All right, this is an update on the status of our evaluation.
The initial list of acceptees has been rescinded,
and we are now compiling a new list.
What?
This happens a lot.
Why are you taking so long?
Who's that?
He's a scathing Polish critic.
All you have to do is select the top 30 pianists!
Assuming you're not manipulating the results, that is.
He's ready to bite the moment there are suspicions about the results.
This sure is getting good.
Look, over there too.
He's from a Polish tabloid, but he's popular and shouldn't be messed with.
That so?
He's that young reporter in the middle.
Szymon Hausner is a bit of a celebrity.
Oh! Isn't that Karol Adamski he's talking with?
The Polish star!
You're right.
That's Adamski!
Over there!
The An twins!
Sophi Ormesson is here too!
I'll have to ask her for an interview.
Oh, right, what about Kai Ichinose?
Ichinose?
Crap, this is bad!
I'm seriously late!
I'm just saying, his playing is so cool!
But he's Japanese, right?
All my ears are picking up is talk about Kai.
I'm rooting for Kai Ichinose from Japan!
The judges have arrived!
It's finally time.
We shall now announce who has passed the first stage of the Chopin competition.
Now?
We'll announce the names in alphabetical order.
We will not repeat names, but the list will be posted on the notice board by the hotel entrance.
If it's alphabetical, Adamski, you'll be first, so we don't need to worry about missing it.
Yeah.
For better or worse, I've been first ever since I was a kid.
In alphabetical order...
I'm right after Adamski.
And now, Mr. Adam Jasinski, if you would announce the results.
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting.
Each and every competitor is one of Chopin's beloved children,
so please hold onto your love and pride as you continue performing.
Without further ado, the results.
I'm fine.
There's no way my name won't be called after Adamski's.
Number 2, Shuhei Amamiya, from Japan.
Number 3, Chang Soo An, from South Korea.
Number 4, Chang Woo—
Wait... Adamski wasn't...?
Number 9, Marek Balazs, from Poland.
Number 15...
This concludes the list.
Congratulations to those who passed.
Did they call my name or not?
Which is it?
This can't be! Karol could never fail!
It must be some sort of mistake.
No way you failed the first stage with that performance!
It's no mistake, Szymon.
It seems I'm not wanted.
No, something is wrong here!
The results must be fraudulent!
Give it a rest, Szymon.
Even if that were true,
it doesn't change the fact that I won't be performing here anymore.
I'll reveal the truth and appeal to the public!
Please don't make a scene!
Could we get a comment?
To think this competition would fail even Poland's star as if it were no big deal...
Can such a star face the cameras in a moment like this?
Adamski...
I'd be terrified!
I would never be able to handle that!
Mr. Jasinski!
Please explain why Karol Adamski did not pass!
I refuse to believe there is a legitimate reason.
Explain yourself!
We've prepared a room above for a press conference.
Please continue there.
Well then, Szymon Hausner,
we'll speak again in 20 minutes.
I can't believe that Jasinski.
Does that mean someone really did manipulate the results?
The home advantage didn't help him?
What home advantage?
The Polish judges who make up half the panel are probably the ones who abhor Adamski the most.
What?
Adamski never studied under any teachers like the judges here.
He's a self-made star.
Validating someone like him would call into question their very purpose.
Unbelievable!
They'd fail their country's top contender over something so frivolous?
Yes.
In fact, that's just it!
Adamski's misfortune stems from the appearance of Poland's newest star.
You mean Lech Szymanowski?
Thanks to the appearance of Lech, the light of Poland,
they were able to dismiss the old star without hesitation.
It's certainly true that, in his own way, Adamski was brilliant in both performance and technical skill.
Then, why?!
I said "in his own way," did I not?
There were a number of passages that made us question
Adamski's comprehension of the score and his commitment to the fundamentals.
We acknowledge it was a pleasant performance from the audience's perspective.
If this were just another concert of his, it would have sufficed,
but this is a competition.
This is a farce.
A true farce.
Let me be clear.
This competition is held for the sake of brilliant pianists,
but it is also held for the sake Chopin himself.
I think it's fair to say that Adamski should have studied Chopin more.
Adamski was young when he became a star,
so won't his fundamentals be lacking?
Look here, even his program reeks of uncultured riffraff.
It's full of dramatic pieces fit for a star,
yet nothing substantive that requires flexible fingering.
Was that really the case?
Put simply, Adamski's performance was too far removed from our vision of Chopin.
I believe that clarifies why he did not pass.
Nicely put, Andrzej.
Put that tabloid reporter in his place.
That begs the question,
are you claiming your vision of Chopin is closer to how Chopin himself played?
That would be a fair interpretation.
It's the Chopin we know
and what Chopin himself desires.
Is that to say you've heard Chopin himself play the piano?
Someone who died over 160 years ago?
I'd rather not debase myself with such a lowly argument,
but I'll say this for the record.
You are aware than Chopin left behind many scores he wrote himself, yes?
Yes.
They have been carefully passed down through generations of Poland's musicians.
The scores are the will of Chopin.
Will...?
We uphold interpretation within the confines of the scores, but nothing more.
