The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 193



Only Noblemtl

193 How many sheets of music

* * *

The atmosphere of the Beaux-Arts concert hall is being organized.

The contestants sitting in the audience left the hall one by one, and the 24 semi-finalists were interviewed by reporters on stage.

The interviews were short, lasting about 1 to 2 minutes per person.

But starting with Sister Lucas’s turn, the length seemed to get a little longer, and when it was my turn and the Jankowski performer’s turn, the questions and answers went on for almost 5 minutes.

In particular, there were many questions that seemed to compare my performance with Jankovsky’s.

Professor Kang Yoo-han had mentioned in advance that the interview might have this kind of nuance, so I had no difficulty answering, but the situation was awkward.

After a while, the lottery was held again in front of everyone.

Depending on the participants’ personalities, some people laughed while others felt regret.

“Ah. I think it would be better to play it quickly······.”

“It’s burdensome······. It’s the previous number again.”

“Whew. Still, I’m glad it’s the last day.”

“Wow! Awesome! I’m the finale!”

The reporters captured all these moments on camera.

I ended up picking number 10.

The first day of the two-day semi-finals.

It was almost the last turn.

Sister Lucas, who was sitting next to me, asked quietly.

“Seojin-ah. Do you like my number?”

“That’s just it. Actually, the order doesn’t really matter to me.”

“Hmm. Really? Then do you want to exchange numbers with me?”

“······Is that possible?”

Sister Lucas, who picked number 1, laughed out loud and then made a playful expression.

“How could that be? Just kidding. But number 1 is always burdensome, isn’t it? You have less time to practice than others, and you get more attention. That makes you a little stressed.”

“But is there something like that even though you have the skills of a big sister? I thought that big sister Lucas would be indifferent to such things.”

“······.”

Sister Lucas’s eyes light up as she listens to me.

“By the way, Seojin, did you come to see my performance? Did you take the time to come and see the performance? Is that it?”

There is a hint of anticipation in the voice.

I answered honestly.

“I couldn’t do that. I looked it up on the Internet the next day after my performance.”

“Still, it’s touching! By the way, I went to see your performance in person? I almost fainted, I told you. Who would have thought you could play ⌜Petrushka⌟ like that? Seojin, tell me honestly.”

“Yes? What kind?”

“You are talking······.”

Some people say I am the ‘reincarnation of Mozart’.

I saw an article with that kind of content before coming here today.

I also knew about it thanks to my mother finding the article······.

Anyway, it seemed that the reporters’ exaggeration was inevitable.

While I was not saying much, Sister Lucas came to her own conclusion.

“A long silence does not mean yes.”

“······ So I became Mozart?”

“You could say that, Wolfgang.”

“······.”

Well, that’s how I became Wolfgang.

Before we knew it, the lottery drawing was over.

The chairman of the jury said that today’s schedule was finished and asked all reporters and contest officials to leave the hall.

However, he asked the semi-finalists to stay on stage for a moment, saying he had something special to say to them.

“It won’t take up much of your time.”

The only people present at the Beaux-Arts Concert Hall were the 24 finalists and Judge Scott.

When the murmurs died down and the hall became quiet again, Judge Scott continued his explanation.

1. From the semi-finals onwards, all contestants’ scores will be disclosed to the public.

2. In previous years, the order of the 12 finalists was determined by drawing lots, but this year it is different.

3. The performer who wins first place in the semi-finals will perform a solo piece (the designated piece) first in the finals, and a concerto (a piece of their choice) last.

4. If you get second place, you will play a solo piece in the second order and a concerto in the second order.

5. I know there are some contestants who don’t like to play first or last, but please do your best in the semi-finals.

6. Then, a clear and definite good reward will be waiting for you. It is a clear reward that will surpass the likes and dislikes based on the order.

7. That’s it. I would like to express my gratitude to the participants who are showing a more wonderful performance than any Queen Elizabeth has ever shown.

My sister Lucas, who was sitting next to me, speaks to me.

“Compensation? What is that?”

“well?”

“Will there be any additional prize money?”

“You got first place in the semifinals? How could that be?”

“Hmm. That’s not it, is it?”

Judge Scott, who had left a questionable remark, smiled strangely and left the hall.

The contestants who remained on stage began to share their stories.

By any chance, are you producing a separate album for the performer who wins first place in the semi-finals?

Aren’t you providing a special stage?

And so on, various opinions are exchanged.

I tried to reason a bit more with Sister Lucas and then just gave up.

“There’s no benefit to us if we get this right. Just because we know the ‘reward’ doesn’t mean our skills will suddenly improve. I think we’ll have no choice but to work hard like we always have.”

