was the performance fun?”

“huh! My brother was the best! “My heart was pounding!”

My younger brother had a lot to talk about.

He said he was surprised by the sound of timpani and trumpet.

The violin was also magnificent.

I couldn’t even see my hands playing the piano.

And then he whispers softly to me.

“I think… my brother will come in first place. “He listened to the musicians sitting next to him, and it seemed as if they were praising his brother.”

“uh? Sooyeon, do you understand German?”

“no. That’s how it felt. There are nuances to words, right? It was definitely a positive feeling. “It’s probably about 51% correct.”

My little brother’s expression is quite serious.

Thanks to this, I was able to know good information(?) in advance.

“thank you. “I think it helped a lot.”

“Hi-Hi. “Brothers and sisters should help each other!”

But I felt a stinging gaze from far away.

I turned my head and saw Anna Becker hesitating.

Louis taps Anna.

Anna taps Louis.

‘I’m sure they’re still bickering, right?’

Lewis grabbed Anna and pushed her towards me.

As I got closer, I could hear their conversation.

“You’ve been preparing for a long time, right? “What are you doing now?”

“Well, I still have to prepare my heart…”

Anna stands in front of our family.

Sooyeon’s mother, who was holding her from behind, glanced at Anna.

Suyeon also tilts her head.

Strange silence.

At the end, Anna stuttered and said hello.

And that too in Korean.

“Ah, hello… This is Seojin Chin, Koo… Anna Becker… Now, please take care of me.”

Slurred pronunciation.

Her cheeks turn red and she glances at him.

Seeing that, her mother smiled and accepted Anna’s greeting.

Suyeon also smiles brightly at Anna.

“Pretty sister! I also enjoyed your performance! “It was cool!”

Of course, I had to do all the interpreting.

Anna finally understood what Sooyeon meant and smiled brightly.

“Hmm! so? Then, it’s okay if you come and watch me when I practice. If you come alone… Seojin can bring you. Oh, of course, before I go back to Korea. I practice every day anyway. “You can come anytime.”

“You talk too long. Do I need to translate all of this?”

“then! You said it was Sooyeon, right? I’m talking about me and your brother. “You have to translate everything.”

“······.”

“hurry!”

Thanks to this, I had to spend some time between Suyeon and Anna.

Fortunately, Suyeon seemed to like Anna, and Anna was also very kind to Suyeon.

They are busy looking at each other and cackling.

‘Could it be that the two of you have similar mental ages?’

Maybe so.

Suyeon is such a dignified girl,

Anna is a girl who acts like a kid.

Otherwise.

Sooyeon may be playing the role of an older sister.

‘Anyway, it looks like the point of contact is good.’

At that time, Anna and Suyeon continued to communicate through body language without an interpreter.

I also had the opportunity to say hello to the families of other participants.

A sharp-looking German man wearing glasses.

He looked at me closely and then said hello.

Anton Wolf.

He was the father of Louis Wolff.

“You are the main character of the last ⌜Emperor⌟. It was a much more powerful performance than Lewis. It was impressive. He’s also two years younger than Lewis. Let’s meet together sometime. “Your performance was worth it.”

“······ Ah yes.”

A person who speaks without hesitation even when Lewis is next to him.

Actually, Lewis didn’t seem to care much.

‘I said it was from a family of musicians. I think Lewis has his own concerns too.’

This was my thought after meeting two more members of the Wolf family.

After the participants’ families, reporters entered the waiting room.

Since it was before the results were announced, I didn’t ask any big questions, but simply asked about my thoughts on my performance.

Among them was a Korean reporter.

“Reporter Seonyoung Choi. “You came all the way here?”

“Actually, I was curious about your performance. In conclusion, I think it was a good idea to come. “You were truly amazing!”

Reporter Choi Seon-young decided to meet separately later after the results were announced.

And even after returning to Korea.

He seemed to be wondering how I was able to create such an ⌜Emperor⌟.

There is not much time left until the final announcement.

I heard the final screening time would take about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

’45 minutes have already passed…’

It seemed like contest officials would soon enter the waiting room.

After almost an hour, we were able to receive guidance from the staff.

After returning to the concert hall, I took a seat in the first row of the audience.

The 10 finalists sat side by side.

The stage was already neatly organized.

All the chairs and podium where the orchestra sat had been removed, and only a small podium was left in the middle of the stage.

In the auditorium, the audience was still waiting for the announcement.

“But are you really going to go back to Korea? Why not just stay in Germany? I’m not bragging, but the level of our gifted students is quite high. I heard that Teacher Hoffman also comes here often? “I will highly recommend you.”

