Chapter 268: Still Prefer Playing with Gan Yan Yu (Third Update) (Vote for Me)
As Lin Tian returned to the rest room, he was immediately greeted by a group of pianists.
“Mr. Lin Tian, your Croatian Rhapsody is amazing! How did you come up with it?”
“Could you explain in detail how you use the octave scales and rapid arpeggios in the final part?”
“What about the harmony in the development section? It’s so cleverly done! How did you think it up?”
“Is this about a war? Which war in Croatia is it?”
“Can you share the story behind this piece?”
Several younger pianists crowded around Lin Tian, eagerly seeking answers.
Those who seemed older and more dignified, though maintaining their composure, also perked up their ears.
Their eyes were filled with an unadulterated desire to understand the music.
If this had been before, Lin Tian might have just skimped over these questions, but today, he found himself willing to engage.
Finding a spot to sit down, he began:
“This Croatian Rhapsody, is…”
“…”
Even though Lin Tian didn’t write the piece, his vast music library and understanding allowed him to guess and fabricate a decent explanation.
The fuzzier details, he left intentionally vague.
After all, no master would reveal every secret.
Lin Tian then recounted a wartime story from Croatia’s past, aligning it with the emotions in the music.
Everyone stood around him, listening intently, their admiration palpable.
“That makes sense.”
“I knew there was a sad story behind this piece!”
“Amazing, Lin Tian! I have to learn this piece too!”
“I feel it’ll become another timeless classic!”
Seeing these young pianists, possibly the best of their generation, give such high praise, Lin Tian felt a deep fulfillment.
Maybe,
His guesses about musical composition might inspire them.
It was possible some might even perform and reinterpret the piece, ensuring its legacy.
This would be a comfort to the composer, Tose Hrgic, and Maksim Mrvica.
In fact, Lin Tian enjoyed being an “ambassador” for music.
Especially under Gan Yan Yu’s influence,
He felt doing so meaningful.
Exiting the hall, Lin Tian spotted Gan Yan Yu waiting just outside.
“Oh!”
She tilted her head, pointing at Lin Tian:
“Our brilliant pianist Master Lin has returned!”
“Don’t tease me,” he said, gently pushing her finger down and smiling.
“Not teasing you,” she feigned indignation.
“Starting today, you’re officially recognized as a major pianist who has competed professionally!”
“I hope not in a bad way,” he waved off.
He hadn’t even checked his phone yet.
He wondered what the foreign media said about him.
Initially, he was just a nobody from Tianchao, looking for a bit of attention in the Sato Sakura International Piano Competition.
But the public and media elevated his profile to astronomical levels.
Though his playing wasn’t considered top-tier, suddenly everyone scrutinized his performance intensely.
It didn’t matter now, though.
Lin Tian decided to avoid his phone all day.
“How did it feel playing on stage for the first time?” asked Gan Yan Yu, shaking her hand excitedly.
Earlier, during the audience, she shared a similar elation, watching as Lin Tian performed solo.
A sense of accomplishment flooded her, despite previously accompanying him.
Enjoying this newfound admiration, she basked in the feeling of having Lin Tian in her hands.
“It must have been quite the new experience and insight,” she listed, “Like feeling both nervous and exhilarated while playing alone. Feeling in control of the music itself and seeing the audience react…”
“And if I had to pick one thing, I’d say I really want to perform with Xiao Gan.”
Lin Tian laughed.
Gan Yan Yu’s eyes widened abruptly. She quickly turned away:
“Don’t joke with me like that.”
“I’m serious,” Lin Tian insisted.
While sharing music brought him satisfaction,
The thrill of playing and the joy of performing couldn’t compare to the feeling of achieving dreams together with Gan Yan Yu.
He couldn’t tell whether he loved music or Gan Yan Yu more, perhaps it was a blend of both.
Who knows?
For now, he just wanted to end the competition quickly.
He had more than enough buzz, and it could wrap up here.
With the Spring Festival approaching, he longed for home with Gan Yan Yu.
That evening, after the second round, Lin Tian and Gan Yan Yu returned to the Tokyo International Music Hall where the results were announced immediately.
On stage, the host declared the finalists:
“Bud Lloyd, Camilo Williams, Yevgeny Ivanovich Romanov.”
“Alves Burke, Nishikawa Yuha, Watanabe Satoru.”
“Yao Han, and finally, Lin Tian!”
(The End)
