Pianist's Village

Professor Lee Chan-ho spoke as if recounting an old story while looking at Soo-hyun, who was eagerly awaiting it.

"Chopin, in those days, was truly affectionate. One evening, he had a mistress, but the next morning he found her completely different. He was extremely polite, always dressed neatly, and even his hairstyle and shoes were meticulously arranged for every moment, situation, and place. Thanks to this, he earned the favor of any nobleman he dealt with."

Professor Lee Chan-ho saw joy in Soo-hyun's clear eyes as he spoke, and chuckled inwardly as he saw Soo-hyun's image superimpose with the words that recalled Chopin.

'Soo-hyun is like Chopin when it comes to being polite and taking care of himself.' 'Of course, because he educated me.' 'Perhaps Chopin was more enthusiastic about explaining to Soo-hyun how to look attractive than explaining how to play the piano.' 'The same went for the great Casanova, Liszt.'

Soo-hyun said with a smile.

"He was the dandy Chopin, so of course it was a romantic love story, right?"

Professor Lee Chan-ho shook his head.

"No, it's quite the opposite. It's a heartbreaking story of unrequited love."

"Well, why? You say Chopin could socialize with nobility?"

"Haha, how to explain this? No matter how good a model's fashion sense is, it would be embarrassing to show a picture from his school days. Chopin, as a child, was a shy and reserved man with a feminine personality."

Professor Lee Chan-ho continued speaking.

"It is said that at that time, Chopin spent half a year alone, suffering agony, embarrassment, and hesitation, never being able to express his ardent passion. In a letter he wrote to his friend Wojciechovsky, he wrote:"

Professor Lee Chan-ho had such deep respect for Chopin that he even memorized the content of a letter sent to a friend.

'This might be quite unfortunate for me, but' 'I have already found the ideal person whom I intend to serve faithfully and sincerely.' 'Six months have already passed since I met Miss Constance.' 'Every day, every night, there was not a moment when I didn't run to her in my heart.' 'I had never interviewed that woman before.' 'While my heart was with that woman, I composed the Adagio (second movement) of my concerto.' 'I was meditating on that woman this morning,' 'I felt so inspired that I composed a dance.' 'I am giving this along with this article.'

Professor Lee Chan-ho, who was speaking with his eyes closed and a reminiscent expression as if reading someone's letter, opened his eyes and spoke.

"And on the first day he left his homeland and arrived in Paris, he wrote in his diary: «The figure of the woman appears before my eyes. I have already forgotten her, but her image does not disappear from my mind»."

Soo-hyun nodded.

'How would you feel if you couldn't express your feelings to someone you like, even if you don't have experience yet?' 'I also wondered. What was the woman's attitude? Did she feel Chopin's love and love him back? Was she waiting for him to talk to him and tell him how he felt?' 'I've heard that when the body distances itself, so does the heart. Did the same thing happen to you?'

Professor Lee Chan-ho smiled brightly.

"If that had been the case, their love story wouldn't have lasted so long. He never set foot in his homeland, Poland, again. And meanwhile, he didn't see her once. And six years later, in June 1837, his diary, written in Paris, is still preserved. It reads:"

'Constance, Constance!' 'Though your figure has vanished' 'Like the moon dimly rising again' 'Show me a smile right before my eyes.' 'Oh, Constance, who sleeps in my heart!'

"I feel sorry for you. Uncle Frederick had a painful love."

"Did he love Chopin too?"

"Well, there's no record of it. But it is said that two years after Chopin left Poland, she married someone else. Chopin found out, but he loved her enough to write a similar entry in his diary six years later."

"Was she a kind and pretty lady?"

"That's right, Chopin's best friend, Franz Liszt, also described her as a beautiful woman."

A strange light appeared in Soo-hyun's eyes.

"Liszt also saw him."

"Yes, there are rumors that Chopin was very wary of the womanizer Liszt's advances toward him, but, of course, no one knows if this is true."

'It's funny. How many times must they have teased and fought over this story?' 'Thinking of the two old men arguing makes me really want to see them. I have to go see them after the competition is over.'

Professor Lee Chan-ho continued speaking.

"The piece Chopin gave to his friend in the letter he sent earlier was not a piano concerto, but a piece called Concerto in F minor, popularly known as the «First Love Concerto». Additionally, the dance piece refers to the Waltz in D-flat, Op. 70."

Professor Lee Chan-ho said, raising his finger.

"Even as his musical talent rapidly developed and his fame spread worldwide, his sad memories could not be forgotten. It is said that this piano concerto contains his painful love."

Soo-hyun nodded his head gently.

'I don't really know. What is love? Will I ever feel that kind of love?' 'I hope, however, that it's not a heartbreaking love.' 'So, what kind of performance should I give now? How can I express my feelings?'

