Chapter 120 (2/2)

So, why was Leonid there that night?

It was because he received a secret repertoire and an official invitation from the concert hall.

The thin card was printed with the repertoire of the night’s performance so the audience would know the pieces. Of course, Leonid had known the repertoire from the get-go. It was because of the pieces that he decided to attend the concert——

He wanted to know… to what extent the students could perform Tchaikovsky’s music.

Tchaikovsky was the greatest musician and composer of Russia in the 19th century. He wrote many symphonies, operas, and ballets in his life that became the force that compelled Russian’s development in classical music.

This brilliant maestro’s repertoire was full of Russian folk flavor, using beautiful melodies to showcase the charm of the world’s largest country——their vast territory overflowing with gorgeous scenery.

… Leonid was very fond of Tchaikovsky’s symphonies.

Among them, 《Symphony No. 1 in G minor》 was his favorite.

This piece also had a nickname, 《Winter Daydreams》. True to its name, it depicted the frozen beauty of the vast nation. Full of love for the land, Tchaikovsky described a wonderful winter scene that could never be seen in France, in four movements.

The orchestra roared through the concert hall.

The passion in the violin group, the lingering cello, the woodwind group’s joy, and the brass groups’ contemplation and exploration…

The wonderful melody reached the highest resonance in the last movement, transforming the dark winter night into brilliant winter sunshine. The famous fighting nation won the battle in the cold winter and shared its precious joy with the audience.

Running, laughing, singing, dancing, whistling…

When the violin reached the highest note, they finally arrived at the closure of this wonderful dream with a melodious and bright tune.

When the music stopped, a loud “Bravo” resounded through the hall.

Sitting in the front row, the French music critic couldn’t stop himself from standing up and applauding the orchestra.

Leonid never imagined that a group of young students could play such an excellent 《Winter Daydreams》!

This performance brought him back to eight years earlier, when he listened to Bai Ai’s performance of the same piece in Berlin. The melody, with a trace of metal texture, made him involuntarily cry. From then on, it had always been his favorite piece.

With his applause, the rest of the audience followed suit, and an unprecedented wave of cheers broke out.

Leonid sat back in his seat amidst the thunderous applause. Although he had stopped clapping, he kept praising. “It was so great, I couldn’t believe my ears! A college orchestra could play Tchaikovsky《Winter Daydreams》like that, with such excellence?! How could there be such an excellent college orchestra, with such lovely students?!”

Just like the fans who had entered the pit, Leonid turned to the man at his side and said, “Auston! Focus! Did you hear that 《Winter Daydreams》 just now? Oh God, I didn’t expect these children could play so well! I think it will take them five years. If they train together for another five years, I believe their 《Winter Daydreams》 would beat the one you conducted!”

The man calmly raised his eyebrows and stared at Leonid. The man kept speaking. “Damn it, I thought I would just listen to them casually tonight. I didn’t expect them to give such an excellent performance! Their 《Violin Concerto in D major》 was also outstanding. Maybe the students are really good with Tchaikovsky’s music?”

With that, Leonid began to probe Min Chen. “Oh, Auston, you’re more familiar with orchestra than I am. I wonder if you think the orchestra… Ah…”

His words stopped abruptly as he looked at the man. After blabbing for so long, Leonid finally remembered… the damned bet.

Leonid: “…”

With an eyebrow slightly raised, Min Chen asked: “Are they outstanding?”

Leonid, refusing to answer: “…”

“I’ll be very glad to see your review in 《World of Music》 once again, Leonid. I believe the lovely students will buy four or five copies each to give to their families. I can just picture them, telling everyone they know to listen to… your favorite 《Winter Daydreams》.”

Leonid, full of tears inside: “…”

No bet, I didn’t bet!!!

God, how on earth did he board Auston’s pirate ship?!!!