DAEYTT Chapter 060: Applause Again? Dawson's Shock and Invitation...

Only the people in the innermost circle knew what was happening here. Those on the outside, just curious onlookers, wondered what could be happening to draw so many big names together.

No one spoke. 

With the top figures being so silent, no one else dared to say a word either.

He Chaohui, Yang Jiansen, Peng Donghu,

Qin Xuerong, Jiang Yu, Murong Yue,

Wei Shuxin, Hu Ke,

Dawson, Jason, Taylor,

Carl, Mike, and many others.

The innermost circle of people surrounded Wang Qian, watching every note and symbol he wrote without blinking. Jiang Yu watched the notes Wang Qian wrote, his right hand's five fingers lightly playing in the air, simulating the sound of these notes on a piano. Meanwhile, Taylor, Jason, Dawson, Carl, and Mike stared without blinking, some lightly tapping their hands on their pants in rhythm, and some tapping their fingers on their clothes.

The sound of pen on paper and the turning of pages kept echoing. Wang Qian wrote quickly, his eyes fixed on the sheet as if he were copying rather than composing, with almost no hesitation or thought process. 

In just a few minutes, a complete piano piece was written. Finishing the last notes, Wang Qian wrote the title at the top—Etude No. 11, and underneath in a smaller font, his name—Wang Qian.

“Done,” Wang Qian said softly, handing the sheet to Professor Dawson, who had been quietly watching him write. “Professor, I hope you like this piece.”

Dawson, with a hint of excitement and surprise in his eyes, solemnly reached out with both hands to take the sheet from Wang Qian, saying seriously, “I already love it!”

Applause rang out again. The students and professors watching from behind were slightly shaken by this scene, and couldn't help but applaud. They found it difficult to transcribe a piece themselves, let alone write a new piece as swiftly and effortlessly as Wang Qian.

Moreover, the gesture of Professor Dawson accepting the sheet with both hands had its own symbolic significance! 

Yang Jiansen, quick to react, snapped a photo with his phone the moment Dawson accepted the sheet with both hands. 

Click! 

After taking the photo, Yang Jiansen quickly put away his phone and joined in the applause. 

He Chaohui, standing beside Yang Jiansen, clapped and said in a low voice, “Send me a copy of that photo later.” 

Peng Donghu nodded, “Me too!” 

Yang Jiansen chuckled but didn't answer, feeling rather proud.

After accepting the sheet, Professor Dawson carefully examined it, his eyes quickly scanning over it. He soon finished and said directly, “Mr. Wang, this piece is a masterpiece!” 

With that, Dawson turned and walked toward the stage. Taylor, Jason, Carl, and Mike quickly made way for him. Everyone present knew that Professor Dawson was about to personally perform the piece, and most of them were very excited. 

Professor Dawson was a world-class pianist who had performed at several concerts in Vienna, a lifetime professor at Curtis Institute, and held the title of honorary vice dean. Seeing him here was already a great fortune for everyone. Unexpectedly, they now had the chance to hear him perform live, and even more so, a new piece by a Chinese composer, Wang Qian.

Everyone felt a surge of excitement and pride, quickly returning to their seats. Applause broke out once more. Wang Qian, who had initially planned to leave early, also sat down with everyone else and clapped along, though he was somewhat looking forward to Professor Dawson’s performance.

This time, He Chaohui and Yang Jiansen sat to Wang Qian's left and right. Peng Donghu sat behind Wang Qian, surrounding him. Qin Xuerong, who was about to sit next to Wang Qian, was pulled away by Yang Jiansen, who took the seat himself. Qin Xuerong, with an unhappy look, sat beside Yang Jiansen.

He Chaohui, clapping softly, said to Wang Qian, “Professor Dawson’s last public performance was ten years ago! In the past decade, he hasn't even performed publicly at Curtis Institute, only occasionally playing during classes.”

Wang Qian replied, “Oh!” not feeling much about it since he wasn’t familiar with these facts.

Yang Jiansen, slightly excited, said, “I’ve already arranged for a camera to record this performance.”

Indeed, a few people rushed in and set up several cameras around the venue to capture the event from all angles, with one camera placed on the stage, facing Professor Dawson at the piano.

Qin Xuerong said in a low voice, “You’ve missed a better performance!”

Yang Jiansen was puzzled, “Whose?”

Qin Xuerong replied, “Wang Qian’s!”

Realizing what she meant, Yang Jiansen regretted, “I forgot! From this afternoon, the entire exchange will be recorded. Mr. Wang, I hope we can see your performance too.”

