Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 201
Chapter 202
Chapter 203
Chapter 204
Chapter 205
Chapter 206
Chapter 207
Chapter 208
Chapter 209
Chapter 210
Chapter 211
Chapter 212
Chapter 213
Chapter 214
Chapter 215
Chapter 216
Chapter 217
Chapter 218
Chapter 219
Chapter 220
Chapter 221
Chapter 222
Chapter 223
Chapter 224
Chapter 225
Chapter 226
Chapter 227
Chapter 228
Chapter 229
Chapter 230
Chapter 231
Chapter 232
Chapter 233
Chapter 234
Chapter 235
Chapter 236
Chapter 237
Chapter 238
Chapter 239
Chapter 240
Chapter 241
Chapter 242
Chapter 243
Chapter 244
Chapter 245
Chapter 246
Chapter 247
Chapter 248
Chapter 249
Chapter 250
Chapter 251
Chapter 252
Chapter 253
Chapter 254
Chapter 255
Chapter 256
Chapter 257
Chapter 258
Chapter 259
Chapter 260
Chapter 261
Chapter 262
Chapter 263
Chapter 264
Chapter 265
Chapter 266
Chapter 267
Chapter 268
Chapter 269
Chapter 270
Chapter 271
Chapter 272
Chapter 273
Chapter 274
Chapter 275
Chapter 276
Chapter 277
Chapter 278
Chapter 279
Chapter 280
Chapter 281
Epilogue
Categories Genre: All, Comedy, Completed, Drama, Romance, Slice of Life Status: Completed ______
Total Chapters in book: 283
Estimated words: 482630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2413(@200wpm)___ 1931(@250wpm)___ 1609(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 482630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2413(@200wpm)___ 1931(@250wpm)___ 1609(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 283 Page No. 282 Page No. 281 Page No. 280 Page No. 279 Page No. 278 Page No. 277 Page No. 276 Page No. 275 Page No. 274 Page No. 273 Chapter 170
Volume 5 / Chapter 170
TL: LightNovelCafe
[TN: Bigger and better things]
Dinner was much more perplexing than lunch was. Tara’s description that it is a gathering for young female sponsors was inaccurate. It was a gathering for leopards who did whatever they needed to in order to succeed, putting in more effort than the men.
They are loud and expressive. They poured questions out on him and did not hesitate to make dirty jokes about his beautiful girlfriend.
A few were even blatantly flirtatious. It was to the point where even Tara was sweating.
They could understand why these women who never requested dinner with white-haired old conductors had been quick to ask for a dinner with Jun Hyuk.
Once the over 2 hour dinner was over, Jun Hyuk thought that this would be more tiring than conducting all symphonies.
Jun Hyuk was thankful to Tara for not scheduling another meeting with sponsors for him for 2 weeks. But Jun Hyuk did not know Tara’s true toils. She was moving quietly on behalf of Jun Hyuk.
When a Korean player enters the major leagues, the first sponsors to appear are from the Korean society abroad. As such, the Korean society in Boston was trying to create a sponsor association.
However, Tara respectfully declined. She did not want Jun Hyuk to have to be called away to a gathering to drink at least once a month.
“We will respectfully decline having sponsors who have never seen the Boston Philharmonic, but would like to participate just because the conductor is Korean. The Boston Philharmonic only receives donations that are for music. I will let you know the best way to give support. Purchase tickets and watch the concert. Maestro Jun will be most pleased with that.”
It was not just that. She made sure to block access from Korean reporters. She did not know why, but she could tell that Jun Hyuk hates the Korean press.
Two weeks went by after the first rehearsal. The orchestra members have a goal, but it is not easy to achieve that goal. They still cannot perform even half of the 1st part.
They even used the method that the Berlin Philharmonic used. The members put in ear plugs, paid attention to other sounds, and played the music focusing only on the score and Jun Hyuk’s conducting. However, they only came to know the complaints of the Berlin Philharmonic for over a year. The Berlin Philharmonic is really persistent for performing in this frustrating method for over a year, and conductor Maestro Saril Petrenko really has extreme patience.
Jun Hyuk had been expecting the orchestra to forget at least a bit of the score and started to fret. He was not sure if they would be able to complete the song by next May when the season is over. It is also unprecedented that a visiting conductor can be put up for 2 seasons with the same song. Even if he had Patrick Quinn’s support, the Board would not tolerate it.
As Yoon Kwang Hun said, a professional must do as much as he is paid.
He finished a rehearsal without development, came back to the hotel, and contemplated how they could succeed in a short period of time.
While lost in thought, he heard the sound of a visitor. When Jun Hyuk opened the door, Amelia jumped into his arms.
“Amelia. What’s going on?”
“I didn’t call you so I could surprise you. What do you think?”
“You succeeded. I’m really surprised. Ha ha.”
“Do you know how much I suffered to switch my schedule around? I completely pushed the concert in Japan back.”
After winning the Tchaikovsky Competition, Amelia was the emerging female pianist. She is about to surpass Yuja Wang who is currently the best in China. A flashy appearance with a fitting performance full of charisma and power. Even a fashion that shows the passion of South America.
The number of fans she had increased as they admired her videos on YouTube and in Japan where there are a lot of piano fanciers, her popularity is explosive. If she pushed the Japan concert back, it means that she has pushed back an incredible income.
“Then how about in Boston? You don’t have a concert?”
“Ugh – Why wouldn’t I? My manager won’t let me rest. I have 2 concerts, one at Harvard and one at MIT. And I have to go to Philadelphia in 3 days.”
“What? You didn’t come here to spend Christmas together?”
“Sorry. Philadelphia is the Christmas and New Years concert. Boston Philharmonic has a concert too.”
