Reset Life with Infinite Talents - Chapter 176
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Infinite Talent Reset Life Episode 176
47. Music Chapel
A lush forest where bluebirds flutter their wings.
As I dip my feet into the babbling brook, a warm breeze blows and whispers.
It was hard, wasn’t it?
You can take off your clothes now.
It’s spring.
Come play with me.
Clear laughter spreads.
A small woman who flies like fluttering leaves and whispers of love.
The soft skin that touches my hand brings warmth as if summer has come.
Shh. Don’t look elsewhere.
Let’s go to those bushes over there.
Ah, wait.
They shouldn’t see us?
Stop!
“…Bravo!”
“Mamma mia!”
People who had stopped walking, musicians who had only poked their ears out from the cafe, all applaud and click their tongues.
Such vivid imagery unfolds.
Johann Strauss II’s Voices of Spring Waltz, so perfectly suited to the warm May.
The musicians chuckle as they watch their disciples, who are visibly tense.
‘A formidable opponent has appeared.’
A strong rival who will give them quite a struggle, whom they might even lose to, and who will serve as good stimulation for the disciples.
This is why they encourage their disciples to participate in competitions. It can shatter the mindset of thinking they’re the best in their small world.
Michaela Miller thinks the same way.
She glances at Siyoung Lee, whose face has hardened stiffly, and slowly applauds.
“It was a wonderful performance.”
This is as far as her thoughts as a teacher go.
‘How on earth!’
How can he produce such beautiful sound?
How can he play so correctly?
She wants to ask.
She wants to press him to tell her.
But she can’t. She absolutely cannot, as it would crumble the authority and pride she has built up over the years.
“The owner of that difficult instrument must indeed be a flashy person.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“…Then I’ll see you in three days, Salonen.”
“Sure.”
“Let’s go, Ri.”
“Yes, yes!”
Siyoung Lee, who had turned pale at being called by her surname instead of her first name, hurriedly followed behind Michaela, and Esa-Pekka Salonen clicks his tongue.
“Nasty to the end. Don’t take what that person just said to heart. It’s just the nonsense of a wicked witch.”
A flashy person.
Hidden in that expression was the implication that the violin is an instrument suited only for those who pursue flashy desires like entertainers, actors, or singers.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“…Never mind.”
Salonen chuckles at Johann’s feigned ignorance, though he surely understood.
He slowly takes a sip of espresso, trying to hold onto the lingering afterglow.
“You’ve grown again.”
The imagery has become deeper than before. A bit more intense.
‘Has he become a man?’
Johann, who once only pursued new experiences, seems to have finally become a man.
‘And one who’s tried everything!’
He was almost worried about Johann’s girlfriend.
‘I think there’s some misunderstanding…’
He seems to be misunderstanding the influence of Casanova’s fragment.
As Johann narrows his eyes, someone walks out from inside the shop.
“Salonen!”
“…Jung!”
Jeong Gyeong-hun, who has conducted the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of the Netherlands, conducted Korea’s finest orchestra, the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, and is currently principal guest conductor and pianist of the Dresden Staatskapelle.
Esa-Pekka Salonen can’t help but be surprised by the appearance of someone of similar age who always keeps him conscious.
“What brings you here?”
“It’s the Queen Elisabeth Competition! Plus, this year is the year of classical music!”
He came to see this unmissable opportunity.
“Really? A workaholic like you?”
“Haha!”
He laughs mysteriously and looks at Johann.
“So who is this young man who should probably be called the reincarnation of Johann Strauss II?”
About six years ago, the Strauss fever that swept the classical world.
The fever that started with Strauss pieces uploaded to a music site called SoundCloud, as if posted by a descendant of Strauss.
How many performers followed Strauss after that, how many young performers made waltzes their signature.
At first, he thought Johann was just one of them too.
However…
‘He’s not at that level!’
Through the continuing performance, he felt the difference in level.
A completeness that sends shivers down your spine.
Throughout listening, he couldn’t escape the fantasy of what it would be like if Johann Strauss II came back to life.
Moreover, he had performed with that tattered instrument that even his sister Kyung-Wha Chung had failed to play when she visited while he was building his conducting career as assistant conductor of the LA Philharmonic.
Could this be called a simple coincidence?
His eyes began to burn hotly.
* * *
‘Phew.’
He was satisfied.
From the bite-sized chocolate pralines eaten at the cafe in front of the Bozar Arts Center to Belgian fries fighting with French fries over the title of original, and mussels.
The combination of Belgian fries and mussels was particularly good.
A smile lingers around Johann’s lips.
‘I should buy some pralines when I go back.’
Emily and Ada would probably like them.
Swoosh!
“Have a drink.”
It’s wine.
Johann frowns after smelling it.
“That’s mean.”
“You’re a minor.”
