Chapter 215 (1/2)
Volume 6 / Chapter 215
TL: LightNovelCafe
Editor: adkji
“Why did you change it? The first performance was much better. It was touching.”
“Can you win the conductor no matter how stubborn you remain? And I liked both of them.”
“Your piano’s changed a lot.”
“You only heard how it was different, right? Look at the whole thing.”
Jun Hyuk knew what Yoon Kwang Hun was talking about. He would not have paid attention to the orchestra because of his changed piano.
“I heard the whole thing many times before you joined. Anyway, tomorrow’s the rehearsal for choral symphony? Can I go?”
“See it during the performance. It won’t be as good if you see it in advance during rehearsals.”
Jun Hyuk was in a cold sweat just thinking about having Yoon Kwang Hun’s eyes on the back of his head in rehearsals.
“Oy. Fine. Do well so I’m not disappointed. I like the 2nd part of choral symphony the most.”
Yoon Kwang Hun wanted to see Jun Hyuk scolding the New York Philharmonic, but he ended up just imagining it.
***
“No. A bit more… it could be hard to differentiate between elegance and arrogance. So you have to go deeper into it.”
The rehearsal for choral symphony was stagnant because they could not get over the last river. He had adjusted the performances of each orchestra member, but there was something of the subtlest difference that was bothering Jun Hyuk.
The members were equally frustrated. They had fully understood and grasped what it was that Jun Hyuk was looking for. There were times when they made mistakes on stage, but they were repeatedly giving perfect performances even though it is just a rehearsal.
The chorus has not joined yet, but they had performed so well in rehearsals with the vocal soloists that they could say that it was perfect. Though it was not satisfying to the conductor.
Jun Hyuk is not greedy. He realized something while recording with Laura Goldberg. Laura is someone who will become the greatest prima donna of this century, but she could not bring out the sound that he wanted. The New York Philharmonic is the best symphony orchestra, but he needs to admit that there is a limit.
If he does not admit that there is a limit, it just becomes difficult for everyone. Jun Hyuk is learning to compromise with other musicians.
***
Danny almost clucked his tongue. Maestro Carras does not seem to be a Mediterranean person from Greece who enjoys a relaxed life.
It is more fitting to think of him as a passive Italian.
“Jun, he’s worse than you. This is the first time I’ve seen such a sharp orchestra. Your conducting at the Queen Elisabeth Competition was like it would swallow the audience whole, but what we’re doing now is going to reduce them to ashes.”
“I was surprised too. That old man is savage. There was a monster living inside of him. What do you think? Is it feasible?”
“It’s actually a bit dangerous. I have to do my own performance, but I feel like I’m chasing the orchestra. We can’t collapse like this…..”
This is how aggressive Maestro Carras’ conducting is. They have not spoken about their performing together since they exchanged opinions on Jun Hyuk’s first piano performance. He silently leads the orchestra with slight mismatches between the piano, violin, and orchestra that seem to be done on purpose.
Danny thought that it is a huge relief that he started practicing a month earlier. Furthermore, he is realizing that he is able to follow along with Maestro Carras’ conducting because he is living in Jun Hyuk’s apartment and being coached by the composer while practicing.
“You’ll get used to it during rehearsals. And when you’re done and go back to the apartment, practice again. Then, you won’t be shaky.”
“Whose advice is this?”
“What?”
“Conductor? Composer? Or performer? Who is it?”
Danny’s joking question made Jun Hyuk cluck his tongue.
“Are you stupid? This is the most basic thing.”
Jun Hyuk went into rehearsals everyday – one day as a conductor, one has as a pianist – and time went by quickly as he spent his time busily.
***
When there was only a week left until the performance, Jun Hyuk’s walking to and from work became such a hot topic that it even made news. Nothing strayed from Tara’s expectations.
People waited for Jun Hyuk in front of his apartment building every morning and walked with him to Lincoln Center. There were more and more people who came with concert posters or Jun Hyuk’s album to ask for signatures.
