It was as Zheng Wei Qiao said. The man who was the deputy chief violinist of B City Symphony Orchestra did have his own strengths. He played Dvorakâs ă6th Symphony in D Majoră second movement in gentle adagio.
The sound was light and refreshing, like a gentle hand that fluttered at a personâs heartstrings. Even Qi Mu had a proper appreciation for this sound. The only pity is that on the final piece, he was obviously impatient, and he didnât end it with the tranquility it should have.
Qi Mu heard this and frowned.
If this was to be played at a European concert, he might get a warning, or his name may even get removed. But for the current audition, he had performed well enough, at least, to let others wait and see.
âQi Jia brat, even if someone has no talent, they can still do anything. Your parents died early so I will teach you for them. You should watch what you say, and mind your step.â After he finished with his audition, Lu deliberately went to Qi Mu and said this with a sneer.
Qi Mu heard this and smiled suddenly. Evidently, this guy. . . Really, did he think he was a soft persimmon that one could pinch without caution?
âMr. Lu, do you know who else has said this before you?â
The middle-aged man asked, âWho?â
Qi Muâs delicate eyebrows raised slightly, pretending to ponder on this for a while. Then he said, âMr. Tan, the B City Symphony Orchestraâs chief conductor. Also, Mr. Xu, the chairman of the Huaxia Music Association and the S City Symphony Orchestraâs musical director. . . ah, and Mr. Verona, the concertmaster of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, and Mr. Derek, the Vienna Symphony Orchestraâs musical director. Ah, those are the ones that I can remember off the top of my head.â
Qi Muâs tone was flat and calm, but the people around who heard this sentence stared with astonished eyes. There was an awkward silence.
The more he listened to the names he listed, the darker Luâs face was. Forget the music director of Vienna Symphony Orchestra, even the chief conductor of B City Symphony Orchestra who was the closest to him was still far beyond his reach.
The man initially thought that because Qi Mu was now an orphan and no longer had the backing of his family, he could taunt and ridicule this young prodigy and get him out of his way. He didnât expect to end up lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot, even making himself look bad. One must know that even dead, a camel was still bigger than a horse. Those seniors, for the sake of Qi Muâs late parents, would make it impossible for anyone to humiliate him.
Well, nobody told this old man to bully him, so it was his own fault.
In the hearts of old predecessors, there were always scales hanging.
The middle-aged manâs face was pale, and he said awkwardly, âYou can say that after you get this job. If you can, that is.â After speaking, he walked away hastily.
A person who was blinded by hatred and envy wouldnât get far on this road.
Qi Mu came late, so his number was among the last few. When it was his turn, there were only 3-4 people left. But the middle-aged man was still there, looking at him as if he was expecting to see a joke.
âHeh, a kid who hasnât even touched the violin for a few years really thinks heâs on par with us?â
Qi Mu didnât pay attention to this obvious provocation. After his number was called, he put down the rosin in his hand and stood to walk to the forefront.
The stage for this audition was a small theater, and several big names of B City Symphony Orchestra were sitting on the front row.
Qi Mu walked over calmly step by step.
âQi Mu. . . ?â The chief violinist of B City Symphony Orchestra who was sitting in the front row said his name in surprise. He then turned to look at the old man next to him and asked tentatively, âMr. Tan, is this. . . really that Qi Mu?â
The old man grunted and coldly said, âJust listen to his performance.â
The chief violinist smiled and didnât ask any more questions.
âNumber 36, Qi Mu, playing Dvorakâs ă6th Symphony in D Majoră second movement, please ask for guidance.â
As soon as he heard this, Luâs face immediately blackened. The other contestants also smirked and snickered, pointing at him. The judges also saw this. Du Sheng, the chief violinist, asked curiously, âDidnât you originally choose to play the fourth movement?â
Dvorak was a legendary existence in the history of music, he had composed nine great symphonies in his life. The nine symphonies were spread all over the world and was known as ăNew World Symphonyă, and this ăSymphony in D Majoră was the sixth of the nine.
The main track that B City Symphony Orchestra would perform was Dvorakâs ăGolden Spinning Wheelă along with ăD Majoră. Therefore, all 40 contestants who came here today auditioned with one of these two pieces.
Qi Mu smiled and said, âMr. Du, I thought the final part lacks the triple movement that the front part has, so I wanted to change to the second movement.â Saying this, Qi Mu glanced at the middle-aged man who was already gritting his teeth, and the mirth in his eyes deepened.
Du Sheng saw this little movement of his and nodded with a smile, âAlright, then you can begin.â
Qi Mu politely bowed, lifting his violin, and he rested it gently on his left shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he then raised his bow. The next second, a soft, feathery, and graceful melody flowed from his violin.
From the start, the people there were already entranced, their minds brought to a beautiful fairyland. The fluttering vibrato, the way the chords were handled, making the violin let out a delicate and exquisite sound. They felt as if they were in warm water, or peacefully walking on clouds.
To a lot of people, the second movement in ăD Majoră was the most ordinary part of the song. It didnât have the vitality of the first movement, nor the wit of the third movement, nor was it as exciting as the fourth movement. Yet, Qi Mu hands could bring this piece to life. The seemingly ordinary and unassuming piece could make people feel calm and soothe their soul.
