Chapter 4 (1/2)

It was as Zheng Wei Qiao said. The man who was the deputy chief violinist of B City Symphony Orchestra did have his own strengths. He played Dvorak’s 《6th Symphony in D Major》 second movement in gentle adagio.

The sound was light and refreshing, like a gentle hand that fluttered at a person’s heartstrings. Even Qi Mu had a proper appreciation for this sound. The only pity is that on the final piece, he was obviously impatient, and he didn’t end it with the tranquility it should have.

Qi Mu heard this and frowned.

If this was to be played at a European concert, he might get a warning, or his name may even get removed. But for the current audition, he had performed well enough, at least, to let others wait and see.

“Qi Jia brat, even if someone has no talent, they can still do anything. Your parents died early so I will teach you for them. You should watch what you say, and mind your step.” After he finished with his audition, Lu deliberately went to Qi Mu and said this with a sneer.

Qi Mu heard this and smiled suddenly. Evidently, this guy. . . Really, did he think he was a soft persimmon that one could pinch without caution?

“Mr. Lu, do you know who else has said this before you?”

The middle-aged man asked, “Who?”

Qi Mu’s delicate eyebrows raised slightly, pretending to ponder on this for a while. Then he said, “Mr. Tan, the B City Symphony Orchestra’s chief conductor. Also, Mr. Xu, the chairman of the Huaxia Music Association and the S City Symphony Orchestra’s musical director. . . ah, and Mr. Verona, the concertmaster of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, and Mr. Derek, the Vienna Symphony Orchestra’s musical director. Ah, those are the ones that I can remember off the top of my head.”

Qi Mu’s tone was flat and calm, but the people around who heard this sentence stared with astonished eyes. There was an awkward silence.

The more he listened to the names he listed, the darker Lu’s face was. Forget the music director of Vienna Symphony Orchestra, even the chief conductor of B City Symphony Orchestra who was the closest to him was still far beyond his reach.

The man initially thought that because Qi Mu was now an orphan and no longer had the backing of his family, he could taunt and ridicule this young prodigy and get him out of his way. He didn’t expect to end up lifting a stone only to drop it on his own foot, even making himself look bad. One must know that even dead, a camel was still bigger than a horse. Those seniors, for the sake of Qi Mu’s late parents, would make it impossible for anyone to humiliate him.

Well, nobody told this old man to bully him, so it was his own fault.

In the hearts of old predecessors, there were always scales hanging.

The middle-aged man’s face was pale, and he said awkwardly, “You can say that after you get this job. If you can, that is.” After speaking, he walked away hastily.

A person who was blinded by hatred and envy wouldn’t get far on this road.

Qi Mu came late, so his number was among the last few. When it was his turn, there were only 3-4 people left. But the middle-aged man was still there, looking at him as if he was expecting to see a joke.

“Heh, a kid who hasn’t even touched the violin for a few years really thinks he’s on par with us?”

Qi Mu didn’t pay attention to this obvious provocation. After his number was called, he put down the rosin in his hand and stood to walk to the forefront.

The stage for this audition was a small theater, and several big names of B City Symphony Orchestra were sitting on the front row.

Qi Mu walked over calmly step by step.

“Qi Mu. . . ?” The chief violinist of B City Symphony Orchestra who was sitting in the front row said his name in surprise. He then turned to look at the old man next to him and asked tentatively, “Mr. Tan, is this. . . really that Qi Mu?”

The old man grunted and coldly said, “Just listen to his performance.”

The chief violinist smiled and didn’t ask any more questions.

“Number 36, Qi Mu, playing Dvorak’s 《6th Symphony in D Major》 second movement, please ask for guidance.”

As soon as he heard this, Lu’s face immediately blackened. The other contestants also smirked and snickered, pointing at him. The judges also saw this. Du Sheng, the chief violinist, asked curiously, “Didn’t you originally choose to play the fourth movement?”

Dvorak was a legendary existence in the history of music, he had composed nine great symphonies in his life. The nine symphonies were spread all over the world and was known as 《New World Symphony》, and this 《Symphony in D Major》 was the sixth of the nine.

The main track that B City Symphony Orchestra would perform was Dvorak’s 《Golden Spinning Wheel》 along with 《D Major》. Therefore, all 40 contestants who came here today auditioned with one of these two pieces.

Qi Mu smiled and said, “Mr. Du, I thought the final part lacks the triple movement that the front part has, so I wanted to change to the second movement.” Saying this, Qi Mu glanced at the middle-aged man who was already gritting his teeth, and the mirth in his eyes deepened.

Du Sheng saw this little movement of his and nodded with a smile, “Alright, then you can begin.”

Qi Mu politely bowed, lifting his violin, and he rested it gently on his left shoulder. Taking a deep breath, he then raised his bow. The next second, a soft, feathery, and graceful melody flowed from his violin.

From the start, the people there were already entranced, their minds brought to a beautiful fairyland. The fluttering vibrato, the way the chords were handled, making the violin let out a delicate and exquisite sound. They felt as if they were in warm water, or peacefully walking on clouds.

To a lot of people, the second movement in 《D Major》 was the most ordinary part of the song. It didn’t have the vitality of the first movement, nor the wit of the third movement, nor was it as exciting as the fourth movement. Yet, Qi Mu hands could bring this piece to life. The seemingly ordinary and unassuming piece could make people feel calm and soothe their soul.

If Lu’s performance before could reach the standard of Huaxia’s National Grand Theatre, Qi Mu’s performance now far surpassed it. Even if it was in Europe, his level was second to none.

Especially the final piece, with a lingering sound, it had a long-lasting charm. The judges were unable to recover from the music, let alone the other violinists who were listening.

“My performance is over, thank you for listening.”

The youth’s soft and pleasant voice brought everyone back from their wandering thoughts. Du Sheng put away his relaxed expression and solemnly looked at Qi Mu on the stage.