Four Hands, Two Sonatas

Kang Bi-o holds every piano ranking Korea Arts High School bothers to print. Ten hours at the keyboard still does not get his grandfather, a conductor who treats bloodlines like audition scores, to put a name to the grandson born off the ledger. Choi Jeong-yo beat him once, as children, then left the instrument for rooms that had nothing to do with recitals. He transfers in anyway, short on tuition and long on a technique the faculty cannot file. Hong Jae-in, viola, has been in those practice rooms with Bi-o since they were small; she is also the person who told Jeong-yo the gate would open. Rankings want a first place. Four-hand repertoire wants two people on one bench. The conductor wants neither of them.