The God of Conducting Starting from Absolute Pitch

Chapter 373 High Risk, High Reward

Fu Diao looked at Chen Qiu with a gentle gaze, and the smile on his face was warm, giving Chen Qiu and Su Yue a feeling of being bathed in spring breeze.

But Qin Xian is different.

Even though he and Fu Diao were quite familiar with each other, Qin Xian still felt a little nervous when he saw Fu Diao for the first time.

This has nothing to do with the identities of the two people. It’s just because Qin Xian has listened to a lot of Fu Diao’s albums recently, and his attitude towards Fu Diao’s identity has gradually changed from being indifferent to him to having a bit of a star-chasing feeling.

Therefore, when he saw Fu Diao, he was a little hesitant, wondering whether he should ask Fu Diao for a signed album.

Fu Diao didn't know what Qin Xian was thinking. He just looked at Chen Qiu and spoke with a smile.

"Chen Qiu, welcome. How do you feel about coming to Salzburg?"

"very beautiful."

Chen Qiu nodded.

He looked past Fu Diao, towards the garden beside him, and said softly.

"This garden feels really good. The performance here should feel really good, right?"

"of course."

Fu Diao couldn't help but laugh when he heard it.

He reached out and slowly pressed the keys on the piano in front of him. A soft melody floated from his hands and surrounded everyone.

He didn't look at the piano keys in front of him, nor did he look at Chen Qiu beside him.

His eyes just stared calmly in front of him.

It was as if he was looking at a non-existent Holy Spirit.

He spoke slowly.

“This is the place where I got my first chance to perform at the Salzburg Concert. At that time, I didn’t come here to play alone, but I was accompanied by a few friends of mine. I don’t know if you have heard of their names.”

"friend?"

"Yeah, Taha, Mira, Camilo."

Fu Diao read out the names of those people normally, and then said casually.

"At that time, like Su Yue, I was a little-known pianist. I also easily got the opportunity to perform at the Salzburg Music Festival. Similarly, I was not performing in the main segment."

"So what happened next? How did you get the qualification to perform?"

Chen Qiu looked at Fu Diao with curiosity.

He knew nothing about the history of Fu Diao.

He pulled two chairs from the side and handed them to Su Yue and Qin Xian, then grabbed another chair and sat not far from Fu Diao.

Just like a loyal listener.

He leaned back easily, leaning against the back of the chair, and raised his eyebrows.

"Have you also encountered a top symphony orchestra similar to ours?"

"Almost, but not like you."

Fu Diao shook his head and smiled at Chen Qiu.

"To be precise, a top musician was ill and couldn't perform, so I was given the opportunity to perform in his place. How was that? How did it feel?"

"..."

Chen Qiu was silent, and the look in his eyes when he looked at Fu Diao in front of him also became full of awe.

Normally, Fu Diao gave him the impression of being peaceful and not caring about anything, and Chen Qiu could always laugh and joke with him.

We are all brothers, no one is older than anyone else.

Chen Qiu is not afraid of Fu Diao.

But now, Fu Diao said he has obtained the qualification of a retired musician.

This feeling is completely different.

You have to know that being a substitute for a musician is a completely different feeling than performing by yourself.

As a substitute for that musician, everyone came to listen to that top musician.

Now this top musician is not on stage anymore, and has been replaced by another one that you may never have heard of.

In this case, how many people will cancel their tickets?
Even if the tickets are not refunded, how will everyone view this performing musician?

After all, everyone spends the same amount of money.

I could have spent 10 Euros to listen to a world-class T1 performance.

Now I still spend 10 euros, and you let me go to listen to a musician I have never heard of?

Unless this musician can convince me that his level is indeed similar to that of the previous world's T1 top musician.

Otherwise, I would definitely not let the organizing committee off so easily.

The pressure on the replacement is huge.

The pressure on the organizing committee is also great.

In this case, ordinary substitutions dominate.

Everyone performs normally, is criticized by some people normally, has a normal ending, ends the performance normally, returns to their previous lives, and then remains unknown.

Only a small number of people can, under such circumstances, replace the previous top powerhouse and get a chance to reach the top in one step.

This is what is called high risk and high return.

Being a world-class artist in this situation, no one is easy to deal with.

Everyone has his or her own specialties.

They are different from those musicians who grow step by step and gain traffic.

In fact, they were more like directly snatching the other party's luck and fighting their way out of the abyss step by step.

Is this Fu Diao?
Chen Qiu looked at Fu Diao with a hint of surprise and shock in his eyes.

Fu Diao didn't think much about it. He looked at Chen Qiu's surprised expression helplessly and sighed.

"No, you and I have been together for such a long time, don't you even know which fight made me famous?"

Chen Qiu immediately retorted: "How is that possible? Of course I know. I have listened to your "Fu Diao in the Ruhr" many times. It is super awesome!"

Fu Diao held his forehead.

"Don't mention this name. It always sounds like Fu Diao masturbating to me. It's awkward."

