Rhapsody

//08: the quintet.

this is my favorite piece of the whole evening,
i swear it is.
really.
look at the instrumental arrangement - it's perfect -
violin, violin, cello, viola,
and the piano in the back.
i wish it wasn't in the back,
but i guess it's too big to be anywhere else.
oh, don't look at me like that;
you know i'm biased.
yes, i agree,
they really should write more chamber pieces
involving winds.
it'd have such a different personality, with winds.

the piano starts -
i don't quite like his playing, it seems a little...
harsh. but i guess
it works for this mood.
this is a modern piece, isn't it?
it sounds...
strange.
but in a good way.

and now the strings join!
oh, the harmonies.
high, high, low, medium.
they all look at each other
and breathe together;
i've always marvelled
at how string players
can do that: breathe
together. as one.

her thoughts mush together
they collide and combine
and disappear
as the first violin sings the melody,
then the second repeats it happily;
and the viola follows,
jumping at this chance to solo for once.
the cello brings up the rear,
proudly pulling at her heartstrings
with just one long bow.

pluck, pluck
goes the cello:
a pizzicato accompaniment
as the violins argue with each other
while the viola watches,
almost gleefully.

they end with a bang -
a loud note, and all the strings raise their arms high,
breathing heavily,
a relieved smile
tugging at their lips;
but they hide it - for now.
even as the pianist begins the second movement
her hands itch to clap,
and he knows this; and he takes them both
within his own
and smiles at her softly
and she fake-huffs
in disappointment.