Symphony's Romance Episode 39 Recap
> Symphony's Romance Recap
Li Zhenyan had not yet decided whether he and Fang Xiaowo would return to Europe to join a major orchestra after Fisher's farewell concert. His father, Li Yazhe, raised this question, to which Li Zhenyan admitted he was still unsure. Li Yazhe also asked Li Zhenyan why he decided to recruit new members for the RS orchestra, as he expected Li Zhenyan's nature would lead him to insist on keeping the original members.
Li Zhenyan explained that while he initially believed the RS orchestra would lose its identity without its old members, he later realized that an orchestra's name is merely a symbol. Drawing from his experience with the Lumalie orchestra in Paris, which had stagnated by clinging to old musicians and resisting new talent, he understood that an orchestra needs a constant influx of fresh blood to thrive and avoid decline.
Li Yazhe was surprised and remarked that Li Zhenyan had truly grown up. Fisher soon began rehearsals with the RS orchestra, expressing emotion at seeing both familiar and new faces. He proclaimed them to be the future of Chinese classical music. Li Zhenyan acknowledged that Fisher's choice to perform with the RS orchestra was for their benefit, but Fisher humbly responded that the happiness the orchestra brought him far exceeded anything he could provide them.
Lin Yumian and Elise were present, deeply concerned about Fisher's health. Elise urged Lin Yumian to monitor him closely, to which Lin Yumian agreed, vowing to prevent him from over-rehearsing. Later, as Lin Yumian and Fisher walked in the rain, Fisher shared a lifelong wish: after this concert, he wanted to fulfill a personal ambition. Though he once dreamed of traveling the world, he now desired a simple life with Lin Yumian.
Lin Yumian accepted, but firmly insisted he undergo surgery immediately after the performance, to which Fisher consented. The farewell concert was scheduled at Baiqi Conservatory of Music, with tickets selling out rapidly. However, rehearsals for the RS orchestra were not going smoothly due to Fisher's worsening condition. He was experiencing more frequent episodes of temporary deafness, causing him to miss obvious errors and rhythm discrepancies. Orchestra members grew worried, speculating that he was conducting purely by instinct.
During one rehearsal, Li Zhenyan intervened, stopping the orchestra to restart after members noted significant mistakes Fisher had missed. With only three days left until the performance, the musicians worried about Fisher's ability to take the stage. Li Yazhe, convinced Fisher would perform, tasked Li Zhenyan, as a fellow conductor, with finding a solution for a flawless farewell. Li Zhenyan announced extra rehearsals after Fisher's official sessions, pushing the orchestra to harmonize and adapt to Fisher's unique conducting style.
Li Zhenyan also reassured Fang Xiaowo that despite the challenging circumstances, they would strive to make the performance as perfect as possible. He reflected on the circular necklace he had given her, explaining that its hollow form symbolized infinite possibilities, encouraging her to unleash her light and unique talent without fear. Vogri later critiqued Li Zhenyan's piano playing for the concerto, suggesting it was too slow and needed a more legato touch.
Li Zhenyan respectfully disagreed, emphasizing that the piano in a concerto serves the entire orchestra and conductor, and his role was primarily to support Fisher's distinct conducting style. Meanwhile, Lin Yumian found Fisher pressing his ear against a piano, trying to feel its vibrations to maintain rhythm.
He admitted this was a desperate measure, expressing his fear not of a failed performance or damaged reputation, but of being unable to properly bid farewell to his music, his stage, and his audience. Lin Yumian comforted him, assuring him his life was far from over and urging him to keep music alive in his heart, feeling it with his soul, not just his ears, so he would always hear it.
At the hospital, Fang Xiaowo learned from Li Yazhe that Fisher's complete deafness and fainting spells were recurrent, making the concert incredibly difficult. Li Yazhe, while acknowledging the harsh reality, affirmed they would do everything possible to help Fisher. Fang Xiaowo then asked Li Yazhe about his strained relationship with Li Zhenyan, sensing a desire for reconciliation despite Li Yazhe's difficulty expressing himself.
Li Yazhe confessed his past selfishness: as a child, Li Zhenyan dreamed of becoming a conductor, but Li Yazhe forced him to focus on piano, hoping he would abandon his dream. He admitted his realization came too late. Fang Xiaowo encouraged him to convey this directly to Li Zhenyan. However, seeing Li Yazhe's continued hesitation and realizing he still lacked the courage to open up to Li Zhenyan directly, Fang Xiaowo suggested they communicate through music instead.
On the day of the concert, notable figures like Tian Yisong, Jiang Caiwei, and Yan Yan arrived. He Shengliang greeted Tian Yisong, expressing envy that Tian Yisong could pursue his dreams. Tian Yisong, having grown, encouraged him not to abandon his own aspirations. Moments before the performance, Fang Xiaowo feigned a sudden, severe stomach ache, claiming she was unable to go on stage.
A frustrated Li Zhenyan, left with no alternative, asked Li Yazhe to step in as the second pianist. Li Yazhe protested, citing lack of rehearsal, but Li Zhenyan insisted, playfully reminding him of his mastery. Despite not having rehearsed together, Li Yazhe and Li Zhenyan displayed an extraordinary, almost telepathic, understanding during their performance. Fisher conducted, deeply moved by the sight of the young musicians' dedication. Mid-performance, Fisher experienced a sudden, complete loss of hearing, causing his baton to fall.
A moment of tense silence passed, but Li Zhenyan, immediately sensing the crisis, subtly raised his hand, signaling the orchestra to continue playing. Fisher, regaining his composure, then conducted the remainder of the piece purely by feeling the music. The performance concluded triumphantly to thunderous applause. Li Zhenyan gently guided Fisher to the front for his curtain call. During his final bow, Fisher symbolically placed Li Zhenyan and Li Yazhe's hands together, acknowledging their harmonious collaboration and Li Zhenyan's journey.
Fisher delivered a heartfelt farewell speech, praising Fang Xiaowo's transformation into an international star and her powerful, innocent playing. He cherished his time at Baiqi, describing the students' growth as his best performance. He offered personal advice to Tian Yisong, urging him to look beyond winning. He also encouraged Xiao Yin to believe in herself and immerse herself fully in the music, playing with passion and joy.
He then spoke of Qin Fen and Qing Shang, noting their contrasting personalities—one carefree, one meticulous—who found their musical direction through their unique, often bickering, relationship, finding joy in making music with someone they love. Finally, he addressed Li Zhenyan, expressing that seeing him and Li Yazhe perform with such understanding signaled the completion of his mission, as Li Zhenyan had finally achieved his dream stage. Fisher encouraged Li Zhenyan to continue to play with full emotion and soul.
