This last in the Folio Society collection of Turgenev’s stories, ultimately keeps us guessing, with “What did it mean? Could it be …”
The author’s descriptive skills, replicated by the lithograph of Elisa Trimby’s, are exemplified in “First of all Muzzio [on his Indian violin] played several melancholy – as he called them – folk songs, strange and even savage to Italian ears; the sound of the metallic strings was mournful and feeble. But when Muzzio played the final song, this very sound suddenly grew stronger and quivered resonantly and powerfully; a passionate melody poured out from beneath the broad sweeps of the bow, poured out in beautiful sinuous coils like that very snake whose skin covered the top of the violin; and the melody burned with such fire, was radiant with such triumphant joy….”
Almost reflecting the tempo of this passage Fabio and Valeria, the as yet childless couple whose home this was, gradually, initially imperceptibly, became beset by disturbing dreams suggesting mysterious sorcery. It was as if their very essence had been subjected to the influence of two uninvited guests.
The author’s device for narrating this story of a sixteenth century tale was an historic manuscript which ended with the question quoted in my first paragraph. Was this prompted in Valeria by her “first trembling signs of a new life about to be born”?.
A very simple but effective drawing. Thank you for sharing it, Derrick!
Much appreciated, John
Intriguing story. To me, the violin player resemble Nicholas Cage.
I can see that, Pat. Thank you very much
You’re right, Pat! He does resemble Nicholas Cage.
Nicely done!
Thank you very much, Dale
The story is interesting and the drawing effective.
Thank you very much, Luisa
You’re more than welcome !
Sounds like musical hypnosis!
A good thought, Sue. Thank you very much
Ooh! Interesting story!
And the illustration embodies “a picture paints a thousand words”.
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you very much, Carolyn X
I love the descriptions of the music flowing from the violin, Derrick.
The description of the violin music struck me as well, Lavinia. It’s one of the best I’ve ever read.
So vivid!
Thank you very much, Laurie
Hi Derrick, this is a great post. I love the description of the music.
Thank you so much, Robbie
I love those drawings
Thank you very much, Gary