If Luâs performance before could reach the standard of Huaxiaâs National Grand Theatre, Qi Muâs performance now far surpassed it. Even if it was in Europe, his level was second to none.
Especially the final piece, with a lingering sound, it had a long-lasting charm. The judges were unable to recover from the music, let alone the other violinists who were listening.
âMy performance is over, thank you for listening.â
The youthâs soft and pleasant voice brought everyone back from their wandering thoughts. Du Sheng put away his relaxed expression and solemnly looked at Qi Mu on the stage.
Under the bright spotlight, the youthâs handsome face and his straight posture seemed to compete with the sun. Especially when he closed his eyes. It was as if there was an invisible light shining from behind him, making it impossible to look directly at him.
He secretly thought to himself: If this was the black sheep that Tan Lao always talked about. . . then his whole family was a waste!
At the side of the stage, the middle-aged manâs face was already red with indignation and anger.
There was no need for comments from the judges, the difference between him and Qi Mu was evident to everyone. He only played the second movement in ăD Majoră, but it already felt like he was playing the whole piece. The liveliness of the prelude, the humor near the final part, this made the people who listened to it want to hear the entire thing.
At this thought, the middle-aged man could no longer stand being there. He flicked his sleeve and left, the view of his back giving the impression of him running away.
Qi Mu naturally noticed the manâs departure. He smiled a bit but didnât say anything.
Mr. Tan Zheng Hui, the orchestraâs chief conductor, sat in the center of the judgesâ panel and looked at Qi Mu for a long time with a complicated expression. Finally, he let out a deep sigh and slowly loosened his clenched fist.
Tan <b>Lao</b> said, âThat was an excellent performance, you can go down and wait for the results.â
Hearing this, the people present were shocked. Qi Mu was also slightly surprised, but he quickly smiled, bowed politely then exited the stage.
Du Sheng looked at Qi Muâs retreating back, frowning in doubt. He then whispered, âTan <b>Lao</b>, why did you let him leave without saying anything? Isnât this. . . not in line with regulation?â
Unexpectedly, Tan Zheng Hui raised his eyebrows and asked, âRegulation made by whom?â
Du Sheng paused for a moment and replied, âBy you.â
âOh well, now the rules are changed, I guess.â
ââŠâŠâ
Alright, alright. Youâre the conductor, you can do whatever you want!
Zheng Wei Qiao had been waiting outside of the theater for a while. When he saw Qi Mu, he immediately went over to him and offered words of comfort, âYou havenât touched the violin for a few years, and youâve only begun to practice for the past few days so this failure is understandable. Donât worry about it. The B City Wind and String Instruments are recruiting next month, you can try again then.â
Qi Mu widened his eyes at this and looked at Zheng Wei Qiao funnily.
Zheng Wei Qiao took his silence as a confirmation and hurriedly continued, âIf you donât want to, we can also go to S City. A lot of your parentsâ friends are there, their students and colleagues. If you try again and work hard, Iâm sure you can join their first violin group.â
The sunshine gave a golden tinge to Qi Muâs hair. He smiled and asked confidently, âZheng-<b>ge</b>, are you worried. . . that I wonât be selected?â
Zheng Wei Qiao was a bit surprised and asked subconsciously, âArenât you?â After a moment, he remembered he couldnât outright talk about this, so he said discreetly, âMy friend told me that Mr. Tan didnât comment on your performance and just let you leave after that. . . But donât take it to heart, Mr. Tan watched your mother grow up so he must have his own reasons for doing that. Even if you didnât get selected this time, there are plenty of other orchestras that are recruiting.â
As he listened to Zheng Wei Qiaoâs words, Qi Muâs smile grew brighter and brighter. He looked up to the sky and the sunâs golden rays. He asked abruptly, âZheng-<b>ge</b>, B City Symphony Orchestra. . . what kind of orchestra is it?â
Zheng Wei Qiao absent-mindedly replied, âTheyâre the top orchestra in Huaxia, second to none.â
âThen. . . what are you worried about?â
Zheng Wei Qiao frowned, unable to understand his words, and Qi Mu continued, âIf they donât pick me, then. . . B City Symphony Orchestra is only at this level, thatâs all there is to it.â
There was a smile in the youthâs calm voice, but Zheng Wei Qiao was stunned at his words. He stared blankly at Qi Mu who was walking away carrying his violin case. Noticing that the man was falling behind, Qi Mu just smiled and waited for him to catch up.
Despite his empty mind, Zheng Wei Qiao thought that he might have seen an illusion.
He never saw such a confident Qi Mu, one with the fortitude of a king. As if he did not belong in Huaxia, the undeveloped land for classical music, but in Europe where the giants were.
There was a thought, surging suddenly in his mindââ
The man who should be standing in the Golden Hall with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, showing the world the infinite charm of music! But in this world, there was no such existence. . .
No!
There was one!
In the beginning, he only accompanied the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, but he became a sensation and was nicknamed the king of the piano.
Thinking of this, Zheng Wei Qiaoâs blood boiled. He never experienced this kind of excitement in his 30 years of living. He was eager to stand by this youthâs side, to see how far he could go.
The streets of B City were crowded in the evening. The vast expanse of the sky was full with the reddish glow of the sunset. As if the clouds were burning, it swept the city making the passer-bys unable to help but stop and admire it.