Wang Qian shook his head, “Sorry, Director Yang, I might not come again!”

Yang Jiansen was taken aback, “What? Not coming? But the exchange has just started…”

Wang Qian replied, “I was just invited by Professor He to take a look. I didn’t plan to participate in the whole event. I have other things to do, sorry.”

He Chaohui smiled without speaking, secretly hoping Wang Qian wouldn’t come back to avoid being poached by Yang Jiansen and Peng Donghu.

Yang Jiansen was about to say more when piano music started on the stage, prompting him to fall silent and focus on the performance. The hall became quiet once more as everyone listened intently to Professor Dawson’s playing. Sitting at the piano, Dawson placed the sheet music properly, reviewed it for a few minutes, and then began to play. Based on Wang Qian’s previous explanation of the piece, Dawson quickly immersed himself in it. 

Initially, there was some awkwardness, but after playing a couple of bars, he quickly found his rhythm. Dawson became more joyful, fully engrossed, and conveyed the piece's cheerful and lively mood. Wang Qian silently praised him, acknowledging the reputation of a world-renowned pianist. Dawson had skillfully captured the essence of the Turkish March on his first try and could likely master it with just a few more practices.

Soon, Dawson’s performance concluded, and applause erupted immediately. Wang Qian clapped along, lightly.

Qin Xuerong commented honestly, “It’s not as good as Wang Qian’s playing.”

Yang Jiansen replied calmly, “Of course, Professor Dawson is playing it for the first time, and he’s already doing very well. With a few more practices, he should reach a high level. However, Wang Qian’s performance was already perfect. Professor Dawson might need more practice to match Wang Qian’s level.”

He Chaohui and Peng Donghu nodded in agreement. Qin Xuerong fell silent, feeling less angry after hearing Yang Jiansen's praise of Wang Qian.

Professor Dawson stood up, bowed lightly to the audience, and said softly, “This is truly a wonderful piece! I think I’ll have my students practice it when I return to the academy.”

Only the people closest to the stage heard his soft words, and Yang Jiansen, He Chaohui, and Peng Donghu were all shocked. This implied that the piece might be adopted by Curtis Institute as a practice piece, hinting at its global circulation.

The three of them glanced at Wang Qian with even more fervent eyes, wanting to recruit him immediately. As Professor Dawson walked down, he approached Wang Qian, lightly hugged him, and whispered in his ear, “Young man, your talent is unparalleled. If you ever wish to study and refine your skills at Curtis Institute, you can contact me anytime.”

Only Wang Qian heard these words, and with everyone else clapping, no one noticed. Wang Qian smiled but didn’t respond.

As soon as Dawson sat down, Taylor stood up and walked to the stage, wanting to play the piece herself. Applause rang out once more, and everyone was delighted by this display, feeling that the exchange was finally taking shape.

Taylor sat at the piano, studying the sheet music for over ten minutes before tentatively playing a few bars and then completing the first run, albeit with some stumbles. But she managed to grasp it initially, and with a second chance, she might play it smoothly.

Taylor also praised Wang Qian, saying, “This is indeed a wonderful piece!” Applause followed her words.

Carl, Mike, and the other Berklee students and teachers didn’t attempt to play, fearing they might embarrass themselves. Just when Wang Qian thought the event was about to end…

Dawson stood up again and said, "I hope to hear Mr. Wang Qian play this piece again."

Taylor and Jason looked expectantly at Wang Qian. Carl and Mike remained expressionless, purely as spectators. Yang Jiansen, Peng Donghu, He Zhaohui, and the others began applauding enthusiastically.

Wang Qian had no choice but to stand up. He smiled at everyone and then walked up to the stage. For this piece, which he was exceedingly familiar with, Wang Qian played effortlessly!

With a deeper understanding of the piece, everyone could now better appreciate Wang Qian's piano skills as they listened to him play it again. Watching Wang Qian's perfect performance at the piano, Professor Dawson closed his eyes, fully absorbed, tapping the beat lightly with his fingers, and smiling as he immersed himself in the joyous atmosphere.

Taylor and others listened with intense focus.

When the piece ended, applause thundered through the hall.

Professor Dawson was the first to stand up and give a hearty round of applause, his eyes filled with amazement, shock, and a hint of excitement as he looked at Wang Qian. Taylor and Jason stood up and clapped as well. Carl, Mike, and the others from Berkeley, albeit reluctantly, stood up and clapped too!

Everyone else followed suit, standing up to give a warm round of applause. Yang Jiansen signaled to the host, took the microphone, and said to Wang Qian, who was about to step off the stage, "Mr. Wang Qian, may I hear you play your Tenth Etude?"

