Heartstrings

by Marilee Boekweg

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Eroica looked out the window in the performers’ waiting room. The concert hall was across the street from the Salt Lake Temple and she could see the Angel Moroni declaring his message from the topmost spire. She thought about the great work that Moroni had accomplished. His testimony still brought people to Christ, so many years after his death. She also thought about the thirteenth article of faith: “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”

  Eroica knew that she would never be great like Moroni, but she did want to bear her testimony through her music. Many of the participants were from foreign countries, and she seemed to be the only competitor who was a Mormon. Every time she was offered coffee or wine and she declined, someone would comment that she must be a Mormon. So she felt a responsibility to be a good example for the Church.

  It was Eroica’s turn, so on stage she went. She played well for the judges, each solo engraved in her memory.

  “You were marvelous,” her father declared when she found her parents again. “You couldn’t have played any better.”

  “I’m so glad it’s over. Let’s go eat something. I’m so hungry. Bargain burgers even sound good,” she laughed at Mark. He had arranged his work schedule so that he could come and listen to her perform.

  “It might not be over, Eroica,” Mark reminded her. “We’ll see what the judges have to say about it.”

  “Can you stay that long?”

  “Today I can. And I’ll be there if you make it to the end of the week. I have to perform with the orchestra Thursday and Friday nights.”

  “Let’s not think about it. Let’s go eat something.”

  At seven o’clock all fifty pianists were back in the concert hall, eagerly waiting for the twenty-five names to be read. Eroica’s name was seventh on the list. She was completely stunned. She truly hadn’t expected it. She turned to Dr. Fife in panic. He knew what would be the best pieces for her to play. The hard part for Eroica would be bracing herself to go in front of the judges one more time.

  But she did it, and very successfully, too. And on Tuesday night, when the list was pared down from twenty-five to fifteen competitors, Eroica’s name was still on it. Dr. Hamilton was having a great time watching the success of his daughter. As for Eroica, she could hardly believe that she hadn’t been cut yet.

  When Wednesday night came, and the announcements were made, she knew that it was time to put disbelief aside and become serious. Eroica had been chosen as one of the six finalists. She was still in, and the time had come for her to focus on her concerto.

  On Thursday and Friday nights, each of the six contestants would play a concerto with the Deseret Symphony. Eroica was scheduled to play fourth, so she would be the first to perform on Friday evening.

  All Eroica wanted to do was call Mark and then play through the Schelling Concerto. But it was already late. By the time she got back to Provo, she was too tired to play anything. Especially a concerto that took almost an hour to get through.

  Dr. Fife met Eroica Thursday morning in the school’s concert hall. Her father came with her. Eroica wanted to play straight through her concerto, and afterwards have Dr. Fife critique her performance. When Dr. Fife had finished making comments about Eroica’s performance, Dr. Hamilton joined in with his remarks.

  “There is a particular section towards the end which concerns me. I am not convinced that Eroica is playing it stylistically correct.”

  “Oh?” Dr. Fife turned to the last few pages of the concerto. “Which part do you mean?”

  “It’s right before the final presto, the legato section.”

  “Right here?”

  “Yes, this part. I feel that it should have a lilting quality to it. Almost carefree, before barreling into the finale.”

  Dr. Fife waited for Eroica to comment. Eroica wanted to keep it the way it was. She liked it that way. But she didn’t want to go against her father’s sense of musical styles.

  “I think Eroica wants to play this with a heavy marcato feel to it,” Dr. Fife said for her. “Isn’t that right, Eroica? When Eroica and I started working on this concerto together, almost a year ago, she had definite opinions of how she wanted it to sound. I encouraged her in this, and I think she has done an outstanding job of turning such a technically challenging work into music.”

  Dr. Hamilton raised his eyebrows as he looked at his daughter. “I guess my little girl truly has graduated from the school of music.”

  “It makes more sense when it’s with the orchestra. You’ll see,” she smiled at him.

  When Eroica made it back home, she flopped onto her bed and wished that she could stay there forever. But she hadn’t been there five minutes when the doorbell rang.

  Eroica went into the front room and was met by her mother, Tilly, and an emerald green dress.

  “The whole thing was your mother’s idea from beginning to end,” Tilly defended herself, as Mrs. Hamilton laughed at the expression on Eroica’s face.

  “Oh Mother,” Eroica protested, “You knew I just wanted to wear the black dress from my senior recital.”

  “You don’t have to wear this if you don’t want to,” Mrs. Hamilton said lightly. “But you ought to at least try it on. After all, Matilda did spend a lot of time on it.”

  “How did you get this dress finished so quickly? We found out just last night that I made it into the finals.”

  “Actually, I started making it about two months ago. When Mark called your father and told him that you had agreed to be in the festival, your mother immediately called me and asked me to make a performance dress for you. And it turned out wonderfully.

  “I used a costume pattern for a sixteenth century ball gown. I thought it was appropriate, since you are always making fun of performance dresses looking like costumes.”

