Chapter 97 (1/2)

Luckily for Qi Mu, Jenny wasn’t that loud of a speaker.

The next day, he was busy tuning his violin before the next rehearsal when Jenny sat beside him. She flashed a smile that said, “I understand, you know. I’ll keep your secret,” after sending him a fervent look.

Qi Mu: “. . .”

Even though you say that, you don’t understand anything! Ah!

When a professional orchestra began rehearsal, all members had to focus. They couldn’t be distracted. Even Qi Mu, whose thoughts wavered, pinned all of his attention on Farrell’s every command.

Some laymen may think the conductor was just someone that stood at the podium and gestured around, having little to no effect on the play itself. He didn’t need to play, nor did he need to shoot a video. He simply gestured, waving his arms around. What exactly did a conductor do?

In fact, the conductor was the orchestra’s soul.

The stage was the best place to experience music. Standing at the front, the conductor could hear every sound and could adjust and blend them together into something masterful.

The conductor decided the style, the rhythm, and how to salvage every unavoidable mistake.

Farrell stood at the podium with his hands raised. They dropped, and the orchestra fell silent. Then, he turned to the first violin group at his left and raised his left hand gently. A silvery, soft melody filled the air.

Although Qi Mu wasn’t concertmaster or deputy concertmaster, Farrell gave him a good spot to see the conductor’s movements for himself.

Qi Mu had served as concertmaster in the past with B City’s Symphony Orchestra. This was the first time he would perform with a high-level orchestra since returning to Europe.

The youth’s slender fingers danced along the fingerboard, and he along with the other members of the group pulled their bows like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings. A fierce struggle soon churned in the air above the stage.

A moment later, the wind instruments roared. The melody grew in power, followed by the entire orchestra, and the fierce rhythm resonated throughout the entire rehearsal hall.

Each note in 《The Magic Flute》 conveyed the tension, fear, hatred, and suspense belonging to the opera.

Aside from the two minor errors on the first day, Qi Mu hadn’t had any problems.

When practice ended, and everyone took their afternoon tea break, Farrell waved his hand. He asked, hesitating, “Angel. . . can you distinguish each individual instrument in the orchestra?”

Though he hadn’t expected the question, Qi Mu understood why it was asked, so he answered, “Yes, Mr. Farrell. My sense of sound is good. I can hear each of them.”

Farrell looked at the youth with a conflicted gaze.

The spotlight overhead shone on the youth’s black hair. Although his eyes were slightly hidden by his hair, it made his facial features stand out even more. Farrell knew from the moment he nicknamed him “Angel”. . . That this youth was a lovely child.

But now, he hesitated some on the child’s future.

Farrell sighed, “Angel, my perfect pitch was honed day by day with experience. Though I can hear every instrument and the musician that plays them, I will never be able to pick out a newly replaced string like Auston.”

After a pause, he continued, “Auston’s ability was given by God, not acquired. If you’d like, I can accept you as my student. I think. . . even Auston would be happy to accept you as his student.”

Qi Mu froze. Only then did he understand what Farrell meant. He shook his head and smiled. “Mr. Farrell, I understand what you mean, but. . . I don’t want that. I like the violin, and I don’t want to do anything else. Besides. . .”

He looked up. “Mr. Farrell, do you think, if I became a conductor. . . could I defeat Min Chen?”

Farrell was stunned. He smiled. Then he shook his head. “That’s too difficult, Angel. You are talented, but I have never been able to understand Auston. And. . . you’re ten years younger than him.”

Qi Mu asked a second question, “Then, do you think. . . I could create a piece better than 《Wandering》?”

《Wandering》 was Min Chen’s most classic masterpiece. Because of its difficult technique and profound connotation, the piano sonata became popular at piano competitions.