For The Musical Genius (Novel) - Chapter 26
Chapter 26
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Brahms Violin Sonata No. 3.
Ziiing.
Rain falls. The eyes and ears of the audience have long been stolen by her. The red dress flutters like a rose. Her bowing is supremely noble and elegant, as if witnessing a piece of art. At the moment the Stradivarius, embracing the moonlight, creates a poignant melody.
A storm rages!
Boom.
The pianist’s fingers moved sharply as if chasing the passionately rising melody. The left hand, meant to play the low notes, was no longer trapped by compulsion. As proof, a fluid, natural movement created a melancholic melody. Considering Baek Jung-hoon’s relatively young age, one could only call it the skill of a genius.
Ziiing.
The Queen of Strings was smiling. This was likely because Jung-hoon’s performance had moved her heart. Her Stradivarius seemed to resonate, crying out. As they approached the 4th movement, the violin and piano spat out the language of sound, almost jealous of each other. The audience felt their hearts ruthlessly pounding. Grandfather gripping my hand was probably due to the turbulent melody pouring roughly between moonlight.
The audience opened their eyes simultaneously.
Even breathing felt like a sin. The pianist was confronting the violin as if standing at the edge of a cliff. Tear-filled eyes conveyed his emotions, and the page turner’s face showed evident tension. At the moment the legendary Stradivarius burst forth another sorrowful melody.
Boom.
Jung-hoon’s fingers began to dance endlessly across the keys.
As if performing the last performance of his life.
Even after the solo concert, people could not easily shake off the lingering emotions.
Suddenly, I remembered Jung-hoon’s nickname from my previous life.
‘Not called the Iron-Blooded Maestro for nothing.’
With just a small hint provided, Jung-hoon had perfectly made it his own in a short time. However, the highlight of this concert was undoubtedly the Queen of Strings. Like a mother soothing a child, the queen seemed to embrace Jung-hoon.
“Hyun-ah, I’ve never seen anyone play the violin like this before.”
Even my grandfather, who had long been adept at hiding emotions, could not conceal his surprise. Though the stage was empty, there was an illusion that Hirose’s bow was still moving. Such an overwhelming stage. It was no wonder they said Hirose’s melody could steal the audience’s soul.
“Excuse me.”
At that moment, an unidentified man approached my grandfather and me.
“Hello. I’m Hasegawa Goro, currently serving as Hirose’s manager.”
A manager?
“Hirose would like to meet you both. If you have time, please allow me. Of course, it would have been better if Hirose herself had asked, but the audience might crowd too much…”
He bowed deeply, almost excessively, making his request.
*
‘That child has come.’
Hirose could not forget the gaze of the child sitting in the audience. Even when her bow was directed towards him, he had not made the slightest movement. Instead, she had quickly averted her gaze because of his deep eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. A feeling she had not experienced in a very long time. Her heart wanted to rush out and stand before that child, but the waiting audience prevented her from doing so.
It was then.
“Professor, I’m truly sorry.”
Jung-hoon suddenly bowed towards Hirose.
“Why are you saying this, Jung-hoon?”
At Hirose’s questioning tone, Jung-hoon raised his head.
“I have made mistakes and never spoke about them. I’m sorry to even admit my mistakes before you. I sincerely apologize now.”
Hirose smiled and shook her head. The Korean pianist, Baek Jung-hoon, would undoubtedly become a leading figure of the next generation who would guide Asia’s classical music. Today’s collaboration was proof of that – hadn’t his skills visibly improved in just a few days? Especially in Brahms’ Violin Sonata No. 3, she had goosebumps from the melody he created.
“Your interpretation of Brahms’ piece was truly outstanding. I already think this is sufficient apology, don’t you?”
At the unexpected response, Baek Jung-hoon’s face turned bright red. He seemed to move his lips for a moment before wiping his dry lips.
“Actually, there was a child who helped me improve. Though I don’t know who he was.”
A child?
And he doesn’t know who helped him?
At that moment.
Knock, knock.
With the knocking sound, Goro’s voice could be heard.
*
Well, I had expected this.
Baek Jung-hoon’s eyes were trembling as if an earthquake had struck. Who would have known that the pianist from the ramen shop was him? Hirose stood up and greeted me and my grandfather.
“I’m truly delighted. I’ve wanted to meet you so much, Kang Hyun.”
“No, the honor is mine.”
Me, indeed.
I had desperately wanted to meet the Queen of Strings. In my previous life, I was her passionate fan. The red dress that complemented her skin tone was so beautiful it made one forget her age.
“I didn’t know you could speak Japanese so well. I’ve watched the videos so many times, it feels like we’ve known each other for a long time.”
Hirose suddenly grasped my hand and opened her eyes wide in surprise. The same reaction as Spencer. She was probably surprised to see my hand without any calluses.
“Truly amazing.”
The feeling was strange. Meeting a master who had already passed away in my previous life.