  Here Tilly took a break from talking to laugh at her own humour. “Try it on. Let’s see if it fits and how it looks before we make any hasty decisions about whether or not you will wear it for the performance.”

  Eroica took the dress and went skeptically into her bedroom. Once she had the dress on though, she knew that she would perform in it. It was beautiful. The pattern was simple, but the material that Tilly used was water drop taffeta. This kept it from looking plain. The skirt was floor length with yard and yards of netting underneath, to make it billow. It had a square neckline which contributed to the sixteenth century feel. The sleeves were puffy and short, so there was no chance of them getting in the way when she performed. Tilly must have planned for that. There were no extra frills or sequins, but it was an elegant gown. And Eroica looked perfect in it.

  “It fits,” Tilly cried as Eroica came back into the room. “What a relief.”

  “You look beautiful,” her mother joined in.

  “So, what do you think, Eroica? I made it as plain as I could in the hopes that you would approve of it.”

  “Of course I’ll wear it. It’s beautiful. But please don’t make me wear any jewelry, or any sparkly things in my hair. This dress is plenty.”

  Tilly and her mother laughed in agreement, as Eroica went back into her room to change her clothes again.

  Friday came, and with it came Pioneer Day festivities. Eroica had played through her concerto that morning with the symphony and everything had gone well. This was going to be a Pioneer Day that she would remember always.

  Eroica had gone to John and AnnaMaria’s house to get ready for her performance. She had put on her emerald green dress, and her mother had done her hair in a chignon at the nape of her neck. They were just waiting for Dr. Hamilton to come back so they could go to Symphony Hall. He had said that he needed to run an errand and would be right back. They still had plenty of time, but he had been gone for over an hour.

  Eroica and Mrs. Hamilton had started to worry, although neither one would admit it out loud. With Karloff H
amilton, no one ever knew what he was up to. So when he pulled the car into the driveway, Eroica and her mother simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Let’s get there before he decides to do something else,” her mother said.

  Eroica grabbed her music, even though she didn’t need it. But she was stopped by her father at the door.

  “I know that you didn’t want to add anything more to your apparel, but it would do me great honor if you would wear this gift. No matter the outcome of tonight, your mother and I will always love you. You have been a wonderful daughter.”

  Eroica and Mrs. Hamilton were taken by surprise. Dr. Hamilton rarely shared such emotions. Eroica took the small package that he handed to her and opened it. Inside was a square, dark green emerald set in white gold, and hung on a thin, white gold rope chain.

  Eroica hugged her father and her mother. “Thank you. I love you, too. And thank you for giving me the gift of music, and for coming to countless lessons and performances.”

  Mrs. Hamilton put the necklace on Eroica, and they all three went out the door.

  There was so much activity backstage that Eroica didn’t know where to go. She wanted to find a quiet place so that she could collect her thoughts before performing. But there were people everywhere. The performers’ waiting room was full of people speaking several different languages. And as soon as she was spotted by the local newspaper crew, she was bombarded with questions and flashing cameras.

  Eroica felt herself begin to panic. If only she could get away. She looked around for an escape, and there he was. Mark was across the room, watching her. There was a calming look on his face that calmed her, too.

  When the five minute warning bell rang, the newspaper people left, and everyone dispersed to assigned places. Mark, who looked so sharp in performance black, gave her a reassuring smile before he went on stage with the rest of the orchestra.

  The conductor came up to Eroica and asked her if she was ready. She looked at the door that led to the stage and wondered if this was how parachute jumpers felt when they looked at that hole in the airplane. She slowly nodded, went to the door, then stopped. The audience began to clap, but she couldn’t walk out there. She wasn’t ready.

  Then Eroica saw Mark again. He was straight across form her, in the front row of the cello section. And there was that look on his face again. It warmed Eroica’s heart, and brought her onto the stage. She bowed to the audience and sat down at the piano. She knew the conductor would not begin until she looked at him.

  On stage, with the audience and orchestra waiting, Eroica finally had a moment of quiet. She closed her eyes, took a few deep breaths, said a prayer to give any glory back to God, and opened her eyes. Now she was ready.

  Eroica nodded to the conductor and the orchestra began. She knew this concerto so well by now that the notes came easily. All of her energy and emotion went through her fingers and into the piano. She was able to focus on the musical aspects of the piece, and everything came together brilliantly and flawlessly.

  When Eroica had played the final chord and her concerto was finished, she was exhausted. She didn’t think she could ever do this again. She looked up, with all the lights beating down on her and everyone clapping and cheering, and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to stand up. But she did, and she went through the motions of bowing, and shaking hands, and accepting flowers.

  Backstage all that Eroica wanted to do was go outside. It was so hot waiting in the wings. She stepped out for a few minutes while the orchestra set up for the next concerto. Another part of her life had come to an end. She never dreamed that she would be in an international piano festival. It was never a goal of hers. But it had become so, and she knew that she had accomplished it well. Looking up at the stars and the Salt Lake Temple, Eroica felt only gratitude.

