Before the hellish training, Gan Yanyu was basically able to score full marks in the random music piece segment.
"However, didn’t you mention quite a while back that contemporary competitions are not very welcoming towards classical music?"
Motivated by the principle that since he had asked, it would be better to know more, Lin Tian inquired.
This was something Lin Tian had learned about music competitions while chatting with Gan Yanyu at the beginning.
In this world, due to the greatly heightened respect for the honor of music competitions compared to the past, some focal points had shifted from what they used to be.
For instance, in the present competitions, "classical music" is not as well-received as "pop music" or "contemporary classical music."
A down-to-earth way to say it would be "the version is at a disadvantage."
At that time, Lin Tian just briefly understood and did not delve deeper.
Taking this opportunity, Lin Tian planned to fully understand.
"Yes, but it depends on the competition."
Gan Yanyu said, "Actually, this trend is led by the International Music Association."
"International Music Association?"
Whenever these topics come up, Gan Yanyu becomes very serious,
"The evaluation of music is, after all, a very subjective thing, so it’s highly dependent on the preferences of the judges."
"Over the last decade or so, the International Music Association has initiated a trend, because the fascination with various music competitions is increasing, and more and more young people are watching. They believe that traditional classical music styles too often get too caught up in techniques and formality, so there should be a shift towards promoting the music styles young people prefer..."
"This International Music Association is pretty up-to-date, huh."
Actually, it’s somewhat understandable.
No matter the competition, whether in arts or sports, to run it better and better, commercialization is inevitable.
As more young people watch, naturally, the content of competitions leans towards the younger audience.
The judges’ evaluations become more targeted.
Actually, when you think about it, just to cater to young audiences to this extent is already quite extreme.
But think of it from another angle.
This is exactly why the world’s music competitions are regarded so highly compared to the past.
With an influx of viewers comes more capital.
The popularity and value of the competitions naturally rise.
However, the reason for the difference between the two worlds, Lin Tian guessed, might be that in this world, there appeared an international music megastar who significantly propelled the industry forward?
"Because the trend in international competitions is now, it has influenced our Zhonghua competitions to transform as well."
"However, since we started later, the current competitions still haven’t dropped their evaluation of classical music so low. Something like the Star Cup being a folk event exclusively featuring classical music is, therefore, not strange."
Basically, the version hasn’t kept up internationally, right?
In a way, this precisely indicates that Zhonghua’s music is lagging behind on the international stage.
Lin Tian nodded, "So, before you compete abroad, as long as it’s a domestic competition, you can still continue to play classical music, and probably won’t be scored low intentionally by the judges?"
"What about when you go abroad, what do you plan to do?"
Actually, he’s not only proficient in classical music.
His vast library fully supports Lin Tian in pulling out various types of music.
Even when they go abroad later, and the favored style of international music changes again,
It wouldn’t affect Lin Tian from following the dominant trend.
"Of course, continue playing my music."
"But didn’t you say..."
Gan Yanyu’s expression suddenly became a bit subtle.
In her eyes, there seemed to be a hint of... resentment.
"Did you forget, I’ve told you more than once...?"
Gan Yanyu’s dream was never just about winning the highest honor in the cello, obtaining the "Ker Cup" championship.
That statement had a very important premise.
—To let the world hear our classical music.
Yes, what Gan Yanyu wanted to do was to spread classical music.
Putting it in a more colloquial way...
To restore the glory of classical music, it’s our unshirkable duty!
"So, this is like competing against the trend."
Lin Tian gave a bitter smile.
No wonder she’s a stubborn classical musician.
This isn’t like sports or esports where if your skills are significantly better than others, you can still win against stronger opponents.
Music, after all, is very subjective.
It all depends on the judges’ scoring.
If the judges say you’re not good, even if you’re way better than the other competitors, you’re still not good.
"What, are you planning to move all the judges to tears with your music and make them betray their own choices—like in an anime?"
"It’s not impossible."
Lin Tian somewhat distressly held his forehead.
He used to play video games himself and knew how scary reverse situations could be.
This isn’t a thrilling esports novel, reality doesn’t have that many miracles.
Gan Yanyu, being such a naïve girl, and Lin Tian, being her partner, of course had to stick with her to the end.
"Come on, it’s only the beginning, you’re thinking about international competitions too soon. You haven’t even participated in the Yingqin Cup yet."
Gan Yanyu laughed self-deprecatingly and changed the topic.
Lin Tian also shifted his gaze back.
"Aren’t you going to tell me that tomorrow is the preliminary round? I haven’t bought my ticket yet—As a family member of a contestant, do I get a VIP seat?"
"You better not come."
Gan Yanyu whispered, "It’s just the preliminaries, I’ll be fine on my own, and if you come, I might actually get more nervous..."
When she plays on stage with him, she gets more and more confident.
As soon as he sits in the audience, she starts getting nervous.
If he can’t perform a duet with Gan Yanyu, then his role is worse than that of a pendant.
And now daring to go this far, is it soon going to jump to—
Five! Don’t even think about sharing a bed with me if you don’t contribute! Get out!
"Then look, tomorrow’s the competition, can you maybe make some nice food, buy a couple more puddings, a milk tea... and wait for me to return?"
Gan Yanyu played with her hair, rolling it around her fingers, and asked.
"Great! Tomorrow I want to eat..."
"That kind of thing, send it to me on WeChat later!"
Lin Tian quickly interrupted, knowing that once Gan Yanyu starts listing dishes, she won’t stop.
Early in the morning, Lin Tian prepared breakfast for Gan Yanyu, who was dressed in a beautiful outfit with her hair tied up.
Since it was a formal competition, not a concert-style performance, Gan Yanyu had to tie up her hair.
After handing her the breakfast and seeing her off.
Lin Tian returned home.
Guessing that it had been a few days since the "E Minor Cello Concerto" went out.
Entered Douyin backstage and took a look.
Indeed, the data wasn’t great.
420,000 likes, several million views.
Although it also made it to the trending list, its popularity, compared to previous works, was indeed lower.
No way around it, this was what Lin Tian expected.
Obscure music that doesn’t mesh with modern aesthetics.
There are few people who have the patience to appreciate it thoroughly.
In the barrage and comments section, many expressed their confusion.
[This... Excuse my ignorance, but what is this piece trying to convey?]
[The previous "Ode to Love" and "Pathétique Symphony", at least from the names I can tell one is about love, and the other has a sad mood... This one, just Cello Concerto, really don’t know what it’s about?]
[Mr. Moonlight, please stop showing off! Really can’t understand!]
[Waiting for someone knowledgeable to explain.]
[Mr. Moonlight, can you give us some background story? Or maybe just perform a little play with Miss Cat to help us understand it a bit...]