King of Classical Music 85

The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra performed their last concert in the Golden Hall at the end of May. 

As one of the world’s best symphony orchestras, they had a solemn style. Each musician was world-renowned, and their shows were always so well received, they filled the house. Even the articles in music magazines reporting their concerts could be turned into a thick music commentary collection.

At nightfall, the streetlamps glowed golden. The European-styled lampshades cast hazy shadows.

In front of the Musikverein, a river of cars slowly stopped, relieved of their smiling patrons.

When the audience was seated, Qi Mu found familiar faces. Among them was Scott, the cellist he visited, and Kenneth, the concertmaster of the London Symphony Orchestra.

The concert attracted many famous musicians, and the media and music critics followed suit.

The ticket Min Chen gave to Qi Mu was on the left side of the third row, giving him a good view of the violin group. The location also had the best audio of the entire performance. Although the hall’s architectural design provided the audience with an almost perfect sound, a good ear could hear subtle differences. 

Qi Mu looked at the repertoire in his hand. The black card’s edges were lined with silver patterns. The back featured an introduction of the orchestra while the front displayed the five pieces they were going to play. 

The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra’s Europe tour this year followed Schumann as their theme. Almost all of their repertoire were his works, but they would also play some pieces by other maestros. That night’s repertoire had two of Schumann’s sonatas as well as Chopin’s 《Piano Concerto No. 1》 and Beethoven’s 《Symphony No. 3》 and 《Symphony No. 9》.

This repertoire reminded Qi Mu of the concert he missed half a year ago*. On that stage in Huaxia’s capital, Bai Ai performed 《The Destiny Symphony》 as their closing piece and earned applause from the entire audience.

*See chapter 14

“It’s a pity that I didn’t get to hear their 《Destiny》…”

Qi Mu smiled helplessly and chuckled to himself softly. A melodious bell rang out, and members of the brass group filed in from the left.

Amidst the thunderous applause, Christole, holding his violin, stepped out from backstage. After he led the other members by group to their seats, a handsome man came from the other side. He was accompanied by growing applause. 

Qi Mu also smiled and applauded as he looked at the stage illuminated by spotlights.

It may have been his imagination, but he felt Min Chen’s gaze lock on him, startling him a bit. By the time he recovered, Schumann’s 《Carnival of Vienna》, full of joy and enthusiasm, had already started.

This piece was bright and vibrant, and when the melody resounded throughout the concert hall, it brought the audience to a scene of national celebration. The violin was gentle, and the pipe group played a light tone. When this piano sonata was reorganized into a symphony, many people wondered—

It could be changed like this?!

Qi Mu had listened to 《Carnival of Vienna》 once, conducted by Mr. Charles in Paris. At that time, Min Chen was sitting beside him. Now. . . He stood before the podium, leading the whole orchestra.

Although he knew he should be paying attention to Christole’s performance to learn something, Qi Mu’s eyes were focused on the conductor.

When Min Chen raised his finger, the orchestra’s sound rose. When he clenched his fist, it became silent instantly, and the audience followed suit.

Some conductors preferred to use batons, while others did not. Most didn’t use batons at all. That night, Min Chen didn’t use one. This didn’t affect his performance in the slightest. 

No one dared to question Bai Ai’s level; Min Chen’s strengths were never doubted.

At the end of the closing piece 《Symphony No. 9 in D minor》, the fierce melody seemed to reverberate across the concert hall. The applause grew even louder. It felt as if the sound almost toppled the roof.

Qi Mu kept applauding without end. This was his second time listening to Bai Ai’s concerts, the first two years before. With his ears and sense of music, he noticed Bai Ai had made considerable progress compared to then.

The concertmaster’s violin was more emotional, the orchestra coordinated, and even their music style better stabilized and complete. It was as if they reached the peak of their era.

All of this. . . might be due to one man.

Qi Mu couldn’t help but stare at the man standing centerstage. He bowed along with the members of the orchestra to thank the audience. Before Qi Mu could tear his gaze away, the man looked at him, a smile on his face.

Qi Mu’s eyes widened in surprise, and he couldn’t stop himself from laughing.

Min Chen was bold enough to sneak a glance at him on such an occasion.

After the concert, Qi Mu didn’t leave immediately like everyone else. When he spoke with Min Chen earlier, he mentioned the orchestra would hold a celebration, and he hoped Qi Mu would join them.

Qi Mu wasn’t a member of the orchestra, though, so it was unnecessary for him to join the party. Despite it, Min Chen said, “I have already reserved a seat for you,” leaving him with no choice but to accept the invitation.

When Qi Mu arrived at the so-called party venue, he looked at his “seat” in silence. He could only feel dumbfounded.

