CHAPTER 668: CHAPTER 422: THE MEANING OF PREDECESSORS, GIVEN BY SUCCESSORS! _2

Tuoba Jianhui said,

"Your ’Pathétique Symphony’ is beautiful, but I think with this adapted version, you can play even more freely. We’re curious to see what effect this piece will have when played by you."

Tuoba Jianhui spoke as he looked at the students outside the window,

"It’s perfect, let’s give my students a lesson."

"Of course."

Gan Hua replied,

"We will also participate in the ensemble."

An ensemble?

Lin Tian was a bit surprised but found it interesting.

If it were just a regular duel, where you play a piece and then I play, although it’s more straightforward in terms of results, it lacks real confrontation.

But an ensemble is different.

For those who completely ignore their ensemble partners and have never practiced together before,

in playing the same music, it’s very easy to be led astray by the other’s performance, and if someone is slightly lacking in willpower or technique, they can easily be destroyed by their opponent’s playing.

An example can be seen from many early performers with shallow roots when playing alongside Gan Yanyu.

Among young people, Gan Yanyu’s willpower is considered very strong, and the power of an "absolute core" can easily lead all the ensemble players astray.

Now the opponents are Tuoba Jianhui and Gan Hua, and the situation will be different.

After all, the opponents in front of them are veteran artists with deep foundations. They definitely won’t be easily swayed by Gan Yanyu.

With their rich experience, they may even have prepared to interfere with Gan Yanyu during the performance.

But that’s the interesting part.

If it’s not challenging, Lin Tian would find it uninteresting.

"I have no problem."

Gan Yanyu, quicker than Lin Tian, was the first to say this.

The girl’s face was resolute, clearly ready for anything.

"I have no problem either."

Subsequently, Lin Tian also expressed his stance.

"Are you sure?"

Tuoba Jianhui said, "This is an adaptation done by us, so if you’re performing it for the first time, you might be at a disadvantage."

"Make no mistake, this is our piece." Lin Tian replied with a smile,

"You’ll be the ones at a disadvantage."

There was nothing more to say once the words were spoken.

The four each took their positions.

"3, 2, 1—"

After a countdown of three,

the four instruments played simultaneously—

The stirring music instantly reverberated throughout the classroom.

"♫~!"

An overwhelming aura, like a fierce wind, rushed towards the students in the corridor.

So grief-stricken, so beautiful, passionate and grand.

The collision of the joint ensemble.

The young boys and girls were dumbfounded, their hearts already overwhelmed by the opening of the music.

The ensemble of two young people and two old people,

at this moment, in this Music Academy classroom, formed a poignant tableau.

...

No wonder they’re old masters!

After the first section, Lin Tian was inwardly amazed.

Though he had never heard the performances of the two older men before,

as soon as the music began, Lin Tian could feel the profound inner strength of these senior artists.

Their performance, compared to younger people, had less aggression and frivolous emotion,

yet it was more steady and mature, with each note filled with deep emotion, exerting an unspoken power.

Perhaps not stunning,

but certainly full of pressure.

They just followed the sheet music, making no mistakes in their performance, yet it already left hearts shaken.

That is what makes them classical music’s veteran musicians!

Decades of musical heritage, at this moment, is embodied in the music.

In the face of such a performance, if ordinary performers not skilled enough are present, it’s very easy for them to lose their composure amid the seemingly calm performance of the opponent. Even without any aggressive moves from the opponent, they are pressured into making mistakes.

Among them,

Gan Hua’s cello is remarkable, as he still possesses such skilled technique after such a long time retired.

Even the most familiar with her grandfather, Gan Yanyu, showed a look of surprise.

Why.....

Why can her grandfather, in such a short time, recover to such a high performing state?

No matter how skilled a craftsman, if they haven’t performed on stage for over ten years, would certainly be rusty and would at least need some adjusting time!

This isn’t something a human can do!

The only explanation is:

During these more than ten years,

her grandfather, every day, every night, has been repeatedly performing in his mind.

In the old man’s world, he has been waiting for this day, for a very long time.

Don’t lose focus—

Lin Tian’s piano emitted a powerful note, snapping Gan Yanyu back to reality.

The awakened girl immediately refocused all her concentration on the cello in her hands.

At the same time,

seeing this scene, Gan Hua, tightly gripping his bow, felt a slight relief.

The girl lowered her head, fully concentrated, putting all her efforts into playing.

It made Gan Hua’s thoughts drift back to 16 years ago.

On that stage.

When Gan Hua stood alone in Vienna, carrying everything on his back, performing his first classical music piece in the preliminary round, what was that feeling?

The young people in the audience, dozing off;

On the judges’ panel, a bunch of old men were looking at him with impatient expressions;

On one side of the stage, a fellow contestant, a Western cellist, looked at him with derision and disdain for his old-fashioned classical music...

He knew he was certain to lose this competition.

Even if he miraculously advanced from the preliminary, he would definitely fall in the semi-final.

.....

Should he continue?

Can he keep going?

Such a splendid and dazzling Golden Hall.

The dreamland for countless musicians.

But at that moment, standing there, Gan Hua suddenly didn’t know why he was standing on that stage, or why he was starting such a performance.

The image of his companions kept flashing through his mind.

Some in work clothes, some in suits, some lazy and disenchanted, bearing the scent of their work.

In an instant, Gan Hua truly felt dazed.

Why exactly was he standing here...?

.....Yes, because they had unfulfilled dreams. Because in him lie many of his companions’ hopes.

But, is he really worthy?

However,

Without the cello, what would be left of him?

Would his life still have meaning?

In that instant,

all memories turned to dry leaves, as if blown gently by the wind, dispersing all at once.

In that instant,

Young Gan Hua’s eyes snapped open. Bloodshot, he was glaring at the cello in his hands.

Yes, his life had long been inseparable from the cello.

He wasn’t bound by anything, nor pushed by anyone to come here.

He came here by his choice!

It’s not over yet!

Even if he withers like a dry leaf here,

He must ensure his cello doesn’t die meaninglessly here.

And his meaning is to entrust all of it to the next person!

His meaning will be given by future musicians!

As the "First Cellist," Gan Hua has no choice. As the last piece of pure land in people’s eyes for classical music, he must continue to fight!

He must become this lighthouse beacon, illuminating the way for those who come after.

...

Even now,

Does it still matter whether the story of drugging is true...?

Lin Tian thought thus and smiled with relief.

The memory surfaced of the conversation that night with Mao Weiang’s female manager.

Lin Tian finally understood.

What Tuoba Jianhui and Gan Hua meant by "a heart of respect."

The fans encountered by the riverside.

Xu Yong and Su Ran.

Nannali, Bai Xi, Bai Junze, Mao Weiang...

Lin Tian understood it all.

Lin Tian took a deep breath, lifted his hand, and struck the piano keys heavily.

Watch this, predecessors!

Your task has been completed.

Here’s where you face your final reckoning!