Symphony's Romance Episode 12 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
The Group S members listened as Li Zhenyan announced his decision to command Regiment A, and many found it difficult to accept. Qin Fen and others voiced their concerns, with some even stating they would rather graduate than compete against him. Li Zhenyan apologized, confirming he had accepted the offer. He calmly explained that in a professional orchestra, a conductor and an orchestra merely have a cooperative relationship, with no eternal companions or enemies.
He reminded Qin Fen, as Group S's chief, of this principle, but Qin Fen insisted they simply didn't want to be his adversaries. Li Zhenyan then softened his tone, speaking to them as a friend. He shared that the past year with Group S had allowed him to experience the joy of his dream coming true, which empowered him to make this "selfish decision."
He admitted he wasn't sure if it was the right choice but felt he had to try. He recalled someone encouraging him to pursue his aspirations, promising unwavering support, which gave him the courage to take this leap. He emphasized that his decision wasn't a betrayal but a call for their companionship in this challenge, and he bowed deeply to them.
Although saddened, the Group S members ultimately decided to support him, vowing to practice diligently so as not to disappoint him, and to become better musicians, awaiting his return. Watching from outside, Fisher observed the Group S members, finding them "more lovely than I thought," and commented that Li Zhenyan, his new apprentice, would be very much to his liking. Li Zhenyan later met with Regiment A, acknowledging their professionalism and expressing his anticipation for their collaboration with Tian Yisong.
During rehearsals, Li Zhenyan noted Regiment A's composed and professional demeanor, which put him at ease, but his thoughts drifted to Group S. His concerns were not unfounded. Tian Yisong was relentlessly strict with Group S, criticizing their "disorderly and random" playing and singling out Qin Fen for a lack of focus. Tian Yisong, asserting his authority as their conductor, demanded professionalism and rigor, prohibiting any mistakes.
He then announced an additional two hours of practice that night, prompting grumbles and complaints from the exhausted Group S members. Jiang Caiwei attempted to advise Tian Yisong, explaining that Group S members are independent musicians who "hate dogma" and traditional teaching methods. However, Tian Yisong dismissed her advice, convinced that Fisher had arranged the conductor swap specifically for him to standardize Group S, and he asked for Jiang Caiwei’s support as his girlfriend.
Despite the demanding schedule, some Group S members admitted to making slight progress under Tian Yisong, but they still preferred Li Zhenyan's conducting, feeling he always managed to draw them into the music. Meanwhile, Fang Xiaowo prepared a "love dinner" for Li Zhenyan, who had fallen asleep while working on musical scores. He was touched by her gesture and, despite teasing her about her "signature bone soup," admitted it was delicious. Ji Mo was also present, witnessing their affectionate interaction.
Later, Sasha approached Tian Yisong, who was engrossed in his scores, presenting him with a custom-made suit from England as a belated birthday gift. Tian Yisong politely but firmly rejected both the gift and her advances, explaining that his heart belonged to Jiang Caiwei. Sasha then pressed him about his future, noting he had forsaken postgraduate study and other opportunities, placing all his hopes on Fisher.
She asked what he would do if he lost to Li Zhenyan, adding that if he failed, she had the means to offer him "better opportunities," and left him an address in the suit's pocket. Fisher then summoned Lin Qingshang and Qin Fen to a rooftop, ostensibly for private lessons. The two immediately began bickering, with Qin Fen disparaging Lin Qingshang's playing.
Fisher, however, delighted in their fiery exchange, explaining that he had brought the two orchestra chiefs together for a pre-competition "warm-up." Instead of letting them play their instruments, he led them through bizarre activities like a "rooster dance," an "air violin competition" to a "Northeast Yangko dance," and a shouting contest to see who could yell loudest. Qin Fen enthusiastically participated, while Lin Qingshang was bewildered and frustrated.
The shouting contest devolved into a fierce argument over which orchestra was superior, until Fisher intervened. He then told Lin Qingshang that her biggest problem was being "too accurate." He explained that while accuracy is good for beginners, for an artist, it's "far from enough, even dangerous," and can lead to a "bottleneck period." He contrasted her methodical approach with Qin Fen’s passionate but sometimes chaotic playing, acknowledging that Qin Fen's music, though messy, could "indeed move you."