“······.”

“And I’ve been thinking about it. I think cleaning 3 times a week is appropriate. I will do my best to help you! “I’ve lived in this dorm for a long time, so I have the know-how?”

“······.”

Anna did not give up easily.

Somehow, he takes a seat next to me and constantly presents new conditions.

Now, he even offers to cook me food sometimes.

I looked at Anna’s face, and her eyes sparkled as she looked at me.

“Huh? “Is there anything you liked?”

“No, I think you’re out of your mind. “How about playing a quiet game until our results are announced?”

“······.”

Anna quietly looked at me and then cautiously asked, “What is the game reward?”

I answered, “I’ll play hard with you for a day in Germany before I go back.”

Anna then closed her mouth.

Express your will by bringing your thumb and index finger together and drawing your lips.

‘It’s a way to deal with children. ‘I know very well.’

Louis, who was sitting next to Anna, saw this and chuckled for a while.

At that time, the judges started coming up on stage one by one.

They stood in a line around the podium and looked straight ahead.

The audience, which had been noisy just a moment ago, gradually became quiet.

Anna also calmly looked at the stage for this moment.

One of the judges of the Ettlingen Competition came forward as a representative.

He introduced himself as Jonas Brandt.

and.

An explanation is given to the audience about ⌜Emperor⌟, which was selected as this year’s piano concerto.

Based on the contents of a letter that Beethoven wrote at the time, it catches the audience’s attention.

“Beethoven was suffering the most severe form of misery. After May 4, 1809, he wrote almost nothing coherent.”

“A short story at best. “Even the foundations of survival we had built just a short time ago have become unstable.”

“In Vienna, I saw nothing but destructive and disorderly behavior. “All you see is the sound of drums, the sound of cannons, and all forms of inhumanity.”

“We live in modern times. But nothing has changed since then. “Poverty and poverty have not been resolved, and wars continue to occur.”

“All around me, I see nothing but destructive and disorderly behavior.”

“Intense destruction. After experiencing as much suffering as human beings can bear, we have some peace. So what should our musicians hope for now?”

“Beethoven composed ⌜The Emperor⌟. He portrayed immortality in the face of death. So what should we musicians do about this dead peace?”

“I don’t expect to see any more stability in these times. “The only certainty we can rely on is chance.”

“That’s what Beethoven said. To this, Ettlingen answers. We want to provide opportunities.”

“Find the musician. “I want to revive the peace that has died.”

“

Politicians laugh. What can you do with music?

The soldiers laugh. What can you do with music?

People laugh. What can you do with music?

If so, we would like to ask you a question.

Did we finally achieve peace with those guns and swords?

History says:

The world’s problems cannot be solved through force and conflict.

Our musicians say:

Music may not change the world.

We have always consistently pursued love for humanity.

Ettlingen will always be on the lookout for such musicians.

”

Jonas Brandt’s eyes turned to me for an instant.

But that gaze was quickly withdrawn.

“We know why this competition was created. That’s why we will maintain the tradition.”

“ladies and gentlemen.”

“We ask you to give a big round of applause and cheers to the winners…”

“I would like to announce the winners of the 72nd Ettlingen Competition. However, there is one thing…”

The Ettlingen Competition started with 720 people.

40 people in the first round of the finals.

20 people in the second round of the finals.

10 people in the final.

and.

The rankings will now be announced starting from 5th place.

Before the announcement, Jonas Brandt said he would not disclose the scores of this year’s winners.

It is said that this was a unanimous decision by the judges and that the result did not change.

Anna gently leaned towards me and asked, “Isn’t this a competition where the winners’ scores are announced every year? “What is going on?” she asked.

Since I couldn’t figure out the reason, all I could say was, “Well, I don’t know.”

The name of 5th place was mentioned.

There didn’t seem to be any major surprises.

The participant who placed 4th in the second round became 5th.

The participant who placed 5th in the second round ended up in 4th place.

and.

The kid next to me who was always yelling went on stage before me.

Jonas Brandt adjusted the microphone and continued speaking.

“The first place of honor at the 72nd Ettlingen Youth Piano Competition is…”

His eyes turn to me.

Everyone’s eyes were focused on me.

“Han Seo-jin. korea. congratulations.”

That moment.

Huge cheers erupted.

“Waaaaaa!!!”

“bravo!”

“I knew it would happen!”

“He was the best ⌜Emperor⌟ in my life!”

The audience did not return and remained in the audience.

To be polite to the participants’ performance.