“Yeah. In fact, I’m busy just practicing. And even though I got first place in the semifinals, I was a little bit like that. Once. Once. It’s stressful to start the competition first twice.”

Sister Lucas shakes her head.

We left the concert hall and went outside.

My mother and younger sibling, who had been waiting for me, were the first to greet me.

My mother smiled brightly and Suyeon jumped up to me, saying that she first heard the news of my advancement through reporters.

“My brother is the best after all! I told you there was no better performer than my brother.”

“Was it because Sooyeon cheered me on so hard? Fortunately, I made it to the top.”

“Hehehe. If that’s really true, I’ll stay up all night and cheer you on!”

“really?”

“Of course! But I might have to take a long nap. Hmm······. My brother might have to pat me on the back for quite a while during the day.”

“Until you fall asleep?”

“huh!”

Suyeon nodded with a smile, and Lucas watched us from afar.

After hearing Sister Lucas’ story last time, I cautiously asked Sooyeon for a favor.

Suyeon, who received the mission from me, nodded with a determined expression.

Suyeon ran straight to her older sister Lucas and said just one thing.

“Nose, congratulations!”

“······!”

When something good happens and someone congratulates you, it makes you feel good.

I wish my sister Lucas could feel these emotions too.

Sister Lucas, who was wearing a yellow dress, bends down slightly and hugs Suyeon.

When Suyeon laughs bashfully, Lucas laughs along too.

Sister Lucas, who had been quietly mumbling in French, repeated her thanks in English several times.

Mother also gave her sincere congratulations to Sister Lucas. She gave her a light hug and patted her on the back.

Before we knew it, Professor Kang Yu-han and pianist Laurent had come closer to us.

Professor Kang Yoo-han, who tells me that I did well and that I worked hard.

Pianist Laurent spoke something to his sister Lucas in French.

I was surprised when my older sister suddenly burst into tears, but I didn’t ask her about the details because I thought they were good tears. My older sister Lucas explained to me briefly that she was crying because she was reminded of old times.

After all the congratulations and greetings, we were just about to leave the Palais des Beaux-Arts.

Someone called me over in English with a strong Russian accent.

“Can I talk to you for a moment?”

He was Oleg Yankovsky.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing special. It’s just······.”

Yankovsky hesitated to speak as he looked at us gathered together.

So I followed Yankovsky to a quieter side street.

The first thing he asked me was something completely out of the blue.

“······What is the basis of my music?”

“Your performance of Petrushka was more impressive than anyone else’s. So I was curious. What kind of world do you see?”

“well.”

There are many musicians in the world, and there are just as many musicians who ask unexpected questions.

Something I’ve experienced often.

For a moment, an image of the yellow chick from Munich flashed through my mind.

So this situation wasn’t all that embarrassing.

I debated whether or not I should answer, but decided to just say something simple and move on.

“I always try to see happiness.”

“······Happiness? Happiness?”

“That’s the basis of my music. What about you, Mr. Yankovsky?”

“······.”

I asked a similar question, since I wasn’t the only one who had the responsibility to answer.

But he was just blankly staring somewhere.

I looked in that direction to see if anyone was there, but there was no one there, only the orange streetlights illuminating the place.

Yankovsky shook his head vigorously and answered.

“I······. am the past.”

“The past?”

“Yes. I’ve been playing so far to not forget the past. I want to continue playing that for the rest of my life. To do that, I need to achieve results.”

“······.”

“You were a different player than me. I’m sorry. I think I misunderstood. I wasted your time.”

“No. It hasn’t even been a few minutes.”

“Okay. But I have something to tell you. I think this will be the price I pay for wasting your time.”

“······?”

Yankowski continued.

Don’t overlook what Judge Scott said today.

Rather, I have been saying that it would be better to focus more in the semi-finals than in the finals.

I decided to put my questions into words.

“······Is it because of the compensation that Judge Scott mentioned?”

“Yes. So do your best. Work hard as if you only have one day left in your life. Then. If you are a player of your caliber, you will definitely get good results.”

“······.”

I chewed over his words.

And I thought about the conditions that Judge Scott had mentioned.

‘They said that if I win first place in the semi-finals, I’ll be the first to play the designated song on stage for the finals······.’

For your information, the designated piece to be played in the finals will be first given the sheet music at Chapel and practiced.

A place that has been shrouded in mystery until now.

Just when a somewhat unbelievable hypothesis was about to come to mind······.

“Yankovsky. What are you talking about with the kid?”

American participant Brian Turner joined our conversation.

“what?”

“In the semifinals, you’re talking like you have to risk your life to play. And to a 14-year-old kid. Do you think that’s right? Play like you have one day left in the world?”

Turner glares at Yankovsky.