Fisher revealed that he often uses seemingly meaningless activities to spark creativity, stating that "sometimes, seemingly meaningless things are actually the most meaningful." Lin Qingshang expressed her difficulty in abandoning what she considered meaningful. Fisher reassured her, saying that one day, when she understood, she would transform from "an ordinary violinist" into "a true artist."
He then challenged them to another game, instructing them to be the last one to reach a distant restaurant sign, reminding Lin Qingshang that "all rules can be broken." The day before the competition, Li Zhenyan spoke with Lin Qingshang, who praised his conducting abilities, stating he was "better than anyone in our command department" and confident he would win. Meanwhile, Jiang Caiwei, aware of Tian Yisong's intense stress, surprised him with a romantic date.
She wanted them to forget the competition and Fisher for the evening, to simply enjoy "our night." She then presented him with a collection of symbolic gifts for each year of his life, explaining that she wanted to "cover up all these bad memories" of his past lonely birthdays, ensuring her presence in every future birthday memory.
They celebrated with a cake and a wish, but later, Tian Yisong was seen thoughtfully gazing at the suit Sasha had given him, indicating his mind was still preoccupied. On the day of the competition, Li Zhenyan overheard a phone conversation between Fisher and Li Yazhe, his father. Fisher, annoyed by Li Yazhe's interference, informed him that despite Li Zhenyan being "more brilliant," he would not lower his recruitment standards for Li Yazhe's son.
If Li Zhenyan couldn't win, he wouldn't be accepted. Overhearing this, Li Zhenyan felt a complex mix of emotions, realizing that the dream opportunity he had always sought was, in fact, orchestrated by his father. As Regiment A was about to begin, he entered the performance hall, declaring he "will not take part in the competition." Fisher, bewildered, demanded an explanation. Li Zhenyan stated that "this match is no longer necessary," alluding to the overheard conversation.
Fisher, realizing Li Zhenyan knew the truth, tried to explain that Li Yazhe had changed and urged Li Zhenyan not to "live in the past" or "fear the future." However, Li Zhenyan, resolute in his decision to have no part in his father's schemes or any relationship with him, reiterated his withdrawal and attempted to leave. Tian Yisong confronted Li Zhenyan, stopping him and accusing him of "always playing with everyone so selfishly."
Tian Yisong expressed his respect for Li Zhenyan as an opponent and his desire to win based on his own merit. Li Zhenyan apologized, but Tian Yisong angrily dismissed his apology, stating it wouldn't fix anything. Li Zhenyan then declared he "voluntarily conceded" and pronounced Tian Yisong the "winner." Tian Yisong, however, vehemently rejected this, explaining that becoming Fisher's student wasn't as simple as a concession.
He accused Li Zhenyan of "ruining the game" and "ruining my chance," vowing never to forgive him. Other Group S members also expressed their disappointment, feeling Li Zhenyan had gone "too far." After Li Zhenyan left, Fisher, in a phone call with Li Yazhe, confirmed that Li Zhenyan knew everything and that he could no longer help Li Yazhe, advising him to be prepared for the consequences.
Later, at home, Fang Xiaowo didn't press Li Zhenyan for an explanation about his withdrawal. Instead, she admitted that when he rejected Fisher, she had "sighed in relief," fearing he would go abroad. Li Zhenyan, with an understanding and reassuring tone, told her that he would "continue to stay in China to study as a graduate student" and that he would "continue to be with you." Fang Xiaowo comforted him, promising to "always be with you."
Li Zhenyan then recalled a painful childhood memory: as a boy, he wished to stop playing piano and instead learn conducting from a teacher named Vanda. His father, Li Yazhe, fiercely rejected this dream, insisting he continue with piano to "stand out in the cruel competition." His mother intervened, accusing Li Yazhe of treating their son like a toy and imposing a dream that had become a nightmare. The memory concluded with his mother declaring she would divorce Li Yazhe.
Meanwhile, a distraught Tian Yisong drowned his sorrows in alcohol. Jiang Caiwei tried to comfort him, telling him this wasn't his only opportunity. But Tian Yisong lamented losing his "best chance," especially after promising her they would go abroad. He expressed his frustration that Fisher had never noticed him, and that an opportunity he had "tried his best to get" was so easily destroyed by Li Zhenyan. He questioned why he wasn't as good as Li Zhenyan, or what he lacked.
