Chapter 45 (1/2)

The prestigious S City Symphony Orchestra was the first to be established in Asia. They were undoubtedly the best classical music performers in Huaxia for the past century, since they were founded.

The orchestra had performed in various, prestigious halls around the world like Carnegie Hall in New York, Concertgebouw in the Netherlands, one in Vienna, Austria. They were even the first Huaxia performers to play on stage at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall.

Once he received the invitation, Qi Mu immediately packed up and took a plan to S City the very same day. The last time he had been in S City, it was on tour with the B City Symphony Orchestra. This time, when Qi Mu stepped onto the prosperous land, his heart quivered.

He had been to many places in his past life. Huaxia was naturally one of them. Every time he came here, he always felt as though he was inexplicably returning to his roots. Like he belonged to this land, that he was meant to grow and live here.

Many people thought that the US Green Card was challenging to get. But in recent years, it was Huaxia’s Green Card that foreigners dreamed of.

Huaxia was a large country with a history spanning over five thousand years. They had broad and tolerant minds, but they also had a mindset of “hiding their shortcomings.” Want to become a Huaxia national? Yeah, dream on. Huaxia would never recognize dual citizenship!

Qi Mu learned a lot about Huaxia’s culture from his adoptive parents and his Chinese was also excellent. They often said: “Different race, different heart.”

Qi Mu could only fully comprehend those words when he applied for Huaxia nationality numerous times in his past life.

He spent half his life preparing the materials to apply for it, and yet, in the last month of review, he died and was reborn directly as a Huaxian.

Zhu Wen Jun mentioned before that this was the one hundredth anniversary, and all the musicians they invited would be Chinese. The orchestra was naturally the S City Symphony, and the musicians were almost all geniuses under the age of thirty.

Qi Mu could understand this feeling. It was true that the development of classical music started late in Huaxia when compared with the west, but their rise was not slow either. Many Huaxians were in prominent positions in several different world-class orchestras around the world.

Qi Mu felt deeply that the older generation of musicians, and even artists, had the desire to spread classical music throughout Huaxia. This idea was confirmed within the first five hours of his arrival in S City.

“I think that 《First Symphony in E Minor》 Qi Mu performed with New Ai was excellent. Why don’t we select a similar piece that’s written by one of our own, instead of Paganini?” Cheng Ting Wen wore glasses and her curly hair skillfully tied up. Her expression was both professional and serious. “The style we want to showcase is different from Paganini’s!”

As one of the music directors, Cheng Ting Wen was also a famous cellist. She might look like a beautiful woman on the outside, but she had a keen instinct when it came to classical music.

Another music director slapped the table. “Did you even see the violin competition last year? He’s good with Paganini’s and his ability to perform it is perfect. In this aspect, we should showcase our skill level to those foreigners. Do you have a better choice than Paganini’s?”

Cheng Ting Wen refuted, “If you want to show skill and difficulty, is Prokofiev’s 《Piano Concerto No. 2》 that Wang Zheng is playing not enough?!”

“The majority of people attending that day are professional musicians, Cheng Ting Wen, not amateurs that play outside! This is our hundred year anniversary. The music style is good, and Paganini’s is the only one that is sophisticated enough for this. What are you not satisfied with?!”

. . .

Seeing these music directors argue to the point that they were rolling up their sleeves, Qi Mu was humored and distraught. He thought Huaxia musicians would be more reserved and not show their emotions so easily. He didn’t expect that when it came to music, musicians all over the world were like this. . . short tempered and without manners.

In S City’s conference room, Qi Mu and the other members of the orchestra persuaded them for a long time. Eventually, Zhu Wen Jun made a decision and didn’t give them an opportunity to think about it.

“The last two songs Qi Mu will perform are going to be Min Chen’s 《Violin Sonata in D minor》 and 《Liang Zhu》. It is settled.” The handsome middle-aged man looked at his wife and said kindly, “Ting Wen, see, both are in tune with the theme, right? And they’re both the works of a Huaxian.”

Cheng Ting Wen hummed and agreed.

Zhu Wen Jun looked at the man on the other side of the room and said helplessly, “Lao Qi, ah, 《D minor》is not that difficult, but are you okay with 《Constance March》?”

The middle-aged man called Lao Qi nodded reluctantly.

Zhu Wen Jun let out a relieved sigh. He looked at Qi Mu who was sitting opposite him. “Xiao Qi, ah, sorry for making you see this joke. Your Auntie Cheng, Uncle Qi and I grew up together, so this is normal. Don’t be surprised.”

Watching the two musicians arguing until their necks were flushed with anger already made it hard for Qi Mu to restrain his laughter. He dutifully fixed his expression and nodded earnestly, “Okay, Uncle Zhu.”

Zhu Wen Jun naturally knew that Qi Mu was suppressing his laughter and he felt helpless. But he still had to say, “As you heard, you will perform after Wang Zheng, and you will be the last. You worked with 《Liang Zhu》 when you were a child, so I don’t worry about it, but how’s your 《D major》?”