Like us on Facebook
Our Mantra:
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Björn Rudberg
Genre: (Recent) Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
CODA
Unable to lift her head, Jacqueline watched her husband sit at the piano. “Please, play Brahms for me.”
As he performed the lilting sonata, she imagined her cello strings against her fingers and felt the weight of the bow. With wide vibrato her now lifeless fingers slid from one note to the next.
Daniel finished and sank down on a chair beside the bed.
A tear trickled from her eye. “Do you remember the night we met?”
“I tried to accompany you.” He smiled. “It never dawned on you how difficult it was for us mere mortals to follow you.”
.
.
Jacqueline du Pré and Daniel Barenboim
CLICK to learn more. 😉
When the research thread led me to Jacqueline du Pré I was immediately taken captive. Her talent, presence and tragic story sucked me in. Finding a short clip was next to impossible. The conductor is her husband Daniel Barenboim. I realize that classical music isn’t everyone’s style so there’s no need to feel obligated to watch the video. Shalom, Rochelle
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
How tragic. You captured so much emotion in this short story, reading more about her, I see all that in there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Loré,
Such a talent wasted. Some things I’ll never understand. I watched an interview with David Barenboim years after the fact. Although he’s moved on, remarried and a good life, when he spoke of Jacquelin, the longing and sorrow were still there. I’m glad that came through. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully done, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Very poignant heartbreaking story Rochelle – loved the music too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dahlia,
I’m glad you enjoyed the music and the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wonderful story, and how sad to bring it up… I listen a lot to Classical music, and to me the Cello is often the heart of a symphony… Thank you for using my picture, it took me directly back to that Fado restaurant in Funchal… Now I have to listen to the music…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Björn,
Where the muse leads, I follow. 😉 I’m quite fond of classical music, strings in particular. The photo is stunning…kudos to the photographer. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
You done it again, a love story with history, loved the music, loved the story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Mike,
I’m glad you enjoyed both the music and the story. She was an amazing musician. A seeming match made in heaven cut short by such a tragedy.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Very well done, as ever, Rochelle. A tragic waste of talent and life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sandra. Some things I will never understand. Her story is one of them.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Rochelle, i am mesmerised not just by the beautiful way you wove this poignantly tragic tale but also by the extreme empathetic care taken in choosing the appropriate words to fit the mood of the story. As usual you always are a delight.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Neel,
Thank you for such a magnificent comment/compliment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Very well written, left me wanting to know more about here. I enjoyed the music clip very much. Mixed emotions, just like in the piece you wrote.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Bridget,
Glad you liked the clip. I love classical music, particularly strings. Many emotions indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Sometimes I wonder how God can give such talent to someone, only to have it ripped away by a debilitating disease. At least we get to see and hear how she once played, and you can make me feel what she must have felt when her disease had taken her talent from her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Renee,
I have to ask the same questions, Renee. Thank you for your thoughtful comments. And it’s so good to see you here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I want so badly to start writing again. I’m working on a short story right now.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d heard of Jacqueline du Pre and knew she died young but didn’t realise she had MS. So young to have that diagnosis – same age as my mum. And such a talent too. Thanks for sharing this tragic story, Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lynn,
So many stories surrounding her. Bottom line, she died young and her gift wasted. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadly true 🙂
LikeLike
Gorgeous last line. Thank you for bringing Jacqueline du Pre back to life for those of us who don’t know anything about her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Alicia,
I really didn’t know anything about her until I followed the threads. She was a talent gone too soon. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful picture. Wonderful music. Wonderful writing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you on all counts, Sabina.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very touching scene Rochelle, accompanies the music beautifully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Iain. I’m glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t listen right now, as Bill’s taking a nap break from work, but your story is lovely and meticulously researched as always. Enjoy California.
janet
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Janet,
I hope you’ve had a chance to listen by now. 😉 Thank you for swinging by for a read and a comment. California was wonderful.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
I love how you are able to prompt further exploration into what inspires your characters. You are a masterful teacher.
Grasshopper,
Honie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Grasshopper,
I’m not sure I’d call myself a teacher, but I’m highly flattered that you do. This one has garnered a bit of controversy this week. On the other hand, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Thank you for your sweet words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
It’s hard to imagine how she must have felt, but you have succeeded in portraying that in one hundred words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Clare,
I can’t imagine what it feels like to lose all function. I had a friend who had MS. He was an inspiration. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
You truly are the Queen of flash fiction. I am surrounded by people with MS and one of them, a dear one, lost his ability to play the guitar. So unfair this world we live in where a give is given, only to be taken away.
