Please, come home and practice the piano

Chapter 1328, Section 548: The Highest Praise? Yunxi, Yunxi, here I come!
"Just kidding around."

Grandpa Tang turned his head to the side, and said rather seriously, "Is command something that a child this age can understand?"

Ang Lee: "That's true."

Grandpa Tang continued, "If you don't allow him to treat it like a game, how should you expect him to behave?"

Ang Lee: Yes, yes.

Grandpa Tang: "Xiao Xing sent me a video of the choir competition. I watched the conducting segment with Wang Xiaohu. I came here to tell you that this kid has talent in conducting. I can't say how much, but he has it in his bones."

Ang Lee chuckled: "Isn't your evaluation of him a bit too high? But I don't know much about conducting. In terms of overall music, he can be considered to have some talent, but he can't compare to Xiaoxing Linlin."

“You’re not an expert on that,” Old Master Tang said, refuting Ang Lee’s statement. “Conducting requires not only musical talent, but also linguistic talent, the language of the body. It is a completely different system from what we often call musical talent.”

Ang Lee: "I'd like to hear your explanation."

Grandpa Tang: "Take Yun'er for example. You haven't seen the videos of Yun'er practicing conducting in her early days. Her movements are fine, her rhythm is fine, her guidance is fine, there's nothing wrong with her. But when she stands on the conductor's platform, she gives people the feeling that she can't blend with the music."

“She and the band were separate, although the band always followed her, but you couldn’t see the image of a conductor in her.”

“I knew then that she didn’t have the talent for commanding.”

"But through the video, I saw the image of a commander in Wang Xiaohu."

"First of all, his actions are not confined to the spotlight of the conductor's podium. As you said, he's just having fun. He doesn't care what the audience thinks of him; his attention is entirely on the music."

"Over the past two hundred years, the discipline of command has also developed. If we summarize all the changes in command actions in this century, we will find a very clear evolutionary process: increasing complexity."

Ang Lee: "Gestures?"

Mr. Tang: "It's not just the gestures, but also all sorts of dramatic movements, as if they were completely choreographed."

"In the early stages, the command process was very simple: transmitting signals."

"Of course, there are many reasons for this change, the main one being the development of media and television, including the promotion of the image of ancient music."

Ang Lee: "Yes, as society develops, people's thoughts and feelings also change, and it is unrealistic to expect art to remain unaffected."

Mr. Tang: "That's exactly what I mean. So you see, young conductors today have solid musical skills, good temperament and image, and are proficient in the changes of works in certain periods. If you watch their rehearsal process, you will find that they are already very skilled."

"But when you look closely at their gestures, there are too many meaningless movements."

"For musicians, this is a disaster."

Ang Lee: "Indeed, I have also noticed that some young conductors seem to focus too much on their own presence on the podium."

Mr. Tang: "So the result is just like Yun'er's, the conducting and the music were separated, which is the inability to control the music."

"Wang Xiaohu's gestures are very simple, you could say there are no superfluous movements. From the video, I feel that he even consciously simplified his gestures in some places."

"This is my second point: conducting requires subtraction. If you can guide the music with one finger, you should never use two."

"Sometimes this makes the music more convincing."

“I remember it very clearly. There was a piano interlude where he wanted the music to sink down and build up the emotion. According to the textbook, he should have used a natural legato hand gesture in a low hand position.”

As he spoke, Grandpa Tang couldn't help but chuckle. "You probably didn't even notice at the time, but do you remember what he did during the piano interlude?"

Ang Lee: "I really can't remember, but I do remember the part you mentioned. The song was beautifully sung after the performance by the scholar."

Grandpa Tang said, "This kid is too smart. I don't believe any teacher would teach him like this. He made a light horizontal motion with his left hand, completely disregarding the previous gestures. In a measure of four beats, he only made this one movement."

"It gives the music a sense of slowing down, but in reality the piano melody doesn't slow down. However, to the audience, the music creates an exciting effect."

Ang Lee: "They lined up here backstage."

Grandpa Tang: "How can you go on stage without rehearsing? If I'm not mistaken, he choreographed that song, right?"

Ang Lee: Yes.

Grandpa Tang laughed: "That's right, he must have arranged it. That's why he dared to make such a gesture when the pianist wasn't even looking at him. Because at that moment, the fact that he was standing there represented the piece."

"That's my last point: he has absolute confidence in the music he rehearses."

"Without absolute self-confidence, one cannot become a commander."

“It even requires arrogance.”

