The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 194
Only Noblemtl
194 Variations
* * *
I had a quiet few days.
I took a walk through the streets of Brussels, which I was becoming increasingly familiar with, and ate mostly food prepared by my mother.
I tried to finish piano practice before the sun went down.
From the evening onwards, I looked at sheet music or read books at my lodging.
As for books, I mostly bought books about composers whose pieces I would have to play at the competition, and since it was easy to find books in German or English in Brussels, I was able to find quite a variety of books.
Whenever I was reading a book on the sofa, Suyeon would come over and look at me and the book alternately as if she was curious.
Every time, I read a little bit of the English book to Suyeon. Of course, I also provided interpretation, and I explained the difficult parts as easily as possible.
Something similar was happening again today.
Suyeon listened to my story for a while and then spoke quietly.
“I only speak Korean······. My brother is really amazing. Should I study harder from now on?”
Suyeon, who was glancing at the German original book on the table, quickly shook her head.
I ended up chuckling.
“Suyeon, when she’s your age, she’ll be able to do this easily. So, don’t worry.”
“Will that happen?”
“Of course. Besides, Suyeon has been studying hard with her mother lately, right? At her age, I couldn’t solve such difficult problems. Sometimes, when I look at the test papers, I get really surprised.”
“Your brother is surprised?”
“Yeah. So, Sooyeon, you don’t need to be so hard on yourself. You’re doing well now. I wish you could relax a little more.”
“······.”
Even though Suyeon is already incomparable to her peers, I guess there are some areas where she is worried.
My parents and I didn’t treat Suyeon specially.
Even when I read difficult books and showed surprisingly smart sides, he treated me with no hesitation.
He always treated Sooyeon, who was obviously a genius, as if she were ordinary.
Only 7 years old now.
Still an age where dolls are nice.
I hope you enjoyed this time to the fullest.
I wish you weren’t as impatient as I am.
Suyeon looked at me and blinked several times.
It seemed as if my image was reflected in those bright eyes.
Suyeon immediately smiled brightly.
“Hehe. If that’s what you’re saying, then that’s what it must be like. But I still want to work a little harder. And I want to read more books.”
“If Sooyeon wants it, she can do that.”
“So, I think I should start with the homework that Mom gave me. Actually, it’s due next week, but I have to do it today.”
“Suyeon is very sincere, isn’t she?”
“Ahem! I guess I resemble ‘who’ in some way. By the way, I’m going to solve the problem on the sofa, but you can’t tell me. Okay?”
I pretended to stuff my lips with a pencil, and Sooyeon smiled faintly before bringing out the worksheet.
Suyeon sat on the sofa and wiggled her legs that didn’t touch the floor.
I read a book in German next to him.
My mother packed herbal tea and cookies for my siblings and I.
Suyeon cuts the cookie in half and hands it to me.
I handed the cup of herbal tea I had been blowing on to Suyeon.
My mother sat down on the single sofa and began writing in a spiral notebook, while my brother and I went back to doing things we had to do.
When it was time for the early evening, the three of us went into the bathroom together and brushed our teeth.
Suyeon quickly fell asleep.
Thanks to eating well and studying hard, he sleeps soundly, making a “koooooo~” sound.
I looked at my watch.
After calculating the time difference between Korea and Brussels, I went out to the yard.
I sat down on a chair on the deck and looked up at the sky.
Here in Brussels the moon was equally bright.
I made a phone call.
The call will be connected as soon as it rings a few times.
A warm voice answers the simple question, “Hello.”
– Yes, son. Are you having a hard time?
“Not as much as my father. My father is suffering alone in Korea.”
– What’s so great about this? So how’s your condition? Are you feeling any pain?
“Yes. What about your father? You don’t always eat convenience store food, do you?”
– Don’t worry. I’ve been ordering really delicious food for delivery these days. The delivery app is pretty good.
We continued talking for a while.
In a place where day and night are different······.
We exchanged greetings at the same time.
* * *
⌜Seojin Publishing House⌟.
“Huh? Sir, your expression is so bright. Is something good happening?”
