Chapter 85
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—
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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 .
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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?”
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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?!!!
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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