The Healing Life of a Music Genius - Chapter 213



Only Noblemtl

* * *

“bravo!!!!!!”

The audience cheered at the top of their lungs, giving the boy a bravo.

We gave a big round of applause to the performer who gave us the best performance today, and we all stood up to be polite.

Some people are moved to tears.

There are also those who are speechless with surprise.

There are also those who have experienced small changes through the boy’s performance.

I wanted to express my gratitude to the performers on stage.

A behavior that comes naturally without anyone telling you to do it.

Just as the boy had to play like this, the audience had to cheer like this when they heard the boy play.

Accordingly, the Belgian National Orchestra did not remain silent either.

The current fifth section members clapped their hands by lightly striking their instruments with their bows, while the woodwind and brass players held their instruments with one hand and struck the back of their hands with the other, making small sounds.

An orchestral greeting that usually comes at the end of a performance by a maestro.

The meaning is······.

‘Your performance was wonderful.’

‘Our orchestra admires your performance.’

‘I respect you as a musician.’

‘It was a pleasure to play with you.’

A greeting from the orchestra that is not easily seen in a competition.

This meant that the national orchestra of Belgium recognized the boy as one of the best performers.

After the performance, the boy who had been sitting at the piano and lost in thought for quite some time finally got up from his seat.

Accordingly, the audience’s cheers grew louder.

The boy slowly walked around the concert hall from left to right with a faint smile on his face.

His movements were slow, as if he was trying to remember every single one of the audience members.

Then the boy very slowly lowered his head.

The meaning was conveyed without words.

I could tell the boy’s true feelings without even having to talk to him.

Like a boy’s performance engraved directly into the heart, things much more powerful than the power of language filled the concert hall.

The boy shakes hands earnestly with the conductor and the conductor.

I give the orchestra the same greeting as before.

The boy’s actions were so impressive······.

People couldn’t take their eyes off the stage.

The very back of the first floor seats.

One of the judges, who was watching this situation from where the 17 judges were sitting, spoke quietly.

“It’s as if the audience came only to see that boy’s performance.”

“It was such a powerful performance. I was surprised at ⌜Immortal⌟, but your concerto performance is also excellent.”

“It seemed like you had a perfect understanding of the orchestra. In particular, it was very impressive how you were able to express various tones with just one piano and harmonize with the orchestra.”

“But this time, it seems like Julian Brel had a hard time, didn’t he?”

Canadian judge mentions the chief conductor of the Belgian National Orchestra.

The Polish judge nodded in agreement.

“Fortunately, I managed to strike a delicate balance. Thanks to that, the concerto was able to shine even brighter.”

“A conductor of Brel’s caliber is a pianist who sweats profusely. Has anything like this ever happened in the history of Queen Elizabeth?”

His questions are answered by a Belgian judge.

“It was a while ago, but during the final collaboration with Chloe Laurent, Brel was so flustered that he almost made a mistake. Laurent’s Rachmaninoff was really great.”

“But wasn’t that when Brel had just taken charge of Belgium?”

“Yes, that’s right. So you can’t compare the situations one-on-one. Laurent was 20 at that time, and that boy is 14 now. Brel at that time was lacking, but Brel now is holding Belgium tightly.”

“······.”

The hidden meaning behind the words of the Belgian judge.

This further highlighted the boy’s genius.

The Italian judge laughs, seemingly bewildered.

“Hahaha. I can’t believe it. Laurent himself is a relatively young virtuoso player who is called the ‘young maestro’······. That boy······.”

Samuel Scott, who had been listening to the conversation of all the judges from the center of the judges’ table, continued speaking on their behalf.

“The 12 finalists each have their own unique style and have created a great stage. The competition is over, and Brussels needs only a proper evaluation. We can talk about it later. So for now, I would like you to focus a little more on the judging.”

“······.”

“······.”

“······.”

Something I absolutely had to say as the head judge.

After hearing Scott’s words, the 16 judges glanced at the boy on stage and soon began to work on their judging sheets.

Scott, like them, looked down at his own judgment.

I took notes here and there while listening to the boy’s concerto, but I still haven’t given it a score.

Scott closed his eyes and recalled the boy playing the piano again, and couldn’t help but chuckle.

In this performance······.

This was because I had no idea how many points I should give.