You truly brought us right into the heart of it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dale,
A few years back I did some proofreading and typing for an author with MS by the name of Paul Levy. He founded an organization in Kansas City called the Whole Person. He had the most amazingly positive attitude and did all he could to help others who were disabled. I thought a lot about him as I wrote this.
Thank you for your kind words as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Some people are amazing, not letting illness get in the way of being the good into the world
LikeLike
another great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Connie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A musical story linked to true history. This was a lovely tribute to the artist, Rochelle. Good writing as always. Thanks for the link and music. 🙂 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Suzanne,
Thank you for your kind words that are always appreciated.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous. and so so sad. I have tears Rochelle. Such loss. At least the music is in her heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That post was from Laurie (Solothefirst) for some reason my link didn’t work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Laurie (or whoever you are 😉 )
It would be so hard…I can only imagine. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
So terrible to lose the ability to do something you love and excel at. Very touching story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Ali. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so sweet and sad at once.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Chioma. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a sad and wonderful story about a remarkable woman.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Gabriele. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love classical music. And how joyful she looks in the photo, her passion shines through.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Louise,
It’s always nice to find another who loves classical music. As a teenager, some of my friends raised eyebrows when I said I loved it. Even more so that I loved Gilbert and Sullivan and would listen to their music when depressed. It wasn’t all Beatles. 😉 My dad played classical music every Sunday morning. Fond memories those. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love classical. It’s what I write to, and what I try to play albeit very badly, on the piano.
LikeLiked by 1 person
To lose that gift to MS must have been heartbreaking.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Lizy,
Heartbreaking indeed. Thank you for taking the time to stop by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A wonderful, thrilling performer. I, too, loved her music from beginning to end. I last saw her in the audience, in a wheelchair at the Royal Albert Hall. Her tragedy influenced my first novel (A Small Rain).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Hilary,
When I read about her and saw how her end came, I was heartbroken. Thank you for such an encouraging comment. I really need to put your books on my reading list.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Lili Von Shtupp,
Dat was an amazing tale of Tru Woemance. MS is a terrible thang.
Give my best to Olive,
Junior
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Junior,
Your are a strange little man and I wuv u. MS shouldn’t happen to anyone. And I’m officially Bubster, grandmother of the the most amazing and brilliant five-year-old. We painted our fingers off as you can read about here: https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/11/21/whats-a-little-jet-lag/
Shalom,
Bubster Lili Von Shtupp
LikeLike
I love your historical fiction. I also really enjoyed her music. I didn’t know anything about her and enjoyed learning. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Emily,
She was amazing. What a way to lose it all. Tragic. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A haunting story. I find the words “Do you remember the night we met?” very poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Cindy. I’m glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Querida Rochelle,
I’m in the small group that adores classical music. Yes, she is a phenomenal talent.
You created an evocative story of a highly skilled talent that was silenced too soon.
Muy bueno, mi amiga, como siempre.
Great photograph prompt this week. It’s bringing forth many, unusual stories.
Thank you for being our gracious hostess.
Adios y Abrazos,
Isadora 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Isadora,
Muchas gracias mi amiga. Your comments mean so much and I enjoy the bilingual exchange although you’re way ahead of me. 😉 Glad you like the story and I’m happy to know we share a love for classical music.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Querida Rochelle,
I’m having a fun time with the language exchanges, too. Thank you for playing along with my interest of sharing languages. You do quite well, my dear. 👍🏻😊
I’m delighted I was able to find your wonderful blog. It’s a blog that pushes us all to be greater writers. ❤️
Abrazos y Shalom,
Isadora 😎
LikeLike
Wonderful! I felt the love and frustration.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for such a lovely comment, Sascha. You made me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
definitely, one of your best. reading it made me emotionally drained.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Plaridel for such a wonderful and affirming compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of my favourite pieces of music and a much missed performer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rae,
I’m glad you enjoyed the music and liked the story. Thank you for taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Great story based on a beautiful woman’s fight against an invincible for.
LikeLike
*foe* not for
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Al,
Thank you for such an affirming comment. MS is a cruel foe indeed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful story Rochelle and featuring one of my favourite pieces which is why it features in mine
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Michael,
Great minds think alike, don’t they? Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Wow, this had quite an impact on me. I read it several times and will read it again.
