Chapter 85

085. The Conductor's Dream (2)

"You met Albert August? The music director of the New York Philharmonic?"

Olivia's reaction was perhaps quite natural.

The position of music director of the New York Philharmonic was on par with the court music director, a dream job for all musicians in the past. Joseph Haydn was one of them.

Of course, the weight of Albert and Haydn is significantly different, even if they were placed on the same level.

Unlike the excited Olivia, Emma maintained a calm demeanor, as if she already knew.

"I received a call from the director just before the main stage. Albert said he wanted to see the showcase, so he asked me to let him in. He must have heard that Seoho is Brenner and rushed over."

"Albert must have had a lot of interest in Brenner. After all, he praised him highly in a recent interview, right?"

Olivia, who had been muttering, suddenly turned the screen of her pad towards us.

"Look at this. I like the headline, don't you?"

<The Most Prominent Performer and Composer in the Classical World Was Actually One Person>

It sounds like it's revealing some criminal fact. Something like the work of the same perpetrator.

I chuckled and scratched my eyebrow.

Olivia continued, swiping through her pad.

"The public's reaction is no joke. Even people who didn't know Brenner or weren't interested in classical music are now searching and showing interest in this story. I asked a colleague I worked with in the past, and apparently, it's causing a stir among critics as well."

"It will attract even more attention when the album is released."

Emma added with a pleased voice.

I lowered my gaze and fiddled with the CD album in my hand.

A black-and-white photo of my face, with deep shadows cast over it. The album title was engraved in yellow letters on top.

<Seoho Han: Inspiration from People>

It's a strange feeling. That this is my album, and that it will soon be fully revealed to the world.

"It looks good."

"It will be on display in all record shops tomorrow."

"Since I have to go out tomorrow, I should stop by and check it out."

Emma then said with a seemingly serious expression.

"Make sure to bring a hat and a mask."

Olivia, who was still looking at her pad, agreed, saying it might be necessary, and suddenly glanced outside the office.

"Hey, is that the smell of tacos?"

Following her gaze, I turned my head.

The central hall on the third floor, used as a lounge for Royal Classic.

The company had rented it out for a celebration while we waited for the album release.

The employees who worked hard on this project, the orchestra members, and my parents were setting up food and preparing a small party.

...Now that I think about it, I'm feeling a bit hungry.

Emma, who seemed to have the same thought, checked the time and stood up.

"Let's go out and enjoy ourselves now. There's still plenty of time before the album is released."

"Wow..."

"Oh, um..."

"J, Just amazing!"

The third floor of Royal Classic seemed to have turned into a fan signing event.

It was because of Professor Celine.

After watching the showcase, she had returned to school for the exam period, and her appearance drew the orchestra members to her, their eyes shining. Some had even brought their violins, ready to get her autograph.

"Seoho, today's performance was really the best."

"Thank you."

"The offer I made before is still valid. If you ever write a piano and violin concerto, be sure to let me know."

Professor Celine smiled.

Hugo, who was standing opposite, looked at me and stuck out his tongue.

"First Maestro Albert, now Professor Celine. What is it with you...?"

"Professor was the first to notice that I am Brenner."

The looks on everyone's faces seemed to say, "Of course, Professor Celine!"

She waved her hand and sat down, then took the food offered by Olivia, the communication manager, and asked me.

"By the way, why didn't you mention that at the press conference?"

"What do you mean?"

"That all the pieces you submitted as Brenner were actually practice works."

Her words made the expressions of the people around us, who had been chatting animatedly, suddenly turn blank.

Their gazes, which had been fixed on Professor Celine, now turned to me, as if demanding an explanation.

"I didn't think it was necessary to mention it."

"Why not?"

"You'll hear the difference."

Professor Celine chuckled.

"It's an incredible amount of confidence, but on the other hand, it's a statement that can't be refuted. After all, people who listen to the music will feel the difference."

The confused expressions around me lingered for a moment, but as the meal began, the conversations naturally blended in.

Even while I was eating, hungry, and later while I was watching, too full to eat more, the talk of music never stopped.

I chatted enthusiastically, and over the heat that seemed unlikely to cool down, Olivia's voice poured cold water.

"The album has been released!"

"Where, where? Oh! There are already reviews pouring in? They say the first track, the first line, is already amazing, and this person says they'll listen to it while taking a bath. This is good? I should do that too today."

"Have the critics reviewed it yet?"

"There's a 40-minute track; how can they have already listened to it and reviewed it?"

"Oh, former critics, indeed."

"Isn't that common sense?"

As the Royal Classic team members excitedly shared good news, Emma smiled and said,

"Now we have to wait for the classical charts."

I didn't have high expectations.

The classical charts are a popularity contest, to the point where it's said to be a popularity vote. Even though I'm a topic of discussion, I don't think I can beat the established musicians at the top. It's not for nothing that the classical charts are often described as concrete, rarely changing.

In fact, many people use the critics' reviews as a standard for whether an album is good or bad, musically speaking.

Of course, from the business perspective of Royal Classic, streaming and album sales are as important, if not more so, than the critics' reviews...

I just hope it's not a terribly disappointing ranking. For the sake of the team members who worked hard on my album and the SJ family.

After all, the charts are a visible measure of success.

Perhaps because of these thoughts, the hour or so waiting for the album release felt longer than the few hours we had been waiting.

And finally.

"Seoho's album has a ranking!"

I don't know whose shout it was.

It was so chaotic that I didn't even hear it.

Soon, reactions erupted from both sides, leaving me speechless, and Olivia thrust her laptop, which she had brought to check, in front of me.

So, this is...

The classical chart, just rearranged?

From the top of the classical chart, down the line...

...my songs were lined up.

#

As soon as the sky brightened, I went up to the hotel lounge.