Han Seon-hoon smiles at the employee’s question.
“well.”
Then, another employee joins the conversation.
“Hey. Don’t you know that news? The CEO’s son entered the Queen Elisabeth Competition this time and made it to the semi-finals.”
“Ah, is that why you did that?”
“If I were you, I would have put up a placard at the entrance, but our CEO is a very polite person.”
“Then should we do it for you?”
“Placard?”
“Oh. Isn’t this a worthwhile investment for the next salary negotiation?”
“oh?”
Only then did Han Seon-hoon stop his employees.
Throw some tasks at them and make them focus more on their work.
Han Seon-hoon entered his personal office and sat down.
The office isn’t that big.
A framed photo of his family stood on his table.
Han Seon-hoon stared at the picture frame and muttered to himself.
“When did you grow up so much······.”
I remember what my son said on the phone early this morning.
A word of thanks.
and.
Considerate words to not push yourself too hard.
At some point, the son began to worry about his father.
‘I told myself not to be so hard on myself. I have a family. I told myself to rely on myself sometimes.’
It seemed like all of Han Seon-hoon’s fatigue would disappear at his son’s one word.
Han Seon-hoon focused on his work.
There is not much time left until the departure date.
I already missed watching my son’s first and second rounds of the competition in person.
But I wanted to see the semi-final stage in person no matter what.
‘I think things will work out somehow if I work remotely······.’
My son has been working hard all this time.
Han Seon-hoon knew that fact better than anyone else.
I wanted to be there with my son and watch the results.
I wanted to share congratulations and comfort, happiness and sadness together.
Time passed and it was lunchtime.
The employees went out to eat first, and Han Seon-hoon stayed in the office and ate a convenience store sandwich he bought in the morning.
Then, I suddenly wanted to hear my son play, so I turned on YouTube.
The official channel to watch all the performances of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
There he hears his son play Petrushka.
Although Han Seon-hoon had already heard this performance over and over again, he was surprised every time he heard it.
A performance that seems to grab the listener’s heart.
A melody that makes you think a lot and brings back memories of the past.
Han Seon-hoon listened to the melody and thought about it for a while before making a phone call.
Thump, thump, thump.
The sound continues, making me feel uneasy for no reason.
It took almost 15 calls for the other person to pick up the phone.
The owner of the old voice was Han Seon-hoon’s father-in-law.
– Yeah. It’s the first time since about two years ago.
“Yes. How have you been, Father-in-law?”
– I’m always like that. Why? What’s going on? I hope it’s not like last time when it’s my grandchildren’s problem.
A craftsman who indirectly refers to the AC 2505 incident.
Han Seon-hoon thought for a moment and then answered.
“I was wondering if it would be a good idea to have a meal together after a long time. Is today or tomorrow a good time for you?”
-······.
“Of course, if it is difficult for you, you can refuse.”
– ······ No. How about now? I haven’t eaten lunch yet. Have you eaten?
Han Seon-hoon answered while looking at the half-eaten sandwich.
“Me neither, not yet.”
– That’s good.
“Then I will go that way.”
– Then give me a call when you all get there.
“all right.”
After finishing the call, Han Seon-hoon stands up from his seat.
He drove straight to Gangnam.
The meal with Master Song Gil-seop was not very long.
Moreover, there wasn’t that much conversation going on.
They mostly just sat there quietly concentrating on their meal.
After finishing the meal, Han Seon-hoon hurriedly pays the bill.
And when we were alone in the elevator going to the parking lot.
They brought up the words that were sorely needed between them.
“I’m sorry for what happened.”
“I’m sorry for what happened to you.”
Soon silence falls on the elevator.
People come in, stopping one floor after another.
The elevator quickly filled up.
The situation became ambiguous for them to have a conversation.
It’s not easy to untie old knots.
To untie a knot that has become more and more tied over time, you need scissors.
They both picked up scissors.
And he cut the knot with bold words.
It would take more time to do more than this.
In the underground parking lot where he had already arrived, Song Gil-seop said a few more words before getting into the car.
