They knew it of course.
During a break from rehearsal one morning, Mel said to Ivan, ‘This is more dynamic than anything I’ve experienced musically before, the way we all contribute ideas.’
‘It’s how we’ve always worked.’
‘So creative.’
‘Nothing is static in ensemble work. We learn from each other constantly.’
‘I’m learning in spades.’
‘It isn’t one-way. We’re responding to you.’
Mel blinked. ‘Really?’
‘I don’t say things I don’t mean. So you feel you are benefiting from the experience?’
‘Enormously, even though I still hardly know you.’
‘Me personally?’
‘The group. Anthony puzzles me the most. A sort of Jekyll and Hyde.’ He stopped, embarrassed at what he’d said. ‘No, that’s out of order. Do you know what I mean?’
‘Bipolar?’
‘I wouldn’t want to give it a label.’
‘Good — because we don’t think he’s bipolar. That’s about highs and lows, isn’t it? Manic-depressive stuff. He’s not particularly depressed.’
‘There’s a personality change when we start rehearsing.’
‘The music is paramount to Anthony. It dwarfs everything else. The rest of his life bores him. He can’t be bothered with it. Playing in the quartet is his only reality.’
‘Isn’t that dangerous?’
‘There are times when we have to remind him over the most mundane things like getting his hair cut or renewing his passport. He needs someone in his life to chivvy him along. But he’s not capable of entering into a relationship, so I don’t think he’ll find anyone.’
‘Not capable? He must have emotional needs.’
‘Outside music?’ Ivan shook his head. ‘I’m not aware of any. The emotion is all channelled into his playing. If his body tells him he requires food, he’ll eat. He doesn’t read or go to the cinema. When he wants sex, he’ll pay for it. All those things are functional, unconnected with intellectual pleasure which comes to him only when he picks up his violin.’
Having said he wasn’t giving a label to Anthony’s behaviour, Mel passed no comment. Privately he thought this sounded like some form of autism.
‘It must have been tough for him when Harry quit.’
‘Indescribably tough. We worried over him. He was close to suicide. Douglas got him some work with the Hallé which probably saved his life.’
When the session resumed, Mel watched Anthony’s eyes light up. Disturbing, really, to see how addictive music can be. They played a few bars of Schubert’s Rosamunde and Anthony halted the playing himself. ‘It’s become sentimental,’ he said. ‘We’re losing the truth of the piece. Can we try this section again from the beginning?’
‘Not until we agree what is wrong,’ Ivan said.
‘The tempo. We’ve never played it this way. Like treacle running off a spoon.’
‘Must be my fault,’ Mel said. ‘I’m making the difference.’
‘I’m not blaming anyone,’ Anthony said. ‘We can rectify this. Didn’t you notice, Cat?’
‘Sweetie, I was miles away, trying to remember if I sent my dad a birthday card.’
Anthony swung round to face her, all aggression. ‘How can you do that when we’re playing?’
‘All too easily. Haven’t you ever driven a car and thought, I’ve come this far and I can’t remember any of the traffic lights I passed and the turns I made and if I was watching my speed? One part of my brain is doing these things but I’m in another place. The worst is when it happens in a concert. I can see my bow moving and it isn’t my hand that’s guiding it, can’t be, but Jesus, it is. Shit a brick, I’m in Carnegie Hall, playing Beethoven. If it hasn’t happened to you, my chick, be grateful.’
Mel knew exactly what she’d described. He’d experienced the same nightmare more than once, although not with this group.
Anthony was lost for words.
Ivan said, ‘Let’s reconsider. Anthony may have a point. If I take it with more energy, like so...’ He played the first bars again. ‘What do you think?’
‘Still sexless,’ Anthony said.
Cat’s mouth lifted at the edges, but she said nothing.
‘Show us, then,’ Ivan said, irritated.
‘Your part?’ Anthony tucked the violin under his chin and played, and he was right. The section needed a stronger pulse. ‘Shall we take it in segments?’
Ivan scowled. ‘That won’t be necessary.’
They went from the start and the improvement was obvious. Nobody said, ‘I told you so.’ Rehearsals were like this, with music the only winner.
After the session ended, Ivan said, ‘At some stage soon we must decide which piece to record.’
‘Who’s talking about recording?’ Cat said. ‘We’re still finding our way as a quartet.’
‘If you remember, it’s part of the deal. A recording for their funds. With downloads and sales of the disc it helps to pay for our residency,’ he said and added in a casual tone while fitting his violin into its case, ‘I’d like to offer the “Grosse Fuge”.’
‘That’s insane,’ Cat said. ‘We’ve only been together six weeks and he wants us to play the most difficult piece in the repertoire. Even with Harry on board, that was always a killer.’
‘We made a passable recording,’ Ivan said.
‘I’m up for it,’ Anthony said.
‘We all know about you. What about Mel?’ Cat said. ‘Are you familiar with it? All those fortissimos?’
‘I’ve heard it played and studied the score.’
‘With the best will in the world, sunshine, that isn’t the same as cutting a disc.’
Ivan said, ‘I have confidence in Mel. If we start work immediately, we can be ready in a month or so.’
Cat said, ‘We could make life a lot easier for ourselves with a more familiar piece like “Death and the Maiden”.’
‘We can record that as well,’ Ivan said. ‘We’ll need to offer something else.’ He finished fastening the case. ‘What’s your opinion, Mel?’
Ivan’s unqualified support had been unexpected. Mel felt as if he ought to be worthy of it. ‘How soon do we have to commit?’
‘They want to know soon.’
‘They want to know?’ Cat said. ‘How about the players? You just said we must start immediately and for once I couldn’t agree more — but only if every one of us opts to go for it.’
Anthony raised his hand.
‘He’s more than willing,’ Ivan said, ‘and the second violin part is unbelievably demanding on the fingers. You sound reluctant, Cat.’
‘For Mel’s sake. What Beethoven asks the violist to do isn’t shelling peas, you know. The lad’s risen admirably to the challenge, but he’s not a regular quartet player.’
‘Then we increase the rehearsal sessions.’
‘Slave-driver.’
‘I wouldn’t suggest it if I thought we’d fail.’
‘We’ve come a long way already.’ She sighed and shook her head. ‘If Mel is willing, then so am I.’
The three original members looked at Mel.
‘Let’s give it a go,’ he said, trying to sound cool.
He shared a taxi with Cat and her cello. There wasn’t room for the others.
‘I hope you know what you let yourself in for, new boy.’
‘I have some idea. I must get a copy of the recording you three made with Harry.’