The musician

Abstract

Now in his late 80s, The Musician has been playing the viola professionally for more than 70 years. His professional career started when he played in a dance band in New York City, and he has never retired. Gradually, he progressed from dance to concert hails. He even played one of Stravinsky's own pieces for the composer: the score, dedicated to him and signed by Stravinsky, can be seen framed on the wall of the music room. There are weekly performances in a chamber group in London and regular trips to Europe to play his viola. The Musician stands proudly in the music room, picks up his 200-year-old viola, and plays with vigour, coordination, and dexterity to create a wonderful, rich, mellow sound. Playing music is as important to his life now as it has ever been. He is adamant that it helped him overcome an episode of arthritis in his bowing arm some years ago. He is equally certain that if he were ever unable to play he would end up “just existing”–riding on buses, having endless coffee mornings–and would not last long. Homes for older people are, he says, quite depressing. He should know; he has played in many of them.