The interesting part was that the people who walked with him everyday even took care of his security.
“Hey there! You got a signature yesterday, too. Think of other people.”
“Hey! What outlet are you a reporter for? Why are you blocking the street? There’s only a week left until the concert. Are you going to take responsibility for it if he’s late to rehearsals?”
People yelling like this enclosed Jun Hyuk to walk with him to Lincoln Center. Jun Hyuk became used to the faces he kept seeing, and expressed his familiarity. And he started getting used to the growing crowds. He realized that fans are not cumbersome, but people who love music or are anticipating his music.
With the concert date near, there were no empty rooms in New York’s hotels. Beethoven’s name was the best marketing strategy and keyword.
It overlapped with summer vacation, so other maestros arrived in New York and most students of New York music schools did not go back home for break.
The New York Philharmonic’s concert had become the highlight of this year’s Midsummer Night Festival.
The amount of equipment for recording and live broadcasting increased in the concert hall, and they had reached the end of rehearsals.
***
When there was not much time left until the concert, Yoon Kwang Hun stopped going to watch rehearsals. He knows well that everyone has become sensitive and having someone watch rehearsals would just be a bother.
While Yoon Kwang Hun was drinking coffee alone in an apartment without Jun Hyuk and Danny, the front door opened with someone entering as though she lived there.
A black haired woman in jeans and a short sleeve t-shirt was so surprised that her jaw dropped.
“Are you Amelia?”
A beauty with black hair, sharp nose, and big eyes. Yoon Kwang Hun realized that it is the face he saw in pictures from Jun Hyuk and the internet.
“Oh! Mr. Yoon?”
Amelia had put her big suitcase down in the living room and been surprised to find Yoon Kwang Hun, but remembered talking to Jun Hyuk over the phone. He had told her that Danny would be performing with him and that Yoon Kwang Hun was staying at the apartment until the concert was over.
Amelia ran to Yoon Kwang Hun without hesitation, embracing him as though seeing an old friend.
“I really wanted to meet you, Mr. Yoon.”
“Yes. I wanted to meet you as well, Amelia. I see you’ve come because of Jun Hyuk’s concert.”
Yoon Kwang Hun pulled Amelia’s arms from around his neck, and laughed awkwardly. An old man from Korea is not used to such friendliness.
“Yes. I took off time for about 2 weeks. Of course, I need to see the performance. It’s Jun and the New York Philharmonic.”
Yoon Kwang Hun sat Amelia on the living room sofa and made coffee in the kitchen.
“I see you’re really busy even in the off season.”
“There’s nothing to do about it. It’s because of my contract with a sponsor. During season, it’s Asia, Europe, and North America. Off-season, it’s touring South America including my home country Argentina. Fortunately, my contract with the sponsor is over next year.”
Amelia looked bittersweet that her contract would be over.
“Then, you’ll sign on with a new sponsor?”
Yoon Kwang Hun gave her the coffee cup and she sipped on it.
“Yes. I’ve had a few offers from sponsors in Europe. I’ve released a few albums and the reactions to my performances are still good… I’m going to make it a condition with the new sponsor that they can’t get involved with my touring schedule, though the money I receive will probably decrease drastically.”
“Is it because of Jun?”
“Yes. Even now, we’re seeing each other face-to-face for the first time in a year. I would like to spend some more time with him.”
“I see.”
Though they had been apart for a long time, Amelia had made great efforts to maintain her affection for Jun. Yoon Kwang Hun heard from Jun Hyuk that Amelia’s sponsor is one of the top companies in Argentina. The sponsorship would have been immense, but she is giving that up.
Yoon Kwang Hun could get a glimpse at how Amelia feels for Jun Hyuk.
But what about Jun Hyuk?
He did not seem to be making much of an effort and he did not show yearning for Amelia. He lives with satisfaction as long as he has music in front of him.