Symphony's Romance Episode 13 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
Li Zhenyan started his day at school, unsure whether to head to Regiment A, Group S, or the piano classroom. He felt lost and expressed regret for his decision to withdraw from the competition, apologizing for the trouble caused to everyone who had practiced with him. Lin Qingshang, sitting beside him, comforted him, acknowledging his dedication and hard work for the competition. She respected his decision to withdraw, understanding he must have had an unavoidable reason.
As Lin Qingshang prepared to leave, she spotted Qin Fen approaching and quickly departed to avoid him. Qin Fen, puzzled by Lin Qingshang's hasty exit, asked Li Zhenyan what they had discussed. Li Zhenyan then asked Qin Fen if he felt disappointed in him. Qin Fen, as a friend, assured Li Zhenyan of his full support, regardless of his decision to participate or not. Li Zhenyan remarked on their "telepathic connection," noting how similar their comforting words were.
Li Zhenyan also observed Qin Fen’s affection for Lin Qingshang, which Qin Fen vehemently denied, attributing their similar thoughts to both being "chief officers" and "conductors' radar." Qin Fen then excused himself for rehearsal. Elise later approached Li Zhenyan, stating that while Li Yazhe had indeed mentioned Li Zhenyan to Fisher, Fisher’s primary reason for coming to Baiqi was for his first love, Principal Lin Yumian.
Elise recounted that Lin Yumian was a violin prodigy at Baiqi, and Fisher fell for her instantly. Lin Yumian once told Fisher that his talent surpassed the piano and he should pursue conducting, a statement that profoundly influenced his career path. They planned to study abroad together, but Lin Yumian's fingers were severely injured from over-practice, forcing her to abandon the violin.
Before Fisher left, she gifted him a watch, urging him to continue his journey without her, while she chose to become a teacher at Baiqi, striving to discover more talented individuals like him. Elise explained that their separation was a natural consequence of their diverging paths. She clarified that despite media portrayals of Fisher as a "playboy" or "musical wanderer," his heart remained with Lin Yumian, and her recent phone call prompted him to abandon everything and return to Baiqi.
Elise firmly told Li Zhenyan that Fisher respects both music and teacher ethics, and would never compromise his principles by accepting an untalented student merely based on a friend's recommendation. She shared that Li Yazhe had indeed praised Li Zhenyan’s conducting prowess, claiming it was superior to many of his peers, even though he was a piano student. Fisher, though initially skeptical, agreed to observe him. Elise then challenged Li Zhenyan, asserting that only "incompetent people" care about external connections.
If he truly wished to be a leading conductor, Li Yazhe's relationship with Fisher was irrelevant. She handed Li Zhenyan a score for Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto in B-flat minor, revealing that Fisher wanted him to replace Song Ran and perform with him, believing a firsthand experience would clarify his path. She instructed him to go to Regiment A once he had made his decision. Fang Xiaowo found Li Zhenyan contemplating the offer. He told her about Fisher’s proposal.
Fang Xiaowo excitedly encouraged him to seize this "good opportunity," reminding him that he had always yearned for the stage. She drew an analogy to getting a delicious pancake, urging him to grab the chance when it’s right in front of him. Meanwhile, Fisher met Tian Yisong and offered an apology for "yesterday's event," acknowledging his own role. Tian Yisong dismissed it, saying he had overestimated his own abilities and believed Fisher was always primarily interested in Li Zhenyan.
Fisher clarified that while Li Zhenyan, as the son of an old friend, was "one of the reasons," he was not the sole one. He praised Tian Yisong's talent and assured him of many future opportunities, but stated directly, "You are not suitable to be my student." When pressed for a reason, Fisher reminded Tian Yisong of not returning the scores to Group S during their first combined rehearsal and his "inappropriate actions" during the vocal department selection concert.
