Chapter 97

097. Maestro

Albert stood in front of the podium, looking at where the spotlight fell.

There, Han Seoho stood with his back to the piano, and from his violin, a cold and piercing tone spread, mingled with a mournful melody.

‘I will play by recalling the score.’

At first, I thought it was a strange answer...

A smile began to seep through.

‘That’s what he meant.’

All performers play by looking at the score.

However, the level of performance varies greatly depending on who is playing. Even among performers of similar skill, there is a significant difference.

Albert knew where this difference came from.

Some people hastily chase the notes on the score and play the instrument as is.

Others use the score as a guide to explore the world created by the composer.

Although they think they are looking at the same score,

in the end, they are looking at completely different scores.

Now, Han Seoho is looking at the score.

But he is not just chasing the scattered notes.

This performer, no, this composer...

is swimming in the world he has created.

‘The answer was here all along.’

Albert’s gaze lingered on the score.

Unlike a typical score, it was filled with numerous annotations, and there were also traces of his own questions and answers.

All of this was vividly etched in his mind, so he could rewrite it even if it were erased.

Here, the direction Han Seoho recalled was more clearly marked than any map.

Thus, his question was foolish, and Han Seoho’s answer was wise.

Hmm...

Albert’s gaze returned to Han Seoho.

At this point, he became curious.

What is Han Seoho looking at right now?

Just like how a vast field comes to mind when listening to Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’...

——!

...perhaps it’s his family.

The finale is near, but the performance remains unadorned. Nevertheless, the emotions felt are complex and diverse, rivaling the grandeur.

As the end approaches, the audience prepares to clap.

It is their only outlet for the layered emotions they have experienced through the music.

‘But not yet.’

Albert slowly raised the wooden baton, which did not shine even under the spotlight.

The orchestra’s gaze followed the tip of the baton.

And as promised, at the moment Han Seoho drew out the final note,

Thud-thud-thud———!

The timpani began to rumble.

The bows of the string players were lifted in unison.

Brrrrrr——!

Two horns naturally changed the harmony, hinting at the next piece.

The audience, moved by the passionate change, gave up on clapping. They decided to hold back, feeling a shiver run through their bodies, and vowed to pour out their emotions in applause once everything was over.

Thus, the second piece began in succession.

‘Family.’

A piece with the same name flowed from the stage.

At that moment, Albert suddenly closed his eyes.

Just like the legendary conductor of the previous generation, Herbert von Karajan.

Blocking his only means of communication with the performers, his field of vision.

He held up a torch.

Just follow.

It was a gesture of confidence, authority, and perfect memorization of the score.

Although he is not Han Seoho,

he is Albert, the leader of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

He could see it, faintly but clearly.

The world of the absurd genius composer, who had put down his violin and started tapping the keys.

‘Only then, can he be called a Maestro (Maestro).’

The orchestra moved following Albert’s conducting.

The audience followed the performance.

Thus, everyone in the concert hall.

———!

Knocked on the door of the world created by Han Seoho.

#

“It was the best experience.”

After the performance ended, this was the first thing Albert said to me.

As the leader of the world’s largest orchestra, he has conducted in much larger and better venues, yet he considers today the best experience, which is quite surprising.

“The performers were excellent.”

Albert’s gaze turned to the performers.

They walked down the corridor with more excited faces than when they were on stage. The standing ovation seemed to have taken their souls.

I nodded as I watched them.

Then I asked Albert,

“Now, are you going straight back to New York?”

“Yes. Just like when I came, I have to go back immediately.”

I nodded, swallowing my regret.

“It was a really busy vacation.”

“That’s true. Now, I have to wait for the next vacation.”

“Come again.”

At this, Albert scratched his chin.

“That’s the dilemma. Beethoven or you.”

“Me?”

“In the past, I used to travel to places related to Beethoven during my vacations. It’s been a while, but I haven’t visited Beethoven’s birthplace in a long time. I think I would have a different appreciation if I saw the piano and scores Beethoven wrote in his last days. But I can’t give up seeing you either. Should I split my time like Solomon, spending a week with each?”

Seeing Albert genuinely pondering, I shook my head.

“I don’t think you need to do that.”

“Hmm?”

“I think I’ll be in Europe around that time.”

“Oh? Are you planning a backpacking trip?”

“Yes.”

I nodded and smiled. Albert also smiled brightly and snapped his fingers.

“That’s great news. We can meet in Germany. Are you interested in Beethoven’s birthplace?”

“Yes.”

Just thinking about it makes me a little excited.

After all, I only ordered a Thomas Broadwood and never saw the real thing.

“Beethoven’s last piano. I was very curious about it too.”

