Chapter 966 - 976: Competition (Part 1)
Chapter 966: Chapter 976: Competition (Part 1)
When the host shouted ’one’, among the eight contestants, seven did not know who drew the number ’one’.
You look at me, I look at you, the last white contestant, with a somewhat frustrated expression, walked toward the stage.
She is from Iceland, a primary school piano teacher, which could also be considered amateur.
However, she is formidable, having defeated so many countries.
It’s like how Iceland entered the World Cup and even defeated several teams.
The most critical thing is, there are really few people there!
It seems like it’s around three hundred thousand.
Compared to our vast nation of Huaxia, it’s on a completely different scale.
Yet, they’re just so capable!
Not only did they make it to the World Cup, but now, they have also entered the international piano competition.
Bear in mind, there are only eight contestants.
Only eight countries!
Isn’t that impressive!
As for why she’s so nervous now, it’s not due to a lack of skill, but because the order affects the judges’ scoring.
Like, the first to play and the last to play, the last one certainly has the advantage.
After all, the last leaves the deepest impression on the judges.
Even if the judges make records initially, it cannot change human hearing.
Actually, deciding the top three based on this rule is quite unreasonable.
However, since the rules are jointly decided by the judges, the contestants cannot defy them, otherwise, it would be a slap on the judges’ faces.
If you insult them, would they give you a high score?
The Icelandic girl took the stage, said nothing and immediately sat down on the bench.
Her performance piece was ’A Maiden’s Prayer’.
This piece is by Polish female pianist and composer T. Badarzewska, composed when she was 18; its overall structure is simple, with a naive approach, cheerful and light, fully expressing a maiden’s mindset, filled with dreams and reverie, brimming with beautiful hopes for youth and love.
Very few can perform this piece with a complete representation of such emotions.
Of course, the piece is relatively easy to begin with; anyone who learns piano can play it.
As the music started, the entire concert hall became extremely quiet.
Even the nine internationally renowned judges listened attentively.
From time to time, they nodded their heads.
Evidently, they highly recognized this Icelandic contestant.
Lin Xi also nodded and directly commented, "Can achieve half of the original pianist’s level!"
In reality, he wasn’t belittling her but felt she could achieve half completion of this piano piece.
Just half is already quite incredible.
After all, she did not create this piece, and given that the original pianist was a remarkable figure.
Otherwise, the piece wouldn’t be renowned through the ages.
"What kind of person!"
"Exactly!"
"Clearly already perfect, yet claimed to be only half!"
"Pretending to understand!"
"No wonder, otherwise, why would he have no tickets!"
"Also unsure how he got mixed in!"
A group of people around Lin Xi whispered complaints.
Originally, they didn’t intend to say anything, but in such a quiet environment, you’re critically evaluating here and there.
Mind you, the judges merely nodded without speaking.
Shouldn’t he know this would disturb those nearby?
Lin Xi smiled, pretended not to hear, and certainly stopped commenting on the Icelandic contestant.
About three or four minutes later, the Icelandic contestant finished her performance.
After bowing to the audience, she said nothing and retreated backstage.
At this moment, the judges picked up their notebooks, unsure if they were scoring or making notes, anyway looking very busy.
The host also appeared from a corner; after praising the Icelandic contestant, shared some little stories of what just happened, then called the second contestant.
The audience, contestants, judges, and even the host did not know who was up next.
Hm, one might say, only the concerned party knew it was their turn.
Shortly after, a black female contestant walked out from the backstage to the stage entrance.
Her facial expression did not reveal any noticeable change.
After all, she possessed innate potential.
Nonetheless, from her walking posture and hand movements, a hint of nervousness can be discerned.
The host obviously noticed.
She briefly comforted her, then left the stage, leaving it to her.
After sitting on the bench, she briefly introduced the piano piece she would perform and immediately focused on her performance.
As the piano music sounded, the concert hall quieted down once again.
Soon thereafter, Lin Xi shook his head, "Considerably inferior to the Icelandic girl!"
"Completion rate around two-fifths."
Although two-fifths and half might seem not too different, there is a substantial gap in piano performance.
Simultaneously, he received icy glares and warnings from those around him.
Certainly, Lin Xi acted as if he hadn’t noticed, maintaining silence thereafter.
The surrounding crowd murmured,
"Some people truly lack decency!"
"Exactly! Always interrupt our enjoyment!"
"Never heard of any halves and two-fifths before."
"Certainly talking nonsense, pretending to understand!"
The third performer was from the United States, moreover, a male.
The United States, the strongest and most domineering nation, striving for supremacy in all areas.
Indeed, they have the capability.
In fact, they dominate the Olympic Games, winning the most gold and medals.
In piano, though their history isn’t prolonged, many renowned figures have emerged over the past century.
"A little over half, considered the best among the three!" Lin Xi straightforwardly evaluated.
At this point, someone had communicated Lin Xi’s previous assessments.
Thus now, dozens glared at Lin Xi.
Those next to him remained irritated, but those afar jotted down Lin Xi’s remarks.
Whether nonsense or not, results would uncover in at most an hour.
They contemplated that he made evaluations within the first thirty seconds of each performance, with such certainty.
Could this person be an expert?
The fourth and fifth contestants held decent standards; to the general public, it was hard to discern superiority.
Though they couldn’t tell, Lin Xi provided evaluations.
As expected, within thirty seconds for these two, Lin Xi provided analysis.
By that time, more people looked toward Lin Xi, even the judges on stage noticed the anomaly.
The sixth contestant was Luo Susu.
She confidently ascended the stage, showing no sign of nervousness, exuding self-assurance.
Furthermore, she was familiar with procedures, presenting a seasoned appearance.
Moreover, she was the third last to appear.
She performed a Xia Country piece, with a history of several hundred years.
Her rendition completely transformed the familiar tones from everyone’s ears.
She injected not only historical flavor and stories but also contemporary and some modern nuances within.
This provided listeners a seamless experience.
"Impressive!"
"No wonder I have taught her!"
"In terms of completion, almost only a third; among all prior contestants, the weakest!"
"However..."
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Indeed, splendidly soothing, akin to hearing the latest hit rock song.