My little story is called The Orchestra
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Keith,
I couldn’t ask for a better compliment than a reader wanting to read my story again and again. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I like this! Mainly because you took the story and made it a sort of prosaic piece. You captured feelings without referencing the history.
Video was good, too. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Cuzzin Kent.
Mission accomplished. There’s plenty of history about these folks. My aim was to explore what it must have felt like for her. You got it and that makes me happy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
LikeLike
De nada.
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle
Beautifully written, yet so full of sorrow. There’s no justice in this world, or maybe not one that we’ll understand in this lifetime. Jacqueline was sheer genius, the only compensation being that her untimely illness and tragic death at such a young age has immortalised her in our minds.
As a break from my usual speculative fiction pieces, I’ve written about a genius female cellist this week, too, but thankfully one that’s still going strong.
All best wishes
Sarah
LikeLike
Dear Sarah,
I started my research thread by Googling “famous women cellists.” Once I found Jacqueline it as a done deal. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rochelle, hope your trip to my neck of the woods is going well (what brings you west?) and you’re having some fun in the sun, to boot!
You really capture the pathos and tragedy, without spelling it all out. Wonderful nuance. Lovely story, and curse you for pulling me down the rabbit hole, when I have so many other things to do! Very interesting stories, and wonderful video! Shabbat shalom. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
This should answer your question as to why I was in your part of the world. (Wish we could’ve connected). https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2016/11/21/whats-a-little-jet-lag/
Thank you for such affirming words and comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thanks Rochelle.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jacqueline du Pre inspired me to learn the cello when I was a child. In a strange way she was also the cause of me giving it up. I loved it so much – the sound, the tone, and especially how she played it – that nothing I made mine do could ever be good enough…. I still adore the instrument though, and Jacqueline du Pre’s version of Elgar Cello’s Concerto is my favourite piece of music (though I love her Brahms too). I will never tire of it. I just loved how your beautiful piece made me think of all that 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Louise,
My thanks cannot match your wonderful comment. I’ve often felt the same way when I compare my artwork to other artists and my writing to Geraldine Brooks. I hope you still play at least for enjoyments. Thank you again.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
I’m afraid I find this piece too sweet given what we now know of the chronology of Baremboin’s family life. This is not a judgment on him but I do think the truth here is far more complex than 100 words can convey.
Miranda
LikeLike
Dear Miranda,
Mostly what I went on for this piece was a lengthy interview with Daniel Barenboim on David Frost. He admits to having problems and also having another woman while Jacqueline was still alive. But he claimed that he remained her care taker to the end and was at her side when she passed. You’re right, far too complex for 100 words as most lives are. Mostly I was going for what it must’ve felt like to have been robbed of all functionality.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another woman, another home, two sons whilst Jacqueline du Pre was still alive…She was the other woman but she didn’t know which I think is the saddest part of this true story.
Miranda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Miranda,
It’s sad but true and he did admit to it in the interview. Yet, when he spoke of Jacqueline there was still love and longing there. I don’t defend him, I just write what those last moments might have been like.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
Beautifully written. And thank you for linking to this lovely piece of music. Wonderful.
Best wishes,
Helene
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Helene,
Thank you for such lovely comments. They mean a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A beautiful tribute to a great talent. And thanks for the link, a pleasure to hear that again
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear RG,
It always makes me smile when you swing by for a read and a comment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I don’t do it often enough!
LikeLike
Wonderful and poignant story though looking up her life I discovery a lot more complexity in her life. Barenboim was conducting an affair with the Russian pianist Elena Bashkirova, later his wife. It was an open secret that they were living together in Paris during the last eight years of du Pré’s life, and had two sons, although he continued to care for du Pré in London. Her sister Hilary also wrote a book stating that Jacqueline had 16-month affair she had with Hilary’s husband, Kiffer Finzi, in the early Seventies. But all said and done she was a great musician with the briefest of career span.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Subroto,
While I knew these things, it still seemed right to present the end of her life as I did. The fact is that he was there at Jacqueline’s bedside when she died. From what I found on the research trail, there was some doubt on the affair with Hilary’s husband. Yes, all was not roses…and this is, after all, historical FICTION. “Conducting an affair.” 😉 Good one Subroto. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
His story, her story, your story… I love how you roll.
Yours,
D
LikeLike
Dear Doug,
Fiction is the operative word here. Happy to see you rolling by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
His beautiful words convey a true love.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Dawn,
I couldn’t improve on a quote. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person