The conversation in my head gets faster and faster, and along with it, the melody gradually changes into an explosively strong and fast feeling. The first movement ends with a fortissimo (very strong) banging the piano as if screaming.
And, the very brief silence that came before the second movement is louder than any other sound in the world.
Melvin looked at Jace with an excited expression on his face. So was Jace. Their gazes passed. They were full of hearts to give this hopeful freshman the best sound they could present.
And that’s how the second movement began.
As if testing Rowoon, or as if inviting him into their world.
The second movement begins with slow chords on string instruments moving the scale from C minor to E major. The atmosphere changed as if sunlight was shining in a dark forest, and Rowoon had to intervene with a simple yet elegant arpeggio.
There was no need to measure the tempo. Even if it wasn’t Rachmaninoff’s performance log, Rowoon liked this song and knew what kind of sound to put in when. So even before his thoughts moved, his fingers moved with the most ideal weight at the optimal moment.
‘Yeah, it was a useless suspicion.’
Jace gritted it. Every cell in his body came to life and began to sing. It was a moment when I felt thankful that I started conducting.
Every time the baton at the fingertips snaps, the sound of the orchestra travels across the stage like a breeze, and the sound of Rowoon’s piano becomes a kite and soars on the wind.
It’s a beautiful song. It is a beautiful scenery. I am so grateful to Rowoon. for making me feel this way Thank you for directing this stage.
Such a mind helped put more energy into his baton. And the energy of the conductor eventually spreads to the orchestra, and ironically, Rowoon’s performance raises not only the sound of the piano, but also the sound of the orchestra itself to a higher level.
“…”
“…”
The professors, who used to whisper in small whispers and talk in the ear, started not even doing that at some point. They were performers before being professors, and at the same time, they were passionate fans of classical music more than anyone else. And that’s why I couldn’t help but notice how rare and precious this phenomenon that is happening right now is.
‘I thought so. Rowoon.’
Han smiled bitterly. Rowoon turns even the audition hall into a stage. It was like that at the LA Piano Competition, and it was like that when I auditioned for the second round of the California Conservatory.
It’s a matter of skill, but it’s also a matter of attitude. But that attitude was not something that could only be had with a mindset. No matter how much you try to enjoy the stage, there are too many factors that prevent you from fully enjoying the stage, such as the amount of practice, anxiety, tension, and the aftermath of failing to perform.
‘Rowoon. you have a lot of talent The sense of sound is good, and it may be a bit disappointing to have the ability to see the first sheet music immediately, but the speed at which you can make the sheet music yours afterwards is ridiculously fast.’
‘And he knows how to analyze sheet music from multiple perspectives, and he has the ability to express the composer’s message more delicately and concretely than anyone else.’
‘But Rowoon. The greatest talent you have is this.’
‘Looking at the stage only as a stage.’
‘Knowing how to enjoy the stage.’
A very simple and natural quality. The reason so many pianists stand on the threshold of frustration is because they don’t have that quality. And in the end, they wander without finding the path to become a professional, let alone the path to becoming a star.
Unknowingly, Rowoon’s performance was entering the ‘Cadenza’ of the second movement. The sound that filled the stage with strings and brass instruments escaped, and Rowoon’s piano had to take its place.
And it was also one of the most difficult passages of Rachmaninov’s piano concerto. For the audience, who were accustomed to the sound that filled their ears, it was never easy to give them the same thrill as before with only the sound of a single piano.
But Rowoon doesn’t play the piano to thrill them.
I don’t hit to be recognized by them, nor do I want to prove myself. He’s a pianist, loves the piano, and that’s why he plays it. The logic of his action today was so simple and straightforward.
And because of that, his voice sounded more confident than ever.
To the extent that it fills the void of the orchestra and rather fills the stage and seats with its presence.
‘Huh, he’s really good.’
Donatti stuck out his tongue again. In fact, in terms of genius and perfection, I thought that Rowoon would not be able to fight with Heather.
So, in fact, when Heather lost at the LA Piano Competition, Donatti couldn’t help but be surprised. If Heather perfectly meets almost all the requirements of a pianist, it was because Rowoon thought that Heather was an exceptional case in some areas that Heather did not have. For example, a ‘competition style performance’ that is faithful to the standard understanding of the original song, orthodox and clean.
Personality is something that cannot and should not be graded, but Rowoon was no match for Heather when it came to scoring overall. At least until that time when she was auditioning for admission, Donatti believed that judgment was correct.
‘Now I don’t know.’
From noble mtl dot com
I suddenly remembered that Heather was trying to imitate the same performance as Rowoon. After meeting Rowoon, Heather started paying attention to things like ‘Chopin like Chopin’. I wanted to play like Rowoon. However, it seemed that Heather wasn’t the only one who cared so much about the other person.
‘I think I can see Heather.’
The attitude of Heather, who is innocent like a child, who is only absorbed in enjoying the music without putting any calculations into it.