“Seo Jin’s performance was very impressive.”
“yes.”
“That was great music. Now I know a little bit about art.”
“······.”
“Take care on your way back. Take care on your way back from Brussels.”
“······.”
“Please take good care of our daughter and our grandchildren.”
“······.”
The driver opens the car door for the old man and greets him.
Han Seon-hoon bowed his head slightly to him and stayed in his seat until the car left.
Han Seon-hoon returned to the publishing company and immediately focused on his work.
Listening to my son’s music again.
He said this with a faint smile.
* * *
“Did you hear that rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“Beethoven’s unpublished music will be revealed for the first time in this Queen Elisabeth final!”
“Unpublished music by Beethoven? Was there such a thing?”
“Oh! I heard it was a piano piece. Isn’t it amazing? I heard Belgium secretly won the bid at Sotheby’s!”
“This is really great, but······. Wait a minute. Then what happens to us?”
“Us? Why us? We didn’t even participate in the contest.”
“That’s not it. If a new Beethoven song is discovered, shouldn’t our students study it again…?”
“Ouch! Aaaah!”
“······We’re finished.”
“Hey! But wouldn’t it be great if at least one more piece of Beethoven’s music could be discovered? Why are you so depressed about that?”
“That’s right. That’s right. The history of classical music is being remade again.”
“What did they say they were studying?”
“cello.”
“Somehow. Isn’t this none of your business?”
“That’s why I said you shouldn’t be humble?”
“Hey! What did you guys just say?”
“Cello! If you guys keep doing this, I won’t play the accompaniment for you?”
The cello students immediately back down at the piano student’s words.
“I was asking what you said.”
“Ahem! You must have had a hard time.”
“Anyway······.”
Finally, Queen Elizabeth lifted the embargo.
Belgium has purchased a previously unpublished manuscript of Beethoven’s piano music and will have the 12 finalists for the Queen Elisabeth Final perform it for the first time.
The secret auction held at Sotheby’s featured mainly participants from famous competition hosting countries including Belgium, Poland, Russia and the United States, with Belgium paying the highest price.
The news was immediately published and spread around the world.
News headlines in each country began to cover stories about Beethoven’s ‘new score’.
Belgium, which paid the highest price at Sotheby’s auction.
Queen Elizabeth contestants who will be performing it.
Ticketing situation for the competition in Brussels.
Queen Elizabeth’s official Newtube, etc.
As Belgium intended, ‘Beethoven’s New Score’ was a huge publicity stunt.
And the news began to spread in reverse to the Queen Elizabeth participants.
The news had been kept a secret for some time.
The participants, who did not even know English, began to be surprised one by one.
“Beethoven’s unpublished piano piece?”
“This is awesome······.”
“I think it might be better to win first place in the semi-finals than first place in the Queen Elizabeth.”
“So, if I could premiere Beethoven’s music, I would go down in history, right?”
“That’s right. It’s an incredible honor.”
The anticipation of being able to ‘premiere’ that song.
The participants increased the amount of practice they did, knowingly or unknowingly.
Each of us has different thoughts.
‘Just this once······. If I somehow get first place······.’
‘This will definitely be my last chance to premiere Beethoven’s music.’
‘Let’s just make it to the finals!’
‘You should have told me in advance! You’re telling me this now······.’
‘Can I do it······.’
Meanwhile, Yankovsky, who is considered a strong candidate to win the Queen Elizabeth, was chatting with Russian officials in a deserted cafe.
To do our best to somehow premiere Beethoven’s music, which Russia missed out on last year.
There is a saying that no matter what happens, you should not miss that opportunity.
Yankovsky listened to him, but stared off into the distance absentmindedly.
Nodding slightly.
Brussels is starting to see more people than ever before.
The world’s greatest masters flocked to Brussels to watch Queen Elisabeth’s competition and hear Beethoven’s music.
Among them, there were some who received the utmost hospitality from the airport······.
It was Max Richter, known as the Melody of Dresden, and Kai Hoffmann, the owner of the Konzerthaus Berlin.