Wang Qian paused slightly, surprised by Yang Jiansen's public request. After a moment's thought, he realized that since he was already on stage, one more piece wouldn't matter. He nodded, "Of course."

Then he sat down again.

There was a stir in the audience.

The Tenth Etude? Another new piece?

This was the thought on the minds of all the unsuspecting spectators. Taylor, too, was shocked, looking from Yang Jiansen to Wang Qian. Seeing Wang Qian sit down earnestly, she translated for Professor Dawson, "He’s going to play his Tenth Etude, it should be another new piece!"

Dawson was amazed, "Really?"

Taylor was unsure, "I’m not sure, but that’s what they seem to be saying."

Carl and Mike overheard.

Mike frowned, "Is this guy really that good? Another Tenth Etude? Is it a complete piece?"

Carl said, "Whether the Tenth Etude is complete or not, the Eleventh Etude he just played is enough to make him famous worldwide. It's just a matter of time... His performance level is almost on par with Professor Dawson."

Mike and the others were stunned into silence, not expecting Carl to give Wang Qian such high praise!

On stage, Wang Qian had already entered his zone. "Für Elise" was one of the pieces he played the most. In his previous world, it was the most popular piano piece, one that almost everyone had heard, even if they didn’t know its name. Almost every piano student had practiced this piece.

Simple yet profound!

It had an essence of simplicity akin to Chinese culture.

Wang Qian immersed himself in the music instantly.

Dawson, Taylor, Carl, Mike, and others listened intently, each tapping the beat or simulating the play with their fingers in their own preferred way.

As the notes flowed out, a vivid image appeared in everyone's mind. It was of a gentle, beautiful, lively girl, evoking a sense of longing...

When Wang Qian finished playing, there was a minute of silence.

Yang Jiansen and Peng Donghu had heard He Zhaohui play this piece before. Listening to Wang Qian’s rendition now, they could clearly feel the difference!

In terms of technique, they were almost the same. This piece was simple and didn’t highlight technique. But in emotional expression, Wang Qian's performance was almost perfect, several levels above He Zhaohui.

Impressive!

The simpler it is, the more it reveals true skill.

Applause erupted.

Dawson stood up again, giving a warm round of applause.

Everyone else followed, standing up and clapping.

They had lost track of how many times they had stood up.

Mike’s face was already showing a bit of helplessness.

However, Dawson, while clapping, walked onto the stage again and lightly embraced Wang Qian, smiling warmly, "You are the biggest surprise I’ve encountered in China. I apologize for my earlier invitation; Curtis Institute can’t teach you anything. I hope you can come teach at Curtis."

"Of course, can you fulfill a small request of mine?"

"I want to play your Tenth Etude; it’s truly wonderful!"

Standing at Dawson's level as a world-class master, "Für Elise" was indeed an almost perfect piano piece!

Simple enough for anyone to play, from beginners to masters.

Clear in expression, with a straightforward, universal meaning that everyone could relate to in love.

It would resonate with everyone.

Everyone could play it.

Everyone could resonate with it!

Could there be a more perfect piece?

Wang Qian patted Professor Dawson on the shoulder, smiling as he replied amid the enthusiastic applause, "Professor, of course you can play it. But I must decline your invitation."

Dawson, filled with regret, didn't push further, "That’s truly unfortunate! I hope we can become friends. I might need to consult you on some musical issues."

Wang Qian quickly said, "You flatter me! I wouldn’t dare say I could teach you anything."

They exchanged a few words on stage, with Dawson showing immense admiration for Wang Qian. Wang Qian responded modestly and then returned to his seat.

It was getting late. Professor Dawson's wish to play the Tenth Etude on the spot wasn’t feasible. His face showed regret, and Taylor and the others were also disappointed.

Yang Jiansen invited everyone to the dining hall.

Wang Qian finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had initially come to just enjoy the atmosphere of a top music school. Unexpectedly, he ended up being the main attraction.

As everyone left, Wang Qian found himself surrounded by Yang Jiansen and others. Feeling uncomfortable, he excused himself to go to the restroom.

Washing his face in the restroom, he reflected on the day’s events and smiled at his reflection in the mirror.

Feeling relaxed, Wang Qian walked out of the restroom, intending to avoid the dining hall and the crowd. Instead, he decided to head straight for the campus gate.

As he reached the gate, he saw Qin Xuerong, Jiang Yu, and Murong Yue already waiting there.

"I knew you’d sneak off alone," Qin Xuerong said proudly, "Take us with you!"


NEXT