Chapter 125 (2/2)

In the thunderous applause, some people finally woke up from their stupor——

“Just now… I think I heard the sound of spring!”

“I didn’t expect the 《Spring Sonata》 would actually make me see green leaves and flowers blooming!”

“This performance was above the level of a college student. It’s more at home in a world-class orchestra, isn’t it?”

Of course, there were others whose attention was drawn elsewhere——

“Did Mr. Bertram do this especially for Qi Mu?” “It’s quite an honor but this ensemble… Why do I feel that the violin was better than the piano? The violin is the main character of this piece!”

“Mr. Bertram deliberately played low-key as the accompaniment, but I really didn’t expect that such a young student could cooperate with him perfectly!”

“This atmosphere…?”

All the people commenting on Auston Bertram were members of major orchestras across the globe. They came to the assessment today especially to find and recruit good seedlings into their orchestras.

Before Qi Mu started his performance, many people were weighing on whether to invite him to their orchestra or not. But, when they saw a certain man appeared before the piano and perform 《Spring Sonata》 with the young man, they realized——

“He’s already been snatched by Bai Ai? Then how can we grab, ah!”

Was there really no one who wanted to try?

Hooke, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra’s concertmaster, boldly handed Qi Mu’s an olive branch onstage, under the ‘indifferent” gaze of Bai Ai’s principal conductor.

What was even more surprising was that…

Qi Mu didn’t refuse!!!

Looking at the old man with a thick beard under the stage, Qi Mu felt helpless. He didn’t refuse, but that didn’t mean he would accept the orchestra’s offer. Qi Mu didn’t anticipate that Hooke would be at the assessment. It was really difficult for him to refuse the man, as he needed to take care of Hooke’s reputation.

After the major orchestras finished offering their invitations, it was time for the judges to give their scores.

The Paris’ National Conservatory of Music’s assessment didn’t make the students perform alone as a rule. The students could play in an ensemble, like Langston and Alleina did, but each of them would be judged separately.

Of course, they could also invite someone from outside the college to perform with them but… No one had ever invited a maestro like Min Chen.

When it came to the judges, more than half of them knew Min Chen. Two or three of them were even his fans.

This wouldn’t add points to Qi Mu’s performance, however. Some judges even harshly commented, “Your accompaniment was too formidable, I think… Qi Mu, you need to control your accompaniment. Such strength is very hard to find. And I really am sorry to watch… You controlling Mr. Bertram’s piano so perfectly in the performance just now.”

As he said this, the pianist with a face full of sadness gave the score, “I really am angry and my impulsive brain wanted me to say “I prefer your accompaniment!” to you but…My reason told me to give you full marks.”

Qi Mu received the first score with such a sad comment.

Then the second, the third and the fourth…

Then, the ninth.

Until, finally, the last judge gave their comment.

“Your accompaniment is very good and so are you. I like Auston’s piano as much as Lazzoni does but I’m not as childish and emotional as he is.” Lazzoni was the first judge, and the one currently commenting was the main judge, an excellent trumpeter. He smiled at Qi Mu and said, “I am different from Lazzoni. I think… Your score should be worthy of your strength. Being able to make Mr. Bertram serve completely as your accompaniment, Qi Mu… Your score is——”

“10 points.”