Body and Soul
by dmbaer
to establish an exact date). His single mother drives a taxi and leaves him alone to fend for himself while she's at work. The opening sentences of the novel hint at what's to come artistically.
"spoilers", although I will steer clear of letting you in on some of the revelations that come out in the last few chapters.
In the small apartment was an old miniature piano upon which Claude His first view of the outside was first began to discover his talents. In through the small, fan-shaped window being left to his own devices at a very of the basement apartment. He would young age, Claude learns enough selfclimb up on the table and spend hours sufficiency to have limited funds at his peering through the bars at the legs disposal, and with some change he and feet of people passing by on the purchases an instructional book in a sidewalk, his child's mind falling still in music store. Having thoroughly contemplation of the ever-changing mastered the content, he returns to rhythms and tempos of legs and feet the store for more and makes the first moving across his field of vision. An of several important acquaintances old woman with thin calves, a kid in who will profoundly assist him in sneakers, men in wingtips, women in developing his talents. The store high heels, the shiny brown shoes of owner, impressed at how thoroughly soldiers. If anyone paused he could Claude comprehends what was taught see detail – straps, eyelets, a worn in the book, becomes his first heel, or cracked leather with the sock champion. This is the first of several showing through – but it was the significant encounters which, in total, movement that he liked, the passing might seem to be far too much parade of color and motion. coincidence to maintain creditability. But in every case (but one) the events It's clear from almost the first pages seem to unfold naturally. It is Claude's that this story will encompass a talent that leads him into trajectory of artistic success. As such, consequential artistic relationships, it's safe for me to disclose some of the not happenstance. plot without being guilty of dropping
August 2012
Through the music store owner, Claude becomes the beneficiary of a reclusive maestro who allows him the use of his magnificent concert grand piano, even though Claude never meets the man face to face. The maestro bequeaths the piano to Claude upon his death. Later he becomes the pupil of a world renowned pianist, a highly sought after teacher (and the most expensive one in the New York area, for that matter), and Claude's talents develop at an increasing pace. The teacher, Mr. Fredericks (I don't believe we ever learn his first name), is probably the most important influence Claude will ever encounter. Later, he is engaged by a superstar violinist to accompany him on an international tour. All of this seems like it was inevitable. It never seems fictionally gratuitous because Claude works ceaselessly to develop his musicianship in addition to having abundant inherent talent. The only story element that seems contrived is a connection Claude makes at one point that leads to his becoming enrolled in an elite private school with a full scholarship due to circumstances that can only be described as exceptionally lucky.
www.WusikSoundMagazine.com
37