“That child’s performance is always something to look forward to. And a new Beethoven piece… Hehe. Seojin might get a big chance.”
“I wonder how much he’s grown since then. Personally, I wish Seojin could premiere Beethoven’s music.”
“I guess we just have to hope that things will work out well.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Brussels is more festive than ever.
The day of the Queen Elizabeth semi-final competition was quickly approaching.
* * *
The day before the semi-finals.
My father arrived in Brussels.
Judging from my father’s tired face, he must have been working too hard, and on top of that, he fell asleep as soon as he got back to his accommodations due to jet lag.
Suyeon pats her father and says:
“Dad······. He fainted······!”
“You’ll recover quickly. By tomorrow, you’ll be strong enough to give Sooyeon a ride on a horse.”
“Is that really true? Ah!!!”
At that moment, the father’s hand stretches out and hugs Suyeon.
I thought you were sleeping, but you were still conscious.
Suyeon, who starts laughing quickly thanks to her father.
Then, soon, my father started snoring.
Well, the location was in Brussels, but it was no different from our house in Saebom-dong.
The next day.
I went jogging with my father in the early morning.
I came back sweating profusely, took a shower, and had a meal with my family.
Before going to the Palais des Beaux-Arts, I stopped by the practice room.
There was something I wanted to check one last time before the competition today.
I played the song in front of Professor Kang Yu-han and his family.
Mendelssohn’s piano pieces.
A work created during the period when he was at his most creative as a composer.
Mendelssohn – Variations sérieuses, op. 54.
It was a piece called Mendelssohn’s “Strict Variations.”
The world is always strict.
How many hours a day do you have to practice?
You have to study hard.
I have to do better than anyone else.
I have to do better than anyone else.
In a way, it’s natural.
Not just anyone can be given the opportunity to premiere Beethoven’s music.
It is right to give that opportunity to the first place winner who passed the strict criteria.
If you disagree with something like this, you’ll be seen as a weirdo.
I also had no objection.
However.
This world is not always like a concours.
So, isn’t it okay to give it some variation?
To people, to their own lives and to their own lives.
If there is no opportunity to even give a little variation······.
That would be too bleak.
I continued playing according to my interpretation.
Creating variations from a strict melody.
Looking at my mother who is looking at me gently.
Looking at my father who was smiling calmly.
Looking at Suyeon, who was smiling brightly in her father’s arms.
Looking at Professor Kang Yu-han, who always believes in me.
Creating various changes with one theme.
I closed my eyes.
The melody changes splendidly according to the 17 variations given in Mendelssohn’s “Strict Variations.”
Sometimes sadly.
Sometimes happily.
Sometimes flashy.
There was no need to confine oneself to a narrow perspective and view the world only in a narrow way.
Now I know the truth.
The music I made keeps ringing in my ears.
A soft melody is created in my heart.
The variations continued.
.
.
.
I slowly opened my eyes.
I was on stage at the Beaux-Arts concert hall.
A dazzling light shines on me.
A large number of people in the audience are looking at the musician named Nara.
You can see the judges and many musicians.
They were applauding my appearance.
He looks at me with expectant eyes.
From that morning until now, I have been listening to Mendelssohn’s music.
The music repeats in my head, my heart, and my ears.
The desire to play is endless.
I wanted to start playing as soon as possible.
I wanted to show them my playing.
I wanted to press the keys with all ten fingers.
My instincts were screaming.
I scanned the entire auditorium.
And then he bowed his head towards them once more and sat down on the piano bench.
As soon as I place both hands gently on the keyboard, my whole body’s senses become sharp in an instant.
still.
I took my time and took my time.
Because this song was meant to be played that way.
A melody is heard in the silence and seems within reach.
At that moment, the first note was played without even thinking about pressing the key.
A very delicate melody flows out.
The second, third, and fourth notes are pressed naturally.
I engraved my little wish on my fingertips.
‘Living in a strict world······.’
‘I prepared this song for you.’
‘I hope you will find peace by listening to this variation.’
The lyrical introduction to Mendelssohn’s complex set of variations······.
It began to slowly spread out, as if whispering.