At the sight of Esa-Pekka Salonen bringing the strong-smelling wine to his lips with a mischievous smile, Johann clenches his fist but soon puts non-alcoholic sparkling wine in his mouth.
Esa-Pekka Salonen gestures and walks toward the window of his accommodation.
The night view of Brussels visible below the not-so-tall hotel.
Perhaps because it’s Europe after all. The low buildings and red-roofed houses are quite impressive.
‘It’s changed a lot, but it hasn’t changed.’
Except for the asphalt roads and buildings, cars and people’s clothing, the scenery doesn’t seem much different.
Johann briefly savors the dim scenery of old Brussels overlapping before his eyes, from someone who once lived there.
‘It would be chaos if I absorbed and read Benjamin and Hugo Ballin.’
Even now he wants to hold a brush, so how much more would they?
‘Art Student’ Benjamin would want to compare and draw past Brussels with present Brussels, while ‘Artist, Hugo Ballin’ would want to melt the Brussels of two eras together on one canvas.
“Brussels. A city where classical music resonates all year round.”
Brussels, where the performances and songs of that year’s Queen Elisabeth Competition finalists echo throughout the entire year.
Probably nowhere else in the world could you find such a city. Even searching through cities in Germany, Austria, Russia, Czech Republic, Hungary and other countries famous for classical music, none go this far.
This might be why the Queen Elisabeth Competition is counted among the world’s top 3 competitions despite being held annually.
“Isn’t it because they evaluate so strictly?”
“Haha. That’s the biggest factor.”
They seat musicians recognized even by fellow musicians as judges, and gather hundreds of geniuses who passed through the first and second preliminaries to hold one more preliminary to select those who’ll advance to the main competition.
But this main competition is also a preliminary in a way. Because there’s a final.
The Music Chapel, where 12 finalists are gathered in one space to compete while living and eating together for 8 days.
It’s the brutal system that made the Queen Elisabeth Competition one of the top 3 competitions. Even more so because all of it is broadcast on TV.
That’s why he’s worried.
“I want to ask again. Will you really be okay?”
“What do you mean? Surely you don’t think I won’t make it to the finals…”
“I’m not worried about that.”
Johann is a special child.
A child he fell for at first sight, a child who seems loved by the god of music. He’ll easily make it into the Music Chapel.
“But winning is a different matter.”
“Tch. As my teacher, you should say I’ll win too.”
“Haha. No one can guarantee that.”
It’s a competition where renowned geniuses from around the world, and hidden century-level geniuses like Johann, all gather.
“What I’m worried about is whether you can really handle that schedule.”
This year, 2015, is the year of classical music that Jeong Gyeong-hun mentioned during the day.
The year when the three competitions called the top 3 competitions – Queen Elisabeth Competition, Chopin International Piano Competition, and Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition – are all held simultaneously.
The Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition held every 4 years, the Chopin International Piano Competition held every 5 years.
It’s been 20 years since all three major competitions were held in the same year.
Not only that, but competitions challenging the dominance of the top 3, like the Ferruccio Busoni International Piano Competition and the Jean Sibelius International Violin Competition, are also being held – truly the year of classical music.
The minimum age for international competition participation being 17 was also a factor, but this is why he decided to debut this year.
And that’s the problem.
“Really… whether you can make it all the way to Tchaikovsky.”
That’s right.
Johann had completed registration not only for the Queen Elisabeth Competition but also for the Tchaikovsky International Piano Competition held in June.
Since he can handle two instruments – violin and piano.
“You have to fly straight to Russia right after receiving the victory trophy.”
After exhausting all his stamina competing in the Queen Elisabeth Competition for the next month, he’d have to immediately compete again without rest.
No matter how monster-like Johann’s stamina is, it would definitely be too much. Don’t all musicians who survive to the end in the Music Chapel recuperate for at least a month?
“But waiting until Chopin is a bit…”
The Chopin International Piano Competition held in October.
If he waited until then, he’d certainly have mental and physical leisure, but the problem is that by then he’d also be in 12th grade.
The time when he needs to complete what he’s built up since 9th grade while preparing for college admission.
“With your skills, you could easily get into famous music schools, so why!”
Berklee, Juilliard, Royal College of Music, Tchaikovsky, Vienna, Berlin – every music university in the world would want Johann.
“Because I haven’t decided on that.”
He’ll continue with classical music.
Because the more he knows, the more interesting this world becomes.
Because he can’t even say he knows a hair’s worth yet.
However, he doesn’t want to devote himself only to classical music.
‘There are so many people I haven’t experienced yet, haven’t absorbed and read yet.’
More than the stars visible in that night sky.
“And… somehow it’ll work out, won’t it?”
If he gets eliminated along the way, that can’t be helped.
That too would be a precious experience.
“But I have no intention of losing.”
Johann’s eyes looking out the window gleamed brightly.
