King of Classical Music 187

Under the dazzling lights and while the whole world watched—— the members of the world’s top orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, took their seats. The applause did not stop and it finally reached its peak when Albert Dorenza stepped onto the stage.

Qi Mu was no longer as nervous as he had been. He watched Mr. Dorenza, Anthony, and Julie hug each other. Then, without need for Dorenza to say anything else, they were ready. Now, they only waited for that baton to rise to play the most moving music in the world.

In the spacious and silent concert hall, even the sound of someone coughing in the audience could be heard.

Dorenza stood high on the podium at the center of the stage. He lowered his gaze and looked around. When he spotted the handsome black-haired youth to the left, he paused and gave Qi Mu a gentle smile.

That supportive and encouraging smile made Qi Mu loosen the grip on his bow. The last traces of worry in his heart vanished. The only thought reverberating in his head was: playing!

Standing at the helm of this battlefield at the behest of the conductor’s spear, the piano erupted with enthusiasm, igniting the audience’s passion at once!

Qi Mu’s fingers gently rubbed his bow, his steady gaze fixed on Julie up front. This beautiful and dignified woman’s fingers danced across the piano keys at a rhythm so fast it felt suffocating. Note by note, it climbed higher and faster and finally reached its peak.

——it was time!

Dorenza lowered his hand and the piano’s volume cut in half abruptly, and a warm, cheerful burst of music rang out from all corners as the symphony began!

Closest to the podium, the violin sounded as though it were the song of birds in spring, the very bloom of fragrant flowers. In symmetry of the piano’s ferocity during the A theme, the B theme was melodious and soft. So much so, people couldn’t help but indulge themselves.

This Brahms 《Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat Major》 was unique.

Most concertos highlighted the guiding role of the piano, making the orchestra a foil for the piano, and further highlighted the power of the king of musical instruments. But Brahms did the opposite.

There was no instrument in the world that could surpass others.

When Qi Mu recommended the fourth movement of 《B Flat Major》 to Dorenza, this exquisite youth had said under the dizzying lights of the conference hall, “At the opening concert in Vienna, only a passionate and cheerful piece can arouse the audience at once. Mr. Dorenza, Wei Ai is a free and equally balanced orchestra. I think this 《B Flat Major》 best expresses our orchestra’s spirit.”

As he’d said, such a difficult piece that was also familiar to the audience was suitable to energize the atmosphere in the concert hall.

Once 《B Flat Major》’s melody phased through the third and fourth movements, the audience was attracted by the rapid warmth of the piano. Then the string instruments’ gentle song was the murmur of a stream, soothing their restless hearts.

The young man’s thin white fingers slid up and down the piano’s neck. Their speed was so fast, if someone was still in the mood to observe Qi Mu closely, they would be surprised to find he frequently played two different notes on the same string!

Paganini, the dazzling madman, once played an entire song on the E string, and Qi Mu now repeatedly converted the notes to a higher pitch, all without changing strings!

Qi Mu had done this before, because even if the strings were changed skillfully, there were sometimes a millisecond pause between changes. However, if he played high, it was easier to produce the same notes.

But now that Qi Mu had the little princess, everyone was solved!

Pauses between changing strings, what about the higher notes?

No problem at all!

The left hand of the black-haired violinist gently stroked the little princess’s strings. Every pull of his bow seemed to create the most beautiful sound in the world.

This noble and charming little princess had waited a long time, waited for so long, tormented in that dark safe. And now, on the grandest stage in the world, her glory came to full bloom!

She had the sweetest voice, the most elegant timber, and her song could be both low and dull or bright and clear!

Her light yellow spruce had lighter stripes left over the years, but the slender curves of this little princess’s body had attracted all of the Wei Ai’s members’ attention when she first appeared. Now that she was on stage, when she sang——

She completely eclipsed the piano!

The fullness of her sound flowed from the small hole in the center of her chest. Though it was high, the little princess made every full and delicate note praiseworthy. She returned arrogantly to this long-lost world, using her strongest voice to conquer the entire orchestra. She even completely suppressed Anthony’s violin.

But… the little princess was always at the behest of her master.

The elegant young man firmly held that noble, willful little princess between his hands, as if it were the first meeting of a bosom friend. No matter how wondrous “Edith” was, her sound would be defiled by an ignorant person.

