I enjoyed this book on so many levels. It was a deep dive into the classical mussic world, where we meet fascinating, flawed characters. Together, they are the Van Ness Quartet. The prose was lyrical, with a captivating premise, that proved to be a rich, engrossing read.
Jana, on first violin, is the steely leader of the pack. Brit on second violin is a self conscious orphan searching for a home. Daniel, the persevering Cellist, has the least amount of talent and is the hardest working. Henry the natural, a prodigy who was born to play the Viola.
The book delves into their family histories, friendships, relationships, marriages, children, disagreements and personal growth. Chapters are written from each of the four characters perspective. I enjoyed reading the personal introspection and the analysis of one another.
The commitment, drive, competition, rehearsal drama, performance and the difficulties in establishing a career in classical music are believable and elegantly written. It was clear that they stayed together for the love of music, but at times were adrift. Should we stay together? Am I better then these people? Could I make it on my own? So many questions with a quantifiable answer of we are in this together, we are as one, The Van Ness Quartet.
"They were playing now, like they always had. It wasn't easy. It never had been. It was something like a miracle, all this music, each note a discovery you've already made, but it was also possibly the most ordinary thing in the world to assemble, to compose and perform night after night a life."
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