Chapter 166 (2/2)

Obviously, it intercepted the original climax of the third movement, but the melodies that were now connected weren’t awkward at all. Instead, it felt seamless, almost as if to make the audience doubt: was it… that Beethoven had such ideas from the beginning, wanting to see if the future generations would unearth his intentions?

Listening to such enthused music, Dorenza’s tightly furrowed brow slowly evened out. His eyes still fixed on Qi Mu, his confusion was replaced with deep appreciation.

And it wasn’t just Dorenza!

Motl, Nazat, Anthony, Tuckerman…

All the judges couldn’t help but smile.

They never believed age was a factor on whether someone was a good musician. Mozart performed on stage at the age of four. Schubert wrote hundreds of classics before he was 31. Auston Bertram wrote his first etude at 9, and Christole won the Paganini violin competition when he was 14.

One might cry, why was God’s heart so crooked?

Such a violinist with outstanding strength and excellent ability, how could they also be so handsome on top of it all?!

It blew their minds right out of the solar system!!!

On stage, Qi Mu naturally had no idea that everyone listening to this was in a mess. After making the second movement so rapid, he used a beautiful scale to bring the melody back down to the original speed.

When the song ended, even Qi Mu was slightly breathless, his forehead covered in a thin layer of sweat.

Although he had such ideas and tested it in the lounge, once he was to perform his own adaptation, Qi Mu spent twelve minutes thinking about whether his absolute pitch could ensure the temperament’s harmony.

After a few seconds, Qi Mu took a deep breath and smiled at the people beneath the stage. His eyes met Dorenza’s, and he heard a loud “Bravo!”

Qi Mu turned in surprise to find Motl, the second conductor, looking at him seriously. He stood up and applauded. Under his leadership, the other four also laughed and clapped along. Even the two staff members by the door (including the rigid and serious Roman) applauded appreciatively.

If not for the circumstances at hand, he was almost afraid they would cry out “Encore.”

Qi Mu bowed in full courtesy, and Dorenza looked up at the young man with satisfaction. “Now that you’ve finished, may I call you ‘Little Seven’?”

Dorenza looked at the four judges beside him and saw that they nodded. “It’s over now, there’s no need to avoid suspicion, Dorenza.”

So Dorenza continued, “Little Seven, before you played, I was held hostage by these nasty fellows. They wouldn’t even let me say one word to you, they thought… I would favor you, maybe give you a hint?”

At Dorenza’s helpless look, Qi Mu couldn’t help laughing aloud.

Nazat, having been quietly listening until then, quipped, “Dorenza, don’t deny it. A few days ago, who brought Betram’s and Akkad’s recommendation letters? Who strongly recommended Qi Mu be directly recruited as deputy concertmaster at the last orchestra meeting? You said it just yesterday. Don’t think you can just omit the recruitment interviews if you get recommendation letters from Farrell and Lance again.”

Dorenza smiled and spread his hands, saying to Qi Mu, “Little Seven, look. These stubborn guys don’t believe in your strength at all. I told them repeatedly how well you performed at the Palisade Theatre. That even Auston could prove it!”

Qi Mu never imagined Dorenza had attempted to “omit the recruitment interview and directly recruit him,” but right now, hearing it, he couldn’t help feeling touched.

Dorenza had heard several performances by Qi Mu and even received the album Akkad sent, but even if Qi Mu used his own strength to pass the interview, his behavior was risky.

If Qi Mu wasn’t competent, it would demolish Albert Dorenza’s reputation!

A conductor that could not even distinguish which sound was good from the bad?

You can pack up and get out!

Qi Mu smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Dorenza. I believe you didn’t give me a hint at all.”

Motl said helplessly, “I clearly put five Mozart songs in the box, why have three people drawn Beethoven?”

The orchestra’s concertmaster, Anthony, laughed, “Luck. Mr. Dorenza’s luck has always been good.”

After a few more laughs, Dorenza looked at Qi Mu and said, “Little Seven, the third movement you just adapted amazed us. Now I have to ask, why did you choose to adapt it like that? I hope you can give me a reasonable answer, otherwise…”

“I will represent the great Master Beethoven and cruelly reject this adaptation.”