For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 23

Chapter 23

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clap clap clap clap─!

Thunderous applause reached the ceiling of the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. The white-haired violinist, having finished performing all movements, walked to the front of the stage and bowed respectfully to the audience. Her performance was elegant and classical, befitting her nickname as the Queen of Strings. During “Air on the G String,” some were even moved to tears. The audience’s eyes and ears had long been captivated by her melody. The violinist exited, her red dress fluttering like a rose.

“Goro, any word from Korea?”

The white-haired violinist immediately sought her manager in the waiting room. Despite what must have been an exhausting solo concert, her eyes sparkled like a child’s. However, the manager slowly shook his head, as if regretful he couldn’t meet her expectations.

*knock knock*

Just then, with a knock, a man entered the waiting room. Upon seeing his face, the violinist jumped up from her seat and gave her characteristic gentle smile.

“You worked really hard today. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more attentive.”

It was the pianist who had accompanied her concert. The man waved his hands dismissively and bowed deeply with an expression of genuine appreciation.

“Not at all, Teacher. It was an honor to perform with you, Teacher Hirose. My heart is still pounding as if I’ve achieved the dream of a lifetime.”

It wasn’t an exaggeration.

The white-haired violinist, Hirose, was a world-renowned master beyond Japan. It was said that when her solo concerts were held in Tokyo, audiences would travel from Sapporo to Kagoshima. Those who had heard Hirose’s performances unanimously declared that she was not just the Queen of Strings, but a witch – for she could steal the souls of her audience with a single melody.

“By the way, Junghun, you’re from Korea, right?”

Suddenly, Hirose looked at pianist Baek Junghun. Baek Junghun nodded with a puzzled expression.

“Would you happen to know any violinists in Korea who might interest me? Not adult performers, but young ones.”

Baek Junghun’s brow furrowed – a habit when he was deep in thought. Hirose was already a globally recognized empress of violin. Although he himself was a next-generation pianist recognized in Korea’s classical music scene, having won second place in the Chopin Competition, he was still barely a novice compared to Hirose. Try as he might…

“Excluding those already active in international symphonies, I don’t think there are any junior performers who could satisfy your standards, Teacher Hirose.”

It was true. Reflecting on all the performers he knew, no outstanding prodigies had emerged from Korea, which could be considered a classical music wasteland. At that moment, Hirose’s expression notably darkened.

‘Who could it be?’

Who was this child named Kang Hyun that even Baek Junghun didn’t know? The contents of the video sent by Jeil Group were astounding. A child who had never once appeared in international competitions. Knowing only that they were from a chaebol family, Hirose was burning with curiosity.

“Teacher, aren’t you too concerned about that child? Surely there must be performers of similar skill here in Japan.”

Goro cautiously broached the subject. But Hirose firmly shook her head. She thought Goro could only say such things because he hadn’t seen the video. She herself wouldn’t have gone this far if she hadn’t seen it either.

“Goro, this child is definitely different.”

Child?

Baek Junghun glanced sideways at Goro-san. But there was no way he’d find answers there. What could this all mean?

*

“Oppa─!”

Son Yu-ha came running with a violin case strapped to her small frame. Her voice was excited as if she’d accomplished something great. Why did her head suddenly hurt? Upon seeing her grandfather, Yu-ha sat down demurely like a proper young lady. Had she not been born into the third generation of a chaebol family, she could have easily been a child actress.

“Hyun, the young lady has thoughtfully prepared her instrument.”

Spencer looked at me with an obvious gaze. Chairman Wang and Grandfather also seemed expectant. Yu-ha, now transformed into a proper young lady, had already leaned forward, ready to listen attentively. Was this how musicians felt when performing violin in salons for nobility? The sudden request for a performance wasn’t entirely welcome. However.

‘They came from such a far place.’

They had come running from England just to see me, and he was the renowned conductor of the London Symphony. Considering Spencer’s social status, it was an unthinkable situation. Moreover, performing once wasn’t such a difficult task.

*

‘Oh.’

Spencer’s eyes lit up as a small violin and long bow emerged from the case. It was an instrument made from notably fine wood. At a glance, it was clearly crafted by a famous Cremona artisan. The price would be beyond imagination for a child to use. What would the performer’s skill be like?

“I will play just one piece.”

Spencer nodded at the decisive statement. Hyun didn’t appear arrogant. As a musician, it was perfectly understandable. Of course, despite his young age, he must know his worth as a violinist. Spencer’s heart began to race at this confident display.

