Chapter 190 (1/2)
Volume 5 / Chapter 190
TL: LightNovelCafe
“Maestro. Welcome to BOZAR.”
When Jun Hyuk and Tara arrived at the grand theater of BOZAR, an employee escorted them to the competition committee office. Once they exchanged greetings with the committee chairman and members and came out, Tara was laughing.
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because of those people. This is… They look like they’ve hit jackpot.”
“Jackpot?”
“Yeah. It’s hard to maintain a competition without sponsors. Something like Queen Elisabeth has a lot of sponsors, but they’ll be tight on funds. But this time, they have you, the hot topic these days. Europe’s cable channels, internet broadcasting. They’ll have more sponsors coming in. They’ll be free from funding constraints.”
“It’s money wherever you go.”
“The Chicago Ballet Company was dismissed because it couldn’t come up with $200,000. Even though the top ballerina’s salary was $1 million. When that ballet company went under, the top ballerina went to a ballet company in L.A. for a salary of $500,000. Classical music is suffering from the ails of organizations going under while stars become richer.”
Jun Hyuk listened to Tara and hurried to meet the head leading the Belgium National Orchestra.
“Welcome, Maestro Jun.”
“Hello, Maestro Boulez.”
Contrary to Tara’s worries, Pierre Boulez welcomed him with sincerity.
“I regretted not having been able to see you in Salzburg due to conflicting schedules, but it’s an honor to get to meet you like this. Really.”
“No. I’m more…..”
“There are a lot of things I want to ask you, but let’s talk over time. Shouldn’t we put out the urgent fires first?”
It was apparent that he was rushing the day, whether it is due to his personality or because the day really is busy.
“Yes.”
“The orchestra has been configured of 112 people. I think this is enough to perform your choral concerto. What do you think?”
Jun Hyuk matched up the Belgium National Orchestra’s performance he heard yesterday with the organization of 112 instruments.
“Thinking about the BOZAR grand hall, don’t you think it’d be better to reduce it? By taking the sound stability into account.”
Pierre Boulez’s eyes sparked. Is it because of his experience with the Boston Philharmonic? It is not easy for a rookie to think all the way to the theater’s scale.
“I think under 100 would be perfect. Aren’t there 2,200 seats in Henry le Boeuf?”
Even the Sejong Center for Performing Arts has over 3,000 seats. Henry le Boeuf however is an old historical building and is ⅔ of the size, though it may have been of a large scale at the time.
“You haven’t seen inside the theater yet. The ceilings are high. It can easily take up to 112 people.”
Jun Hyuk thought of an appropriate tone when he heard the CD yesterday, but he did not nitpick any further. He did not want to argue over subtle differences.
“Ah, I see. Good. I’m sure you know the sound state of the hall.”
“Thanks. The choir is currently looking, but they’re thinking of 150 people? What do you think?”
“I’ll follow your thoughts on that as well.”
Pierre Boulez looked at Jun Hyuk for a moment and smiled.
“You’re exactly as the rumors said.”
“Excuse me?”
“I heard that your ability to bring out the best is outstanding, so you don’t really pay much attention to the details.”
“I’m like that because there’s still a lot that I don’t know, rather than having the ability.”
Even a disproportionate modesty. Pierre Boulez held back his laugh.
“Then can you tell me your view on the choral concerto?”
“Everything is in the score, including my views.”
Pierre Boulez’s face hardened a bit at Jun Hyuk’s unexpected answer.
“Interpretation is up to the performer?”
“Yes. That’s what I think.”
“Even if I take your song apart completely and interpret it in a new way?”
“Isn’t it another happiness of music to see another interpretation from you?”
“What? Ha ha. Well, I’ve taken a hit.”
When he first heard what Jun Hyuk said, he had thought that he might be competing with him. Once he saw that Jun Hyuk just wanted to see his music with different appearances, he saw Jun Hyuk in a new light in the way he thinks like a great.