"Who was the best?"
It was a statement from a master. In front of the gathered masters, there was a list of 12 violinists. Their faces were clearly filled with worry. What's more, they were being filmed by broadcast cameras.
"They are all excellent violinists, it's hard to choose one over the other."
It wasn't a wrong statement. They were twelve violinists chosen from thousands of other violinists, so their skills were already proven. Each and every one of them was worthy of being called the next generation of masters representing their respective countries.
That was when.
"I hate to admit it, but of course I'm a cheeky brat."
As Alexei began to speak, the crowd focused on his voice, which sounded like scraping metal. Without further explanation, everyone seemed to know who the cheeky brat was.
"I agree with Mr. Alexei."
Chinese master Deng Lun expressed his sympathy.
"Me too."
French master Pierre Ganell nodded briefly. The other masters did the same. The other contestants were certainly excellent, but Kang Hyun's performance was different. As if.
"It was like seeing Paganini."
The violinist who is known to have sold his soul to the devil. He was not talking about the speed and splendid technique that no one could imitate. Rather, the slow tone that requires all the musical ideas is something that is difficult to express without experience and experience. To make matters worse, didn't that child play the slow tone as if it was one with the violin?
"I wish I didn't get tired so easily."
Pierre Ganell pretended to be worried. Isn't that how geniuses are? When they get into something, they become crazy and engrossed in it, but they also quickly show their proof. He said that it's only been a little over a month since he started learning music. So who knows what will happen when he achieves his goal?
"Alexey, isn't this exactly what you were worried about?"
Alexei nodded silently to Pierre Ganell's question. The fact that he had asked the little boy the last question during the first examination was not much different from the source of Pierre's worries. Because if there was no reason to do music, he might have to put down the bow someday.
"But I think you can put your worries aside. Didn't you all see the look on that kid's face when he picked up the Stradivarius? That's the kind of look you can only get if you love the violin."
It was similar to the appearance when the Queen first took out 'Ecstasy' at Carnegie Hall. It was a face that loved the violin so much. The black string of the red soundboard caressing the boy's cheek was so creepy that it gave me goosebumps the whole time I was watching it.
"Then, the winner of the second round will be number thirty-seven."
It was a unanimous evaluation.
PD Leah was filming them in silence. Has there ever been a unanimous decision from the judges at Queen Elizabeth? As far as she knows, there has never been one. They were masters with distinct musical values. Especially.
"The music industry will be in an uproar once the second round of judging videos are released."
No one could dispute Alexei's words.
*
shit.
"Please unpack your luggage in your assigned rooms and then gather back on the first floor."
The room I was assigned to happened to be on the second floor.
At times like this, my shrunken body was not a little uncomfortable. I barely managed to get up to the second floor, dragging a carrier the size of my body. Zhang Yan, with her seagull-like eyebrows, asked if I could help, but I declined. If I couldn't do this on my own, what else could I do? Anyway.
"The scenery is killer."
If a musician with a great sense of aesthetics had drawn a blueprint, it would have been like this. The pure white building shone like a jewel in the pouring sunlight, and the sounds of plants and animals echoing from the forests spanning thousands of hectares felt like notes on a musical staff. This is truly a place called the mecca of violinists.
As I went back down to the first floor, I suddenly remembered my days at the Judicial Research and Training Institute.
"My name is Zhang Yan from China. I played Brahms' piece during the second round."
It was the same back then, when we were assigned to a class and the first hour was spent introducing ourselves, everyone was busy.
"hyeon?"
Zhang Yan's small voice made my thoughts disappear. It seemed like it was my turn. Everyone's eyes turned to me.
"I'm Kang Hyun from Korea. I played Szymanowski's piece during the second round."
There were some who didn't know Korea, and there were still some who questioned my identity. When I told them I played Szymanowski's piece during the second round of judging, they completely turned their heads. But the most surprising thing of all was my age.
"What, 14? I thought you were less than 10?"
The one who showed the most intense reaction was Eric of Northern Europe. Judging from his appearance, he was a descendant of Vikings who would not be strangely holding an axe instead of a violin. It was hard to imagine him playing the strings with those huge hands.
"I'm from the Royal Academy of Music."
As the conversation began to turn to self-introductions, they began to talk about their origins. A friend named Joseph proudly said,
"I studied violin at the Berlin Conservatory of Music."
Daniel Brühl, who studied under the principal violinist of the Berlin Philharmonic, countered. Next.
"I, I am studying at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory."
Anna was from Russia. If you think of Alexei's rough Russian, you're mistaken. She was about the same height as me, and she had long, platinum-blond hair and impressive green eyes. Her personality was also introverted, as her voice was as quiet as an ant.
