Mozart in the Jungle Season 1 Episode 2 Fifth Chair

In the second episode of season 1 of Mozart in the Jungle titled "Fifth Chair," the story continues with Hailey (Lola Kirke) getting ready to audition with the orchestra for the position of a second oboist. After a reasonable amount of time, she finds the audition to be highly competitive, and though she arrives early, she observes that she is the last to audition. Worries begin setting in as Hailey overhears bits of others' auditions that sound far more exceptional than anything she can give.

Meanwhile, Rodrigo (Gael García Bernal), the conductor, tries to impress Gloria (Bernadette Peters), the president of the orchestra board, with his newly chosen unconventional pieces for the orchestra's upcoming concert. But the orchestra board is not yet ready to risk taking any risks, and they would instead play the old, staid works from former seasons, which Rodrigo resents.

Meanwhile, Cynthia (Saffron Burrows), the orchestra's prima donna, discovers that she's got competition for her solo spot, guitar virtuoso Eliot (Peter Vack), and she's not pleased at the change. Meanwhile, the orchestra's longtime bassist, Paul (Malcolm McDowell), demonstrates his worth by using his exceptional skills on the five-string bass guitar.

Hailey finally gets her moment to audition, and it is nowhere close to her dream. As she concludes her brief performance, it feels one of the tenured oboists criticizes her performance. Humiliated and unable to hold back her anger, she lashes out. To cope up with her sorrow, she plays with the hip musicians in a neighborhood bar.

As the episode concludes, Hailey feels confident and content, returning home and going to practice her craft. Meanwhile, passionate and rebellious Rodrigo is as determined as ever to get the orchestra board to permit him to conduct from the middle of the house rather than the podium, a sensation that he believes will revolutionize classical music by putting the conductor closer to the audience and modeling his conduct movements on those of audiences.

In the episode's ending moments, we see a dazzling scene where Hailey is practicing alone in an abandoned church, and Rodrigo, walking in that area, overhears her fantastic music. They meet and bond over Rodrigo's interest in Hailey's ability to play the oboe. Rodrigo is impressed by Hailey, and he allows her to perform in his concert, where she accepts his invitation.