“If such a performance were achieved through effort alone, it would be impossible. I was captivated by Hyun’s performance. I wanted to board a flight to Korea multiple times a day, but as you know, my solo concert schedule made it impossible. So, it’s like a miracle that you both have come to visit me. I’m truly grateful.”
Hirose’s disposition was as calm and elegant as her nickname, the Queen of Strings. Even the way she spoke so formally to a child like me was evidence of that.
“Hyun, do you have a teacher?”
A question about whether he had a formal violin teacher. I hesitated to answer. I had received music tutoring from Park Seon-young, but could I really call her a musical mentor? Hirose let out a soft exclamation at my response.
“From the way you can’t easily answer, should I understand that you don’t have one?”
Suddenly, Hirose’s white hair seemed to ripple.
“Hyun, would you like to exchange musical ideas with me?”
Baek Jung-hoon’s eyes widened like lanterns. He never imagined Hirose would say such a thing. Moreover, she used the word “exchange” rather than “teaching”. Jung-hoon was not unaware of the meaning hidden within. The fact that she recognized him as a violinist.
I could not easily answer.
At that moment, I saw my grandfather’s wrinkled eyes. It would be a lie if his heart was not moved by her melody. His heart was beating so fiercely. Seeing me hesitate again, Hirose nodded briefly.
“Hyun, why don’t you play this violin?”
As Hirose handed me her violin case, not only Jung-hoon but even Goro was shaken. For a violinist, a violin is almost like their own life. Moreover, this was a Stradivarius – this single instrument could be worth as much as a typical Seoul city building.
Gulp.
My wavering gaze touched the Queen’s violin.
* * *
Warm and cozy.
The hot spring water soaked my entire body with warmth. The spacious bath was empty except for my grandfather and me. Soaking in the warm water made all the accumulated fatigue melt away. Grandfather looked at me curiously as I smiled lazily.
“Hyun-ah, do you like the hot spring that much?”
“Yes, hehe.”
Grandfather stroked my head once and asked again.
“But why did you decline Hirose’s offer?”
“What?”
I wiped my face with my palm and looked at grandfather. I hadn’t explained in detail what had happened at Opera City today. Of course, grandfather hadn’t asked either.
But how?
“Kid, did you think your grandfather couldn’t understand Japanese?”
I felt goosebumps all over despite being in the hot water. Then, everything at the ramen shop too?
“Your grandfather knows better than anyone about your musical talent. I was wondering why you declined Hirose’s offer. She would surely be the most necessary person for you right now.”
Huh, what should I say?
“Grandfather, are you getting your regular health checkups?”
Grandfather let out a hearty laugh at the sudden question.
“Kid, don’t worry about my health. I’ve got at least ten years left.”
I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t tell him that he only had five years left to live. There were many problems to solve within that time.
“But why didn’t you play Hirose’s violin?”
Stradivarius.
One of the three divine instruments that every violinist dreams of. It wouldn’t make sense to say I didn’t want to play the Queen’s violin. It had a magnetic pull like a black hole, and my heart was beating faster than ever. However.
I felt that if I played the violin, I wouldn’t be able to return home.
I deliberately avoided answering and submerged myself in the water. I could feel grandfather’s gaze, but only meaningless bubbles rose to the surface.
*
“Hello, Mr. Baek Jung-hoon.”
Daily Q reporter Kim Saet-byeol flew straight to Japan to interview Baek Jung-hoon, who was considered Korea’s next-generation master. He was indeed a notable gem in Korea, a country considered barren ground for classical music.
“You performed with Japanese music master Hirose. How was it? I hear you’re the youngest pianist to ever collaborate with her.”
Jung-hoon answered the reporter’s question without hesitation.
“It was an honor. Rather than calling it a collaboration, it would be more accurate to say I received her teachings. Hirose-sensei is an insurmountable wall for me.”
This wasn’t an exaggeration. The reporter, also aware of Hirose’s global reputation, just nodded without further questioning.
“What are your future plans?”
“As soon as the collaboration performances with Hirose-sensei end, I plan to study abroad. There’s no end to the path of learning.”
The reporter’s hand moved quickly across the notepad. Most people would expect Jung-hoon to have connections with other masters, not to study abroad. The reporter looked at Jung-hoon and asked another question.
“In a previous Gramophone magazine interview, Hirose highly praised you. She said you would become a master responsible for classical music in Korea. What are your thoughts on this?”
Interest in Jung-hoon was growing daily in Korea. Not only had he won second place in the Chopin Competition, but despite his young age, his skills were recognized by world-class masters. In a way, it seemed natural that Korea’s classical music scene would be reorganized around Jung-hoon.
However.
Jung-hoon’s brow furrowed – his habitual expression when troubled.
A master responsible for Korean classical music?
Nonsense. But one thing was certain.
“Korean classical music will face tremendous changes in the future.”
In Jung-hoon’s mind, he naturally recalled a certain boy. The boy whom Hirose-sensei had gazed at with yearning, and who had filled his own eyes with admiration.
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