...

...

Albert headed straight to the airport.

The audience had all left, but the excitement of the performance remained. The families and friends of the performers waited with bouquets of flowers.

Among them, I saw Yoon Tae-hwan and his family.

Seeing Yoon Tae-hwan smiling brightly, I moved my steps towards where my family was.

My father was watching the performers with his arms crossed, a satisfied smile on his face. After all, all the performers here originally recorded film music at Soundfilm Studios.

“The reaction was really good.”

“Was it?”

“It was incredible. The film screening didn’t even elicit much emotion. But, are you parting ways with the performers like this?”

“It’s too late today, and we agreed to meet at the practice room soon.”

At this, my father nodded. Then my mother, who had been catching up with other performers at the back, approached and asked,

“Are you hungry? What do you want to eat? Should I buy some pork belly and grill it?”

“That would be great.”

I nodded quickly, and my father, who had been following, placed his hand on my shoulder.

“On a good day like today, let’s have some soju with dad...”

“...”

“Not soju, but a glass of wine. Wine is fine, right, dear? Isn’t it?”

“Hmm...”

In such situations, it’s best to say nothing. As they say, scratching a scab only makes it worse. I just sent a pleading look. Soju! How many years has it been!

“Then, just one glass? But soju goes well with pork belly...”

“Mom, thank you!”

Whatever!

#

The next day.

I headed to the SJ Cultural Foundation early in the morning.

As soon as I sat down in Yang Jaho’s office, the expected proposal came.

“...Judging.”

“Yeah. I heard you gave various opinions to the chairman about the support program. Since you’re interested, why don’t you try judging as well?”

Since I expected it, I shook my head without much thought.

“No, please just let the cultural foundation handle the judging.”

“Why?”

“Many people I know applied. I’m worried it might not be fair.”

“Is that so? I don’t think you would be unfair in music.”

“Still, I’ve heard them a lot during practice. It’s only natural to be more familiar with their work.”

I gave a plausible reason, but in truth, there was no reason for me to judge.

I’m confident that all the performers will do well. If my name is on the panel, they might think I helped them.

“Well, if you’re set on it, I can’t force you.”

“While skill is important, please select as many people as possible who love music but have difficulty continuing due to circumstances.”

“Hmm? Oh, of course. That’s the purpose of the program.”

The support program aims to create a stable environment for senior musicians so that more junior musicians can grow and thrive. Therefore, they don’t select based on skill alone. It’s important that as many performers as possible benefit from the program, but of course, this has led to...

“I’m a bit worried that the project has become too big. The budget...”

It was originally a plan by Yang Jaho, but it certainly grew larger due to Chairman Baek Hangil’s push.

Among the sponsorships the cultural foundation has done so far, this is the largest in both scope and scale.

But I shook my head. I’m not a businessman, so I don’t know if I can say this, but I think it’s still insufficient.

“Considering the thousands, tens of thousands, or even more paid for a single instrument, the investment in performers who play these instruments is still too low. And once you select them and listen to their performances, your thoughts will completely change.”

“Will they?”

Yang Jaho slowly nodded at my words, agreeing that it made sense.

Seeing this, I added,

“And who knows? This project might lead you to focus on people instead of instruments.”

#

...A few days later, I was able to see the list of successful applicants in advance.

I first thought it was a good decision not to be a judge.

From the four, including Shin Su-ah, to the performers, including Yoon Tae-hwan,

they all passed.

‘I almost ended up favoring my own people.’

My own people...

A smile crept out.

A word that would have made me shrink in the past now made me feel proud, a strange mix of emotions. I still have many things to do alone.

Just then, Manager Kim Yun-ju entered the studio, and I asked her to print something.

She checked her wrist and asked me,

“When are the students from Hwagwon High School coming?”

“Around 2 PM, so there’s about an hour left.”

“Have they eaten? They probably haven’t. They’ve been here since morning preparing for the lecture. Still, they need to eat. Should I order a bento?”

“I’m a bit hungry too...”

“That’s normal. I’ll order it right away. Oh, and Team Leader Park came in looking very sharp today.”

“Huh, why?”

“He wants to show the students a successful senior image.”

“I’m curious to see what he’s wearing. Should we go to the office?”

“Let’s go and have a laugh~.”

We hurried out of the studio, giggling as we walked down the corridor.

As we quickened our pace, Manager Kim Yun-ju said,

“Still, the students must be very excited.”

“About the company tour?”

“No, about receiving mentoring from you.”

“But they already received mentoring last time.”

I tilted my head, and she made a bewildered expression, then laughed and said,

“Is the you from last time the same as the you now?”