King of Classical Music 43

The gorgeous sound of a violin continued to ring clearly in the simple music room. Qi Mu was a contemplative person. Over the years, he seldom thought he was the best, or most skilled, at any of the songs he played. However, when it came to 《Bell》, he could confidently say, “I am good at it.”

The bow jumped rapidly across the strings, but each movement was controlled by this skilled violinist. Paganini, called the King of the Violin, was often praised for his dazzling skill with the instrument.

This 《Bell》 was a nightmare for an inexperienced violinist. But that was not true for Qi Mu, who was already entirely immersed in the song. At the end, Qi Mu was still engrossed in the familiar sound and was unable to shake himself free of it.

He returned to his senses at the low chime of a distant bell.

Today was Christmas Eve and the many bells in B City’s tower rant at the stroke of midnight. The bell reverberated so strongly, its echoes could be felt even in the insulated music room.

Qi Mu laid his violin in its case and said with a smile, “I didn’t notice it was already midnight.” Buckling the case shut, he turned to the man sitting opposite him and added, “Merry Christmas.”

Min Chen had already gathered his thoughts and looked indifferent and calm as usual. He nodded, “Merry Christmas.”

The sound of the violin’s notes still lingered in the room. Min Chen’s eyes narrowed in a squint, and he commented, “You have a good grasp on 《Bell》. I’ve heard the Vienna Philharmonic’s concertmaster, Lyon Zayev, play it in a duet once. Your skill is comparable, and you’ve handled the details in some parts very well.”

Facing this praise, Qi Mu was not shy but instead nodded politely, “Thank you.”

Min Chen looked at him and asked, seemingly casual, “Whose 《Bell》 do you usually listen to?”

For any musician, it was important to listen to the works of different maestros. Even Min Chen had a wall of shelves dedicated to various masters. Dating back to the previous century, from the oldest record to the current Blu-ray and CDs, they lined his huge music room back in Berlin.

Qi Mu took a moment to recall then answered, “I’ve bought Mr. Accardi’s album and listened to his 《Bell》 frequently. I prefer his version in comparison to others’.”

Min Chen’s eyebrow raised higher when he heard this, and he stared at Qi Mu solemnly. He asked again, “You listen to Accardi’s 《Bell》?”

Qi Mu nodded without thinking too much about it. He laughed and said, “I’ve listened to others, but Mr. Accardi’s version is my favorite. Why? Do you like his too?”

Min Chen shook his head, “I prefer. . . yours.”

Qi Mu was stunned. He smiled helplessly, “That hat is far too large. I dare not wear it.”

Being praised so much as to be called Min Chen’s favorite version, Qi Mu was a little afraid that he was joking, so he pulled away from it. While actually, Min Chen felt he had said too much, so after they spoke a while longer, it was not too late, but the two separated for the night.

Qi Mu hadn’t prepared a full-table meal in a long time. After such a busy day, he felt exhausted. He took a quick shower and went to bed. Separated by the wall, in the spacious but simple living room that was still dark, its owner did not turn on the lights. Only the city streetlights that entered through the floor-to-ceiling windows illuminated the room.

The tall man leaned against the black Steinway piano that Qi Mu had just praised, and he frowned down at the moonlight splashed across the floor. He didn’t say a word, but his profound gaze seemed complicated.

No one knew how long he stood there, leaning against the grand piano, without a word. But when the distant eastern horizon gained a hint of gray, he took action: dialing a number.

After a short beep, the phone was picked up. It sounded like a family dinner on the other side, and the laughter of a child came through the speaker.

“Hey, Min, Merry Christmas Eve. It’s past midnight for you over there, right? It’s too early for you to be calling me. I still have an hour until midnight, alright? I’m going to the New Year concert soon. Damn it, Min, when will you come back?”

Min Chen’s foot pressed against the floor, and he straightened from the piano. He walked over to the windows and said in a low voice, “Daniel. Merry Christmas Eve. Help me book a ticket. Have a wonderful Christmas night.”

“Haha, Min. You’ll only speak so well at Christmas. Alright, what do you want me to look for? My sweetheart can wait for me to cut the turkey. This year, it’s very good, roasted and tender right out of the oven. Oh. . .”

Min Chen went straight to the point, “Help me research someone.”

There seemed to be someone talking to Daniel. After saying a few words in reply, Daniel turned to answer Min Chen. “Are you still talking about that Luo Yu Sen? Hey, Min, I’ve already found out his background. You can look at the research on him and Jacques later. I don’t really know how Luo provoked that Jacques, but he’s being choked out.”

Daniel had begun the investigation when he had left a few days ago. Luo Yu Sen was being isolated in the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, and it seemed to be the deliberate work of the concertmaster, Jacques himself. Daniel didn’t know why Jacques was doing it, but he was very confident that it was his handiwork.

Listening to Daniel, he didn’t want to ask another thing about Luo Yu Sen. Swaying, Min Chen said, “Not him. I want you to check out. . . Qi Mu.”