Professor Lee Chan-ho smiled brightly as he watched Soo-hyun struggle.

"I already gave you the answer last time. Just as Chopin wrote a letter to his friend, you too should share the poetry in your heart with someone."

The eyes hidden in Soo-hyun's closed eyelids slowly stopped moving.

Eight o'clock in the evening.

After the last intermission, the audience who had gone out of the venue to smoke a cigarette or drink water sat back down.

When the event staff signaled to call the host after most of the audience had entered, the host, who took the microphone, did not show himself and only spoke.

"Next, the last contestant of the final round, South Korean Nam Soo-hyun, will take the stage. Ladies and gentlemen present, please take your seats immediately."

When Soo-hyun's name was called, the commotion grew louder.

"Honey, is that the child you were talking about, the genius?"

"Yes! A friend who saw that child said that just thinking about his performance made him cry. You know? My friend has been going to piano recitals all his life. I can believe what he says."

"I'm really looking forward to it. Don't disappoint me, I've been watching other kids play all day just to see this."

"Yes, of course. It'll be a great performance. Oh, maybe? No, it'll be an acceptable performance."

"Go home and wait."

"Ahem..."

Janusz Bucek, conductor of the Warsaw City Orchestra.

Up until now, contestants would bow to the conductor as a sign of respect before sitting down at the piano after their performance. Janusz smiled happily and gently gestured for them to sit down.

But this time, it was a little different.

While checking the orchestra and verifying whether there were any errors in the previous performance, he immediately returned to the conductor's seat when he saw Soo-hyun appear on the left side of the stage, gripped the baton with both hands, and straightened his posture. The orchestra members also put down their instruments and sat up straight.

'He looks nervous for some reason.'

President Tateushi, whose expression was more expectant than anyone else in the audience, whispered to President Joseph.

"It's different from your previous attitudes."

"Well, maybe he did it because he knows Soo-hyun's skills since he must have practiced before?"

Since the conversation between the two was in Polish, Chairman Park Ki-joon had no idea what they were talking about. But even to his eyes, the orchestra's attitude had clearly changed.

'It's almost as if they're nervous that they might be the ones getting in the way.' 'What does that mean? How could a professional orchestra member bother a child pianist?' 'They are assistants who help cover up mistakes so that children's performances can shine even more.' 'But their expressions are like the faces of true artists on stage, truly nervous.'

At that moment, a commotion arose from the judges.

"Hey, Conductor Janusz, shall we greet each other first?"

'What, what's wrong? What happened?'

"All the members put down their instruments and bowed in unison..."

Chairman Park Ki-joon suddenly straightened his back and widened his eyes.

Chairman Park Ki-joon, who usually couldn't stand music, immediately realized why the professors were making such a fuss.

'That's the courtesy orchestra members show when performing with world-renowned pianists.' 'This is not the courtesy to be shown to a child pianist who has just participated in a competition.'

Soo-hyun also politely bowed to Conductor Janusz.

The roar of the audience grew louder and louder. Basically, the audience who sought out and watched children's competitions were people who regularly attended many concerts, so they noticed a different side of the performance that couldn't be found in competitions.

"Is it correct for the conductor collaborating in the competition to bow his head first?"

"Yes, normally it's the pianist who shows respect to the orchestra that helps him."

"It would be different if he were a professional pianist. But that child isn't a professional, is he?"

"It seems something is happening that we don't know about. It's the child they're talking about. This, this! There's already so much anticipation! How good that you came!"

When Soo-hyun appeared, the audience members who were supposed to applaud began to murmur among themselves and missed the moment to applaud.

In the end, Soo-hyun appeared without applause, politely bowed to the conductor and the orchestra, and curtsied to the audience before sitting on the piano stool.

Only then could the applause be heard.

Conductor Janusz sat at the piano, catching his breath and looking at Soo-hyun, who had his eyes closed.

'Usually, the other participants look at the conductor as soon as they sit down, but this child is different.' 'It's as if he's not collaborating with the orchestra, but he's the one conducting the entire orchestra and telling them to wait until he's ready.'

Janusz, far from feeling bad, had a smile on his face.

After Soo-hyun opened his eyes, he met his. Janusz, seeing Soo-hyun nod slightly, nodded deeply and slowly raised his baton, and all the orchestra members took up their instruments at once.

Janusz looked into the eyes of each orchestra member and mentally shouted at them.

'Everyone must have seen it. We must never become an obstacle to the child's performance. Let's show everyone what the Warsaw City Orchestra is capable of!'

The members also looked at him with serious expressions, wondering if the conductor's intentions had been conveyed.

Finally, the conductor's baton waved strongly, and the magnificent first movement, Allegro maestoso, began.