  When all six competitors had finished their concertos, the house lights went up and the judges adjourned to make their decisions. Eroica found her family, and they were all eager to congratulate her. Of course Tilly and Jem had come. Mark’s parents were also there, and so were David and Allisun. It didn’t seem to matter to anyone what place Eroica came in. In their hearts she was a winner. Eroica had never experienced so much love and acceptance. It was a feeling that she wished she could hold onto forever.

  At last the house lights flashed to signal that the judges were ready. Mark took Eroica’s hand and went with her back to the stage.

  “Eroica,” Mark pulled her aside before she joined the five other finalists, “There’s a strong chance that you will win tonight. Honestly, when I sent in the application for you, I never dreamed that you could win. But tonight you have proved that you are concert pianist caliber, and I am happy for you. If you win, I will miss you while you are gone performing all over the world. We have had a wonderful friendship. Let’s have no regrets.”

  “Don’t talk this way. I’m not going to win.” The other five finalists were on stage. Everyone in the building was waiting for Eroica Hamilton. “I just want to stay here with you, Mark,” she said before she hurried onto the stage.

  Never in the history of competition did anyone not want to come in first place. Except for in Eroica’s case. She wished that she could tell the judges that she didn’t need to win and that they ought to pick someone else. All Eroica ever wanted was to belong to someone. She felt that way with Mark. She didn’t want to give up his friendship.

  After a lengthy speech thanking all the participants and judges, the announcements of the winners began.

  “There are some special five thousand dollar cash prizes that will be presented first.

  “The award for the best performance of a work by Brahms goes to Hans Halden Gutellberg, Germany.

  “The award for the best performance of a work by Schumann goes to Jung Hwa Whei,

  Korea.

  “The audience choice award goes to Eroica Hamilton, USA.”

  Each winner went up and received a certificate and a plaque. Eroica wished that she could leave now. This was enough for her. More, in fact, than she had hoped for. But the man making all the announcements kept going.

  “Now for the six final placement awards.

  “In sixth place, and the recipient of a six thousand dollar cash prize is Conrad James Callister, USA.

  “In fifth place, and the winner of eight thousand dollars is Jung Hwa Whei, Korea.”

  With each announcement the crowd cheered louder and Eroica became more nervous.

  “The fourth place winner, and recipient of ten thousand dollars is Hans Halden Gutellberg, Germany.

  Eroica was breathing quickly.

  “In third place, and winner of the bronze medal, and fifteen thousand dollars is Chizuko Kobayashi, Japan.”

  Eroica’s face went completely white. She was afraid that she was going to faint.

  “The award for the second place silver medal and a twenty-five thousand dollar cash prize go to Eroica Hamilton, USA.”

  Eroica couldn’t have been more relieved.

  “This means that the first place gold medal, the fifty thousand dollar cash prize, and the Steinway grand piano go to Nicolae Stanislav, Romania. He also wins a year-long performing tour around the world, starting in Carnegie Hall. Congratulations to all of our finalists.”

  Backstage, reporters, cameramen, and television crews were waiting for them. This time Eroica felt like she could take them on. She knew that she would never have to face them again.

  It was late, but no one was tired. And no one was in a hurry to get out of the building.

  “Eroica and Mark, come stand over here,” AnnaMaria called to them. “I want to take some pictures. You two look as if you are on your way to the senior prom.”

  Eroica and Mark stood together while their family members snapped pictures.

  “This is more fun than the senior prom,” Eroica stated. “At least it is now, since the competition is over.”

&nb
sp; “Didn’t you have fun at your senior prom?”

  “I went to a private girls’ school. We had dances with a neighboring boys’ school. If a girl didn’t have a date to a big event, then the administration would match her up with someone. It wasn’t so bad, being set up. But I always wished that someone would have wanted to ask me on his own.”

  “I have a hard time believing that you had a difficult time getting a date. You are very pretty.”

  “I don’t have a bubbly personality, though. I’m not like Stephany.”

  “And I’m so glad about that. I like you just the way you are. And you should, too.”

  “I wish that you had been around to take me to my senior prom. That would have been fun.”

  “Well, everyone wants to go out to dinner right now. And I don’t think that your father has burgers and pizza in mind. So, Eroica,” Mark turned towards her and held up her hand, “Would you be so good as to accompany me to dinner for the senior prom?”

  “I would love to, Mark,” she laughed at him.

  “Who wants to go out to dinner?” Eroica’s father asked by way of shooing everyone towards the door.

  It was a happy group that left the concert hall. Mark and Eroica were together, Tilly knew that Eroica’s dress had been a success, AnnaMaria and John had a chance to go out with no children—Daphne and Blythe were babysitting for them—Karloff and Eleanor Hamilton were thrilled to see how well their two daughters were getting on in life, David and Allisun were still newlyweds, and Brother and Sister Wallace were hopeful that Mark would soon be marrying Eroica.

  Eroica decided that this must be what heaven would be like. To be with family and loved ones forever.