Chapter 79
Kirill Anatolyevich Petrenko. A young, 47-year-old conductor who, since 2019, had been the principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic. The German media outlet Deutsche Welle wrote an article titled, "It seems the Karajan sound of the Berlin Philharmonic will return" after hearing the orchestra led by Kirill. This meant that the fluid sound and understandable music of Herbert von Karajan, who was the permanent conductor for 35 years, had been recreated.
Kirill, an Austrian of Russian origin, was a conductor known for his sincerity rather than his stardom, and a practice enthusiast. Even for him, this mission was difficult. Specifically, of the three children who reached the finals, two were Korean and one was French. What made it even more difficult was that none of the students could speak German, and he had to communicate through an interpreter.
'This is already the twentieth time I've stopped playing.'
If an error occurs during a performance, it is the pianist's job to resolve it, but if the rhythm of the collaboration is uneven, it is the conductor's job to correct it. Kirill said, tapping the stand with his baton:
"Miss Marion? Do you not know what a concerto is?"
"…"
"Let me ask you again: what is a concerto?"
"It's… a collaboration, conductor."
"…Ugh."
'Is it because they're still teenagers? It seems no one understands the meaning of a concerto.'
Kirill said with a sigh:
"In the orchestra section, there are about twenty violinists playing together. The sound is very loud. If the piano introduction that follows is not right, the sound loses its balance."
It was just a practice, but a pretty girl in a lovely purple dress was crying in front of the piano as if it were real.
'There aren't many opportunities to practice with an orchestra during adolescence. It's understandable that they're still immature, but I cultivate the skills of these young people, so I must treat them rigorously.'
Kirill said after checking the time:
"That's all for today. When you come tomorrow, please practice the rhythm of the part that comes after the violin, okay?"
While Marion staggered out, Kirill sighed and smiled bitterly at the orchestra members.
"Alright, there are about thirty minutes until the next rehearsal. Everyone, take a break. Please be seated five minutes before the start."
About eighty members of the orchestra put down their instruments. Some checked the music, others drank coffee, and some went out for a cigarette. Kirill sat down and rubbed his knees. An old oboist approached him.
"Conductor. Are you tired?"
Kirill, who stood up quickly, spoke.
"No, Mr. Keron. Please, sit down."
"It's already been eight hours," Keron said, sitting next to him. "Each participant has four hours. There's only one left, right?"
"Haha, we're going to suffer for four more hours. The French girl from a moment ago must have practiced a lot."
"We've never collaborated before. Of course, it's difficult for us."
"But wouldn't it be a wonderful feeling when those children grow up and are on stage with us?"
"Haha, that's why I'm working so hard. We have to be their foundation."
Keron smiled.
"But wasn't the Korean boy who came in the morning quite good?"
Kirill nodded.
"You said his name was Junwoo, right? At first, he felt very bad, but he gradually improved. If he practices for three or four more days, he'll probably do quite well. He's a talented boy."
"That's right. They accept quite quickly. I heard the professors were quite surprised in the previous round. Professor Hermann himself even suggested that I study in Germany."
"Really? A good pianist will be born."
"Would you prefer a cup of coffee?" Kirill asked, standing up.
"Well, there's a cafe in the lobby. Shall we go?"
"Yes, that's right."
Kirill paid for the coffee. While waiting, he asked,
"I heard the last participant is also Korean."
"Yes, there were many rumors."
"I heard that rumor too. I heard that Professor Lech from Poland praised him highly."
"It's different from the Chopin Competition. There's a lot of interest in Soo-hyun, who already has a history of winning."
Keron nodded.
"I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of child will be born."
No matter, there was still quite a bit of time until the next practice period. Kirill raised his coffee cup as he watched the gathered members.
"I'll buy it all, since you all worked hard today. Everyone, have some coffee and keep up the good work until the end."
Kirill, who had a large cup for himself, raised his hand to the cheering members and then stood in the lobby with Keron, looking out the window.
"It's disappointing that no child understands why they are asked to perform with an orchestra in the final round of the competition. I think it's a problem with the educators who teach that it's enough to just play the piano well."
Keron also nodded in agreement.
"That's right, it's also because I only do solo performances, unless it's a world-class competition. Orchestras are expensive. Haha."
At the same time.
Soo-hyun left the parking lot with Professor Lee Chan-ho and entered the concert hall through the back door. Kim Ji-ye had told him to greet the members properly when he met them.
'Everyone is volunteering to work hard and make you shine. Be especially polite to the conductor.'
He took a deep breath and opened the door.
"Ah…?"
There was no one there. He guessed it was break time. He walked towards the piano located at the front. Gently touching the black body, he greeted the instrument.
"Hello?"
'There's no way the piano will greet me back, but for some reason, its body seems to tremble and greet me.'
Soo-hyun smiled and said as he sat in the chair.
"Please take care of me."
The piece prepared in advance was the Piano Concerto No. 5 'Emperor', Op. 73.
'The members will be here soon. Should we practice in advance? The concert hall is empty. You'll get a much deeper and greater resonance than if you were playing in a small practice room.'
He was looking at the piano keys when he suddenly remembered the song Beethoven had given him.
'How would you sound if you were played in such a large venue?'
Looking around once more, he quietly placed his hands on the keyboard. With a playful expression, he began to press the keys.
Kirill, who was drinking coffee, looked at his wristwatch. There were thirteen minutes left until the next rehearsal.
'Professor Lech said you were a favorite child. Are you planning to come just in time? It's a bit presumptuous. You should arrive twenty minutes early.'
He shook his head and said as he headed to the practice room with Keron.
"It seems the boy named Nam Soo-hyun hasn't arrived yet."
"Hehe, isn't there still time for practice to start?" Keron said.
"Wow, in my generation, we would arrive an hour early to check the sound, but I guess today's generation is different."
"Everyone should arrive about twenty minutes early."
'It breaks my heart. It seems they don't know that practice is the only way to create good music.'
"Haha. Don't worry, conductor. Aren't they just kids?" Keron said.
As he stood in front of the concert hall with his half-empty coffee cup in hand, he heard the faint sound of a piano. Kirill's eyes widened as he held the doorknob.
"Hmm? Did they already arrive? I didn't see them come in."
"You could have come in through the back door that connects to the parking lot. See, you didn't get angry for nothing, did you? Haha."
Kirill smiled bitterly and stopped trying to open the door again. Kirill, who was so animated that even the people next to him could see his ears perked up like a rabbit's. Keron asked, looking at the conductor.
"Why is that, Conductor?"
"Shhh."
Kirill put his index finger to his lips and made a serious expression. Keron listened, noticing that his reaction was due to the small piano sound he was hearing.
"This song is...."
'This is the first time I've heard this song.' Keron was a veteran oboist with 40 years of experience. There was no song in the classical world that he didn't know. There was only one case where one didn't know what a child was playing: if it wasn't classical music. But this song was not that kind of music.
'It's definitely a classic. It's the first time I've heard it.'
"…"
Kirill was unresponsive. When Keron saw Kirill, he was seen shaking his eyes in amazement.
"Conductor?"
Kirill looked at his hand holding the doorknob. He saw that it was trembling violently. He slowly removed his hand and held his head.
"This can't be happening…"
"Why is that, Conductor?"
Kirill, who had been listening to the performance with unfocused eyes without answering, suddenly turned his head and opened the concert hall door.
"Bee-Beethoven?"