Born Brilliant - Chap. 1
I never wanted to practice this wretched thing, it was never my idea. What boy would want to spend hours upon hours, hunched over little wooden keys that taunt and twinkle? Most certainly not I! There were books to read, games to play and sites to see. Almost in my 8th year and I could count my friends on one hand, and that's if you count Nannerl among them. How triste, never going outside to play with the boys from the apartments downstairs, not playing games in the park, only dear Papa for knowledge and darling Nannerl for company. I ached for the chance to meet other children, what must their lives be like? Were we so different?
Fortune would have it, today is a most glorious afternoon. Papa was merciful enough to at least let the windows open, inviting the spring air to burst in, rustling the book of keyboard techniques that lay open, staring back at me eye to eye.
"Wolfgang" he bellowed from the other room amid the screech and squawks of yet another violin pupil from town. Refocusing I quickly resumed the study at hand. Another hour or so, that should do…
Repeat.
Repeat.
Repeat.
Tired Wolfgang? Simply repeat it a few more dozen times, then we shall take a rest. I could hear him silently prodding me to continue through the walls. I could practically hear his eyes narrowing in disapproval when I stopped to rest my fingers. Yes Papa….I would mutter to myself in a one sided conversation that would surely make it appear as if I was completely mad.
"Stop hacking that tune you fiendish brute!" Nannerl hissed as she swept by me on her way to the chaise, draping herself nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow in expectation of my rebuttal.
"If Madamemoiselle can perform the piece in question to a more exacting standard than I, she is welcome to the instrument for a demonstration of her skill." I stuck out my tongue, knowing she could easily out play my undisciplined fingers without second thought.
She scoffed, "Ha! You couldn't afford my performance fee, and I only present on command from the Emperor himself." I simply rolled my eyes, brat!
"Nannerl – you must leave Wolfgang to his studies. He needs no further distractions from his already overly busy mind." Papa said flatly from the door way. He was holding his violin by its thin neck, his young male student standing just behind with his own instrument and books packed. I recognized the look in his eyes, run…RUN! I silently encouraged the boy, save yourself!
Thinking these thoughts, I grinned – causing Papa to frown immediately, "Wolfgang! Did you hear me?" He snapped, looking back to Nannerl, "These studies, from memory – by tomorrow morning." Nannerl slinked away to the stairs, choosing to flee lest she be assigned a similar task.
"Yes Papa." My smile faded, and I picked up where I left off
Repeat.
Repeat.
Mistake…oops.
Repeat
That night Papa can to Nannerl and I, sitting on the edge of the bed. He often came to us before sleep, with some stories from his lessons, conversations he'd had in town or critiques of our playing that needed to be aired. Papa was a wise man, strict but kind – we loved this time with him, at day's end when he was quiet and thoughtful.
"Wolfgang, every minute of every day should, must, be filled with music. Practice is not a chore, it is a duty. Must I remind you each day? This is your path, your calling – this is your security"
I flopped back onto my pillow with a sigh, "Papa, I am practicing! Every day I swear it – you hear me, I know you do."
He glowered angrily at first, then his face softened, "You won't be children forever my darlings, and what then?"
Nannerl and I eyed one another, what was the old coot on about now? Sentimental old goat!
Starting to giggle we both squirmed, and Papa began to laugh blowing out the candle. "Good night my darlings."
In the darkness, I squirmed closer to Nannerl who squealed when she felt my cold feet against her own. "You beast!" she shoved against me, I just giggled like mad. My mind was already dancing with tomorrow's lesson with Papa, my keyboard studies memorized? Lord! Who does this man think I am? Yawning I listened to the thump, thump, thump of my sister's chest. What a pleasant tempo, did she choose that? Cleaver girl! We fell asleep like that, huddled against one another, tete a tete.