* * *
Buzz buzz!
As the day of the Queen Elisabeth Competition’s 3rd preliminary dawns, countless people gather at the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts.
Not only participants and their supporters, but general audiences too. The number of general audiences is especially large.
Belgium, which has been called Europe’s cultural crossroads since ancient times, but could be called quiet in modern times.
Such competitions were great stimulants that shook and awakened their boring, dragging lives.
“What kind of geniuses will delight our ears this year?”
“Last year, the high notes of soprano Hwang Ira from Korea were really…”
“I hope it’s at least as good as last year.”
“It will be. This year is violin. The most prestigious in Queen Elisabeth, the essence of Queen Elisabeth!”
The Queen Elisabeth Competition, which directly inherited the Ysaÿe Competition that began to honor the violin master Eugène Ysaÿe produced by Belgium.
Belgian citizens entered the Bozar Centre for Fine Arts with expectant eyes, and those gazes came as great pressure to the participants.
“Phew.”
“Huff!”
Sighs spread through the small waiting rooms and corridors.
But that’s only momentary. Everyone holds their instruments and practices again the pieces they’ll perform in the 3rd preliminary.
Thud! Bang!
Bows cutting through the air above violins like shadow boxing in boxing.
Delicate hands pressing the air above violin strings.
Occasionally the sound of bow hitting strings echoes through the space, sometimes creating harmony and dissonance, but no one pays attention.
Because pieces practiced hundreds, thousands of times are playing in their heads.
Because they started music as early as age 4, participated in various competitions, and learned to concentrate even in such environments.
Each checks and rechecks with their own routine.
Still, that concentration inevitably breaks intermittently.
Stir!
‘It’s Norman.’
A white boy who looks even cuter thanks to his curly short blonde hair.
‘Ri…’
An Asian woman with slightly sharp eyes that are her charm, Siyoung Lee.
It’s not just them. Violinists who have already made their presence known to the world, competition hunters, appear one after another.
To conquer the Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of the dream titles and highest honors for violin majors.
To be remembered as the winner of the year of classical music.
That’s when it happens.
“Huh?”
A somehow familiar face.
A large, solid body.
Everyone tilts their heads in confusion at the appearance of a handsome man who could easily be mistaken for a model, striding confidently in a smoothly tailored suit.
‘Who is that?’
I definitely feel like I’ve seen him somewhere, but I can’t remember where.
‘Oh. So this is what it feels like.’
The backstage view of the competition that I had seen through the life of ‘Key Strike, Emil Grigoryevich Gilels.’ Seeing it in person, the quiet intensity emanating from the participants threatens to choke me.
‘Now I understand why they said to experience many competitions.’
No matter how strong-willed someone is, if they’re not used to this, they’ll be crushed by this intensity and unable to perform at their best.
“Hmm?”
Thud thud!
Siyoung Lee approaches with a bright smile.
“You’re here? Did you sleep well?”
“Hello.”
‘Why is she acting friendly?’
And with such strong malice in her eyes.
“Hah. You don’t know how disappointed I was when we parted like that. I was your fan…”
“You’re my fan?”
“Of course! I enjoyed watching the broadcast you appeared on when you came to Korea. Oh, if it’s not too rude, could I ask the Billboard star for an autograph and photo?”
Stir!
‘Right! That’s who he was!’
‘Ah… he was a singer.’
The questioning gazes suddenly transform.
From exploration to looking down, to contempt, to anger.
A pop star had appeared in the sacred arena of Classical Music competition.
Johann chuckles at the situation where he became public enemy number one with just a few words.
‘She was such an obvious type.’
In Siyoung Lee’s gaze looking at him, he couldn’t feel any fan emotion toward a celebrity.
In other words, she intentionally claimed to be a fan to orchestrate this current situation.
However, Johann pretended not to know and opened his mouth with a grin.
“Of course. Should I sign your case?”
Flinch!
“Ah, the case is precious, so that won’t do. Could you sign here instead?”
Siyoung Lee, who had expected Johann to look flustered, composed her expression and held out a notebook, and Johann skillfully gave her an autograph.
“Do you need anything else? I need to concentrate now.”
“Yes! I really hope you make it to the finals!”
‘One down.’
She tries to appear nonchalant, but inside she must be seething by now.
Having achieved her purpose, Siyoung Lee turned around with a bright smile, and Johann watched her before putting in his earphones.
Hostile gazes pouring toward him.
Johann closes his eyes while turning up the volume on his mobile phone, feeling the gazes without needing to look around.
And then…
-Doh! Doh doh doh! Doh doh doh! Hey- ah!
This hit That ice cold!
Michelle Pfeiffer, That white gold!
In November 2014, Uptown Funk, which Bruno Mars handled from Lyric Writing and Composition to Producing and even Featuring, swept the world upon release and now echoed loudly through the corridor.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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