Ang Lee couldn't help but laugh. "Speaking of which, this kid is indeed not lacking in confidence. When I asked him if he could rehearse this piece, he said it was necessary."

"Ha ha ha ha."

Grandpa Tang's laughter was full of appreciation.

Ang Lee: "But to be fair, there's one thing I particularly admire about Wang Xiaohu's approach to conducting: he can sit with Bach's four choral scores from morning until two or three in the afternoon, completely absorbed in them, and won't even eat when called to."

Grandpa Tang nodded, his eyes once again showing appreciation.

Ang Lee: "Before rehearsing any new piece, he must thoroughly study the score in advance. During breaks, self-study periods, and evening training, he would hold the score with him whenever he had time."

Grandpa Tang sighed, "What a promising talent! Is he taking lessons from Yongbo now?"

Ang Lee: "No, no, it's with a teacher who came back from Berlin. You probably don't know him. His name is Qin Yong. He's been studying with me for over a year. Occasionally, Brother Bo will let him listen to me."

Grandpa Tang: "This Teacher Qin is quite good."

Ang Lee: "Yes, but when I was preparing for the New Ocean Cup, he was the one who handled the orchestral part of my concerto."

Grandpa Tang: "What are your plans for Wang Xiaohu's next move?"

ten minutes later.

"You're becoming as good a teacher as your father."

After hearing the whole story of Wang Xiaohu's departure abroad, Grandpa Tang nodded repeatedly: "He really should have left sooner. Have you made all the arrangements over there? If you need any help, just let me know. I still have a few old friends who are still alive."

An old friend who is still alive.
Ang Lee almost spoke up, but then changed his mind and gave up: "Thank you, but I still think, well, like you said, let's just go and have some fun."

moment.

Mr. Tang nodded again, and said with some emotion, "You're right. There's a part of the road he has to walk on his own, just like Yun'er."

Ang Lee: "Just pretend you don't know anything about this."

Grandpa Tang: "Understood. What are the arrangements for the next two days? Yanqiu said the opening ceremony will be held the day after tomorrow morning."

Ang Lee: "Yes, everyone will be here by tomorrow afternoon. We'll have a welcome party and icebreaker games tomorrow night to help all the kids get used to things. We'll officially start the day after tomorrow."

Grandpa Tang: "Nothing much to do tonight."

Ang Lee: "After eating and drinking, would you like to take a stroll around the city tonight?"

Grandpa Tang: "No, no, no, we'll talk about it later. It's too hot. Are you going home tonight?"

Ang Lee: "We've brought all our luggage. We'll rehearse the opening ceremony tomorrow morning. We'll need your help to check out their performances."

Grandpa Tang laughed: "With Tiger Boy around, I'll have a good laugh tomorrow."

Just then, the car stereo started ringing with a phone call.

"Uncle Tang, please wait a moment."

As he spoke, Ang Lee answered the phone, "Old Tang."

On the phone, it said, "We've arrived!"

Ang Lee: You guys are fast! We're almost there too, only three kilometers left. You can take them in and check them in first.

After hanging up with Lao Tang, Li An received a call from Xiao Bei's mother: "Teacher Li, Marco's mother and I are at the door."

"Teacher, we've arrived!"

Hearing the two children's voices on the phone, Li An smiled and said, "Wait a moment, I'll have someone come pick you up."

After hanging up with Xiao Bei's mother, Li An sent Lao Tang a voice message: "Xiao Bei and the others have arrived at the gate. Hurry up and find someone to pick them up." In the blink of an eye, the three-kilometer journey was over, and Li An and his group arrived at Yunxi Mountain Villa.

"So beautiful!"

As soon as they got off the bus, the children from Yanjing took out their phones and started taking pictures.

Looking out, the rolling, verdant mountains seem to embrace the resort.

The mountain is covered with layers of lush, verdant trees, exuding the elegance and gentleness of the Jiangnan landscape.

Upon closer inspection, a crystal-clear stream flows out from the valley and meanders through the mountain village.

"This river is called Yunxi River."

Ang Lee explained to everyone, "This is the origin of Yunxi Mountain Villa."

Although this wasn't Mr. X's first visit, he always felt refreshed and invigorated whenever he came here.

"It's really great!"

"Hahahaha!"

Amidst laughter and conversation, the group headed towards the resort area.

The banks of the stream are paved with bluestone slabs, and every few steps there are a few rustic stone benches.

Wang Xiaohu and his group of children walked ahead, their feet clattering on the bluestone slabs.

"Be careful, kids!" a parent shouted.

