Bartok Assistance Needed

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

I am writing a fic in which I have Sherlock taking part in the performance of the Bartok quartets over a series of evenings. I am doing my homework with listening guides - Carnegie Hall etc. - but am curious if there are any musicians reading this who would be willing to help me brainstorm as I am trying to translate this powerful music to the written word.

My goals include showing Sherlock as a skilled musician, and as I am not one myself I feel the need to seek a musical beta.

Comments

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

You don't think I'm completely crazy - thank you.

I read music to the extent that I played the cornet in the band in junior high - so, yes, but on a very simplistic level. The Theme to Jurassic Park level.

The other characters he is playing with can be made up and given back stories to fit the story and/or the music. I would say for ease of storytelling that all four players are proficient with this sort of music and familiar with these pieces. At least Sherlock and two others will have played together casually in this same setting in the past - perhaps one character is new to the group, and finding all the elements in place for a quartet is what makes Sherlock think to get the plan rolling - in which case he would likely be the 1st Violin. Or - two of the other musicians could conceivably have been working on this in a different setting - perhaps they play professionally - they recruit Sherlock and a fourth - Sherlock takes the part of 2nd violin in this scenario - I was intrigued by your phrasing of the 2nd Violin being able to work in the shadows. Again, this can all be tweaked - these are just the thoughts popping into my head based on your questions. At least one of them will be passionate about Bartók, allowing me to give him a little love during the course of the story.

They'll definitely play multiple pieces, but I'm thinking I don't have enough rehearsal time to give them to allow all six. I was going to say - artistic license - and have them do them all, but I don't want to trivialize the difficulty of the music. I'm not sure which of the quartets they'll ultimately perform - I'm not yet entirely familiar with everything which is going on in Sherlock's head during this story, and that will have bearing on this decision.

Rehearsal time with these four musicians playing together - I would imagine they play together each morning for a period of two weeks, the performances being given in the evening. If I have them play three pieces total they would have a solid week and a half of morning rehearsals before playing to an audience.

Oh, lord, the being nationalistic theme screams out for me to make Mycroft one of the other musicians - but I think I'll just give him and Sherlock multiple, sniping exchanges about it.

[pargoletta.livejournal.com]

You don't think I'm completely crazy - thank you.

Hey, I'm a graduate student. My standards for "completely crazy" are much higher than a civilian's.

Sounds like you've got a solid plan going there. When you need more, PM me or something, and we can chat a bit.

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Awesome. Thank you again!