I have always steered well clear of fiction books that have to do with the subject of classical music and its performers. They are usually written by non-professional musicians, and as a result, they tend to fawn over the process of making art. Performers are starving, beautiful, and possessed of virtuoso abilities on their instruments. Composers are drawn as all of the above, but with the added character attribute of being really angry at or about something, usually the performers. It’s not that we professional musicians don’t sit around and talk about what a great piece Beethoven’s Ninth is, but after you’ve played it a dozen times, you move on to other topics of conversation. Now, I’m not above reading fictional accounts of other sorts of artists, but I am not intimately acquainted with their means of expression, and so accepting some artistic license in the storytelling doesn’t bother me so much.
A couple years ago, while playing at the Sunriver Music Festival, I met the Associate concertmaster of the Utah Symphony, Gerry Elias. As I was talking to him, he mentioned that he was doing a reading at a local bookstore. Turns out he had written his first mystery novel in the past year, and had been doing a press tour to promote the book during holes in the symphony season, especially during the summer months. I’m always impressed by someone who can write well enough to be published while they are doing their “day” job, and I’m an avid mystery reader, but I was leery of the subject of the book: a curmudgeonly violin teacher who helps to recover a priceless violin and ends up in the middle of a murder investigation.
As it turns out, I needn’t have worried. The book, Devil’s Trill (Minotaur Books), turns out to be not only excellently written, but also steers away from nearly all of the traps that had hitherto kept me away from musically-related fiction books. The writing about the violin, the music written for the violin, the varying philosophies of teaching the violin, and the heartbreak of competitions and auditions is all written about in a factual, yet entertaining way. At no time does one feel that one is being bombarded with jargon, but at the same time, the subjects are presented in a sophisticated way that does not pander to the reader. The characterizations are well-drawn, and handled deftly, especially in one case where one cannot be certain if what the narrator says is reliable.
The story of Devil’s Trill centers upon a 3/4 sized Stradivarius violin (known as the “Piccolino”) which is born of lust and bloodshed. In the present day, it is owned by a musical foundation which presents a competition for child prodigies – held once very 13 years and with no competitor above the age of 13 allowed to compete. After the final round of the competition, the Piccolino is mysteriously stolen, and the novel’s protagonist, Daniel Jacobus, is enlisted (reluctantly, on his part) to help recover the violin. What follows is a trip through the world of the highest echelons of the art and craft of teaching violinists and making violins. This includes a rogue’s gallery of possible perpetrators, including self-aggrandizing celebrity violin teachers, slimy violin dealers, unscrupulous artist managers, and even Carnegie Hall herself. It is a delightful read for any music-lover, and I recommend it highly.
Devil’s Trill was the first of a series of Daniel Jacobus novels. Three sequels have been published thus far, including the newest book in the series, Death and Transfiguration, which is due out everywhere on June 19th. Read more about Gerry and his life in music, and his books, at www.geraldelias.com
The Daniel Jacobus mysteries series can be purchased at Amazon.com – if you purchase via these links, you will help support this blog (not much, but every little bit helps).
7 replies on “classical mystery tour”
hiatus, schmiatus – – – welcome baaaack!
I reserve the right to hiate without notice, however. But if I’m moved to write something, I will. I just needed to give myself permission not to do so. 🙂
very well put & abundantly understood.
now, here’s a book i’d like to recommend:
“sudden noises from inanimate objects”
christopher miller
SNFIO is THE funniest & most truthful fictional portrayal of a deluded composer imaginable. this is laff out loud uproarious on the same scale as “a confederacy of dunces.”
trust me!
I read “Devil’s Trill” in about 4 days and loved it. Disappointed that I haven’t found any of the other ones yet in a physical bookstore. Guess I’ll just have buy from the internet.
“Performers are starving, beautiful, and possessed of virtuoso abilities on their instruments.” Well, yeah! ;>)
“It’s not that we professional musicians don’t sit around and talk about what a great piece Beethoven’s Ninth is, but after you’ve played it a dozen times, you move on to other topics of conversation.” LOL, for real!
Charles – have you read “An Equal Music” by Vikram Seth?
I have not, though it has been recommended to me by several colleagues. You recommend it as well?