Chapter 72 (1/2)

Of all the music institutes in Europe, the world even, the Paris’ National Conservatory of Music was one of the best. Their terms usually lasted for 4 to 5 years. Each semester, two in-house assessments were conducted to inspect both the syllabus implemented by the teachers and the progress of the students. Students who failed multiple times would face the difficult choice of either repeating the semester or dropping out.

Qi Mu mentioned this assessment when taking his new assignment from Akkad.

Naturally, he knew that the Conservatory held these assessments four times a year. Most orchestras believed it was also a good opportunity to recruit talent. Qi Mu had also accompanied Jacques to Paris in his previous life.

“Little Seven, you enrolled during the middle of the semester. Now, you have to participate in the assessment after only two weeks.” Akkad gave him the score and added, “I don’t want to keep you here in Paris with me for too long. The right way to do this is for you to graduate early.”

Akkad knew that Qi Mu had worked with several orchestras before, including the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Cooperation, however, did not imply being a full member.

The classical music industry in Huaxia was still peaceful and flourishing, while Europe’s had long been complex.

Qi Mu gazed at the score in his hand then looked up and smiled, “I know. I will work hard.” After a pause, he inquired, “Right, teacher, I don’t know. . . if you want me to choose the performance track for the assessment myself.”

“Paganini’s 《La Campanella》.”

This answer left Qi Mu in a daze. He asked, “Professor Akkad, I thought. . . You would let me choose 《No. 24》 or 《Carmen Fantasia》.”

Akkad gave Qi Mu the score of Sarasate’s 《Carmen Fantasia》.

《Carmen》 was an opera piece written by the French composer Georges Bizet for the novel 《Carmen》. The subsequent composers, German-American Franz Waxman and Spain’s Sarasate, used the opera as the inspiration to write their own piece.

Bizet’s 《Carmen》 paid more attention to singing, making it the most widely spread version, and it was very popular with the audiences. Waxman and Sarasate’s 《Carmen》 was focused on violin skills. Although it had a smaller audience, it was regarded as a classic in fantasy violin.

Akkad raised his thick eyebrow. “Do you think. . . your 《La Campanella》 will be worse than these two?”

Qi Mu smiled and shook his head. He confidently replied, “No, I believe my 《La Campanella》 will definitely not be worse.”

《La Campanella》 was one of Qi Mu’s specialties. During last year’s Christmas Eve, he played this song in front of Min Chen. Though he hadn’t practiced it recently, Qi Mu believed he would never grow rusty.

Akkad nodded and said, “Not bad, then we will practice Sarasate’s 《Carmen》 this week and another song next week.”

Qi Mu was stunned. He asked, “. . .Professor, don’t you want to set aside some time before the assessment to let me practice 《La Campanella》?”

Akkad frowned. He feigned anger and said, “Little Seven, do you still need to be like that silly Dylan next door? He made his mentor leave a week to practice for his assessment!” His righteous gesture and matter-of-fact-tone made it seem like a perfectly reasonable thing to say.

Qi Mu nodded helplessly. “Yes, Professor. Let’s continue with our own syllabus, don’t let the assessment disrupt our progress.” In the whole school. . . only he would still teach as usual.

Akkad smiled. “Okay, familiarize yourself with the song.” Satisfied with Qi Mu’s hard-working attitude, Akkad finally relaxed. He added, ” Sarasate’s 《Carmen》 is a bit difficult. Little Seven, practice well.”

Qi Mu smiled and replied, “Okay, Professor.”

A bit difficult. . .

More like, very difficult.

Maybe Dylan was prepared to practice《Carmen》, but to get Akkad’s recognition in a week? It would be more realistic for Dylan to transfer back to the piano department.

Of course, difficult didn’t mean impossible. After a week of uninterrupted practice, Qi Mu got Akkad’s approval on the afternoon of the seventh day. He hadn’t yet breathed a sigh of relief when a new score appeared before his eyes.

He looked up and saw Akkad looking back at him with a smile, revealing his white teeth, “Little Seven, next week we have to practice Tartini’s 《G minor》. I heard when you were 14, you worked with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra on this song. It should be easy. So. . . let’s shorten the time a bit, how about five days?”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

He was far from proficient!

Professor!!!

. . .

Qi Mu’s life was hard, and the man on a leisurely trip had nothing to do.

In the beginning, Min Chen came to the music room to see Qi Mu. But, Qi Mu was so intently focused on the music, Min Chen wasn’t even noticed. Min Chin waited a long time, but when Qi Mu still didn’t look up, he went to the professor’s lounge. Gloomily, he sat face-to-face with Akkad. Neither of them said a word.

Akkad: “. . .”

Min Chen: “. . . . . .”