He stayed there until the end.

I went up the stage stairs.

Before I could even go up the stairs, Anna ran up to me and said, “Congratulations! “Of course I knew that would happen,” she said as she greeted me.

Anna Becker 2nd place.

Louis Wolff 3rd place.

Lily White 4th place.

Fan Hui ranked 5th.

and.

I was in first place.

Jonas Brandt looks at me and nods his head slightly.

There was nothing great to say.

“He was a wonderful ⌜Emperor⌟.”

With those words, he handed me the trophy.

My ears are deafening from the cheers.

I don’t know where I was waiting, but Sooyeon came up to the stage and handed me a bouquet of flowers.

Although I couldn’t hear Suyeon’s words clearly.

I thought that was enough to say that I had gone through a hard time preparing flowers in secret with my mother.

‘First place at the Ettlingen Competition.’

Even looking at the words written on the trophy, it didn’t feel real.

I tried erasing the letters with my hand.

Still, the letters remain the same.

Ettlingen’s other winners had already gone downstage.

Several competition officials quickly begin to move the piano that was put away on one side of the stage.

The winner still had work to do.

I sat down again in front of the piano.

Encore song.

A privilege that only the winner can enjoy.

I shouted to the audience who had already become quiet.

“This song was created for the heroes of today. This song…”

If I had the chance, I really wanted to showcase it at a venue like this.

This song was approved in advance by the competition.

The encore song is the exclusive right of the winner.

So I chose this song.

⌜Magic Fog⌟.

A short piano piece composed about one minute in length.

but.

I took that basic structure and transformed the song into a form that could be improvised.

It will vary depending on the skill of the performer, but it will be possible to play for about 3 minutes.

The composed part is 1 minute long.

The part that must be improvised is 2 minutes long.

The rough idea was already organized in my head.

I wanted to show everything here.

I wanted to show everything about myself to the audience.

That has become possible.

I could do it now.

so that.

There could be no hesitation in my playing.

I presented ⌜Magic Fog⌟ in Ettlingen.

* * *

“ha ha ha! You even compose music? I can’t believe it! “You said it was an improvisation, right?”

“yes. “He said he had composed the song for about a minute in advance.”

“great. Great!”

The judges are delighted with the encore performance of the first place winner.

However, among them, there were some who had somewhat serious conversations.

“Reporters asked why we didn’t announce the scores. “I’ve moved on for now, but I don’t think I’ll be able to be free from that question for a while.”

“In a case like this, there is nothing we can do.”

Performer who took first place in Ettlingen.

Han Seo-jin chose the 10th turn.

Because of this, it has become difficult to evaluate Han Seo-jin according to the previous standards.

There was already a performer who gave a score close to perfect in the previous turn.

But isn’t it possible to give the last performer 15 out of 10?

Does that mean you lower other people’s scores?

That also didn’t look good.

“If you do that, first place gets 10 points. Second place would have been 8.2 points. “The gap is too big.”

There was a performer who completely overwhelmed the other participants.

Because of that, I couldn’t disparage the other participants.

So I thought it couldn’t be helped.

It wasn’t the first time.

An elderly competition association official quietly brought up the story.

“A similar thing happened once before. It was noisy at first, but it soon became quiet. “This is a pretty good method when the gap between first and second place is large.”

“You said this is only the second time this has happened in Ettlingen’s history.”

“yes. you’re right.”

Winners’ judging scores are kept private.

Because there was precedent, it was easy to make this choice again.

Jonas Brandt asked a question to competition officials.

It was because I was curious.

“But I didn’t even know his name. If he’s that great, I’m sure you’ve heard his name at least once. I can’t remember who it is. “Could you please tell me your name?”

The official answered casually.

“This is Mark Miller, who was called a healing pianist in the past. “This is the first time it has happened since then.”

“Healing pianist? “This is my first time hearing it.”

“He retired from the classical music world at an early age due to wrist tenosynovitis. “Maybe that’s why you didn’t know.”

“Oh my. “There was a sad story.”

“Yes. There are a few more things to say, but I don’t think they’re important right now. “You can think of such cases as having occurred in the past.”

“All right.”

The 72nd Ettlingen produced a winner who showed more overwhelming performance than ever before.

now······.

“I just have to look forward to the gala concert that kid will show.”

“yes. This time, I have to perform with a professional orchestra led by Maestro Hoffman. “It will be a great experience for him.”

“sure. The child’s first performance to the public. “I’m sure Europe will be surprised.”

Ettlingen winner’s benefits.

It was our debut in Europe.