Chapter 116 (1/2)

Haydn’s 《Violin Concerto No. 1》 inherited its composer’s optimism and warmth. As a violin concerto, it showcased the violin’s light timbre with a leaping melody.

Such a lovely, lively tune was very suitable for such an energetic event. The audience watched as the violin group drew their bows, pressing their strings in unison, and made this queen of instruments worthy of its name the highlight of the performance.

Those with average hearing could discern only whether the pitch and rhythm were right or not. The college professors and the specially invited maestros, however, with excellent hearing could hear the allure of the violin. This sound that came from the concertmaster, especially, was a stream flowing from the mountain with authentic vitality.

Most gazes were involuntarily drawn to the young man sitting to the conductor’s left.

Coincidentally, the part playing now was melodious and the entire violin group had become an accompaniment. Only the youth’s violin still sounded its delightful tune.

His fair, slender hands danced along the board, picking out one beautiful note after the next, sowing the seeds of joy.

Everyone was still immersed in the tune even after the performance had ended. Each had smiles on their faces, as if they truly felt Master Haydn’s joy that had spanned for over hundreds of years.

“Bravo!”

That was an excited shout from the violin department, and soon after, roaring applause broke out.

Professor Kawaguchi and Qi Mu bowed to the audience as the applause slowly subsided, waiting for the next performance.

Professor Akkad had already changed seats to one near the left exit of the concert hall. He clapped gently as he watched the brilliant youths on the stage from afar. He blurted, emotionally, “This piece is relatively simple, but the performance is excellent. I didn’t expect a college orchestra to play such a timbre, they’re really beyond my imagination!”

He had never bothered to keep up-to-date with the college’s current affairs, so although he was there for half a year, he had never listened to one of their performances. If it weren’t for his student being concertmaster, Akkad would surely be too lazy to even go to the concert hall.

Min Chen nodded silently, gaze locked on a certain someone on stage. “Them being so outstanding… might have something to do with their new concertmaster.”

His words, in turn, almost made Akkad choke. After a while, he said dubiously, “If you’re heard by someone else, they’ll think you’re Little Seven’s teacher. Seven is excellent, but he alone won’t be able to change an entire orchestra in just a week, right?”

Min Chen glanced at him indifferently and said, “Not necessarily.”

Akkad: “…”

Okay, fine, great, everything about your lover is beautiful! Do whatever you want!

Three minutes had passed since the first performance ended.

In tonight’s repertoire, the audience had lone known the orchestra would play two pieces., but it was quite strange. They had already played the first and the second was——

It was blank!

Blank as in “《》” blank!

Many students felt as if their heads were splitting open, trying to figure out what this “《》” meant. Some professors with profound qualifications, on the other hand, smiled mischievesly and said to each other, “Is the piece they’re performing next that one?”

Yes, that one.

Just before the second performance began, a handful of members left the stage with their instruments.

It was rare for something like that to happen at a concert.

Sure, many symphonies didn’t need many musicians while others needed nearly a hundred. However, when this happened, some members would just sit and not play.

Not actually leave the stage!

This inexplicable situation confused the students and had whispers spread throughout the hall.

Min Chen frowned a little, and realization dawned in his eyes. He whispered, “Is it 《No. 45》?”

Akkad laughed, “Nothing escapes you. Yes, it’s Haydn’s 《Symphony No. 45 in F minor》.”

《Symphony No. 45 in F minor》 had another name, 《Farewell Symphony》.

Now, half the musicians had left, leaving behind only the string instruments and a few of the wind instrument groups.

Kawaguchi turned to Qi Mu, who had sat silently all the while. They exchanged looks and smiled, and that slender baton sharply rose. Music alighted into the hall, soothing the audience’s restlessness.

Qi Mu watched his violin as he played, its gentle whisper traced with sadness. The cellos and trumpets whispered to each other, a gentle breeze flowing through the hall, and the violin became even more melancholy.

Though lingering and mild, the melody had an atmosphere of inexplicable loss and forced the audience to focus on the elegant performance. Until——

A trumpeter stood up and left the stage!

Left the stage!

Left!

Leaving…

He really left!

Then just take your trumpet and don’t ever come back!!!

After a while, a member of the second violin group happily left the stage with their violin. Someone in the audience recovered and exclaimed, “Do they really want to play 《Farewell》 ?”

The 《Farewell Symphony》, like its name, was a beautiful farewell.