Chapter 11
Chapter 11
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Anton Tilberg Piano Competition (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The notes, like the summer sun, wrapped my soul in gold, leaving behind an eternal trace.
As a princess, no, as a human, I could not help but be captivated by Anton Tilberg's music.
-Elise Flovitz
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The musical score containing the princess's recommendation immediately became a hot topic.
The first 100 copies sold out in less than a day.
They had to rush to print more.
"You can't even play an instrument, so why are you buying the scorebook?"
"As a souvenir."
The first edition of Anton Tilberg's scorebook.
It even contained a recommendation from Her Highness the Princess herself.
There was nothing that stimulated the collecting desire of the nobles more than this.
Victor Korsolin's collection of performance pieces, which had held the bestseller spot for months, was pushed to the back in the blink of an eye.
"I am amazed by your foresight, Young Master. Why don't you try starting a business?"
"Haha."
The better the scorebook sold, the brighter Edward's expression became.
He was undoubtedly the happiest person right now.
Over the course of a week, hundreds of scorebooks had been sold, and the money he earned by delegating the sales rights to me alone exceeded 100 gold.
Of course, most of that would come into my hands, but it was a good start.
If I continued to publish scorebooks like this, I might even make more profit than the theater.
Needless to say, the situation was so unrealistic that it even surprised him, a capitalist.
"How is the preparation for the performance competition coming along?"
So, it was time to execute the next plan.
As a side note, the word 'competition' didn't exist in this world.
Therefore, the name had to be corrected.
The name was 'Anton Tilberg's Piano Performance Competition'.
It was a bit ridiculous, but the vibe was similar, so it didn't matter.
The theme was naturally the pieces from my scorebook.
"We can start right away."
I immediately asked Edward to post the announcement.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The day of the competition arrived.
We rented the theater and set up the venue.
"Is it really okay for me to sit here?"
Count Harborland asked awkwardly.
There was a reason I had him sit in the judge's seat.
Most of the participants were nobles or their children. If I, the son of a baron, judged them alone, how ridiculous would that be?
Even if I have the status of a 'performer', I need to be prepared.
It's better to avoid situations where people can find fault.
These people are experts at nitpicking.
"Just give a short impression."
"I will do my best."
"Well then, let's begin!"
The method was for each person to come up on stage and show their performance one by one.
I was curious to see how much they had practiced.
It would be a bonus if I could find a hidden gem here.
The first performer called appeared.
"I am Leah Dresel of the Dresel Duchy."
"...Huh?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
My first encounter with her was not a pleasant one.
She had not only pressured Edward by offering sponsorship but also stalked his carriage.
Because of her status as a ducal family's lady, I couldn't even stand up to her.
It was a truly troublesome situation, and now I was meeting her again like this.
And at a competition I was hosting.
"...Ah, then you can start... please start."
I was so flustered I couldn't speak properly.
She sat in front of the piano with a confident gesture and started banging on the keys.
Just from the intro melody, it was Grieg's Arietta from my scorebook.
A lyrical piece full of romantic atmosphere.
It's a little over a minute long with a simple technique, so it's loved by beginners.
Not to mention its flowing and beautiful melody.
But.
"Anton. What on earth is this music?"
"I don't know either."
Can such easy and sweet music be ruined this much?
Except for the first part, you could call it a completely new creation.
It was fortunate that the piece was short.
I almost got tired from the very beginning of the competition.
Leah Dresel finished her performance and got up from her seat.
"I will give my evaluation after all participants have finished. I listened well. Thank you."
As soon as I finished speaking, she walked away with a satisfied expression.
She was completely immersed in her own world.
"Let's call the next person quickly."
"That would be for the best."
Soon, a young girl took the stage.
"Oh."
She was the lady of a local baron's family who had visited my mansion on the evening of the public recital.
I vividly remembered her being happy to receive the score.
She sat down and started playing, twisting her body shyly.
Her choice of piece was, as expected, Schubert, Moments Musicaux No. 3.
It was quite cute to watch her hit the keys diligently with her small hands.
It was a bit stiff, but not bad.
She seemed to have practiced diligently.
If she grows a little more, she might become a decent performer.
I'll keep an eye on her for now.
Next.
"I'm in your care."
"...Yes."
An old gentleman walked out.
Just by his clothes, he seemed to be a high-ranking noble.
