After all, they are the only two pianists performing original compositions in the preliminary competition, and both happen to be rhapsodies.
It’s hard not to make the audience, judges, pianists, and netizens discuss them together.
Some netizens even straightforwardly said:
Lin Tian’s resume and background advancing to the finals are because he produced the same type of composition as Nishikawa Yuubei.
Because, aside from some fans.
The vast majority, whether pianists or media reporters present, believe that "Croatian Rhapsody" is an absolutely world-class masterpiece, surpassing "Dawn Night Lament" significantly.
Even if Lin Tian’s performance level is slightly less competent, it doesn’t change this fact.
But Nishikawa Yuubei advanced.
If Lin Tian hadn’t advanced.....
It would have been embarrassing!
At that time, the media reports would turn into:
"Dawn Night Lament" advanced, "Croatian Rhapsody" didn’t advance.
But they are the same type of composition.
In the future, if "Croatian Rhapsody" truly becomes immortalized.
In the next hundred or even thousand years, whenever someone extols this composition, they would be informed.
Oh, this is the composition that, in its first performance at the 2025 Xiao Bang International Piano Competition, was overshadowed by "Dawn Night Lament" and didn’t advance.
This would be very embarrassing!
Just like God of War 4 beating Red Dead Redemption 2 for the 2018 TGA Game of the Year.
In the coming decade, whenever someone praises Red Dead Redemption 2, they’d always bring out God of War 4 as a counter, but everyone doesn’t truly harbor malice against God of War 4, the main complaint is mostly directed at the foolish TGA.
Xiao Bang International doesn’t dare to gamble.
If "Croatian Rhapsody" indeed becomes immortalized, it might end up being criticized for several hundred years.
Even in a commonly known exhibition match, they dare not make it look so bad.
This is why Lin Tian advanced.
This is the view of some netizens.
However, now it’s quite unsettling for Nishikawa Yuubei.
Everyone now assumes, even when Lin Tian’s performance level is less competent than Nishikawa Yuubei, his composition actually beat him, and by a landslide.
In the future, whenever the grand pianist Nishikawa Yuubei showcases his original compositions brightly in competitions... people will recall that there once was a genius musician named Lin Tian, whose masterpiece crushed him.
Therefore, in Nishikawa Yuubei’s piano career, there could very well be a cloud named "Lin Tian" always looming over his head.
Every step forward would.....
Anybody in this position would likely explode.
This is also why Japanese netizens are so infuriated.
[(It was just a lucky shot, Mr. Xichuan will definitely make a comeback in the finals!)]
[(Just a newcomer who doesn’t seem to have great performance skills, not worth mentioning!)]
[(Exactly, performance skills are lacking! Plus there isn’t concrete proof yet that the composition is written by him, right? Mr. Xichuan’s real opponent still needs to be Mr. Burke...)]
Japanese netizens are seizing on Lin Tian’s "lack of performance skills" and "the composition may not have been written by himself" to attack vehemently on Twitter.
The confrontation between Lin Tian and Nishikawa Yuubei became intense on Twitter.
Some extreme remarks... Lin Tian found it hard to hold back when he read them.
Lin Tian put down his phone, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Could it be that after offending Nishikawa Yuubei, as soon as he leaves here, he’ll face extreme Japanese fans once more and enter another battle?
At this moment, a voice sounded.
Lin Tian turned his head.
A man in a white suit broke the silence of the lounge and walked forward.
Lin Tian had just watched his performance, and knew his name—
"Last time we weren’t in the same lounge, now I finally get to speak with you."
Nishikawa Yuubei smiled kindly as he walked up.
The Chinese of this grand pianist was unexpectedly pretty good.
"My name is Nishikawa Yuubei, I wonder if Mr. Lin Tian has seen my performance, last time I also performed a rhapsody on stage."
Nishikawa Yuubei humbly introduced himself.
Even though he previously made the other party lose face online, and had just brushed past many tweets praising him while belittling Nishikawa Yuubei, now with the person himself coming forward, Lin Tian felt a bit awkward.
"Mr. Lin Tian, your ’Croatian Rhapsody’ from last time was excellent! I went back and practiced it for a while myself. It truly is a very, very exceptional piece! Worthy of my learning!"
Nishikawa Yuubei spoke sincerely and earnestly.
Lin Tian replied politely.
Unexpectedly, this person turned out to be quite straightforward.
No wonder at the welcome party, that guy had so many people around him; it’s not just his strength, but also his social skills and popularity seem good.
By reason, Lin Tian should politely reciprocate and say "your piece" was also good... but he just couldn’t muster it.
While chatting with Du Bianwu, he had already given an evaluation—not very impressive.
Following Lin Tian’s thanks, the air momentarily became silent.
Nishikawa Yuubei’s expression was noticeably a bit awkward.
After adjusting for a few seconds, he smiled again,
"Oh! It’s just a pity, my piece last time collided with your genre, couldn’t match your skills, couldn’t compare in quality, got overshadowed!"
Given the subjectivity of music, being willing to admit oneself as less skilled, especially when facing a junior, is quite unusual.
Such an open-hearted pianist, Lin Tian rarely encountered; no wonder he attracts many fans!
Upon hearing this, Lin Tian finally stood up from his chair, offering respect to the formidable pianist before him,
"Mr. Xichuan, no offense meant last time, it wasn’t intentional."
"This time, I wrote a piece in a very niche genre, we won’t collide again!"
Nishikawa Yuubei’s expression was somewhat surprised, seemingly at long last receiving a long-awaited answer.
Even though Xiao Bang International hadn’t disclosed the list of compositions by contestants.
However, the piece Lin Tian brought out this time was indeed very niche.
Moreover, in this Pop Music dominated competition, it was unthinkably rare.
There couldn’t be any colleagues.
"Although it’s a bit of a pity, not being able to compete with you once again....."
Nishikawa Yuubei made an effort to show a regretful expression,
Then, smilingly said,
"But I’m very happy to enjoy the finals with you! Mr. Lin Tian!"
With that, Nishikawa Yuubei extended his hand,
"Let’s work well together!"
Lin Tian shook it, nodding,
"Let’s work well together."