{"product_id":"the-cello-that-wouldnt-play-rob-clarke-9798223421719","title":"The cello that wouldn't play Bach","description":"\u003cp\u003eA thousand hearts stopped beating. The orchestra grinds to a halt. A furtive glance, and with a shake of the head to the conductor the cello soloist walks off the stage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA young woman looks at her father, \"What is happening dad?\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"All will be well Georgia,\" he turns to answer, \"it's just a broken string.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnd so begins our story. Played out not under the bright lights of the Hong Kong stage but in a modest life in South Melbourne, where a young, if reluctant gifted musician rises above the impact of her father's business and family collapse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBonds are formed between an old luthier; a failed concert cellist now turned teacher to the girl, the girl, and an unwanted cello, which steadfastly refuses to play works by the old masters, notably J. S. Bach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJoining a local orchestra, her section leader sees within her a great potential. She premiers the work of a young composer to wide acclaim only to see her career hopes dashed in a disastrous national radio interview when she refuses to play Bach.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen her teacher does not turn up for a lesson, her insensitivity at his no show is severely chastened by the pawnshop owner who knows more of the story. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis friends rally; the cancer now in remission, his teaching lifts her playing to where now they consider a career as a professional cellist. His plan is to subtly modify the timing of the Bach second suite she has to play, he hopes, by breaking accepted norms she will startle the judges into favourably considering her application.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDays before the university entrance performance her teacher's illness returns and he's rushed to hospital where the prognosis is poor.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hospital informs the luthier of his old protege's death on the day of the recital, he cannot risk her knowing and remains silent in his grief.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDuring the performance, Georgia looks into the old man's tear filled eyes and knows David has died. In an act of love and faith she attempts the Bach on her dead teacher's instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHorrified, her father sees her walk onto the stage with the cello but it is too late, she sits and plays.\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Rob Clarke\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 8223421712\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798223421719\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Beattock Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/01\/2023\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 368\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.19lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.82d","brand":"Rob Clarke","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46767281242367,"sku":"9798223421719","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_d66d12a6-5483-48a6-ad13-17cc8ca34ead.jpg?v=1744169371","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-cello-that-wouldnt-play-rob-clarke-9798223421719","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}