"But this is indeed your famous album, okay?"

"Yes, yes, but what should I say..."

Fu Diao had a conflicted expression, then he let out a click of his tongue.

"I actually prefer my set, which was performed in Salzburg. Although the recording of this set of albums was average, my performance was one of the few times I had a brilliant performance."

"Hmm? Your set in Salzburg includes the chamber music?"

"Of course not. If it were included, even though it sounds good, the rating would definitely drop by several points!"

"Tsk, you were saying you missed your companions at the beginning, and now you're talking bad about them, saying they're holding you back. Tsk, tsk, what a person you are!"

"I didn't say that, I just..."

Fu Diao, who had always been honest, was almost anxious because of Chen Qiu's words, and hurriedly tried to explain.

But looking at Chen Qiu's cunning eyes, I immediately realized that Chen Qiu was just joking.

He stood up reluctantly, closed the piano cover in his hand, and said to Chen Qiu.

"Forget it. Say whatever you want. I still quite like working with my teammates. You can go ask them. We have just collaborated on a few new works recently."

"Oh? Is the album out?"

"You have to bring up something that is not relevant, don't you?"

Fu Diao walked up to Chen Qiu, gently pushed Chen Qiu's head, then looked at Su Yue beside him, nodded slightly at her, and then continued to speak to Chen Qiu.

"Let's go, get ready, and I'll take you to the organizing committee to coordinate."

"okay!"

Chen Qiu nodded happily and winked at Su Yue and Qin Xian beside him. Then the two followed Chen Qiu and walked outside behind Fu Diao.

On the way outside, Fu Diao asked the three people behind him.

"By the way, where do you live now?"

"Because there are so many of us, we are staying in a small hotel near Salzburg. Although it is not in the city center of Salzburg, the surrounding environment is still good. What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just feel a little weird. I remember that Salzburg should have arranged accommodation for all the performers. The hotel is pretty good, it's the Sheraton under Marriott, and the scenery is amazing!"

When Fu Diao said this, he glanced at Su Yue behind him and asked Su Yue.

"Su Yue, did you receive it?"

"..."

Su Yue glanced at Fu Diao, then retracted her gaze and spoke lightly.

“The Sheraton Salzburg Hotel is located in the heart of Salzburg, facing Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens, and a 15-minute walk from Mozarts Birthplace, the Festspielhaus Theatre and Salzburg Cathedral.”

"Ok?"

Chen Qiu looked at Su Yue behind him, his eyes full of disbelief. "Wait? The people in Salzburg sent you an invitation letter and asked you to stay there? Why don't I have one?"

"Maybe it's because the band was added later and wasn't on the original list."

Su Yue sighed slightly and said to Chen Qiu.

"We can't help it. After all, we weren't the main performers at the beginning."

"Like this……"

Chen Qiu said in a daze.

Fu Diao on the side seemed somewhat happy, he said to Chen Qiu with a smile.

"I originally thought you guys were staying there too. I didn't expect people in Salzburg to be so stingy. Let me tell you, the scenery there is really beautiful. It's a pity you didn't see it."

Chen Qiu pointed at Fu Diao and warned, "No, Fu Diao, you're playing like this, right? I advise you not to provoke me. If you provoke me, I will pay for it even if it costs me money to live in!"

Fu Diao spread his hands: "Then you may not have a chance. The ordinary rooms have been taken away by the officials in Salzburg. There should only be some luxury suites or presidential suites left. Do you want to go in?"

"……forget it."

For the first time, Chen Qiu felt how painful it was to be without money.

If only I had money, I wouldn’t have to listen to Fu Diao’s ridicule in this place.

I can even become Fu Diao’s roommate and interact with the top musicians at the Salzburg Music Festival.

Thinking that the concert hall was full of musicians, Chen Qiu couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Fu Diao sighed as he led the way.

"But not this time. After your performance, when the organizing committee arranges your next performance, there should be some. After all, it was a last-minute decision, and it's not easy for them to conjure up some rooms for more than 50 people at the last minute."

"Just take what you said as right."

Chen Qiu sighed.

"As performers, don't we have any other benefits? We already have no house to live in. If there is nothing else, I feel like we might lose out on this trip!"

"There should be a recording of the performance, right? If the performance goes well, maybe it can be sold for a very good price?"

Fu Diao pondered.

"But these are all extra income. The organizing committee attaches great importance to you now. Because the performances in the previous two concerts made you a big hit with the organizing committee, they are still struggling. You can take this opportunity to have a good chat with the organizing committee."

Chen Qiu looked at Fu Diao in front of him with a little surprise, and then said seriously.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. After all, you and I are in the same group. I'm not very familiar with the people on the organizing committee."

Fu Diao smiled gently at Chen Qiu and continued.

"But do you know the Sea City Opera House Symphony Orchestra?"

Chen Qiu nodded: "Yes, I know, we have cooperated before, what's wrong?"

"They flipped the car over and flipped the big one."

Fu replied with a smile.