Tian Yisong admitted to knowing Fisher was aware. Fisher emphasized he wasn't judging, but rather highlighting the brutal competition in music, especially for conductors, who must prioritize music itself and maintain a "clear and pure" inner spirit. Tian Yisong understood, realizing he was "not a genius" and his heart was "not clear and pure enough." He accepted that he would not become Fisher's apprentice. Desperate, Tian Yisong, wearing a suit gifted by Sasha, met with General Jiang.
General Jiang, though finding Tian Yisong ambitious but lacking in capability and of no personal interest, agreed to sponsor his studies in Europe, even promising connections to top orchestras and potentially a mentorship with Wainda, all at Sasha's request. However, General Jiang stipulated that this offer came with "one condition." Tian Yisong understood the gravity of his decision, knowing that "taking this step means there is no turning back."
Li Zhenyan announced to the Group S that he would be replacing Song Ran to perform Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto with Regiment A and Fisher. The Group S members expressed concern about their graduation performance, which would now lack a conductor. Li Zhenyan explained that he decided not to conduct their performance because he deeply wanted to experience Fisher's conducting firsthand as a musician.
He then introduced He Shengliang from Regiment A, asking if he would consider conducting the Group S's final performance. He Shengliang, considered the most outstanding conductor after Tian Yisong, hesitated but ultimately accepted the opportunity, recognizing it as a valuable chance to gain practical experience. Separately, Fang Xiaowo informed Li Zhenyan that she would be rehearsing with Qin Fen and would no longer be able to have meals with him. She playfully asked if he would miss her.
Li Zhenyan, in turn, teased her by saying he’d be "relaxed" without having to cook for her. He then assured her that even if he couldn't attend their performance, the Group S would always be "the best." Li Zhenyan joined Fisher for rehearsals. Fisher found Li Zhenyan's piano playing too calm, urging him to convey music's emotion through more expressive body language. Fisher taught him how a conductor should interpret and express a piece.
Li Zhenyan, however, disliked Fisher's highly expressive style, advocating for a more "subtle yet powerful" approach and asking Fisher not to impose his personal style. Fisher, after reflecting on Li Zhenyan's points, later sought him out, explaining that conducting, like piano playing, is an act of expression. He emphasized that a "mediocre conductor" merely keeps time, while a true artist conveys the work's essence.
Fisher suggested that Li Zhenyan's resistance to physical expression stemmed from a lack of "joy, excitement, and impulse" on stage. Li Zhenyan, after some reflection, seemed to grasp this concept, pondering how to develop "my own style of physical expression." At the Group S's graduation performance, Fang Xiaowo expressed her excitement about finally performing with the "least favored" Group S, calling herself their "mascot." She thanked Fisher for uniting them and helping them become a "powerful force."
She noted Li Zhenyan's absence but understood he had "more important things to do," and they performed with his "share of expectation." After the show, Fisher found Fang Xiaowo backstage. He inquired about her future dreams, and she reaffirmed her wish to be a "kindergarten piano teacher" and "be with Li Zhenyan forever."
Fisher told her that this dream would be "hard to realize," explaining that Li Zhenyan was "just stepping onto his real stage" and "will go further and further." He warned that if she "always stays like this," she "will not be able to reach him" one day. Fang Xiaowo fell silent, unsure how to interpret his words.
Before leaving, Fisher gave her Lin Yumian's watch, his "lucky charm," hoping it would bring her good fortune, and reminded her that "time is the same for all of us." Later, the Group S members gathered in the auditorium to watch Fisher and Li Zhenyan's performance. Before going on stage, Li Zhenyan reiterated to Fisher that he would not be leaving with him. Fisher simply replied, "Good. Have such a stage, just enjoy the music."
As Li Zhenyan played, he felt a surge of "blood flowing" and his entire body filled with "passion and excitement." He realized that this was the feeling of performing on an international stage, a moment he had long awaited. He mused that "persistence and waiting are meaningful." Watching Li Zhenyan shine on stage, Fang Xiaowo recalled Fisher's words, a new understanding dawning within her, accompanied by a sense of loss.
