Please, come home and practice the piano

Chapter 1251, Section 471: Encore [Part 1]

An encore, also known as an encore performance, means that after performing all the pieces on the program, the performer returns to the stage to play a few more pieces for the audience.

It's kind of like a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

Audiences pay for tickets as a sign of support and trust in the performers, and the performers then give back by performing encores, which is the most direct way to give back to the audience.

How many additional songs the performers will perform depends on the situation.

The number of encore pieces is usually determined based on the atmosphere of the performance.

If the audience responds enthusiastically to the performance, the performers should consider performing more songs.

Conversely, if the atmosphere at the scene is not great, the performers can simply return once as a formality.

When Ang Lee designed the encore music for the car, he took into account many factors and designed two encore tracks for the car.

In his view, both of these pieces showcased Xiaoche's playing style.

Secondly, the encore should be lighthearted and cheerful, and these two pieces fit that tone.

He thought these two songs would be more than enough.

Xiao Che is basically just a kid, yet the audience is so enthusiastic that they keep making a kid who's not really famous go back and forth.

That was what Ang Lee thought at the time. In his opinion, although the car was somewhat famous in Chengdu and had even scored six perfect scores in the Xiao competition, it was really not worth mentioning when it was placed on the stage of the Grand Theater.

Even though he had imagined that the car might win over some of the audience, who could have imagined that the audience would go crazy like this?

Once the audience displays this kind of enthusiasm, then the atmosphere at the event has been successfully created.

Let alone a child, even a truly big shot would feel embarrassed to just give up so easily.

We have to satisfy the audience.

Professional pianists make a living this way, and unless there are special circumstances, who would dare to disrespect the audience?

Although Xiao Che is only a junior high school student, her role tonight is that of a soloist.

The audience doesn't care about that; they bought tickets to be here.

So Ang Lee decided to add another song to the car to avoid things getting chaotic later.

Can the "Doll Waltz" still be played?

Ang Lee immediately thought of this song; its melody is beautiful and humorous, perfect for creating a heartwarming scene of parting.

"Yes!" The little car immediately understood what the teacher meant.

Ang Lee confirmed again: "Are you sure?"

Xiao Che nodded. Although she was feeling excited, she remained calm.

This was one of her key practice pieces for the Xinghai Cup Chengdu Division competition, and she still occasionally uses it to find her tone.

"it is good!"

As Ang Lee spoke, he and his staff clapped, saying, "Get ready."

Tang Xiaoxing: "Go, Linlin!"

Little Car: "Okay! Little Star, could you get the flowers for me first?"

"Wow——————"

After much anticipation, when Arlene reappeared on stage, the applause from the audience seemed to intensify.

Everyone, whether they know her or not, has to say this girl is amazing, she plays so well.

From Glinka to Schumann, the young girl created countless beautiful moments for the audience tonight.

Now that the girl is back on stage, everyone is even more excited.

What encore song will she play?
The tracks on the tracklist are what everyone can see, and now it feels a bit like opening a blind box.

Uncertainty always inspires some imagination.

Generally speaking, soloists usually do not perform works by composers that have appeared on the official program when they return for an encore.

So, after excluding Glinka, Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Mozart, and Schumann, the audience was pleasantly surprised to find Beethoven, Liszt, Chopin, and so on.

chopin!

It's definitely Chopin!
Looking at Che Lin, who was already sitting at the piano, Xiao Jingchen had a strong premonition.

Che Lin can play Chopin! All the young audience members who had participated in the Little Chopin Competition thought that Che Lin was about to play Chopin.

However, when the applause subsided and the piano music began, they were all stunned.

It's Little Star! Che Lin actually brought Little Star back for a comeback.
Xie Qianzheng looked at the stage and chuckled to himself, "Okay."

The old man's smile deepened as he listened; what he played for the encore was not important to him.

The important thing is how well you play it.

You played it well.

Tang Zhongfu sighed inwardly after only hearing the beginning, realizing that the real challenge was to make this kind of short tune stand out.

Gradually, as one variation after another unfolded around the theme, the audience belatedly realized the beauty of the piece.

Sun Wenjun, who came in second in Group C, was dissatisfied with Che Lin's six perfect scores.

Even after listening to the entire program for today's performance, she was still unconvinced, believing that she could also perform these pieces perfectly on stage.

But even now, hearing Che Lin play "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," she felt a sense of powerlessness.

why?
Sun Wenjun couldn't help but be moved by the music, as if she were experiencing a journey through the starry sky.

Why was Che Lin able to bring out such a high-quality feel in this piece? Sun Wenjun really doesn't understand.

Sitting next to her, her senior, Li Mingze, was completely smitten. Although he was a little unhappy that his performance in September, which was a collaboration with the China International Exchange Association, had been replaced, he really didn't feel any resentment at being replaced by such a young girl.

Li Mingze and his junior sister felt similarly; he was also very curious about how the imagery in the music came about—it was amazing.

The answer to where this vivid imagery comes from is naturally found in the Star Returns Grand Theater.

The little car played "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" as background music for the entire stage play, but the effort the little car put into this piece was something the audience could not see.

“Ding—”

When the final variation arrived, Arlene, sitting in front of the piano, seemed to be transported back to that great forest, the Zebra Pianist reappearing.

"Wow————————"

As the music ended, applause erupted again from the audience, with enthusiastic viewers already calling for an encore.

Rolf applauded along with all the audience members, delighted to hear the young girl play Mozart again before the concert ended.

Of all the pieces on the program today, the one that left the deepest impression on him was Mozart K.333 in the second half.

It was in this piece of music that he heard the extraordinary qualities of this gifted young girl.

Sharp, precise, and elusive touches defy conventional aesthetic norms surrounding Mozart's music.

What Rolf found most valuable was that the young girl dared to express her own insights at a free tempo when playing Mozart, with her breaths and pauses acting as two bright spots that made the whole work shine.

Although he felt there were still many shortcomings, such as a lack of mastery in grasping the overall structure and a slight immaturity in the flow of emotion.

But the other party is just a girl who is not even fourteen years old.

Rolf has even begun to care about the girl's future path in life.

"Wow————————"

The car, which bowed and returned backstage, didn't keep the audience waiting long before returning to the stage amidst applause.

When Rolf heard Chopin playing, his expression became even more complex.

This song perfectly fits the characteristics of an encore.

What's the special feature of an encore piece? No audience member dislikes watching a soloist showcase their virtuosity.

Lin's King Puppy Waltz once again took to the stage in a frenzy.

For a moment, the group of C contestants in the audience seemed to be transported back to that night's competition.

If we're talking about coolness, no one could beat contestant number 01's "Puppy Waltz" that night.

"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The ten fingers on the keyboard moved so fast they left afterimages.

Arlene started playing in front of the piano.

"A young man who isn't reckless is a wasted youth," so having a go at it is no big deal.

(End of this chapter)