The full title of \u300aTzigane\u300b was \u300aTzigane Rhapsody\u300b, and it was created by the famous French composer Maurice Ravel. This piano maestro of the last century wrote several musical pieces in his lifetime, and most of them were piano pieces. \u300aTzigane\u300b was one of his rare violin concertos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first half of this piece was dominated by a slow beat, while the latter half was primarily in rich allegro. The differing halves of this piece formed a sharp contrast with each other, and that brought a lot of praise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When he told Tan Lao he was going to play this piece, Tan Lao thought for a while but agreed to it in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This work required a skill level equal to that of Paganini’s, which was quite tricky. But there were also Gypsy influences, and it had an unrestrained passion. It was suitable for an indoor concert solo performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tan Lao\u2019s only worry was: \u201cYou\u2019re sure. . . you can play well tomorrow?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to what he knew of Qi Mu, the youth had never touched Ravel\u2019s works, but Tan Lao was also worried because the indoor concert would be held tomorrow. For a better effect, it was better to choose one of Paganini\u2019s songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After thinking about it for a bit, Tan Lao said, \u201cOr you can play Paganini\u2019s Caprice No. 13. You are most familiar with Paganini so I can be at ease.\u201d An elder\u2019s thoughts were always based on stability. They wouldn\u2019t take too much risk, and as long as it was stable, it was enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paganini\u2019s Caprice No. 13 was the thirteenth piece from his 24 Caprices for the solo violinist. It also had a very distinctive other name\u2014\u2014\u300aDevil\u2019s Laughter\u300b. Paganini\u2019s works had always been highlighted by its high difficulty level. It was good enough if one could perform it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Qi Mu shook his head. With a smile, he said, \u201cTan Lao, playing \u300aDevil\u2019s Laughter\u300b in such an indoor concert is a bit too much, plus, I\u2019m not the closing performer. I think \u300aTzigane\u300b is good and don\u2019t worry, I am familiar with this piece. There won\u2019t be any problems.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the finale, Du Sheng would perform with several of his colleagues. They formed an ensemble of four people and would deliver a few songs, making it one of the most anticipated performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tan Lao still hesitated but, after Qi Mu coaxed a bit more, he finally agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The original might not be familiar with \u300aTzigane\u300b, but he had played this song many times. When he just started to learn how to play the violin, he played this song for his graduation. At that time, he wasn\u2019t skilled enough. He could only say he played it, but he can never say that he played it well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Later, when he entered college, he slowly familiarized himself with this song. And when he went to the audition for the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, this song was included in his playlist. Even though he didn\u2019t perform a solo performance after that, this song was still one of his best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After Tan Lao agreed, he listened to Qi Mu play it through once. He could hardly find anything to point out, so he nodded with admiration. The two exchanged pointers for a while, and Tan Lao remembered something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRight, this time, other than a few B City insiders, Professor Karl, who was the judge of that competition last time will also be there. You have to be prepared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The image of a large foreigner with a thick beard and a big belly appeared in his mind, and Qi Mu nodded helplessly. Soon after, the lunch break ended and all the members of the orchestra were practicing over and over again with Du Sheng leading them because Tan Lao went out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When he had just stepped out the door, Tan Lao seemed to have remembered another thing: \u201cOh right, didn\u2019t Du Sheng send a few invitations to Bai Ai\u2019s Daniel?\u201d After thinking a bit, Tan Lao didn\u2019t go back in to tell Qi Mu about this. He smiled and shook his head, \u201cThey must have returned to Berlin anyway.\u201d After thinking such, he got into his car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the rehearsal room, Qi Mu, as assistant concertmaster, was sitting in Du Sheng\u2019s seat and leading the orchestra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Returned to Berlin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tan Lao, ah, you still think too much!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In November, the cold wind from Siberia swept across B City, making the temperature drop sharply, so several people started to wear thicker coats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But tonight, many beautiful ladies were wearing slender dresses as they walked down the red carpet from their warm cars, as if they weren\u2019t afraid of the cold at all. The goosebumps that emerged after they entered the warm hall were visible to the naked eye. These people were lovely but frozen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such an indoor concert wouldn\u2019t have many invitations sent out. Although the invitations were few, the people here tonight were either famous music masters or renowned music professors. Even the worst of them were the chief editors of a national music magazine or newspaper. Like Zheng Wei Qiao, who received an invitation through the \u201cbackdoor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The stage was arranged to be at the center of the hall. It was a small round stage with soft sofa chairs placed at every angle. These seats surrounded the stage, forming a ring. After the audience greeted each other, they took their seats, ready to listen to this special concert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu sat in the second row, facing the east.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike symphony concerts, the performers of an indoor concert could sit down and watch the others when they were not performing. So Qi Mu sat beside Tan Lao and Du Sheng, and he carefully listened to the other performances. These performers were all well-known classical musicians in Huaxia, and the first was a cellist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The melodious and peaceful music resounded throughout the entire hall. Everyone in the audience wore a smile as they felt the mellow, heartfelt sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The musicians on the stage were performing slowly under the dazzling lights and, off the stage, a beautiful youth closed his eyes and listened carefully. Perhaps he heard something beautiful, for the young man couldn\u2019t help but smile and applaud quietly in his heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This handsome young man was the most noticeable presence in the auditorium. Especially with the two elders by his side, many people couldn\u2019t help but look at them a few more times. They felt as if their eyes were washed clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014\u2014Well, Tan Lao was a dignified and majestic old man, and Du Sheng could be called a handsome uncle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But, compared to Xiao Qi, they were quite not so. . . worth looking at?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the end of the song, everyone gave warm applause. They didn\u2019t know why but the next performer waited for quite a while before he went up to the stage. He held a clarinet and soon, another melodious song was heard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seeing this, Tan Lao raised his eyebrows and said, \u201cWasn\u2019t this one supposed to be a violinist? Du Sheng, go check what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Du Sheng nodded and quietly left in the direction of the preparation room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because everyone was sitting together, Du Sheng\u2019s movement was quickly discovered by the others. Especially since. . . he was sitting next to Qi Mu. Naturally, it garnered a lot of attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the auditorium, two positions were the most interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One was Qi Mu. There were still many people who recognized him and, even if they didn\u2019t, someone with such a good appearance would always make people want to look even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other was on the opposite end\u2014\u2014two empty seats in the west side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naturally, this indoor concert gave invitations to important people in the industry. How could there be people who were late or absent? So this was really surprising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu also looked at the two vacant seats for a while. He then whispered in Tan\u2019s ear, \u201cTan Lao, those two seats. . .\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tan Lao raised his head and looked across the stage at the two seats. He frowned and thought about it for a moment. He then shook his head and said, \u201cThe seats were arranged by Du Sheng, so I\u2019m not sure. It\u2019s probably someone from a magazine. They often travel, looking for news or interviews, so them being absent is normal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qi Mu nodded in response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He looked in that direction again. Those two seats were very eye-catching. He only looked for a while then looked away and continued to listen carefully to the performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps. . .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It really was only someone from a music magazine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n