Boss X: "It's alright, the stream is shallow. We soaked our feet here last time, it was very comfortable."

Finally, after crossing a lawn, the hotel entrance came into view.

The hotel building is built against the mountain, and the glass curtain wall frames the entire forest into the lobby.

The entire building seems to grow out of the earth, with metal lines and wooden grilles outlining a unique beauty of nature.

Wang Xiaohu had already spotted Xiao Bei, Miao Hengrui, and the others standing at the main gate from afar.

"Liu Zige!"

"Yu Xiaobei!"

"team leader!!!"

"Meng Youxi!!!"

"Vice Captain!!!"

"Sweetie!!"

Summer camp hasn't even started yet, but it seems like last year's group assignments have already begun.

Children looking for children, teachers looking for teachers.
As usual, Ang Lee and Han Wang gave each other a bear hug, just like they did before parting ways last year.

"Brother Yan, it's been a long time."

"Long time no see, we have to have a couple of bites tonight."

"Haha, I've been waiting for a year."

Old Charlie and Sitaia were already old friends of everyone, and Ang Lee gave a separate introduction for Novak.

But young Mao seemed to be searching for something.

Ang Lee thought Novak might need to use the restroom, but when he asked, he burst out laughing.

The group of children didn't know what Teacher Li was laughing about. Miao Hengrui asked Xiao Bei in a low voice, and Xiao Bei said that he didn't know either.

"Professor Novak is looking for pandas."

As Tang Xiaoxing finished speaking, the children almost burst into tears of laughter.

Novak once again felt what enthusiasm was, laughing loudly with the children, their voices echoing through the mountains.

While waiting for Wu Zening's team, everyone checked into their accommodations.

Mr. Tang and the three foreign professors are all in single rooms on the fifth floor. The remaining allocation is basically the same as last year, with the children mainly in triple rooms.

Wang Xiaohu will still be sharing a room with Liu Fengrui and Marco this year, but Liu Fengrui won't be arriving until tomorrow.

Next door are Xiao Che, Xiao Bei, and Qiao Zhizhi; Qiao Zhizhi won't arrive until tomorrow.

"This year, my senior sister will be living with Zhang Ya Hui and Wang Ruo Xuan."

Xiao Bei went into the room and asked Xiao Che which bed he wanted. "Linlin, you choose first."

"I'm fine with anything, but how about we ask Zhizhi first?" Xiao Che suggested.

Xiao Bei had already thought of it. She immediately took out her phone, filmed a short video of the room, and sent it to Qiao Zhizhi. "Zhizhi, you choose first!"

Less than ten seconds later, Qiao Zhizhi replied via voice message: "I'm fine with either of you! You and Sister Linlin choose first!"

Xiao Bei gave a speechless look, then chuckled and said, "If neither of you chooses, then I won't be polite."

As she spoke, Xiao Bei lay back on the bed closest to the door, exclaiming, "I'm so happy!"

Xiao Che smiled and sat down on the middle bed. "Xiao Bei, are you going to stay in group one this year?"

Xiao Bei sat up upon hearing this, her eyes filled with doubt: "Will the group assignments from last year still be the same this year?"

Xiao Che: "It seems that students can keep their original teams, and then new students can choose which team they want to join during the icebreaker game."

Xiao Bei: "Did the teacher say that?"

The little car grinned: "I overheard the teacher making that phone call the other day."

Xiao Bei: "What if I don't want to switch teams?"

Xiao Che: "It should be okay, I didn't hear the teacher mention this. What, you don't want to be on the same team as Miao Hengrui and Lu Hanwen anymore?"

Xiao Bei hesitated and said, "It's not that I don't want to, but I also want to be in a group with you this time. Linlin, will you choose to stay in Group Four?"

Little Car: "Yeah, this time I'm going to get my revenge!"

Xiao Bei burst into laughter: "Do we really have to defeat Group Five?!"

Car: "Absolutely!"

Xiao Bei: "Speaking of which, our group also had a chance to achieve a better ranking last year! Let's continue to fight as rivals!"

The two little girls each extended their fists and gently touched them together.

"Go Linlin!"

"Go, Xiao Bei!"

"So what exactly is this icebreaker game?"

"It seems like there's some kind of black and white keys escape."

"Huh? What game is this? It sounds really interesting."

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Xiao Bei jumped out of bed to open it.

"Senior Sister! Ya Hui!"

"Hello, Xiao Bei."

Zhang Ya Hui's voice was still soft and sweet, but she was no longer as afraid to make eye contact when speaking as before.