He led the two of them to the door of an office, and instead of letting them in, he stood at the door and gossiped to the three of them.

"It was like they performed a Mozart opera, The Marriage of Figaro, and then there were big problems with the coordination between the orchestra and the musicians, and they were heavily criticized by the critics."

"Music critics are slamming it? How many points?"

Qin Xian next to him asked curiously.

Fu Diao said in a low voice after looking around to see that there was no one around.

"60 points. The critic said that the music and the actors in the opera are perfectly separated. You can hear three different voices in one opera. It makes people wonder whether the symphony orchestra has really rehearsed, or whether they know what opera means."

"That's a bit harsh."

Chen Qiu nodded thoughtfully.

He thought of the Haicheng Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra and the additions to the Haicheng Opera House Symphony Orchestra.

It seems that this performance in Baden-Baden should be an attempt by Haicheng Opera House.

But it seems that this attempt was not very successful.

Unfortunately, it is not clear what this means for the Haicheng Opera House.

Chen Qiu just briefly glanced at the information about Haicheng Opera House in his mind, and then asked Fu Diao.

"By the way, are there any new reviews for our band?"

"The review of the monastery is out, 95 points, impeccable, incomparable interaction between the orchestra and the audience, as if the gods came to the world, and they completed a perfect street performance with the attitude of professional musicians."

Fu Diao looked at Chen Qiu and said with a smile.

"Congratulations, you have successfully conquered another city. Now there is only one last hurdle left. If you can overcome this, you will be able to rise to the top in Europe."

"A meteoric rise?"

"Yes, a meteoric rise to prominence!"

As Fu Diao's voice fell, the door of the office in front of them slowly opened, and a familiar-looking assistant poked his head out from inside, looked at Fu Diao, and hurriedly raised the document in his hand and whispered.

"Dr. Fu, I've already talked to the people at the Salzburg Music Festival and held a remote meeting with the management team. These are the conditions I set for the orchestra. Would you like to take a look?"

"Thank you."

Fu Diao took the document from Rebecca with a smile, and without even looking at it, handed it directly to Chen Qiu.

"Come here, Chen Qiu, this is the contract my agency negotiated for you. If you are willing to accept it, you can go in and sign the contract with them directly. If not, you can also accept our other version, which is the one behind your hand."

"High risk and high return, or low risk and low return, which one would you choose?"

Chen Qiu didn't say anything, but looked at the documents in his hand.

Just as Fu Diao said, the document in his hand almost represents high risk and high return.

If the recording of this performance can be selected into the Penguin annual record rating system, for example, at least get one star from Penguin, then Salzburg will cooperate with the Harmony Symphony Orchestra as an official partner.

In the future, the cooperation between the two parties will not be limited to the performances here.

If they can get two Penguin stars, they will receive more preferential treatment.

They will be the finale of the festival and will be able to perform in the Salzburg Main Concert Hall on weekend evenings.

If you can get Penguin three stars.

Then the Harmony Symphony Orchestra will have all the support of Salzburg.

It is not just limited to performances, but also includes many other things that many people cannot imagine.

For example, the publicity for Mozart in Salzburg.

This is Mozart's hometown.

This is also the most qualified place to evaluate Mozart's version.

What if all the music versions in the Mozart Museum and Mozart's former residence in this place were replaced with versions performed by the Harmony Symphony Orchestra?

So……

What a publicity stunt, what an honor, that would be!
Chen Qiu didn't even dare to think about it.

But correspondingly, these are honors.

If the Harmony Symphony Orchestra does not receive any Penguin ratings, then the Salzburg Festival, the Salzburg Festival's partner festivals, all events where the Salzburg Festival serves as a judge.

The Harmony Symphony Orchestra will automatically be disqualified from participating.

If you just say this, many people may not have an idea.

But if we simply summarize this scope, we can mark all the organizations participating in the music festival alliance.

Then you will find that there is no longer any place in Europe where the Harmony Symphony Orchestra can perform.

The only countries they can choose from are England, the United States, and their African buddies where they have no connections.

Or, those concerts in small towns where the attendance may be only a few thousand or tens of thousands of people?

Don't think that everything will be fine just because they have signed contracts for performances in Baden-Baden and the Abbey.

If they do fail, those contracts will be automatically canceled because the Harmony Orchestra is unable to meet its obligations.

To put it simply...

Break the axe and build the boat!

Are you willing to accept high risks in exchange for a chance to rise quickly in Europe?

I would rather follow the routine, act casually, and hope for a chance of subsequent cooperation.

Chen Qiu glanced at Su Yue and Qin Xian behind him.

The three of them looked at each other and soon confirmed their thoughts.

Qin Xian and Su Yue slowly pushed open the door of the conference room in front of them.

Chen Qiu stepped in.

He looked at everyone in the conference room, raised the document in his hand, slowly signed his name, pushed it to the person in charge of the Salzburg Music Festival who was sitting farthest away, and said with a smile.

"Hello everyone, my name is Chen Qiu."

(End of this chapter)