< For the Music Genius - Episode 095 >
“What’s the atmosphere like on set?”
Red-tinted fallen leaves fell gently.
“It’s already been three months since the first crank-in. But the atmosphere on set is getting hotter and hotter day by day. Of course, who would have a hard time listening to Paganini’s performance live? On the contrary, some friends are feeling regretful. They are worried that the regret will be doubled because the performance scenes were shot so quickly. You have to be careful not to eat sweet things.”
The bitter espresso tasted sweeter than ever.
“Is there a reason you filmed the performance scenes all at once?”
“Our Paganini is still a student, so there is nothing we can do. We have to go back to Korea before winter comes.”
Adam Whishaw nodded with a faint smile. He understood the director’s regretful gaze. Listening to his performance, it really felt like Paganini had come back to life.
“Are there any special episodes that happened during filming?”
Jean-Pierre’s face clearly showed a look of concern. Because there were no episodes? Arthur, if you were with him, episodes would be created from time to time. Isn’t he a violinist who gives mysterious inspiration just by looking at him?
“There was a special filming in Germany where Paganini played on a rocking ship. In the case of simultaneous recording, it could have been done on flat ground that wasn’t rocking, but Hyun insisted on playing on the rocking ship.”
“So what happened?”
“The large ship rocked like a cradle, and the posture of the strings was as natural as flowing water. The melody that penetrated the ears was also perfect. Everyone must have had the same thought at the unbelievable sight. They said that the legend of Paganini was being recreated before their eyes. Of course, this was also filmed in a making film.”
Although he wanted to check out the making-of film right away, he still had questions. Adam put his regret aside and fiddled with his pen and notebook.
“I heard that Guarneri was used on set?”
“It hasn’t been used yet.”
“So you’re saying there’s a plan?”
“There are many stories about how Niccolò Paganini acquired the Guarneri Canon. Some say he received it as a gift from a nobleman, others say he bought it at an auction, and still others say he won it through gambling. However, it is known that he played it for just one person.”
Jean-Pierre looked forward to the Guarneri tune that would soon come.
“It was for the woman he loved.”
*
“Imagine holding a small golf ball.”
“Oh, like this?”
It feels like it has become a private tutoring center rather than a movie studio. Thanks to that, I have become much closer to the actors. I never thought I would become like a big brother to a famous Hollywood actor. It was something I could never have imagined in my past life.
“Instead of thinking about drawing with force, try to do the upstroke with the thought of the bow gliding over the string. When you do the bowing, you always unconsciously put strength into your right index finger.”
“Hyun, is that really what you see?”
“I think most famous violinists, including myself, will notice it. First of all, the sound when the bow is drawn is different. It’s rough, like someone walking in a hurry.”
Perhaps to the ears of ordinary people, it would sound the same. It was certainly a subtle difference, but it could not escape the keen ears. Alessandro swallowed hard and took a stance. He had been under my tutelage for several months. Now, if I said that I was making soybean paste with red beans, he would believe it. The bow was slowly raised and the strings were smoothly drawn.
“What do you think? Isn’t Boeing a lot more comfortable?”
A look of surprise appeared on Alessandro’s face.
“Hyun, you really have a talent for surprising me every time. No doctor said I would ever be able to play the violin freely again. If I keep practicing like this, I think I’ll be able to go to Queen Elizabeth.”
“Won’t you be subject to an age restriction?”
Of course, Alessandro’s violin skills were so excellent that the expression “rapid progress” would be appropriate. Wasn’t he a music college student who loved the violin to begin with? Since he had a great sense of teaching, I often played the violin with Alessandro on days when there was no filming. Baek Jeong-hoon and I were the type who felt joy in teaching others. I thought that maybe I should open a violin academy instead of suggesting my mother’s soy sauce crab business.
“Hyun, are you bringing Guarneri for the next shoot?”
Alessandro’s expression was extremely excited. Of course, it was Guarneri. It was a famous violin considered one of the three sacred instruments, so it would be the most attractive instrument to anyone who plays the violin. However.
“I’m worried.”
“why?”
“Nobody knows what piece Paganini first played on the Guarneri.”
It was the first performance he gave to the woman he loved. Some said he played a famous composer’s song, and others claimed he was serenading her. It was a scene he had never seen in a movie he had seen in his past life. It must have been the butterfly effect caused by Fiore’s appearance. Anyway.
“Hyeon, why are you worrying about something so unusual? Director Jean-Pierre didn’t leave everything up to you for nothing. The way you’ve been portrayed in the past three months is Paganini itself. It must have been added after much thought. Just play the way you want!”
This gentleman was already a huge fan of mine.
* * *
“Hyun-ah, you’re not going in this time either? Are you going to Korea alone again?”
It was a filming that lasted for three long months. We were only filming scenes of Niccolò Paganini playing, but there were so many scenes of playing that there was no time to rest. Furthermore, while Director Im Hye-ra occasionally went to Korea on holidays, I stayed in Italy. The reason was simple.
“You have to be on set until all the simultaneous recording is finished.”