After confirming the reserved name with the staff and entering a small room, I found Chairman Baek Hangil and Vice President Baek Sun-hwa sitting there.

"You came early?"

I arrived 20 minutes early, after all.

"You don't sleep in as you get older."

"Haaaaa—."

At Chairman Baek's words, Vice President Baek Sun-hwa suddenly opened her mouth wide. It was a very artificial yawn, to avoid looking old.

"So, I'm the only one getting old."

I laughed. Since meeting Chairman Baek, I've developed a habit of checking his complexion first, and today it's particularly good.

"You topped the classical charts on the largest site in the U.S."

Vice President Baek Sun-hwa added,

"It's still number one. The rest of the tracks are all in the top ten. Articles about Seoho have been pouring in all night, not just in the U.S. but in Korea as well, and some even praised SJ Entertainment as a cultural and artistic company."

"Is that so? I'm glad we made the investment."

"I'm glad to have met your expectations."

I meant it.

In fact, the role of these people was significant in my decision to reveal that I am Brenner.

It was an opportunity I gained by exchanging my value, but they helped clear the dark future of my family. I wanted to help the SJ Group in my own way. My help as an individual might be insignificant to a giant group, but still.

The two smiled contentedly at my answer.

Then Vice President Baek Sun-hwa seemed to have something in mind and spoke up.

"By the way, you were the anonymous composer Brenner, right?"

"Ah, yes. Somehow. Haha."

Chairman Baek Hangil looked me over with narrowed eyes.

"So, you didn't show all your cards when you came to ask for investment back then."

"At that time, it was just a hobby. I didn't expect it to become such a topic."

Chairman Baek Hangil shook his head and said to Vice President Baek Sun-hwa,

"I told you, the scariest thing is not someone who hides their cards, but someone who doesn't know how many cards they have."

Following their laughter, I also smiled.

Then the meal began.

Chairman Baek Hangil, sipping soup with the help of Vice President Baek Sun-hwa, brought up the topic again.

"Sun-hwa, didn't you have something to ask Seoho?"

"Oh, right."

Vice President Baek Sun-hwa wiped her mouth with a napkin and looked at me.

"We're planning to hold an exhibition in collaboration with a New York art agency."

I recalled that my father had mentioned that Vice President Baek Sun-hwa came to New York for work. This must be the reason.

I don't know much about the dynamics of a chaebol family, so I can't judge easily, but it was surprising and encouraging to see a vice president of a company moving so actively. It made me think that the Korean cultural and arts industry could really develop significantly through her efforts.

'I made a good contract.'

While nodding to myself with this thought, Vice President Baek Sun-hwa continued.

"We want to bring in modern art pieces that are hard to see in Korea and are looking to entrust you with the music selection for the exhibition. It might seem like a minor task, but it's very important to us. To capture the interest of the high-and-mighty American agencies, it's not just about money; these things are important. It's about balancing the scales."

"Can I balance those scales?"

"Who else in the Korean art world can do it?"

I asked, looking at the smiling Vice President Baek Sun-hwa.

"Whose art pieces are coming?"

"Neil Howser, a Han Seoho of the modern art world, perhaps?"

"Me? What?"

She burst into playful laughter.

"He's a rising star in the art world. He's older than you, of course. A young and talented artist."

A rising star in the art world.

I'm quite unfamiliar with this field, even from my past life. Can I do it? Making a playlist shouldn't be too difficult, but the songs need to complement the art pieces, right?

"I need to look through the artist's works first. And I have a question too."

"Sure, what is it?"

"What's my schedule like when I return to Korea?"

"Just a moment."

She briefly answered and picked up her phone.

"Director, please send me Seoho's schedule for next month right away. Yes, thank you."

After hanging up, Vice President Baek Sun-hwa looked at me and asked,

"Why the schedule?"

#

New York, Lincoln Center.

The three buildings stood with pillars of different shapes.

I entered the David Geffen Hall, located to the right of the fountain.

This entire building was constructed for the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Excitement welled up as I looked at the place, which seemed like a sanctuary of music.

Moreover, the reason for my visit was not just for sightseeing.

It was an invitation from none other than Albert August (though I didn't recognize him at our first meeting...).

I came here as he had requested, asking me to visit before leaving for Korea.

Since it wasn't a performance day, the path to the concert hall was naturally blocked. However, when I lingered near it, a man who looked like a manager approached from a distance.

"There's no performance today. You can't go that way..."

The man, who had been waving his hand, stopped when he saw me. Fortunately, he didn't seem to recognize my face.

"Oh, I'm sorry. There are many tourists trying to enter this way... Are you Maestro's guest?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Please follow me."

I followed him down the corridor.

As we walked, the sound that had been tickling my ears grew louder.

"Is someone practicing right now?"

"It seems so."

"Can I go in?"

"That was Maestro's intention. If you arrive early, he asked me to guide you this way."

He nodded, indicating I should enter. I thanked him for the guidance and grabbed the metal door handle.

The muffled sound suddenly grew louder, and a reddish-brown space came into view.

Cylindrical structures of unknown purpose hung from the ceiling. Under the lighting that fell from there, numerous musicians were immersed in the whirlpool of music.

...The massive sound created by over a hundred orchestra members enveloped me.

But that wasn't all.

A chorus, no less numerous than the orchestra, was also performing.

They were playing one of the greatest works in history.

Ludwig's final masterpiece, the choral symphony!

I quietly took a seat at the far end of the audience to avoid disturbing them.

I swallowed hard and looked up at the stage.

The sound pressure (音壓) that made my whole body tingle and the magnificent resonance that pierced my ears.

In the center of it all, orchestrating all the sounds,

Albert August.

──!

The towering figure of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra was there.