The music
He had practised obediently since he was tiny, but his performances remained wooden, formulaic. His father said his playing lacked soul.
His mother thought he was intimidated: “He’s afraid he won’t measure up to Alfred.” And his brother was extraordinary. He had the prizes to prove it.
Madame Baranovnika dreaded his weekly lessons. “Let go, Mikhail. Let your heart take you past the mechanics, into the music itself.” Still he held back. Madame was mystified.
But Mikhail heard other voices too, and resisted. Until he no longer could, and the music took him.
Now the music is all he hears.
*****
This is for Friday Fictioneers, once again. Many thanks to Rochelle Wisoff-Fields for hosting and maintaining this weekly flash fiction link-up.
Onto the page 
Just lovely. And you built a surprise into 100 words
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Thank you, Neil. I’m so glad you were surprised.
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That’s quite an ominous ending!
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My husband says I disappear somewhere inside my head when I’m working on a writing project. I think that’s what gave me the idea. Thanks for commenting.
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This is beautifully written – so pleasing and fluid 😊
It’s so intriguing too – what exactly did those other voices say – what made him hold back.
I do envy those who can get lost in music – I wish I had learnt an instrument!
A really lovely tale 😊
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I’m glad you were intrigued, Anna. I do believe there’s something in music, and the other arts, that calls us away from the everyday world. What happens if we go all the way? Thanks for commenting.
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That is – lovely and also ominous – but that’s good! x
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Two comments from you? How nice.
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Yeah – I realise my ‘lovely tale’ comment didn’t quite fit with the slightly ominous end 😊
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That’s ok. I’m happy with ‘lovely tale’.
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Terrific tale.
Beautifully crafted, a bit creepy, and not at all schmaltzy!
Love it.
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Beautifully crafted, creepy and schmaltz-less. I regard that as high praise indeed. Many thanks CE.
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I liked it, Margaret.
And the ‘schmaltzy’ was obviously payback for your comment on my story!
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Yes. I got that. Had a chuckle. Thanks again, CE.
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Dear Margaret,
I love the way Mikhail finally was taken in. No doubt he’s giving Alfred a run for his money. Well crafted. Like you, when I’m in the midst of writing, I’m simply not ‘there’ to the outside world. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s not a very sociable pastime, is it? But worth it I believe, having just gone through a couple of years when I didn’t really write at all. There is an element of giving oneself over to something ‘other’. It feels a bit like that anyway. Thanks for your nice words, Rochelle.
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Touching and poignant and left me wondering what that last line really meant. Nicely done, Margaret.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan. The last line needs to remain a bit enigmatic. But something big has certainly taken hold of Mikhail.
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That’s a wonderful story. When we can do the things we love, it’s easy to get completely submerged for a while. Maybe some people can’t come out of that any longer, and maybe Michail was afraid of that.
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That’s it. Especially with music, and other artistic and creative pursuits, I believe. Thanks, Gabriele.
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I really the way you turn around the disappointment felt about Mikhail, into a dramatic awakening of his own musical soul. Inspiring story – well done.
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Mikhail had to be willing to pay the price for that awakening, I feel. Thanks for your encouraging comment.
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Ah, the joy of music. We should all learn to play, but unfortunately we don’t all have the dedication.
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I agree with that. Music is a miraculous thing, really. Thanks for your comment, James.
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I have a feeling he feared to be taken by music… and in the end he couldn’t resist.
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You’re exactly right. At some instinctive level he knew the price to be paid.
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I think Mikhail has been consumed by his efforts. I hope he’s happy in his new orientation. A very striking piece, Margaret.
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After all that resistance, it’s as if he’s been possessed by something. Feels a little frightening! Great piece of writing Margaret
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I think he knew what surrender would mean. Thanks for your lovely comment, Lynn.
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My pleasure Margaret
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It sounds like Mikhail is given to extremes, taking nothing in moderation. Perhaps he knew that if he gave himself over to music, he would never find himself again? Love the ominous ending.
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Yes, he had a sense that there would be a price to pay. Glad you like the ending. Thank you.
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it seems like a love/hate relationship. fortunately, music wins at the end.
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Mikhail seemed to know what submitting to his talent would involve, and feared it. I’m sure he’s happy now, whatever world he exists in.
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Looks like in the end he discovered that connection that he was once missing. Nice one.
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Thanks, subroto.
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I somehow feel bad for him.
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Yes, I have mixed feelings too. He’s gained something, but lost something too.
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Thank Heavens, he listened to the music of his heart
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Yes, he did. Thanks for commenting, Anshu.
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