Daniel sneaked aside and said subconsciously, “I didn’t check his information before. But, his father was the conductor of the Huaxia S City Symphony Orchestra. His mother was the concertmaster. He’s studied the violin since he was four. He won the Menuhin Junior Championship at thirteen and worked the Vienna Symphony Orchestra at fourteen. . .”

“Daniel.”

The man’s magnetic voice suddenly interrupted Daniel’s tirade, and Daniel noticed there was something wrong. He frowned and opened the door to his lively living room. Stepping out onto the balcony, he asked, “Min, what happened for you to want me to look into things?”

“I want you to look into. . .”

“The relationship between him and Lu Zi Wen.”

Near the New Year, the major orchestras in Europe would hold a grand concert. The most striking of which would be the Vienna New Year Concert and the Berlin Philharmonic New Year Concert.

The latter was held in the Philharmonic Hall in Berlin, where a musical feast would be played on New Year’s Eve. The former was usually held in the Golden Hall on January 1st of each year. There would be live broadcasts in dozens of countries across the world so this annual event could be played in every corner of the world.

In the music capital of Vienna, the protagonist of the New Year was naturally the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Every year, music lovers from all over the world would gather to listen to Wei Ai’s performance.

As for the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. . . Although they were also a world-class Symphony, they could not compete with Wei Ai. They often did world tours in previous years, after all, there were only a small number of people that could come to Vienna to listen to their concerts. Passing the beauty of classical music to fans around the world was their mission.

But, this year, probably because there was trouble on the inside, Evra, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra’s conductor didn’t hold a global tour. Instead, he made the entire orchestra make adjustments this winter, waiting for the next year to have a public performance.

In winter, Vienna was still warm, and there was rarely any rainfall. Even near the end of the year, the sun was warm, and people didn’t want to move.

3 o’clock in the afternoon, Viena Symphony Orchestra Headquarters.

Although they said “adjustments,” daily rehearsals were still essential. Around afternoon tea time, the concertmaster Jacques, serving as interim conductor, announced a break. The man sitting at the deputy chief position at the second violin group stood.

The fat, black man standing in at the podium sneered at the black-haired Chinese man that rushed out to the lounge. He didn’t have any words to say, so he went with the other members to have the afternoon tea.

At the other side, Luo Yu Sen stood in the doorway of the lounge with trepidation. After gaining permission, he entered.

Stravinsky’s 《Petrsuka》echoed in the room and the elegant piano sounded with each turn of the album. Since someone had entered the room, Evra turned down the volume and turned. He watched Luo Yu Sen with a blank expression and asked, “Luo? You’ve come looking for me, is there a problem?”

Luo Yu Sen stared at the floor and struggled in his heart for a long time. “Mr. Evra. There are a lot of songs in the next quarter that requires a deputy chief. I don’t think the position can continue to be empty.”

Luo Yu Sen said “deputy chief,” but it was not about his position in the second violin group. Rather, it was the deputy chief position in the first violin group. Four months ago, that was Lu Zi Wen’s position, but ever since the accident, Evra had left the position vacant without adjusting the seats or recruiting externally.

In the face of Luo Yu Sen’s sudden discussion, Evra wasn’t too surprised. This serious old man still had face, so he said nothing. Instead, he seemed to be waiting.

The Chinese man hesitated for a while and said, “Mr. Evra. I’ve thought a lot. Lu Zi Wen’s death makes me sad, and I often dream of him every night, but I don’t think he’d want to see the orchestra missing a deputy chief.” He seemed to have gained confidence, and he looked up at Evra, “Mr. Evra, I want to recommend myself to you. Please, test me.”

Luo Yu Sen finished, but there was no response.

This strange silence made Luo Yu Sen feel awkward. After a long time, Evra sighed and said, “Luo, you have to train. Deputy chief. . . I have this position in my heart. I am also very saddened by Lu’s death. He was very promising, and an outstanding violinist. As your lover, you must work hard to share his burden, ah.”

Luo Yu Sen was anxious. “Mr. Evra, I’m willing to accept your challenge, I. . .”

“Luo.” Evra looked indifferently upon this anxious man. He said plainly, “Your current level is not enough to serve as deputy chief. Practice well. The orchestra has been making progress, and I hope you can keep up with everyone’s rhythm. For Lu’s sake, the things I mentioned before have been considered, but. . . your strength isn’t enough to guarantee the renewal of your contract.”

Under Evra’s harsh refusal, Luo Yu Sen left the lounge.

《Petrsuka》’s sound had been floating about the lounge for a long time, and eventually, it calmed. Evra removed the disk and calmly placed it back in the album case. Apparently, andropause was already affecting a man so young. As he stood, Evra muttered, “Want to be deputy chief with that skill? Well, it’s a pity the talented ones like Lu leave first. . .”

Translator(s): Kuro, Bet
Editor(s): Bet