That attitude was peeking out from Rowoon.
‘It’s a big deal. header. Friends are said to resemble each other… But, it seems that your friend resembles you too quickly.’
The really scary thing was that even though he was so immersed in the music and didn’t hesitate to express himself, he never strayed from the core framework Rachmaninoff had put into the song. Rowoon’s playing was indeed beneficial, but more like Rachmaninoff.
And, of course, Heather felt it too.
“Shut up, son of a b*tch.”
Heather laughed even as she spat out curse words. It had to be. The fact that I wanted to be like Heather meant that Heather looked good to that extent. It was so cool that I wanted to be like him. So I’m grateful, but I became like her too quickly to be grateful again.
I feel resentful, grateful, happy, annoyed, and in a bad mood, but the corners of my mouth are also raised.
‘Very nasty. He’s a nasty bastard.’
When the second movement ended like that, people stopped doubting Rowoon. He was a great pianist. He was a prepared pianist. He wasn’t like a cheeky freshman who became arrogant just because he was lucky enough to win a contest.
So, when the song entered the third movement, people no longer looked at Rowoon with suspicion, instead choosing to be his pure audience. I decided to enjoy his Rachmaninov.
3 movement. Allegro Scherzando.
The dramatic introduction of the orchestra, which brings E major down again to C minor, plays briefly, and the piano soon begins to play the first theme passionately.
The 3rd movement, which was passionate, then calm, and then again passionate, seems to express the ups and downs Rachmaninoff went through as they are, or how he wants to go up again after going down to the bottom. .
‘I’m out of breath…’
Jace thought as he held the baton. At first, I thought it was a situation where Rowoon would get exhausted. Unlike them who have worked together several times, Rowoon was with them for the first time.
But no. Rowoon’s spirit was never weighed down by Jace’s or the orchestra’s. It didn’t feel like I was trying to overwhelm them. Actually, there was no need for that. A concerto is not about confrontation, but about harmony, and Rowoon had to blend in with the flow of the orchestra and play together.
However, Rowoon’s temper was just too strong. Even in the midst of everyone’s exhaustion, his arms did not know how to rest. In order to keep the boat from turning, they had no choice but to row as hard as they could to Rowoon’s tempo.
a little bit. You just have to go a little further. Then they will reach the island they wished for. Everyone thought so and rowed with all their might until the very end.
And in the second half, when the climax was played, when the joy was played, everyone in the orchestra felt a strange feeling. The feeling that their hands do not move according to their will. It is such a strange illusion that your hands are guided by the flow of the song, and your hands are moving in search of the right time to move.
In that illusion, the young orchestra played the most joyful cheer they could,
And, just like that, Rowoon’s audition was over.
his stage is over.
“Heo-eok, heo-eok…”
It wasn’t just one or two people who took a breath like that. Feeling their hearts pounding, everyone slowly put their instruments down. And I looked at Rowoon.
Rowoon didn’t play for applause.
But applause poured in.
I didn’t play to get recognition.
However, it was recognized.
It wasn’t something I was trying to prove.
But everyone who heard the performance knew it.
The young pianist before them,
It’s a swan, no doubt.
＜ California Music Festival (6) ＞ End
＜ California Music Festival (7) ＞
As long as the afterglow of the performance was long, the sound of applause also did not stop for a very long time. It seemed that even the professors were sorry to let Rowoon’s performance go as a thing of the past.
“Luoun.”
And a woman’s voice spread from the audience. It was Taylor. she asked, smiling in the dark.
“It was a good performance. So, before you go, I want to ask you something… is that okay?”
“yes. professor.”
“What were you thinking while playing?”
“jeon······.”
Rowoon opened his mouth for a moment, then hesitated for a moment before falling into thought. And then he spoke in a calm, well-arranged voice.
“I just wanted to fully enjoy it. This time, this song, this stage.”
“Is that all?”
“Well, if we talk about the unconscious, there will be a few more, but in the conscious realm, this is all.”
“The unconscious and the conscious. You are telling an interesting story.”
Taylor smiled brightly. And he posed one more question.
“Then your subconsciousness must contain everything you have accumulated over the years, right?”
“……Probably, yes.”
“That’s a good answer. okay.”
The other professors didn’t ask Rowoon any questions. They were concerned that even if a hasty question was asked, Rowoon’s freedom would be imprisoned.
And it was after Rowoon said goodbye and left the stage. Jace raised his hand before the professors could call the next player.
“Me… Professor?”
“huh? What happened?”
“Can we take a break for a while?”
Jace smiled wearily.
“Everyone is on the verge of exhaustion right now.”
At that, the professors laughed. Is the reason why they are trying to burn out simply because they matched the sum of many applicants at once? Or is it because he poured everything into keeping pace with the last performer?
Somehow they seemed to know the answer.
#
“it’s crazy······.”
“Hey… This is a complete defeat. I guess I can just go back.”
“······I do not know yet. Let’s stay for now.”