‘It was truly an amazing competition. One that I will remember for the rest of my life.’

Scott, who had been thinking about the boy’s performance from the past several times, finally began to write down the numbers after deep thought.

2nd floor of the Beaux-Arts Concert Hall.

In the audience where the musicians gathered, there was endless talk about this performance.

Among them, Max Richter, known as the Melody of Dresden, muttered softly while looking into the boy’s calm eyes.

“The child who performed better than anyone else today seems the most calm here. A child’s growth······. always seems to come in an instant.”

Kang Yu-han, who was sitting next to him, answers with a smile.

“Children grow up in the blink of an eye. And before we know it, they become adults, and they teach us instead.”

Richter nods.

“Such things are very welcome, but at the same time, it’s also a shame.”

“But time has a particularly powerful effect on children.”

“Yes. That’s right. A boy who has already become an adult just by looking at his inner appearance. A performer who willingly shows that side of himself to the audience. That child······.”

Kang Yu-han looked at Richter, waiting for an answer, and Richter swallowed his words.

“What about that kid?”

“······ It’s nothing. I just meant that you gave such a wonderful performance. I was very impressed.”

Richter continued talking, albeit inwardly, while answering appropriately.

That kid······.

‘I think I’ve already surpassed my friends back then.’

I have mixed feelings.

Richter was able to recall Mark Miller through that child.

It gave me the opportunity to reconnect with happy memories of my childhood and once again express my condolences to my friend.

All this was created by that boy.

Music that moves people’s emotions and brings about change.

The unique music of a boy who never existed in this world has finally revealed its true form.

This is the point that musicians should naturally aim for.

A child who has already reached that location.

Richter looked up at the sky for no reason.

Even though the sky was not visible due to the ceiling of the Beaux-Arts concert hall, this inner sound was sure to reach there.

‘The musician who makes the music you’ve been longing for has appeared in this world.’

‘There is a boy on this stage who plays the music that you couldn’t do because the time given was not enough.’

‘Miller, my old friend······.’

‘Your unfinished······.’

‘It was finally completed here.’

‘I, Max Richter, heard that music myself.’

‘After spending a little more time here······.’

‘I’ll tell you directly.’

‘That boy’s music.’

‘Let me tell you what the music of a boy named Han Seo-jin was like.’

Max Richter looked at the stage, swallowing back tears.

The boy was returning to the waiting room amid applause from the audience.

The boy’s back has grown sturdy without him noticing.

The sight was so brave that I couldn’t help but smile.

* * *

The waiting room of the Beaux-Arts Concert Hall.

“It was a truly wonderful concerto! It was the best ⌜Piano Concerto No. 1⌟ I have ever heard!”

“I told you, I got goosebumps. I was so surprised that he played as if he was competing with the orchestra.”

“That’s right. But later on, they created perfect harmony?”

“I told you it was a truly top-notch performance?”

“Good job, Seo Jin! It’s finally over!”

“Thank you. Everyone, you’ve all worked really hard.”

The finalists are smiling brightly at me.

Now that the contest is over.

I wanted to have a deeper conversation with them, but I didn’t think I would be able to have a comfortable conversation in a waiting room full of cameras.

I heard that there would be an interview right after the show, but I didn’t know it would start right away like this.

‘Maybe they’re doing this to give it a more realistic feel.’

As I returned to the waiting room after finishing my performance, the host of ⌜Queen Elizabeth⌟ handed me the microphone and asked me a question.

First, my thoughts on finishing the contest.

I was able to answer that question fairly easily, but the next question was not so easy.

“It was a truly wonderful finale performance. Our commentators couldn’t help but praise it. Is there anything you paid the most attention to while preparing this concerto? I think there must be a reason why you were able to interpret this piece so beautifully.”

“······ well.”

A question that cannot be answered simply.

After much thought, I had no choice but to state the basics.

“First of all, I tried to practice consistently every day without missing a single day.”

“And I often listened to other musicians’ music.”

“I read a lot of books from time to time.”

“Uh······. Yes······. That’s all.”

Sometimes when I see interviews on TV about people who studied Korean, English, and math to get into Seoul National University, I wonder why they answered that way, but when it actually happened to me, I understood.

The country and the people were too complicated to explain in words here.

‘Because there are things I can’t say.’

