Chapter 77
"Is that boy Nam Soo-hyun?" "That's right, the winner of the Chopin Competition." "Is it time to talk about the Chopin Competition? Didn't you see the performance in the last round? I've heard that rumor has spread all over Vienna."
When Soo-hyun appeared in the waiting room, the roar of the audience grew louder. The two sisters sitting in the audience smiled.
'I think the audience also feels that Soo-hyun's skills are real, so I feel proud even though it's none of my business.'
The two sisters deliberately chose to sit right behind the judges today because they were curious to see their reactions. Even now, they were sitting in the front seat, their ears alert, eavesdropping on the judges' conversation.
"It's Piano Sonata No. 26 in E-flat major, Op. 81a," Professor Hermann said, staring at Soo-hyun, who was sitting on the piano bench preparing to play. "It's a good selection, but since it's a famous piece, it's also difficult to bring it to life properly."
Professor Lech said with a smile.
"Did you already forget that Soo-hyun played the Moonlight in the last round?"
'When you put it that way, I have nothing to say. Because the Moonlight is a song that was more loved than this Farewell.'
Professor Hermann spoke in a low voice, smacking his lips.
"This piece is dedicated to Beethoven's only friend, Archduke Rudolph. He was the youngest son of Emperor Leopold."
Professor Lech couldn't ignore it. Professor Hermann was just bringing up a different topic.
"Archduke Rudolph began taking music lessons from Beethoven in his teens and continued to fund his pension until he passed away. Although Beethoven was far from an affectionate person, he was said to be a good music teacher and friend to the Archduke. It is said that they even shared unusual personal anecdotes. They must have been very close, as they exchanged over 100 letters throughout their lives. Beethoven dedicated over 10 works to him, including the 'Les Adieux' Sonata, the Piano Concerto No. 5, 'Emperor', and the 'Hammerklavier' Sonata. His beloved friend, Archduke Rudolph, who was a source of strength for Beethoven during his life full of hardships, must have been a special person to him."
Professor Hermann smiled and nodded at Soo-hyun.
"Does that boy know that too?"
Professor Lech looked at him and smiled.
"Beethoven's desire for a happy reunion, not a simple separation, is for his friend. I'm sure Soo-hyun knows that too."
"The key is how you express it, haha."
The lights went down and the only thing that shone was the piano where Soo-hyun was sitting. Beethoven's face appeared in his mind.
'The song "Les Adieux" expresses the longing and loneliness after the departure of the old man's only soulmate and the reunion. It's an emotion I dare not imagine if I didn't have Junwoo and Jaehee. What would it be like if they left me? My heart aches just thinking about it.'
The time Soo-hyun had spent with his two friends could not be considered very long. But from Soo-hyun's perspective, who had friends his own age for the first time in the world, the two friends were very precious people.
The first movement, Les Adieux, Adagio - Allegro, began with Soo-hyun's hands slowly pressing the keys. A small, slow, quiet but beautiful melody. He thought of someone shedding silent tears while looking at the back of someone leaving without any promise of when they would return.
Some of the audience members, intoxicated by the sad and beautiful melody, slowly closed their eyes. But the judges shouldn't do that. Those who were trying to keep their minds awake from the musical intoxication were having forced conversations with each other.
"This is a movement that contains the essence of the legato technique, which flows like water. It is a movement where controlling the dynamics is key." "The introduction of the Adagio is absolutely wonderful. I wonder how they will express the theme."
As if he heard the judges' words, the first movement expressed by Soo-hyun's hands was full of longing.
Should I leave? Should I really leave?Yes, I know.You have to leave. This is not your place.
Theme 1 and 2. The motivation of the "farewell" was connected like a chain, as the act of asking whether one should leave and the answer that one must leave were intertwined.
Is the road easy?Without even being able to say goodbye,It breaks my heart to see you go.Are you walking there?Are you riding a horse?If you walk, do your steps feel light?If you ride a horse, the horse's head will keep turning.Shouldn't it be facing the rest of me?My friend who is leaving the nest.My life is a drunken sailboat facing the storm.Vomiting from the chest when you are tired.In the sea of life, you are my friend.A sailor who helped me navigate the rough seas.Well, well, that's what I'm saying.It may be a heavy journey, but go in peace.Don't look back.
Professors Lech and Hermann jumped up, forgetting that their seats as judges were in the front row. The two professors, with their eyes trembling passionately, could not see their surroundings at this moment.
'This is impossible! He has developed again! Even though I understand the meaning of the farewell, I thought it would reflect the boy's feelings for a separating friend. But this is... Isn't this the feeling of Beethoven in his later years saying goodbye in an old man's voice?'