His short, golden hair, swept back, had a glossy sheen, and his sturdy build was like a relocated ancient tree.
From just this, it was hard to guess his age, but the wrinkles on his face told the story of his long life.
He looked to be at least seventy.
"He is the head of the Montella Duchy. He is famous for being the Crown Prince's academy teacher."
"...What?"
Why is a person like that here?
Count Harborland suddenly got up from his seat and bowed to the old duke standing in front of the piano.
I had no choice but to follow suit.
"We are in your care."
"Haha."
The old duke laughed kindly and immediately began to play.
Träumerei.
It's a piece from Schumann's album 'Kinderszenen', also a short piece.
Naturally, it has no difficult techniques and is famous for its soft and elegant melody.
"The piece is good, but Your Grace's skill is also excellent."
"I think so too."
There were occasional missed notes, but his fundamentals were so outstanding that it didn't hinder the appreciation.
Not to mention the personal interpretation filled with the weight of his years.
'Definitely.'
Until recently, there was a problem with the music of this world.
There was a general lack of understanding of harmony.
Consonant chords didn't exist at all, and the melody continued in an unstable state throughout.
Without a definition and perception of 'pleasant' music, no matter how excellent their performance skills were, their cultural development was at a standstill.
In the meantime, I spread proven masterpieces in the form of scorebooks, so it was obvious where their thirst would lead.
It was like giving a tool to a craftsman.
'It wasn't that their skills were terrible; it was just that the music was mediocre.'
You could tell just by listening to that old duke's performance.
These people have the potential to draw wonderful pictures if you just give them good paper and paint.
"It was truly wonderful."
I greeted him with courtesy.
The old duke smiled slightly, raising the corners of his mouth, and then descended from the stage.
It was getting to the end.
A few more participants came up after that.
They all had decent skills, but my mind had been made up long ago.
"So far, the Duke of Montella's performance is the best."
"I agree."
"The last performance is..."
A young man who looked to be my age came up.
"Huh?"
His attire was rather plain.
Brown hair and blue eyes.
His appearance was handsome, but his clothes were practically rags.
'Is he a laborer?'
I was more surprised than when I met the old duke.
Music was originally a hobby for the nobles.
A commoner wouldn't even have a chance to touch a piano.
"I am Erdi Bilet, a newspaper delivery boy in the capital."
A newspaper delivery boy again?
It can't be that the princess is in disguise again, right?
I'll have to ask for details after listening to the performance.
The man who introduced himself as Erdi Bilet sat in front of the piano.
His fingers moved violently on the keys.
Huh?
'Who is this guy?'
It's not Schumann, not Schubert, not Grieg, not Dvořák.
'William Tell Overture?'
I never even published the score for that piece.
I haven't even completed it myself because it's too hard to reproduce perfectly.
But.
'He's imitating it, albeit clumsily.'
From the middle, you could say it's almost a new piece of music, but he continues the development while maintaining the theme melody with a suitable rhythm.
I was so dumbfounded I couldn't speak.
'Did he copy this after hearing it just once?'
If someone had seen my expression, they might have burst out laughing, asking what was wrong with me.
Count Harborland was also shocked.
I thought the shock ended with the Duke of Montella.
A more outrageous guy appeared.
I couldn't control my rising emotions.
'I found him!'
That was my first meeting with Erdi.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
I will announce the winners.
This time, I had the participants sit in the audience seats and I went up on stage.
They all maintained a calm expression, but their nervousness was evident.
If I drag it out, I might get lynched, so I should finish quickly.
"3rd place, Sisley Boel!"
The baron's lady I had my eye on.
The Schubert piece she played was quite accomplished.
The length of the notes was inconsistent like a child's, but I liked how she struck the keys with great joy.
"Thank you!"
I handed her the certificate I had asked Edward to prepare in advance.
I wanted to make trophies, but I gave up because the production cost was quite high.
I should save what I can.
"Next is 2nd place. Congratulations, Duke of Montella."
"Hahaha."
The old duke laughed sheepishly and came up on stage.
After receiving the certificate, he offered me a handshake.
"Your performance pieces are all really wonderful."
"Thank you."
"Thanks to you, I had fun."
The Duke of Montella's skill was at the level of a professional performer.
There was no doubt about it.
"Next is 1st place!"
A tension filled the theater.