
Beyond the Veil
I fill her dreams with music. Violins shimmer above a velvety clarinet and throaty flute. The two woodwinds pulsate and throb with longing, finally opening into an English horn of unbearable sweetness. The cellos bring warmth to each lingering echo.
I watch her closely. She awakens, throws back the covers in excitement, reaches for the staff paper and pencil she keeps by her bed. She switches on the bedside lamp and begins to furiously write down what she is hearing. All her years of training and her passion for music have led to this sublime moment.
She’s the one. Amanda.
When I was a young girl, I took my compositions to teachers who simply scoffed, without even looking at them. “Women can’t be composers, Anna,” I heard everywhere. In the end, I chose an early death, to write my music on a different plane. For centuries now, I’ve scoured the planet for a woman who can bring that music to life. I haunted the finest music schools, sat in on lessons and performances, narrowed my field of candidates to a select few.
Tonight, I have found the right woman.
Amanda is determined to be a successful conductor in a world still dominated by men. Next month she will audition for Principal Conductor of a new, very promising orchestra. Over the course of three long afternoons, she will conduct rehearsals of Beethoven, Ravel and Stravinsky. On the fourth and final afternoon, she will introduce the performers to a newly-composed piece of her choosing. I can tell that the piece she is now hearing will be the centerpiece of that fourth afternoon.
I’m transfixed, imagining my music finally being played by living, breathing human beings.
And now Amanda has finished the transcription. I whisper the title in her ear as she draws the final double bar line.
“Only a woman could have written this,” she says, searching the dark corners for any sight of me. “I don’t know who or what you are, but this music is miraculous.”
I feel something I’ve never felt before. I think it’s called happiness.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleA lovely story, Julie. I could do with someone whispering the perfect story in my ear whilst I’m asleep; there must be someone beyond the veil with an awesome tale to tell! Nicely done 🙂
I know what you mean, Carrie. This story came partly from my wishful thinking. All of us creators could use mentors, from this world or the next! As a composer, I’d love to have centuries to fine-tune some of my ideas! Thanks so much for reading and for your great comment.
Lovely and powerful tale. But I am intrigued by that miraculous music. I wish to listen to it and get lost in happiness. Well done.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI also would love to hear it, Lotchie! Maybe someday I can write it. Or have one of my talented students write it! Thanks for reading my story.
I love that. I can’t wait.
Loved it and felt echoes of the Phantom of the Opera, where Anna becomes the angel of music for Amanda. Fantastic!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOh Greene, your mention of Phantom just made my day! Yes, Anna is indeed the angel of music. I hope she visits me someday! Thank you so much for reading and for your totally awesome comment.
Wow!, Julie, this is spooky and lovely. I’m happy she found someone who is not afraid to listen to her and carry her dreams.
Thank you so much Thompson. This story is very dear to my heart, so I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWhat a beautiful story, Julie. That opening paragraph is mesmerising. So sad that, as a young girl, your protagonist’s talents were never recognised in a man’s world. Unfortunately, it isn’t rare. I’ve read of songwriters and authors too who have used male pseudonyms to have their work taken seriously. Excellent writing, as always.
Hi Linda. Yes, sadly, much of this story is based on my real-life experiences. I was the only woman in my conducting class, and my professor told me I couldn’t be a conductor. He said, and I can hardly bear to quote him, “The way you move on the podium, the men won’t be able to keep their mind on the music.” Can you believe it? Today I could sue him, but… Read more »
Oh my goodness, Julie, that is shocking. Were you never able to conduct? Your experience reminds me of when I ran a computer system for an American bank. In 1989 I was elected to Assistant Vice President after working for their London branch for 6 years. A Vice President offered his congratulations, then added ‘if you’d been a man, you would have got that title years ago’. That did dampen my achievement.… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI never did get to conduct a large symphony orchestra, except in my ill-fated conducting class. So I created my own opportunities, and a win-win situation. My composition students write for many chamber ensembles and their pieces need a conductor. Voila! I get the best performers in our area, people who play with the NC Symphony and the like, and I conduct them! Or at least I did all this before Covid.… Read more »
That’s amazing, Julie! I hope there will soon be a return to live performances.
This was such a unique story! What a fantastic idea. I am curious if something specific inspired you? Very well written. I enjoyed this piece very much.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello Heather. Many things inspired me. See my response to Linda Rock for one story. Here’s another. I was in line at the hardware story one day and the tv was on above the check-out counter. A 90 year old composer was being interviewed and he could hardly speak for excitement. His grandchildren had hired a symphony orchestra to play some of his music, as a birthday gift. “It’s the first time… Read more »