Chapter 80 (1/2)

The impromptu public performances entitled “Feel Vienna, Exercise Performing Skills” lasted for three days after Qi Mu arrived.

In late spring, Vienna was full of fragrant flowers. Qi Mu and Akkad visited almost all of the famous spots under Qi Mu’s guidance.

Akkad had to admit, “Little Seven. . . Perhaps you have the talent to become a geographer? It’s not easy to read such a complicated map, and you’ve never got it wrong. . .”

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Although Vienna’s streets were complicated, there was still a long way to go between “able to read maps” and “becoming a geographer!”

After the impromptu performance, Qi Mu planned to see his old house. But, Akkad clapped his hands and said, “Little Seven, after three days, there’s finally a concert. Tonight’s concert is by the British BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, it will be the first orchestra we attend after coming to Vienna.”

Qi Mu thought for a moment and had an idea, “Professor, you mean, when you took me to all those places to perform over the past few days. . . were you waiting for the concert to begin?”

Akkad nodded with a very master-like expression and said, “Well, yes. From today on, there will be many good concerts in Vienna, enough for us to stay until May.”

As they talked, they walked into a cafe next to Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde in Wien’s building. Akkad ordered a cup of coffee then looked at Qi Mu and said, “Little Seven, you are skilled and have a great sense of music. What you lack most is the opportunity to work with an orchestra.”

Qi Mu nodded solemnly. “Yes, professor. There are few opportunities.”

Qi Mu, a member of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra in his previous life, was a reserve member in his first year there and didn’t get to perform for quite some time. After that, he entered the first violin group directly and gradually grew from an ordinary member to the deputy chief.

But this meant he never had the chance to work with an orchestra as the concertmaster.

The concertmaster was a very glorious and sacred position, meaning they needed the strength to match. Excellent violin skills didn’t make an excellent concertmaster. It usually took a lot of practice to accumulate experience.

Qi Mu had a superb sense of music, which made it convenient for him to rehearse with an orchestra. But it was talent rather than experience, after all. What Qi Mu lacked was experience as the concertmaster.

In the quiet coffee shop, a gentle, female voice sang a blues song. The coffee shop was located near the Musikverein, where many classical musicians waited for the concert that evening.

Akkad didn’t wear a disguise. So many people who wandered into the cafe found this world-class master of the violin. When they noticed the handsome youth sitting opposite him, they realized instantly——

“Is that. . . Is that the person who won first place in the Paris’ National Conservatory’s last assessment?”

From time to time, people came to pay their respects to Akkad while sneaking a glance at the maestro’s favorite disciple.

When their coffee arrived, Akkad used a spoon to mix sugar into the drink and sighed. “Actually, Little Seven. . . if you were born a decade earlier, I don’t think you would have such a worry.”

Qi Mu looked Akkad, who helplessly continued, “Right now, all the world’s major orchestras are basically complete. Even Bai Ai, that has always been ‘a never changing old man’ made Christole their concertmaster seven or eight years ago. Now, basically, all the concertmasters of most of the first-class orchestras are young.”

Qi Mu was slightly startled. After a pause, he spoke. “Indeed. . . But teacher, have you forgotten the concertmaster of Wei Ai?”

Akkad was silent for a moment before replying, “I forgot that old fellow. Yes, he is quite old. But he has worked with Dorenza for so many years, and I don’t think he will leave Wei Ai in the near future.”

Qi Mu nodded and didn’t express his opinion.

Akkad sighed, “Even the Academy Orchestra of our college have Ange as the concertmaster. Even if he graduated next year, you would also graduate at that time. So that position won’t be yours, Little Seven.”

Qi Mu thought about it a bit and then asked, “That. . . Professor, can I start as an ordinary member?”

Akkad shook his head and said, “No, Seven. Before you came to Paris, I already saw your performance as deputy chief of the second violin group and assistant concertmaster of the B City Symphony Orchestra. As a member of the orchestra, I think you’re already excellent. You don’t need more experience in that. . . What you need is specific experience as concertmaster.”

Qi Mu went silent and said nothing more.

He knew how to cooperate with world-class orchestras after working with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra for over a decade. However. . . not everyone could have such an opportunity, and unfortunately, Qi Mu was not born in that “lucky” era.

Akkad smiled and went on, “But Little Seven, having a lot of strong opponents is a good thing for you. It is because there are so many rivals that you can watch and learn more. So this era that you were born in is not only a cruel era but also a beautiful one.”

At Akkad’s words of encouragement, Qi Mu nodded, and a smile appeared on his handsome face. “Yes, professor. I will work harder.”

Akkad nodded approvingly, and they quickly left for the Musikverein in the next building.