The Piano Forest (ピアノの森)

I'd like to deliver an update on the judging process.

The initial list of qualifiers has been scrapped,

and we are currently deliberating on a second list.

What?

It's par for the course.

What cause is there for such a delay?

Who's that?

-One of Poland's toughest critics. -If standings are decided on points,

then all they need to do is list the 30 names from top to bottom.

That is, assuming there's been no unsavory score manipulation.

If there's even a hint of doubt about the results,

he's ready to raise hell about it at a moment's notice.

Things are getting interesting.

Look over there, too.

He's from a gossip magazine in Poland,

but he's popular and won't be fooled.

That young reporter in the middle.

His name's Simon Hausner, and he's a bit of a hot topic.

The one he's talking to,

isn't that Karol Adamski,

Poland's star?

-You're right, that is Adamski. -And over there,

it's the Ahn twins.

Sophie Ormesson is here, too!

I've got to set up interviews.

Oh yeah, where's Kai Ichinose?

Ichinose?

CHOPIN'S JOURNEY

This is really bad!

I'm as late as late can be!

Still, his piano had such flare to it!

But isn't he Japanese?

Kai seems to be the talk of the venue.

My ears can't help but pick up on it.

Kai Ichinose from Japan was my favorite!

Here comes the judge!

It's finally time.

I will now announce the qualifiers from the first round

of The International Chopin Piano Competition.

They're only just starting?

I will announce the names in alphabetical order.

The names will only be called once,

but they will be displayed on the announcement board at the hall's entrance.

In alphabetical order, "Adamski" would be first.

We won't have to worry about missing your name.

That's right. For better or worse, I've always been first since I was a kid.

If it's alphabetical...

I'm right after Adamski.

Now, we will have judge director Mr. Adam Jasinski present the results.

Thank you all for your patience.

All the participants are the beloved children of Chopin.

Please continue to perform with that love and pride in your hearts.

-Now, for the results. - It's okay.

I'm sure I'll be called after Adamski!

Number two, Shuhei Amamiya. Japan.

Number three, Chansu Ahn. South Korea.

-Number four-- - What about Adamski?

Number nine, Marek Balas. Poland.

Number 15...

That's all 30 names.

Congratulations to all those who qualified.

Was I called or wasn't I?

I couldn't hear very well.

It can't be! Karol was dropped?

They must have made an error.

You couldn't have lost in the first round with that performance.

There was no error, Simon.

My name simply didn't get called.

No, there's definitely something strange about it.

The judges must have pulled strings.

That's enough, Simon.

Even if that were the case,

it won't change the fact that I can't play piano here anymore.

I'll uncover the truth and bring it into the public eye!

Please, don't make a scene!

Can we have a comment?

This competition,

it's one where even the star of Poland gets dropped without hesitation.

The cameras

are pointing at the star even at a time like this?

Adamski...

I'm scared.

I can't endure it.

Director Jasinski!

I would like to hear your reason for dropping Karol Adamski!

I find it hard to believe there was a justified reason.

I want a real explanation!

Of course, we've prepared a meeting room for reporters upstairs.

We'll continue there.

Well, Simon Hausner,

I'll take your question in 20 minutes.

You've done it now, Jasinski.

So, strings really were pulled during the scoring?

His home field advantage didn't matter?

Being at home didn't help.

Close to half of the judges were Polish and have a grudge against Adamski.

Adamski never studied under an instructor who was similar to the judges here.

He's a self-taught star.

If they were to acknowledge someone like him, their worth would waver.

That's ridiculous! They gave up

their own country's best chance at victory over something like that?

See, that's the problem.

His misfortune this time was that

Poland's new star showed up at this competition.

You mean Lech Szymanowski?

Thanks to Lech, Poland's bright performer,

they were free to dispose of their former star at will.

It is true that Adamski's performance and skills were,

in a way, spectacular.

Then why?

I did say, "in a way", didn't I?

Adamski's reading of the music was weak,

and we were given the impression that he'd neglected his foundational practice.

Still, we acknowledge that he put on a performance

that was quite pleasing to the audience's ears.

At a regular concert of his own, that would be sufficient.

But this is a competition.

-What a farce. -A farce, indeed.

I will remind you all,

this is a competition held for the sake of superior pianists,

but also for Chopin's sake.

If I may say so, Adamski...

should have learned more about Chopin.

Don't you think Adamski's basic training was insufficient,

due to him becoming a star at such a young age?

See, just by looking at his program, I can tell his studies are lacking.

He prepared a lineup of dramatic songs favored by stars,

leaving out any difficult pieces that would emphasize dexterity.

Was that really the case?

In other words, the Chopin that Adamski played

was too far removed from what we feel is Chopin.

I believe that sums up the reason for dropping him.

Well said, Andrzej.

Humiliate that gossip reporter.

Then let me ask you this:

Is the Chopin you envision the closest possible thing

to Chopin's very own piano playing?

I see no error in that interpretation.

The Chopin we know.

And the Chopin that Chopin himself desires.

Have you ever actually heard Chopin play the piano?

The piano-playing of a person who died over 160 years ago?

I don't want to tread down this rather one-dimensional avenue,

but I'll say it and put it to rest.

I'm sure you're aware of the many handwritten sheets of music

Chopin left behind.

Yes.

For many years to this day,

they have been dearly intertwined with the musicians of Poland.

These sheets are Chopin's testament that were entrusted to us.

Testament?

Variations made within the scope depicted in these sheets are fine,

but outside of that, it's a no.

As to why, it's because we would be defying that testament.

Then I ask you this:

These music sheets that you call his testament,

have yet to be fully explicated.

So, how can you claim that only your interpretation of Chopin is valid?

I want an answer!

-Escort him out. -It was recommended they use music sheets

provided by Mr. Ekieruto, the one in charge of judging this competition--

What are you doing? Let me go! I'm not done speaking!

Answer me, Jasinski!