As it turned out.
'Me again?'
Everyone's eyes were focused on me. They must have been curious about my origins. They must have wondered where this young foreign child who suddenly appeared learned the violin. Juilliard in the US, the International Conservatory of Music in Shanghai, Verdi in Italy? Many famous music schools must have come to mind.
I don't want to break your expectations, but
"Daesung Middle School."
I don't know.
* * *
"Maestro?"
Dmitry's eyes were filled with a sense of wonder. The reason was simple. Spencer, the principal conductor of the London Symphony, was glaring at him. He was clutching a newspaper tightly in his hand. It had been a long time since he had anything other than a score in his hand.
"I ended up going to Chapel."
It was just a few words, but Dmitry understood immediately.
"Are you talking about that boy from back then?"
When Spencer smiled faintly, Dimiriti's cold eyes wavered. He couldn't believe it. Where is Chapel? It's the place that violinists dream of. He never imagined that the boy would head straight to Chapel.
"Dmitry, do you have any experience?"
Dmitry nodded briefly. There was a time when he too was called a rookie. Now that I think about it.
"Wasn't the Maestro also at the Chapel?"
"Yeah, that's right."
Of course, it was just an experience. In the end, it was Spencer who got the target. Spencer closed his eyes tightly as if he was reminiscing about the past. It was decades ago, but it was as vivid as yesterday, the days at Chapel.
"Dmitry, do you know the legend there?"
"How could I not know?"
A legend passed down to violinists since ancient times, Chapelle is the god of music with endless melodies. The god of music will come to the chosen one with a blazing dawn. Someone said it was just a joke to encourage violinists to improve.
"That kid might be able to do it."
What does this mean?
"Maestro?"
"That's the god of music."
I just thought it was a ridiculous legend. But when I looked into Spencer's determined eyes, he didn't seem like a person who was lying at all. Rather, he was filled with excitement. Dmitry swallowed hard.
no way.
Spencer raised the corners of his lips without saying a word.
*
"I have a question."
It was a dark hour when the lights were out. I was thirsty and headed to the kitchen on the first floor, but someone was following me. I turned my head and saw a British gentleman standing there. He only glared at me occasionally, but hadn't he been silent since morning.
"what?"
A complex array of emotions flashed through the British gentleman's eyes.
"How do you play the violin like that?"
It didn't look like he was about to cry at any moment. It seemed like the last time he saw me play was still vividly imprinted in his mind. How should I explain this? In my past life, I often saw talented people crying in agony at the Judicial Research and Training Institute.
"I don't know, I just did what I felt like doing."
It was an undeniable fact. There was no way to explain how I had acquired such musical talent. All I could say was that whenever I played the violin, my heart would become infinitely warm.
At that moment.
"I kept thinking of you. Whenever I played the violin, I couldn't get your playing out of my head!"
British gentleman William was venting his anger at me. I don't know why this kid is acting like this in the middle of the night. I want to do whatever I want with my temper, but there were a lot of cameras watching me. They said it was a documentary, but there were surveillance cameras installed all over the mansion like CCTV. In a way, it could be image-making.
"I'll help you."
William's eyes trembled as if there was an earthquake. What else could he not help with? Just like he had guided Park Seon-yeong, he just had to watch William's performance a few times. Oh, of course, it was something he would do after the competition was over. First, he had to put out the urgent fire. That was when it happened.
"Sigh."
uh?
William's new body was leaning against me as if it was collapsing.
Damn, what the heck is this?
*
Anna, the Russian violinist, couldn't sleep even though it was night. Chapel was really quiet as if a mouse was dead. Only the occasional sound of insects and the sound of the bushes swaying in the wind sounded like a melody.
"hungry…"
Maybe it was because I was too nervous.
Since I was with people I didn't know, I ate less dinner than usual. Maybe that's why my belly button clock kept screaming. Anna cautiously opened the door and headed to the kitchen, worried that others might hear. As I had seen earlier, the refrigerator was filled with a mountain of food.
Anna was thinking about spreading butter on her toast when a whitish object caught her eye.
'what?'
When I squinted my eyes, I could see the object more clearly. Wasn't it a man and a woman embracing each other in the soft light coming from the refrigerator?
Sigh!
Anna held her breath without realizing it. At that moment, the short woman and Anna's eyes met. The short woman's eyes were filled with confusion. Anna felt her heart pounding as if she had seen something she shouldn't have. However, no matter how much she thought about it, there was no woman of her height in Chapel.
then,
"hyeon?"