There was no choice.

I smiled and moved on, and the host lightly moved on to the next question.

While I was interviewing, I saw some friendly faces at the entrance to the waiting room.

Sister Lucas, who said she would watch my performance live from the audience.

Yankovsky and Turner, Hyunju Noona.

and.

Our family.

After finishing the interview, I went straight to where they were and the camera captured the entire scene of me hugging and talking to each of them.

Suyeon, who was looking around while hugging me tightly, told me that fact.

“Oppa. Oppa. It seems like you’re getting the most attention. The cameras taking pictures of you… There are three of them! Oh! I started taking pictures too!”

“Really? Then Sooyeon, you might become a celebrity?”

“Hehehe. Is that so? But I guess I should back off slowly for now. The main character of today is you, oppa. Right?”

Suyeon smiles bashfully, keeping her distance from me.

The camera continued to capture Suyeon, who looked really good in a pink dress.

We moved locations.

Studio at the Palais des Beaux-Arts.

Filming for ⌜Queen Elizabeth⌟ was scheduled to continue until the judging results were announced.

And all of that was broadcast live.

The atmosphere of the broadcast was very good.

Russian master pianist Bashanov and Taiwanese master pianist Lang Yu set the mood well.

They do a good job of controlling the questions so that they don’t focus on specific participants.

however.

Sister Lucas, who was sitting next to me, sighed cautiously.

He swallows his saliva because he is nervous.

I knew why Sister Lucas was like that, so I cautiously encouraged her.

“Everything will be okay. And even if it doesn’t happen today, I’m sure you’ll be able to find your friend soon.”

“······ I guess so?”

“Yes. I will guarantee it. If there is any need, I will personally help you. So don’t worry.”

“······.”

Sister Lucas, who was staring at me intently, whispered, “You’re five years younger than me, but you’re acting all smart. Of course, you’re cool.” and smiled faintly.

When it was Lucas’s turn to be interviewed, she continued speaking calmly.

A story about a friend I lost when I was living in an orphanage.

There is a brief exchange of words about wanting to reunite with her.

After that, the conversation about music continued as originally planned.

Time passed quickly.

The final judging of the Queen Elisabeth Competition is said to not take that long.

One hour and thirty minutes after all the performances were over.

At that exact moment, we went down to the lobby.

A guard line was created in the lobby.

The people who had been in the audience until just a moment ago were cheering us on from behind the line, and we stood inside the line, staring at the stairs leading to the second floor.

“Whew. I’m so nervous. Seojin, are you okay?”

At that time, Hyunju spoke to me in Korean.

I smiled and nodded.

“I’m okay. I’ve already played a performance that I have no regrets about. I don’t think the result matters.”

“Wow······. You’re much more mature than me.”

Just then, an elbow nudged me next to me.

What are you talking about that’s so interesting?

I was wondering if you had any information.

Sister Lucas was smiling.

Thanks to that, Hyun-joo, who saw this situation, also burst into laughter.

We chatted lightly in English and looked at the stage at the end of the line.

After a while, people began to murmur.

The judges came down from the second floor where the conference room was and went up to the podium one by one.

The 17 judges stood in a row and looked at us.

Sister Lucas eventually got nervous and grabbed my sleeve with her index finger.

At that moment, one of the Queen Elisabeth Competition judges came forward as a representative and stood in front of the microphone.

He introduced himself as Samuel Scott.

A virtuoso pianist from England.

I had seen his performance on the Internet too.

Judge Scott spoke softly.

“Dear citizens of Brussels, passionate supporters of classical music, and the 12 finalists who created a wonderful finale. This year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition has come to a close.”

“In the past, the competition was named after Queen Elisabeth of Bavaria, wife of King Albert I of the Belgians. The Queen Elisabeth Competition, which started in honor of the Belgian violinist Eugène Ysaÿe, has developed into what it is today. I would also like to express my gratitude to the King and Queen of the Belgians.”

The cameras capture them simultaneously.

The King and Queen bowed their heads slightly and listened to Judge Scott’s words.

“This year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition was even more special than in previous years. In the final round, one of the contestants premiered the music of the great composer and successfully concluded the performance. The collaboration was more splendid than ever before and captured the attention of the audience.”