Yankovsky met his gaze calmly and then showed both hands.

“I was just telling you a story that might be helpful.”

“What a surprise.”

“You just overheard it. And you did it for free.”

“······ what?”

“Anyway, I’ll be going. Han Seo-jin. Can I call you Seo-jin from now on?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Yes, Seojin-ah. Anyway, keep my words in mind. And I’m looking forward to your performance of ⌜Petrushka⌟ again. Let’s meet again at the Chapel.”

“Hey! Me! I’m going to Chapel too!”

“······.”

Yankovsky ignored Turner’s cries and quickly disappeared into a dark alley.

“Anyway. Yankovsky. You’re getting gloomy… By the way, you shouldn’t listen to musicians like that. Got it?”

“······ well.”

“What do you know?”

At that moment, Sister Lucas’ voice was heard from behind.

Sister Lucas growls at Turner.

Turner made some excuses, but then gave up and quickly left.

Sister Lucas continued, referring to the two performers who had spoken to me.

“I told you there are a lot of really weird contestants, right?”

“But it’s still fun.”

“What? Fun?”

“You might think, ‘There are people like this in the world.’ You might also compare their actions and music to infer their thoughts. It’s a good opportunity.”

Sister Lucas looked at me and sighed.

“Anyway, be nice. I’m worried. I’m worried.”

“Me?”

“Okay! Let’s go back first. We need to eat, right?”

“······?”

“Ah. Ah. You didn’t hear. Pianist Kang Yoo-han, Mr. Laurent, and your family are all going to eat together. You’re not the only one who’s missing out, are you?”

“······ That’s true, right?”

“Sister, I’ll introduce you to another Belgian restaurant. Is there anything you want to eat?”

“Hmm.”

I said I would like steak today.

Sister Lucas strode ahead, saying, “That was a wise choice. I was losing a lot of energy because of ⌜Petrushka⌟. Meat is good.”

Before I knew it, Suyeon came running towards me and grabbed my hand, swinging her arms back and forth vigorously.

I turned my head for a moment as I was walking down the street.

The dark alleyway that Yankovsky walked down alone.

I looked at that empty place for a moment.

* * *

South of Brussels, Belgium.

In the past, a few people were moving busily around a mansion in the area, which was more famous for Napoleon’s Battle of Waterloo.

Taiwanese master Lang Yu continues speaking in an agitated tone.

“Scott. Is that true? His score in this competition······.”

“Haha. How many times have you asked the same question? How can you get so excited when you’re here as Queen Elizabeth’s advisor?”

“I’m just a performer, so there’s nothing I can do! If I had known this would happen, I would have entered the Queen Elisabeth Competition this year. This is no joke.”

Scott chuckles at his absurd remark.

Meanwhile, Russian master Basyanov speaks on his behalf.

“Hahaha. But Langwei, aren’t you subject to the age restriction?”

“That’s true, but······.”

“Well, it’s not that I don’t know how you feel. It’s the first time I’ve felt this excited.”

The three of them walked hurriedly along the hallway covered with ornate carpets.

The place they are now is the Music Chapel, where the Queen Elizabeth finalists will later reside.

As we reached the innermost part of the mansion, a huge arched door appeared.

Scott opened the door without hesitation.

A small room of about 20 pyeong.

The five people gathered inside looked at them for a moment.

They are greeted by a Belgian figure who oversees this year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition.

“You’re not late. Do you have the key?”

“yes.”

“Of course.”

Scott and Bashanov answered.

Each of them takes out their keys from their pockets and bags.

The key is carefully received by the competition director.

There was a huge safe on the wall at the end of the room.

The Concours director began to open the safe with three keys, including the one he had.

Eight people hold their breath as a rattling noise comes from the vault.

I slowly turned the handle that looked like a ship’s wheel and the safe finally opened.

Langwei is the first to exclaim.

Even Bashanov, who had been acting calm, lets out a “Huh!”

Scott put on white gloves and accepted the wad of papers handed to him by the competition director.

Now even Scott’s voice was shaking.

“This is it······.”

The Queen Elisabeth competition director nodded slowly.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s Beethoven’s unpublished autograph score. It’s the score that the 12 finalists of the Queen Elisabeth Competition will play. If you win first place in the semifinals, you’ll have the honor of being the first of the 12 to play this score.”

“Hahaha. It’ll be worth watching once the embargo is lifted.”

“The world will be watching. We in Belgium are hoping for that.”

Beethoven’s previously unpublished handwritten score, which Belgium bought for a fortune at Sotheby’s secret auction last year.

In the semi-finals of this year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition······.

For the chance to premiere ‘a few sheets of sheet music’ that have never been released to the world.

It was expected that the competition would be more fierce than ever.