“Then we don’t have time to be doing this!”
Jun Hyuk picked Amelia up and went into the room.
“How long do you think it’ll take?”
“What? The performance?”
“Yeah.”
“3 months to record the album. The performance should end with this season? We need to put it on stage in May. That’s the goal.”
Jun Hyuk leaned on Amelia and spoke confidently.
“Oho. It looks like you’re overflowing with drive.”
“He he. There’s a reason why I have to.”
Amelia felt like the maestro title brought Jun Hyuk motivation. To her, the most fitting image of Jun Hyuk is as a conductor. Furthermore, a conductor who conducts his own music.
“Then what happens once this season ends?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it.”
As Amelia had worried, Jun Hyuk was not preparing at all. She cautiously brought up what she always wanted to say to him.
“Jun. Don’t take this the wrong way and listen.”
“Yeah. What is it?”
“Just because you make the world talk doesn’t mean that you’ll keep getting opportunities like the Boston Philharmonic. You only have Inferno as the one objective data.”
“So?”
“The world’s famous maestros might praise you, but philharmonic orchestras will react coldly. A young genius whose everything is Inferno. That’s it. If you perform and release an album with Boston, other places won’t call for you. And…..”
“And what?”
Amelia hit Jun Hyuk’s hand when he jokingly stuttered. She is in the middle of saying something important.
“Since Inferno is experimental and underground, there’s a high possibility it’ll end after this one time. The reason for other philharmonics to perform it disappears.”
It is what Colin said a long time ago when he quit the cello to do popular music. Experimental contemporary music ends with the premiere and is not fated to be put on stage ever again. The audience, conductor, and orchestras will eventually go back to Beethoven. They can foresee the future of Inferno.
“Then I’ll end it. Whatever.”
Jun Huk spoke as if it is not a big deal. He was intending to end his receiving money to create something he has to take responsibility for with this anyway. He was brought all the way here with Boston Philharmonic’s fame, but it is more fitting for him to live while doing what he wants rather than working for money.
“What? End it? Ho ho. Will it be that easy?”
Amelia pinched Jun Hyuk’s lips and twisted them.
“You think you’ll be able to let go of the world’s most perfect and complete instrument when it’s been placed in your hands? Jun, you’ve already experienced it while performing Magic Flute.”
“I’m not sure. It wasn’t attractive to that extent.”
“Ah, sorry. Those kids were lacking. But it’s the Boston Philharmonic. One of the best instruments in the world. I’m pretty sure you’ll never the thrill of it.”
“Hm…..”
He had not experienced what Amelia is talking about yet. Of course he had countlessly experienced the moment when his mind and finger playing an instrument became one. The joy of feeling like 1 hour is 1 second.
Would he be able to experience something more than this with the Boston Philharmonic?
“Amelia.”
Jun Hyuk looked at Amelia flirtatiously.
“What?”
“The introduction is long. I thought you said you don’t have time. Get to the point.”
“You need to build your career. It’s something every musician needs to do.”
“A career… Specifically?”
Amelia said the fastest way to show the world Jun Hyuk’s talent.
“Submit a work to the Queen Elisabeth Competition. In the composition area.”
“What? Competition?”
The competition’s name is not taken from the British Queen Elizabeth, but from Queen Elisabeth Von Wittelsbach of Belgium.
This competition started in 1951 and is composed of 4 sections, the violin, piano, composition, and vocals. The violin, piano, and vocal sectors are alternated to be held every 3 years while the composition sector opens every 2 years. It is held in May every year.
Participant ages are limited to under 27 for the piano and violin, and under 40 for composition. The composition portion’s age limit is higher because it is thought that maturity from experiencing life’s ordeals will produce better music. Most composition winners are in their thirties.
“Yeah. Submit a song that’s so great it would make someone pass out. A concerto. You’ll win, I’m sure. The pianist or violinist who makes it into finals plays the composition winner’s song in the finals. That’s where you conduct.”
“Conduct too?”
“Berlin’s national philharmonic takes the orchestra in the finals, but I’m sure they’ll give you the baton since you already have experience with the Boston Philharmonic.”
The unique aspect about this competition is that the winners who reach the finals, excluding those from the composition section, practice the selected winner from the composition section’s piece for 1 week to perform it. That is why candidates for the composition section need to submit their pieces by December, and the winner is notified in January.
It is just that the win is canceled if the winner reveals the fact to the world.
It is a measure taken to ensure that the piano or violin participants do not see the score beforehand.
Since 12 finalists need to perform this, there can be at least 12 stages. In May of the next year when the contract with Boston ends, the timing is perfect to prepare for the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
“The goal isn’t an experimental song like Inferno, but to show them that you’re capable of composing anything. After that, you reveal all of the songs you’ve written. It’s going to shake the world up. It’ll be incomparable to what happened with Inferno. Ho ho.”
The competition is just an appetizer. The main course is releasing Jun Hyuk’s incredible pieces. Amelia laughs at just the thought of it.
“If your great works are revealed to the world, you’ll get your first chance to conduct a performance of your songs.”
“What? You really want your boyfriend to be a maestro? I’m no longer qualified to be your boyfriend if I just have fun and write songs once in a while?”
Amelia knows that it is a joke, but it is a welcome thought to her.
“It’s a relief for me if you say you want to rest while writing songs. Then we could always be together. Is that really what you want to do?”
“Based on how you do.”
Jun Hyuk hugged Amelia again.
Total Chapters in book: 283
Estimated words: 482630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2413(@200wpm)___ 1931(@250wpm)___ 1609(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 482630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 2413(@200wpm)___ 1931(@250wpm)___ 1609(@300wpm)
______