“We shouldn’t dare to rate music and performance, but we do it. We endure such things in the hope of advancing classical music. We are musicians who live to make better music than 200 years ago, to make better music than 100 years ago.”

“It takes a lot to carry on this melody. Dedication and effort. Anguish and distress. Those who stand on stage with all of that in their hearts are them.”

Judge Scott pointed to us with his hand.

“Ladies and gentlemen.”

“Please give them a big round of applause and cheers, regardless of whether they win an award or not, as they continue to make music······.”

“I would like to announce the winners of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. The announcements will be made starting from the 5th place.”

“The judges’ scores are based on 50% of the first round of the finals and 50% of the second round of the finals. The highest and lowest scores received by the contestant were excluded, and if there were judges from the contestant’s country, they were also excluded from the evaluation. Please take note.”

The crowd’s murmur grows louder.

Camera flashes began to go off incessantly.

Judge Scott took a small notebook out of his pocket and placed it on the palm of his hand.

“The 5th place winner of this year’s Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition is······. South Korea, who received a score of 8.97······.”

Hyunju and I made eye contact at the same time.

And it quickly turned into cheers.

“This is contestant Lee Hyun-joo. Congratulations.”

“Waaaaaaaaaah!”

“Wow! Seo Jin-ah! I got the prize! I went up from 8th place to 5th place!”

“I sincerely congratulate you.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Sister Hyun-joo climbs up onto the stage with a big smile.

Thanks to that, I couldn’t help but smile.

The 4th place winner was also announced right away.

American contestant Brian Turner received a score of 9.25.

He stood there blankly, looked at me for a moment, then smiled and went up to the stage.

The ratings aren’t that different from the third round of preliminaries.

In a competition as rigorous as the Queen Elisabeth, which is famous for thoroughly examining its performers, there was very little luck involved.

This means that an accurate rating was given that matches the performer’s skill level.

However, there were some changes.

“Third place. Congratulations to Oleg Yankovsky from Russia, who received a score of 9.42.”

Sister Lucas turns her head and looks at me.

He looked very surprised as his eyes widened.

Instead, Yankowski looks calm.

He came up to me and held out his hand to me.

“Thanks to you, I had a more valuable experience than winning first place in a contest. Thank you, Seo Jin-ah.”

I took his hand.

And I asked a question so quietly that no one could hear.

It was a question I absolutely had to ask him.

“If you have had a valuable experience······. Then, are you finally able to overcome the loss?”

“No. It still hurts. It hurts. But······.”

Yankowski smiled for the first time.

“I’ve come to understand a person’s heart a little bit. I’m going to be happy. I’m going to create happy performances. That’s all I’ve come to know.”

“That’s cool.”

“It was such a wonderful time, just like you said.”

He strode forward and climbed up onto the stage.

Now all that remained was to announce the first and second place winners.

Rankings to be announced simultaneously.

Judge Scott······.

He looked at me for a moment.

“The first prize of the Queen Elisabeth Piano Competition is an honor.”

“I am Han Seo-jin, a contestant from South Korea who received a score of 9.91. Congratulations.”

“Congratulations to France’s Sylvie Lucas, who came in second with a score of 9.43.”

A huge cheer went up.

The camera came right up to me.

Rating: 9.91 points.

I heard from reporters that it was the highest point in Queen Elizabeth’s history.

Before I could say anything, my older sister Lucas, who was next to me, hugged me first.

Sister Lucas cried like a child.

I express my emotions honestly without worrying about my mascara smudging.

I looked up at the sky while patting Sister Lucas.

Even though the sky was not visible due to the ceiling of the Beaux-Arts concert hall, this inner sound was sure to reach there.

‘Mr. Miller.’

‘Thanks to you, sir······.’

‘I could have been a musician.’

‘This is an immutable truth.’

‘Thank you. And······.’

‘I miss you so much today.’

‘i miss you.’

‘You said that musicians should always be honest with themselves, right?’

‘This is how I feel honestly right now.’

I went up to the stage with Sister Lucas.

Even though the platform wasn’t that high, I could see at a glance the large number of people gathered in the lobby.

The Queen of Belgium herself presented me with the trophy.

A silver trophy in the shape of a treble clef.

I was briefly touching the trophy of the winner of one of the world’s top three piano competitions······.

He lifted the trophy a little higher.