Music originated from the violin, but the violin’s song originated, even more so, from the player!

Beneath the stage, listeners with keen ears noticed that distinctive sound, but compared to the fierce piano and the orchestra’s roar, most couldn’t distinguish its beauty because its moving voice rapidly appeared and disappeared, playing hide-and-seek with everyone who listened.

Even Evra’s thick eyebrows furrowed. When the first piece was over, he said unhappily to the fat, black man Jacques, “Just now, there was a violin with excellent sound and skill. When did Wei Ai have such a character?”

Jacques’s lips curled speechlessly.

You have such a good relationship with Mr. Dorenza and you don’t know, so why do you ask me?!

In the audience, only Master Lance came to the correct conclusion. His meaningful gaze penetrated the violin group, as if to see the handsome young man. After looking for a long time, he looked away and said to himself with a smile, “So… this is you. Was this your surprise?”

For two hours, Wei Ai’s delicate, tender violin and Julie’s rigid aggressiveness filled the concert hall with stronger and louder applause.

When the last 《Waldstein Sonata》 officially ended, Evra, who was seated in the first row, immediately stood up and shouted, “Bravo!”

He sincerely sent his compliments to his old friend, and Dorenza responded with a gentle smile at the sudden burst of thunderous applause.

In a place like the Golden Hall, no one needed to be reminded. The rhythmic applause would continue for a long time, waiting for an encore.

Only, this time, Dorenza did not step down. He smiled and bowed to the audience. In response, the applause gradually quieted——it was obvious to everyone what Dorenza was about to say.

Sure enough, after a moment, Dorenza spoke in German, “Tonight’s encore is a bit special. Before we begin, Wei Ai and I would like to thank an old friend of ours.”

Under the astonished gazes of the audience, Dorenza turned to the position just behind the piano——he stepped away from the podium and hugged Anthony who was still seated in the concertmaster’s chair!

This confused the audience.

Suddenly wanting to thank Anthony? What does this mean?!

Though the Golden Hall was built hundreds of years ago, its acoustics were excellent and revered across the country. The noisy, chaotic whispers didn’t carry very far, but Dorenza’s voice on stage steadily spread out amongst the audience.

“Anthony, this old friend of Wei Ai, has spent over 40 springs and autumns with our orchestra. In the most difficult months, he shouldered the burden of being concertmaster and gave the orchestra breathing space to grow.”

Dorexna spoke indifferently, “Wei Ai has been lonely, and Wei Ai has been brilliant. Anthony has dedicated his youth and most of his life to Wei Ai. Please give him a warm round of applause!”

Holding his violin, Anthony stood at the forefront of the stage, with Dorenza’s arm still wrapped around him. The gray-haired old man’s eyes were slightly wet. He wasn’t a sentimental person, but he also knew what was coming next. No matter how he restrained it, the tears continued to fall at the warm applause.

“Old friend, you’re Wei Ai’s eternal violinist!”

“Thank you, thank you!”

He exchanged a hug with Dorenza. Under the latter’s encouraging gaze, Anthony bowed to the audience and solemnly said, “Thank you for the applause. I really wanted to stay and dedicate another forty years to Wei Ai, but… look. My hair tells me ‘you, old fellow, you are so old now.’”

A burst of laughter emerged from the audience.

“I have given you the best of my violin. Thank you for your support!”

Another round of applause burst out.

“I appreciate everyone’s applause, but… I would still like to sit under the stage and listen with everyone!”

Amidst the roar in the audience, Anthony actually walked down the side steps, sat in the empty seat to Evra’s left, and met his horrified gaze with a smile.

Evra: “……”

So this seat was reserved for you!!!

The audience was already flustered. They didn’t know what was going to happen. The concertmaster had left. Who was going to lead the encore? Was the chief of the violin group going to play?!

Wasn’t this unheard of?!!!

The ladies and gentlemen in the audience could no longer maintain their demeanor. They’d encountered such a situation for the first time and didn’t know what kind of encore they would hear next.

In their confusion, the entire Wei Ai orchestra stood up under Dorenza’s leadership and bowed to the audience.

Then, the conductor straightened his body and smiled. “Well then! With Anthony as our witness, we must show him a brand new Wei Ai! An outstanding Wei Ai!”