Professor Lech trembled slightly.
'It's different every round. It's becoming more and more complete… I was wrong. I thought that after he made friends and began to have the emotions of a normal child, like other children, I could make him a complete pianist… It was a mistake. That boy was a true genius. Maybe he doesn't need my help.'
Professor Hermann looked at Soo-hyun with different eyes than Professor Lech.
'I never thought I would see with my own eyes a child who could perform such a piece at that age. Not even older pianists can handle this level of performance! Who the hell are you and where did you come from?'
The sisters sitting behind the two professors were surprised by something else. At the same time, they looked back in surprise. The two sisters, seeing that the audience in the back seats was speechless, engrossed in the emotion conveyed by the performance, turned to look at each other and made eye contact. The wide-eyed sister whispered.
"Did you hear something?""Oh, you too, sister?""By any chance, was that voice a deep, middle-aged man's voice?""My goodness! It's true. Did you hear it too, sister? It sounded like you were reciting poetry or reading a letter."
The sisters stared at each other for a while, then slowly looked back at Soo-hyun who was still playing.
"What on earth is that child...?" "Soo-hyun, where the hell did you come from?"
The second movement, Abwesenheit, Andante espressivo, began with Soo-hyun's hands, which did not wait for the surprised people. Beethoven's voice echoed in Soo-hyun's head as he played the introduction part of the movement, which gave a sense of melancholy and loneliness.
"When I composed the second movement, I intended to title it 'Arrival (Ankunft)'. On October 14, 1809, the war ended, and in November, Napoleon's army withdrew, and my friend returned to Vienna on January 30, 1810. I wrote the second movement just before his return."
As Soo-hyun continued to play, Professor Hermann's body also began to tremble slightly. He screamed inwardly, his eyes almost popping out.
'How ridiculous! The second movement is Andante-espressivo (slow, expressive). Most professors teach that the first movement is full of deep longing and the second is filled with loneliness. How! What kind of education did you receive to be able to capture such longing in the second movement!'
A flowing arpeggio. A two-bar connection played in staccato. The first theme was repeated from G minor to B-flat minor, and the second theme was repeated from G major to the octave of F major. The short movement, composed of only 42 bars, was the culmination of an orphaned atmosphere. A deep male voice was heard, as if someone were speaking to the heads of the two sisters and the audience.
I won't cry anymoreBecause I was lonely, I realized I was human.I would rather have a loneliness that I cannot open to anyone.I wish I had a loneliness that only I could open to you.I am just a weak human being who lives life.I have a side of me that only you can see.The only loneliness I can give you.Me, whom only you can see.So come back soon.A dark apartment where you are completely trapped.After the cruel season passedMy friend, I'm just waiting for you to come back.
The performance was sad, but the emotions were more full of hope and excitement than sadness. And then immediately followed the powerful third movement, Das Wiedersehen, Vivacissimamente.
This movement was titled 'Reunion'. As Soo-hyun immersed himself in the third movement, he indulged in an increasingly intense performance and recalled Beethoven's words.
"Vivacissimamente means 'with a very lively rhythm.' Play with brilliance, but never get too excited. Suppress your emotions a little more and calmly enjoy the joy of reunion. I didn't jump for joy when I saw a friend I hadn't seen in a long time."
Soo-hyun smiled brightly as he recalled Beethoven's words.
'Beethoven is a teacher who teaches his students with humor and wit, without shouting or getting angry. Of course, that wit is not easily seen because it is overshadowed by anger.'
The introduction began with a hasty arpeggio of the dominant chord, and the first theme, which was reminiscent of a dance, appeared. Moving to the lowest register and repeated twice, the notes and sounds became increasingly louder, finally shining brightly in fortissimo. And immediately, in contrast, a clear staccato followed, and the small, sparkling figures in the high register were revealed as a magnificent piano technique. A performance that was technically flawless. Not only Professors Lech and Hermann, but all the judges were with their mouths open.
And finally, Soo-hyun's poetry was heard even by those who were blinded by technology. It was transmitted to the audience in different languages.
What mirror?I will freeze our friendship.After a long, long waitYou are back again.After a long period of silence and loneliness.The other eyes of longing are deep.The day you looked at me.You are back again.Now I take a deep breath.Watching the sunsets in the twilightYour appearance is now before me.Your hands that held meYour eyes that met mine tooIt's still the same.You who light the lamp of my heartYou came back to me, my friend.
Never, ever, a performance that was not thrilling. The man who welcomed his friend suppressed his emotion and excitement, and just smiled calmly and patted his friend on the back. 'I'm glad you're back. I was waiting for you.'
The performance was finally over. Among the applauding audience, many people could be seen looking around and touching their ears.