Chapter 123 (1/2)

The assessment, which was held twice a semester, was one of the most important events in the Paris’ National Conservatory of Music.

For the past two assessments, Qi Mu wasn’t nervous at all, since Akkad constantly gave him pieces to practice and didn’t give him time even to review his performance. But this time, Akkad stopped their lessons a week before the assessment.

Under Qi Mu’s confusion, Akkad explained, “Seven, you didn’t have any shortcomings that I need to point out. What you lack the most now is experience. Later, your skills will be polished step-by-step and your perception of music will grow more profound. So… You will probably surpass me.” After a pause, Akkad shook his head. “No, not probably. It should be, sooner or later, you will surpass me.”

Being held in such high regard, Qi Mu couldn’t stop himself from saying, “Professor, I’ve always admired you. You’re the violinist I revered the most. I don’t think I could ever be at your level…”

“Little Seven.” Akkad put aside the score he held and looked up at Qi Mu. Scanning his face attentively, he went on, “I’ve always believed that the world of classical music belongs to the younger generations. As my student, how could you be so unsure of yourself? This is probably your last assessment and you yourself will decide your assessment piece from your repertoire. I want to know… What kind of piece you will choose.”

After the short conversation, Qi Mu started searching his repertoire for the assessment.

Later on, Qi Mu asked Akkad if the repertoire given to him was only to enhance his confidence.

Akkad said that there were other reasons, but then again, he really wanted to see what his lovely student would choose. He wanted to see if he knew his own strength.

Of course, the piece Qi Mu chose didn’t let Akkad down——

《Spring Sonata》.

Beethoven’s 《Violin Sonata in F major》was written in his early years, it was quite different from the intense flavor in his later works. Because the first section of the piece depicted a vibrant spring scenery, it was called 《Spring Sonata》 by the later generations.

This piece wasn’t very difficult, especially when compared to his previous pieces during the last two assessments. But, Akkad was satisfied with his choice and gave Qi Mu a whole week to practice.

Music can be classified in two ways; skill and expression.

For the former, Akkad believed Qi Mu has no obvious shortcomings. Even if he reached a bottleneck, it was a bottleneck that most people wouldn’t even reach in their life.

Regarding the latter, it just so happened that Lance, Akkad’s good friend, had arrived in Paris from Vienna a few days earlier to visit. As a violinist with delicate passion and firm control on the emotions he displayed, Lance expressed his surprise when he saw the aggression in Qi Mu’s music start to fade. It had dissipated so much so that his music began to clear.

Though 《Spring Sonata》 seemed “ordinary,” it was rich in nuance. It was perfect.

To get a better understanding of the piece, Qi Mu enlisted Langston from the piano department to help him.

《Spring Sonata》 was a piano and violin ensemble, after all. If it were just violin alone, Qi Mu would have a hard time mastering it in such a short time.

Seven days passed quickly as he practiced. By the time Qi Mu was finally ready for the assessment, it was already the day before the event.

Half a year had passed since he came to the college. Qi Mu even remembered the first time he arrived, pulling his luggage and stepping inside the gate. He remembered how Akkad deliberately made things hard for him in the audition.

… Eight months had passed. Those were already things of the past.

On the evening of the day before the assessment, Qi Mu and Akkad carefully cleaned the violin room. Of course, it was Qi Mu who did the cleaning, Akkad just made more garbage——eating chocolate.

Eight months had passed and Akkad still enjoyed eating chocolate. Qi Mu didn’t like sweets much, but under Akkad’s influence, he started to eat a piece every day.

When asked why he liked chocolate so much, the maestro would always reply, “Because I’m from Turin!”

That night, after Qi Mu finished polishing the last glass, Akkad handed him a piece of chocolate. Qi Mu didn’t take it. Instead, he smiled and said, “Professor, I already had one this morning. You can have that one for yourself.”

Holding a delicate box of chocolates in his left hand, Akkad shook his head. His tone serious, he said, “Seven, do you know… Why I like chocolate so much?”

Qi Mu blinked, his lips slightly parted. Reflexively, he wanted to answer, “Because you’re from Turin?” but, seeing his mentor’s deep, clouded eyes, he only shook his head. Finally, he said, “I don’t know.”

Akkad pointed at the vast sky outside the window.

Qi Mu had wiped the floor-to-ceiling glass window clean, leaving no blemishes. Looking out, Qi Mu could see the moon quietly floating in the endless night sky. The moon was bright, like a halo, paling the stars that appeared.

“I like chocolate because… It’s like the moon. It can drive out all the darkness.” Akkad’s voice was low and hoarse, but he went on, “Little Seven, I’ve been through a lot of things in my 70 years of life. I lived until I reached this position, but I’ve gone through a lot of painful experiences, as well. Since life is so hard… Then why can’t we make it a little happier?”