Chapter 184 (2/2)
“Really? Then I’d like to put it on stage next year. Do you have any good tips?”
Isaac Stern was startled and spoke,
“Hold on, Maestro. Are you preparing now? Do you think it’ll be possible?”
“Of course. Why?”
“I’m sure you’ve heard the album.”
“Of course I heard it. I liked it. It wasn’t that painful or anything.”
Even Jun Hyuk was surprised by his nonchalant tone. He had seen for himself how much the Boston Philharmonic suffered. The conductor, Patrick Quinn, had said that he barely listened through to the 4th movement.
“What is that? Is that for real? This is surprising.”
“What is? When I looked at the score honestly, I didn’t think it’d be possible. But it was completely different when I listened to the album. I understood Jun Hyuk’s interpretation. The subject of Inferno isn’t pain. It’s completely different.”
Dimitris turned his attention to Jun Hyuk.
“Jun, this might be rude but answer honestly. Isn’t Inferno based on your experiences?”
“Excuse me?”
“You’ve experienced severe pain in the past, right? Whether you were abused by some severe violence… and you expressed that with music. Isn’t that so?”
“That’s… that’s right. How did you know?”
Jun Hyuk’s voice trembled. How could he figure out Jun Hyuk’s experiences by listening to his music? It is something he has not told anyone other than Yoon Kwang Hun.
“Do you think someone who hasn’t experienced pain can relay the feeling to this extent to the audience? That kind of expressiveness would go beyond a genius, and it would be inhuman. It would be impossible for even you unless you experienced it.”
Dimitris looked at a surprised Jun Hyuk and spoke carefully.
“And the pain in Inferno was definitely physical, not mental. I also grew up under an abusive father. I could tell because I had experienced it to some extent. It’s something I had been forgetting completely, but the memories came up.”
He is showing the power of time in speaking of painful memories of his youth in such a calm manner.
“Dimitris, why is that important? Just because Jun Hyuk experienced it? No one gets used to violence.”
Isaac Stern lost interest in what method this impressive maestro knows.
“I objectified Inferno as I listened to it. Shall I say I was looking at someone who is experiencing pain? That someone could be me when I was a child, or Jun. It was okay once I changed the perspective.”
“Is that possible?”
It is easily said, but the possibility is another issue. Even if Jun Hyuk had not asked it, Isaac Stern would have.
“Why? You can’t believe it? I think it’s more unbelievable who created a song like Inferno. I’m sure everyone has their own advantages.”
“What exactly does it mean that you objectify it?”
“It means I don’t empathize with it. Hm… like watching a horror movie? It’s uncomfortable to see the characters tortured and killed, but I can bear to watch it because I’m not the one going through it. And if you think about the set as you watch a movie? It’s easier if you think about the cameras, staff, NGs, and laughing actors. I thought I’d be able to maintain that feeling.”
“Then are the conductor and performance just playing the role of delivering?”
“Right. That could be a more accurate explanation. I’m just a messenger to the audience.”
Isaac Stern was watching the two men speak when he brought up the question that would not go away.
“Then what about the members of the New York Philharmonic? Are you saying that they can objectify it like you can?”
“No, not yet. But a few are already capable of playing it perfectly. We’re just trying out different ways right now.”
There are a lot of people in the world with talent. And each of those talents has the color of the person they belong to. Jun Hyuk could understand why Dimitris is famous for his perfect song interpretation.
“What is this? I was going to find out if there are any good tips to performing it, but I’ve only told you my know-how. Ha ha.”
“Maestro, don’t worry. I’ll seal my lips.”
“Then can you promise me one thing?”
“Anything.”
“Once you end the competition with this great choral concerto, I’d like to put in on stage for the very first time with the New York Philharmonic. What do you think?”
A proposal he had not been expecting. Jun Hyuk bolted up and grabbed the maestro’s hand.
“It’s an honor. I feel like I should be the one asking for the favor.”
“Listen to the end. There’s one more thing.”
Dimitris smiled playfully and Jun Hyuk’s heart started beating. Is he thinking of leaving the conducting to Jun Hyuk as well?
“Let’s go on stage together. I’ll conduct your choral concerto and you’ll conduct Beethoven’s choral symphony. We’ll perform the two songs together.”
If they play the 2 songs in succession, it will approach 3 hours. If they put in an intermission, it is at least 3 and a half hours. It will become a tremendous event.
Perform Beethoven? And with the best in the world, the New York Philharmonic? Jun Hyuk thought his heart would burst.
Isaac Stern was even more excited than Jun Hyuk was.
“That’s amazing. Leave it to me. I’ll make sure this concert happens. I’ll make New York come alive for you. Ha ha.”
Isaac Stern was already drawing a picture of New York City on that day. Placards and posters that will be all over the city. The meeting of a young genius and a great maestro. And Beethoven.