Chapter 83
The day of the final round of the competition. Unlike the Chopin Competition, the Korean media widely reported that Soo-hyun and Junwoo had advanced to the final stage of the Beethoven Competition. Of course, there was also the intention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had missed the opportunity for national attention by avoiding the press conference, to use Soo-hyun to boost its prestige.
There were about thirty Korean journalists, but none of them got tickets to the competition. Although they showed their credentials, Deutsche Telekom, the organizer, gave priority to sponsors, and since standing was not allowed in classical music concerts, the journalists couldn't enter.
"Does it make sense? Be that as it may, they also want to promote themselves." "Journalists from other countries couldn't get in either." "This is driving me crazy. According to people in the music industry, it seems that Nam Soo-hyun will also win this time." "If I go back empty-handed, the manager will scold me." "Is it possible for the tickets for a youth competition to be sold out? I've been a music journalist for five years and this is the first time I've seen something like this." "Hey, Nam Soo-hyun sold out the final round of the Chopin Competition. Abroad, especially in Europe, they get excited just by mentioning him." "Why is that kid in Korea?" "He'll be studying abroad soon. There must be a reason."
Then, a staff member from the organizers approached them.
"Are you journalists?" "Ah, yes! The Korean press." "We have prepared a waiting room where you can watch the live broadcast. We ask for your understanding."
The reporters, though dissatisfied, entered gratefully. The room was filled with journalists from all over the world.
"Wow! How many people are there?" "Look over there, it's the French press." "Not even the German reporters could get in?"
There were about a hundred reporters in the waiting room. On the huge screens, the audience seats, completely full, could be seen. The journalists quickly opened their laptops upon seeing the bearded man on stage.
"It's Kirill! Kirill from the Berlin Philharmonic!" "Really? He came to a youth competition?" "It must be because Germany is investing a lot in the Beethoven Competition. This is already news."
Soon, applause was heard, and a girl in a purple dress entered and bowed. Kirill nodded to her, and the orchestra began to play. The final round had finally opened.
Intermission. Long classical pieces can last over an hour, so it was customary to offer breaks. The Korean reporters, however, did not rest.
"Kim Junwoo! We need more information about him! His performance was amazing!" "I know he belongs to the Center for Musical Education for the Gifted! Any other information? He won awards in eight national competitions? What's new?" "Conductor Kirill patted him on the shoulder! He will undoubtedly become a great pianist! We should publish a special article!"
After Junwoo's performance, which was even more impressive than Marion's, the reporters were in an uproar.
"Nam Soo-hyun? He hasn't appeared yet. I have to write a separate article about Kim Junwoo! It's my intuition as a reporter, boss!" "Director! Nam Soo-hyun wasn't the only genius! Junwoo was almost perfect!" "Maybe the winner won't be Nam Soo-hyun! He's prepared a symphony, not a concerto! We have to write it fast!"
At the same time, in the audience, Chairman Park Ki-jun was sitting next to Professor Lee Chan-ho and Kim Ji-ye.
"It was an amazing performance, I never thought Junwoo could play like that, haha," said the chairman.
Professor Lee Chan-ho also had a very pleasant expression.
"Yes, Junwoo worked very hard."
Kim Ji-ye, though happy, jokingly scolded him:
"I thought you weren't practicing and were just having fun with the Swedish girls on the hotel terrace, but you did practice! Haha."
"At Junwoo's age, it's normal to be interested in the opposite sex," said the chairman. "He works hard at his craft. It's natural. Now it's Soo-hyun's turn. Oh, wait. Secretary?"
The secretary in the back seat leaned forward. The chairman whispered,
"Are you ready?" "Yes, Mr. Chairman." "There should be no Chopin competition." "Yes, I have prepared thoroughly." "Okay, I believe you."
Professor Lee Chan-ho asked,
"Have you prepared something, Chairman?"
"Oh, no. I just remembered something that hurt me, so I made a small preparation. Don't worry. But the piece Soo-hyun will be performing is a symphony. Is that okay with you?"
A symphony was music for an orchestra that included a piano, where all instruments became one, so it was not a good choice to evaluate a pianist's skill.
"It wasn't the music I originally planned, but Soo-hyun insisted on it one day," the professor said with a bitter smile.
"Soo-hyun insisted on that? He's not that type of person," Ji-ye said, surprised.
"Haha, it's true. I initially chose a piano concerto. But after about two days, he suddenly brought me this song and said he had to play it. I tried to stop him, but after seeing him play, I couldn't."
The chairman snapped his fingers.
"So, you've seen it, Professor, and you think it's competitive enough?"
"That's right, Chairman."
"Then I guess I can believe it and watch, hehe."
At the same time, in the participants' waiting room, Marion was happily talking to her parents. Junwoo approached Soo-hyun, who was watching quietly.
"Ha, I'm relieved now that it's all over. You'll be relieved soon too. So don't be nervous."
Soo-hyun laughed.
"Okay."
It wasn't something Junwoo should be telling Soo-hyun. But his intention was to ease his friend's tension. As Soo-hyun kept his gaze on Marion and her parents, Junwoo tried to distract him.
"It's time to get ready. Are you ready to hear the Emperor's music, my lords?"
Junwoo raised his fist. He was a great friend.
"Haha, okay."
"Do well and come back! I'll treat you to something delicious. And don't feel inferior to me. If I win this competition, it will be all your fault. I'm not happy at all to win like this."
"Haha, okay."
Junwoo walked with Soo-hyun, covering Marion and her family as he stood up and headed for the stage. Soo-hyun noticed his friend's feelings. Perhaps Junwoo could be his lifelong friend, like Beethoven and Archduke Rudolph.
"I'll be right back."
Soo-hyun stood in front of the luxurious wooden door and took a deep breath. When he opened the door and walked out, his back was illuminated with a halo like an emperor's. Meanwhile, the audience who had returned to their seats began to murmur.
"Is that boy Nam Soo-hyun?" "That's right, the winner of the Chopin Competition." "I couldn't see the main stage, but is this boy better than Kim, who played before?" "Are you kidding? There's no comparison." "Really? That boy's performance was great too. I bet he would win." "Haha, even a dog would laugh. That kid is on another level." "Look at Kirill over there."
The conductor, who used to greet the participants, was no longer doing so. He just stared at the orchestra members, as if he had come out to fight.
"What's wrong with the conductor? The pianist came out and he didn't even greet him. Are they on bad terms?" "It is rumored that Conductor Kirill assured Professor Hermann that he would see a wild beast on the stage of this competition." "What kind of nonsense is that? Wild animals in a concert hall? This is not a zoo." "Go on, I've been wondering too, so I haven't been able to sleep for days. Will we see a beast in the Competition? I'm dying to know what Kirill was talking about. I can't wait for it to start!"
Now that they thought about it, the members' expressions were also unusual. They looked at the score with fury, as if they were going to eat it. The impetus of the great orchestra was transmitted to the audience, and a tense silence reigned. Kirill, on the podium, looked at Soo-hyun for the first time. Soo-hyun, who had been watching him, raised both his hands the moment they made eye contact. At the same time, Kirill's baton fell forcefully. And then, a magnificent orchestra that seemed to shatter the audience's ears pierced the concert hall and soared into the sky.