The young man raised his eyebrows and looked at Min Chen. Voice slightly raised, he asked, “This is. . . the seat you reserved for me?”

In the double-floored luxury apartment, there were only a few empty chairs left in the dining room apart from the sheepskin sofas in the open living room. Unlike the formal celebration in Qi Mu’s imagination, this was a family gathering with snacks placed in every corner of the room for everyone’s enjoyment. 

Min Chen nodded and calmly said, “Well, I asked Daniel to reserve a seat for you.” After a pause, Min Chen turned to Daniel and asked, “Why didn’t you reserve a seat?”

Daniel: “. . .”

Ditching the responsibility on me!

In front of the man’s cold and indifferent eyes, Daniel laughed then replied to Qi Mu, “Angel, in fact. . . In fact, we originally wanted to book a hall in the hotel, but the hotel was already booked full. So you see. . . we had to hold our party at Min’s house.”

“. . .”

After a moment of silence, Qi Mu said,  “Daniel, my name. . . isn’t Angel. Please call me Seven.”

Daniel laughed and said, “Oh, that’s a lovely name, my Angel Seven!”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

At the word “Angel”, several members glanced up at Qi Mu. No one knew who started: “Are you the violinist who played 《Dance of the Goblins》?!” But, after that, all of them gathered around him.

 “Oh God, your 《Dance of the Goblins》 was great!”

 “Angel? So your name is Angel? I was never good with 《Dance of the Goblins》, your performance was really excellent!”

 “Oh, Angel, do you want to join us too?”

. . . 

One after the other, all the “Angel” comments drowned out Qi Mu. More and more members of the orchestra gathered together, and soon, they were squeezed Min Chen and Daniel into a corner.

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Really, his name wasn’t “Angel”!!!

Outside the crowd, Min Chen stared at the group so thick, he couldn’t see so much as the hair on Qi Mu’s head. He snorted and pursed his lips as he whispered, “Daniel, why didn’t you book a hotel instead of holding this meaningless family reunion? Did you leave your brain in Berlin?”

Daniel let out an exaggerated “Ah,” and mercilessly said, “Didn’t a certain someone inexplicably say that the party must be held today and very kind-heartedly offered up his own house as the venue?”

Min Chen: “. . .”

A certain someone just experienced what it meant to lift a stone and drop it on their own foot.

By the end of the party, Qi Mu had to explain his real name.

Unfortunately. . . after discovering Min Chen and Qi Mu had a phone call earlier, they all exchanged a glance. They shouted, with even more enthusiasm, “Angel, you have to visit us later,” “Angel, it’s a good habit to constantly call,” and “Angel, Bai Ai’s gate is already opened for you.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

It was not easy to get to the end of the party. When it was over, Daniel realized their celebration, originally for Bai Ai’s successful concert, had turned into something else entirely. It was now about pestering Qi Mu with a chorus of “Little Angel, make more phone calls.”

Daniel screamed, “You useless fellows!”

At his side, Christole burst out laughing. “It seems like the conductor really likes Little Seven. I think. . . it’s good to have Little Seven call him more often and let the members relax a little, Daniel.”

“. . .”

Finally, after Qi Mu repeatedly vowed to make a daily phone call to Min Chen, the slippery members let him go. Qi Mu didn’t know whether to cry or laugh as he watched them leave one by one.

When Daniel was about to leave, Qi Mu also planned to hitch a ride, but Daniel shook his head in horror. “No, no, no. Angel, I. . . My car broke down, so I’m walking back.”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Do you think I didn’t see you come by car?!

The door closed behind Daniel with a “click,” and Qi Mu picked up his coat helplessly. Before he could open his mouth, he saw Min Chen. His deep, dark eyes gazed at him, the corner of his lips curling. His heart skipped a beat. . .

A strange feeling burst from his chest.

 “Xiao Qi.”

Qi Mu involuntarily gulped and nodded. “Yes.”

Why did he call me that name. . .

A smile flashed in Min Chen’s dark eyes. But his expression was still stern like he was about to begin a solemn conversation. “. . . I have something to tell you.”

Qi Mu: “. . . Wh. . . What?”

 “Actually. . . I think. . .”

Qi Mu held his breath.

 “Please. . . Help me clean this up.” Min Chen said calmly, raising a finger to point at the messy room.

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Do you have to make yourself look like a national leader for this?!!!

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

Kuro:

Min Chen is a kid, now everyone can go home. JK, let’s just watch him fumbling his way through this so that we can laugh some more

Videos:

Choplin’s Piano Concerto 1 (Long) (Short)

Beethoven’s Symphony 3

Beethoven’s Symphony 9

Carnival of Vienna