Isn’t this work that requires a contract? It’s not something that can be done carelessly just because you’re young. Director Im Hye-ra smiled with satisfaction as if she knew this would happen.
“The school lady said it well. But Hyun, I heard that you got first place in the entire school in the final exams last semester? You don’t know how much the principal likes you. Not only did you make the school’s name known to the public, but he also said that you were good at studying.”
Wasn’t he called a monopoly in the Judicial Research and Training Institute, which was known for its ‘flying’ life? If he collapses in a middle school problem, wouldn’t it be a waste of upgraded software?
“But aren’t you curious about what’s going on in Korea?”
How could you not be curious? It must have been the height of the foreign exchange crisis. Moreover, in Italy, there was not a single news or newspaper that could provide information on the situation in Korea. But by now, perhaps.
“Did you ask the government for a bailout?”
Chairman Im Hye-ra’s eyes opened wide as if they were lanterns. It seemed like she didn’t know that I would be right. The foreign exchange crisis was about a year faster than her previous life. Originally, she should have requested a bailout a year later, but the timing was right now. If she was going to get hit anyway, it would have been better to get hit first. That was when it happened.
“We have arrived.”
Outside the car window, a building shining like crystal was visible. My heart started pounding again. It was the auction house where Guarneri was sleeping. The auction house that had greeted us before came out again to guide us. While we were walking, I told Director Im Hye-ra about the storyboard for the next shoot.
“Nobody knows what Paganini played?”
It was a record that was not even in Paganini’s journal kept in Genoa, and it was a movie scene that I had never seen in my life, so I was naturally nervous. The full trust of director Jean-Pierre and the actors made my shoulders even heavier. What kind of music did Paganini play? It was then.
“Hyun-ah, should I ask the auctioneer? He’s quite knowledgeable. He’s also a native Italian.”
Since he has been in charge of auctions of ancient art for a long time, his knowledge will also be different. Before I could answer, Director Im Hye-ra was already conversing with the auctioneer. And then.
“Violinist Hyun, if you don’t mind, may I say something?”
The auctioneer cautiously raised his voice. He was an old auctioneer who had heard Guarneri play before. He had been very kind to me. This time, too, he smiled like a kind old man.
“There is a saying in Italy. It says that when you see a woman you love, a song naturally flows out of your eyes. Wasn’t Paganini like that too? He probably didn’t decide on a song at first. He probably just came up with the idea as soon as he saw her.”
I bowed my head and said thank you.
‘I think there’s a hint in what you said.’
But.
“Hmm, a piece for the woman I love.”
Why does Director Im Hye-ra have such an unusual expression?
*
The reason why Niccolò Paganini named his Guarneri Canon was simple. Even if the bow crossed the strings slightly, the melody would extend long and high. It was such a sensitive instrument that it was said that only Paganini could play it. The Fiore that I have is the same.
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Thump thump thump.
Doesn’t just holding the bow make your heart beat faster? You probably want to burst out the melody you’ve been holding back, just like when you played the other day. If Paganini’s Canon boasted long and high notes, Fiore boasted deep and gorgeous tones. Everyone will know the moment the strings and bow touch. However.
“Hyun, are you not ready yet? Should we take a short break and then continue?”
I still had no idea what song I should play. I nodded briefly at Jean-Pierre’s question. The staff was also visibly excited about Guarneri’s appearance. The place I was standing was a set that exactly recreated the concert hall in Genoa where Paganini first played Guarneri.
‘My beloved woman.’
Who should I think of? Even looking back on my past life, I have never loved anyone as a person of the opposite sex. My wife was also married to use her as a stepping stone to success. Someone suddenly crossed my mind. The child who treasured the blue hairpin I gave her like a treasure.
“Director.”
At the short words, Jean-Pierre nodded his head. Now, they could read each other’s minds just by looking at each other. I carefully lifted my bow and showed it to him. Among the numerous musical scores drawn on the staff, there was also one that was made with that child in mind.
Jiying.
Was it an illusion that a cold wind blew at the moment the bow and strings met? The strings, which fluttered as if a small hand was pulling at the sleeves of a dress, produced a pleasant melody. The left fingers that touched the strings moved ceaselessly, recalling memories. The harmonics resonated like the child’s clear voice, and at times, they trilled as if expressing the girl’s quick steps.
Jiing―!
At that moment, Fiore’s melody reached the ceiling. It was a piece without form, but as it approached the finale, the bowing became faster. As if expressing the sound of a heartbeat, the left hand plucked the strings and played pizzicato, and together with the right hand holding the bow, he produced a gorgeous voice. Fiore’s beautiful melody added to the flavor of the performance, so what more could I say? Until the bow parted with the strings as if it was regrettable, the audience could not open their mouths in refreshing joy.
“uh?”
Was it a dream, or was it because I was playing too passionately? Did Fiore, who had been preserved for hundreds of years, have some talent that I didn’t know about? Leaving behind my many questions, I slowly lifted the bow. The direction the bow tip was pointing.
“Yuha?”
The child was standing there looking at me. I saw the figure of Director Im Hye-ra standing next to me with a proud expression.
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