Going beyond would betray Chopin's will.
Then let me ask you this.
Even the scores that you claim serve as Chopin's will aren't finished being interpreted!
How can you be so certain that your vision of Chopin is definitive and correct?
Get him out of here.
For this year's competition, the recommendation was to use the piano scores compiled by Mr. Ekiert, but—
What are you doing? Let me go! We aren't done here!
Answer me, Jasinski!
How long can this go on?
Shuhei.
Huh?
Are you all right?
Oh... yeah.
Dad,
I'm gonna... go to the restroom.
Dad, I'm so lost...
I might...
...faint from the anxiety.
Gotta hurry...
Have to get away from this crowd...
If I can just be alone...
I'm sure I'll be fine.
Adamski failing...
...has nothing to do with me.
Hey, Amamiya.
A-Adamski...
Congratulations on passing the first stage.
Th-Thank you.
I, uh...
I'm not sure what to say.
You don't have to say anything.
Sorry to make you worry.
Anyway, I owe you an apology.
Huh?
I talked such a big game about not caring who's better at this level,
but the truth is...
I could barely stand from the shock.
That's nothing to apologize for.
Come on now, don't look so gloomy.
Have fun in the second stage, Amamiya.
Have fun?
Huh?
I don't think I'm capable of having fun while playing.
There's someone here I have to beat, no matter what.
To do that, I've given everything 200%.
I spent more effort practicing than anyone.
I don't have anything...
...left to spend.
Come on, man.
I just failed, you know.
I-I'm sorry.
Can I just say something?
You think you've practiced more than anyone?
You think I didn't practice?
I hate to say it this way,
but stop thinking you're the only one working hard.
Hard work is the one constant for everyone here.
Besides, if that's the only thing keeping you going,
all you can do is skip meals, skip sleep, and practice until you collapse.
Who'd want to listen to a strained performance like that?
Why do you even play piano?
Are you playing just for yourself in the cage you've locked yourself in?
Sorry about that. I went too far.
Mr. Adamski...
Just how much practice have you put in, then?
You said you parted with a teacher you cared for, right?
You must be talking about Raphaël.
I'm way better at piano than you!
You're pathetic!
I don't want to grow up to be poor like you!
Before I got here,
I was traveling together with Chopin.
Following in Chopin's footsteps,
I'd put on free performances and play at concerts,
in the hope of peering into Chopin's soul.
Warsaw, Vienna,
Prague, Paris, Mallorca, and more...
I spent around three years traveling.
What Raphaël taught me...
I spent my time reflecting on all of it
while submerging myself in Chopin.
Mr. Adamski.
Hm?
I...
really don't know anything but hard work.
But if that's the same for everyone...
What other merit...
is there to my playing?
Is that all that's on your mind?
Listen.
Anyone can produce sound with a piano, right?
Even a cat can by jumping on the keys.
We train so hard and forget that fact by playing technically well.
But that makes it all the more difficult to find your own sound.
The piano is nothing more than an instrument.
Expressing the music falls to you.
So, the merit of your playing is you, Amamiya.
You breathe life into the piano.
But I have nothing to give.
I'm empty.
Don't be silly.
How could an empty person work as hard as you?
Don't worry!
Your feelings toward the piano are sincere.
And I can understand wanting to beat someone else.
It's not really about winning or losing,
but as long as you hold onto those earnest feelings,
I'm certain you'll overcome.
Well, I'm off.
Amamiya, good luck.
M-Mr. Adamski!
I have to know.
Why do you play the piano?
I just want my music –
the music that made me happy –
to reach as many people as possible.
And the money doesn't hurt!
Have I ever played the piano just because I wanted someone to hear it?
I didn't say a single word to cheer Adamski up, or even thank him.
What in the world am I doing?
Giving advice to Amamiya all high and mighty...
Can I...
...really start anew?
All by myself, with no one by my side...
Raphaël...
I heard the news and figured you might be down in the dumps...
Well, I'm definitely sticking my nose where it doesn't belong,
but I am happy to see you.
Were you there...?
Of course, I heard you play in person.
Was that program of yours an attempt to portray Chopin's life to the audience?
If I were to give it a title...
How about "Chopin's Journey"?
If only Chopin could have heard it.
If he had, I'm sure it would have made him truly care for you, Karol.
Number 37... Number 37...
There it is!
I passed the first stage!
Kai!
I've been looking around for you forever.
Kosei!
I did it!
I passed the first stage!
Idiot, of course you did.
It's true, his name is nowhere to be found!
What are they so upset about?
Oh, Adamski failed.
What? The guy who played before Amamiya?
He had it coming.
He's already famous, and now he wants glory too?
Serves him right!
Kosei, come on...
You're despicable.
A-Amamiya!
What do you know about Adamski?
I'm embarrassed to be from the same country as you!
Wha—?
Hey, Amamiya...
Kosei's definitely wrong, but he didn't really mean it.
He just blurted it out.
Kai, are you really still spending your time with someone as crude as him?
Choose better friends!
A-Amamiya!
Amamiya...
Onto the second stage.
I'll face Kai head-on in the second stage.