Street Corner Virtuoso
“He’s playing the Paganini Variations!”
I held my cell phone as close as possible, hoping Cindy could hear. When he finished, she begged, “Please, Mark, invite him again.” I handed him another home-cooked meal, wrapped in foil for warmth.
Every afternoon I came. Others strode by, deaf to the music. His ragged violin case held some silver, but little green. I added a fistful of bills, about what I had paid to hear Janine Jansen the night before.
“Beau Soir?”
“Debussy. Needs piano.”
“My wife plays. Please come to us.”
His first smile, but still a head shake.
“Tomorrow, then.”
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If you’d like to hear the music Mark heard, here are the Paganini Variations, played by Hilary Hahn: Paganini Variations You can see why Mark is so impressed! And here’s the piece Cindy really wants to play with the street virtuoso, played by Janine Jansen: Debussy’s Beau Soir
After reading your story, I listened to the music, Julie. I’ve always enjoyed listening to a violin being played but never before have I been so swept away. Absolutely exquisite. There is a sadness to your story. People unable to appreciate talent, walking by, in their own little world. I’m now left with the hope that Mark’s invitation will eventually be accepted, violin and piano will come together and friendships formed. Your story really moved me.
Linda, I am thrilled that you enjoyed the music related to this story so much. To me, “Beau Soir” is one of the most beautiful pieces ever written. Strangely enough I didn’t discover that piece in music school or through my many decades of music study. No, I first heard this piece in a Sherlock Holmes production by Granada, with Jeremy Brett. The episode is “The Master Blackmailer” with Robert Hardy and Norma West – a real masterpiece! The Debussy piece is almost one of the characters!
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Glad that Mark enjoyed the music and was generous in his tips, Julie.
Thanks so much for reading and for your comments, Margarida!
Hello, Julie. I really enjoyed listening to that music on youtube. Like Mark, I am also impressed.
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I am so glad you enjoyed the music, Lotchie. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? Thanks for reading!
Yes. It is indeed beautiful. You’re most welcome.
You have managed to fit so much into this little story, Julie! There is, of course, the sad part which Linda points out that most people walk by without paying attention, but there is also the strange reality that this virtuous has to make his living in that way. But what do I know? Maybe he prefers the freedom of playing alone in the streets. From his refusal to accept Marc’s invitation, although he and his wife are big aficionados, we have to assume that he doesn’t fit into a concert hall or the community of an orchestra. You have shown all this in a masterful way, A very strong piece of writing, Julie!
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Thank you for your insightful comments, Christer. You would perhaps be surprised at how difficult it is even for superb virtuoso performers to make a living in music. Orchestra positions are highly competitive, and having a soloist career in a concert hall requires many connections, financial backing, marketing — only a few can make it. I do hope the violinist begins to trust Mark and finally goes home with him to make music with Cindy!
Of, course, Julie, you are right. I have heard about the excruciating competition that makes it very difficult even for very talented musicians to make it into good positions. When I read your wonderful story, my thoughts went to a movie that I saw many years ago that made a deep impression on me. It probably wasn’t The Pianist. Maybe The Soloist?
Yes, the movie was “The Soloist” and was based on a true story about Nathaniel Ayers, a highly accomplished violinist who had attended Julliard. I haven’t seen the movie, but I devoured the book. My story was loosely based on the story of Nathaniel Ayers. In his case, mental illness put him on the streets and kept him there, even when many people ventured forth to help him. My protagonist is not mentally ill, but wary of strangers and not totally proficient in English, which is not his native language. His native language, of course, is music. He also speaks the language of his native country, somewhere in Eastern Europe. Like many poor people from other countries, he doesn’t quite trust rich, cultured Americans. In many cases, sadly, this distrust is well-founded. By the way, “rich” could apply to anyone who lives in a comfortable home and has a grand piano.
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I love this, Julie, I love both piano and violin, though never had the fortune or time to be able to play (I don’t think one fingered tinkling counts!). As well as classical music, I love listening to movie and game scores. This is one of my favourite pieces of music, Ezio’s Family from the Assassin’s Creed games; when the violin comes in, my hairs on my arms always stand on end ?
https://youtu.be/FSVHx23ByhM
and another that is both piano and violin, Somnus from the Final Fantasy XV game:
https://youtu.be/Kc9_aTUFZCE
Hi Carrie, and thanks so much for your wonderful comments! I also love film music and music from video games. Some of the best music being written today is in those two categories! Many of my students write for films and for games – as composers, they will have a better chance of making a living in that world than in the world of the concert hall. Thanks for the two links – I especially enjoyed “Somnus”.