At that moment, as the bow was raised,

*zing*

The performance began with a single note.

‘Bach!’

Spencer’s eyes widened as he clenched his fists.

Bach’s Partita No. 2, Chaconne.

A grand journey beginning without accompaniment. A series of breathtaking tremors and pathos resonated through the bow into melody. The fingers on the strings handled the notes as carefully as if caressing a young child, yet the harmony felt like multiple violins playing simultaneously. It was like having an invisible pipe organ accompaniment. Spencer, who had heard master Kremer’s Chaconne in person, found Hyun’s performance uniquely different.

*zing*

The cold tone made the hidden sorrow feel even more heartrending. Was there any need to evaluate technique? The Chaconne was already being performed beyond the score with his own interpretation. The timbre and rhythm had long since become the boy’s own. This wasn’t something achievable through practice alone.

It felt like tears might come.

Spencer closed his eyes. But his ears continued to follow the melody. Ah, how could this be possible? A whirlwind of emotions churned in Spencer’s heart, as if denying all the values he had held until now.

* * *

A wind blows through the garden. A cold wind enough to cool heated bodies.

A faint flush remained on Chairman Wang’s face. A body where hiding emotional changes had become habitual throughout life. But listening to that child’s performance, he felt a warm energy rising from deep within. He could declare that this was the first time he had felt such emotions.

“Truly remarkable, Chairman Yu.”

Complex emotions crossed Grandfather’s face. Previously, he had been too busy and surprised to become so completely immersed in his grandson’s performance like this. Yet hadn’t he far exceeded the scope of musical talent that he had imagined?

“Son-ga, I truly don’t know what to do with that child anymore.”

Despite weathering various storms through decades of turbulent times, right now he couldn’t get his bearings at all. It felt like facing a multiple-choice question with no correct answer. The truth was, he hesitated endlessly no matter which option he considered.

“Don’t worry about it too deeply.”

Chairman Wang offered sincere advice, knowing better than anyone what was troubling his friend.

“Don’t think of Hyun as too young. From what I see, he’s an exceptionally bright child. He’s capable of taking care of not only himself but Dongju as well.”

At Wang’s words, Grandfather finally began to see his grandson properly. Sometimes he seemed mature enough to entrust Dongju’s future to him, while at other times he appeared infinitely young. But what was clear was that, as Chairman Wang said, Hyun was different from other children. Far exceeding his expectations.

“That child’s choices surely have meanings we don’t yet understand.”

It would have been surprising for others to hear – a titan of industry acknowledging a 14-year-old child. Just then, Chairman Wang’s expression became subtle.

“Oh my, that fellow has completely fallen for him.”

Chairman Wang nodded while speaking briefly. In his line of sight, Yu-ha and Kang Hyun were playing together. While Hyun treated Yu-ha like a younger sister, Yu-ha’s gaze toward Hyun was anything but ordinary. It was no less intense than Juliet’s gaze upon Romeo, if not more so.

*

On the plane returning to England.

Spencer refused even the in-flight meal to savor the lingering sensation. Even his beloved wine. Just thinking about that performance still sent shivers through his entire body; he didn’t want anything to interfere with it. Though it had been such a rushed visit to Korea, not even staying a full day due to London performance schedules, he felt more refreshed than ever.

“Guest member, what was I thinking? I was thoroughly mistaken.”

He had planned to bring the boy as a guest member of the London Symphony and teach him under his guidance. But the moment he heard the boy’s Chaconne, he understood. This child was already walking across oceans. He might not know the extent of his musical knowledge and experience. But there was no denying that he had already created his own distinct music.

“I’m sorry for now…”

The boy’s voice echoed in his ears. It was a completely unexpected response until coming to Korea. Was he upset about it? Not at all. Rather, seeing those deep eyes, he could understand. The boy clearly understood his musical talent better than anyone else. No one could easily possess that child.

How much time had passed?

London’s airspace came into view outside the window. Already arrived? He had been lost in the afterglow for that long journey. Spencer ran his long palm across his face. For a moment, he felt his wrinkled, callused palm.

“Come to think of it.”

He had been shocked when he first saw that child’s white palms. Not a single callus, as if he had never played violin before. That’s when his preconceptions began to completely shatter. He had thought all prodigies died after Mozart. But.

“Samuel, you were right.”

Spencer smiled more contentedly than ever before.

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