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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 © Amanda Forestwood
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE LANGUAGE OF EMOTIONS
“Mrs. Powell, I’ve never seen such a gift in a child so young,” said Mr. Lewis. “But your daughter is bound to encounter difficulties in the music world.”
Cradling her violin, ten-year-old Maud poised the bow over the strings. As she played, a lilting melody filled her ears and blotted out the grownups’ conversation.
In that moment there was only Tchaikovsky.
Eight years later, in 1885, eighteen-year-old Maud boldly interrupted a rehearsal of the all-male New York Philharmonic and demanded a hearing with America’s foremost conductor Theodore Thomas.
He hired her on the spot and dubbed her his “musical grandchild.”
CLICK to learn more about Maud Powell
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
A lovely share Rochelle
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Thank you so much, Sadje. Sorry for the slow response.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome.
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I went for the opposite end of the life cycle, and Bach over Tchaikovsky! Another inspiring story. Sometimes change has to be demanded.
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Dear Iain,
As you can see, I’m slow getting around this week. Maud was ahead of her time and female musicians can thank her. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazing talent! Thanks for sharing Maud’s story.
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My pleasure, Clare. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story, she had incredible talent. Thank you for sharing, Rocelle 🙂
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Thank you, Fleur.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such an amazing woman who not only did a lot for women in music in America, but for music in America in general.
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Dear Trent,
How sad it would be if we only had one gender of musicians. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes. Some of my very favorite musicians happen to be female or even trans (i.e, Wendy Carlos, most famous for Switched on Bach in the ’60s). To me, from a listeners standpoint, great musicians are not gendered, they are musicians to my ears first and foremost.
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Dear Rochelle,
Why is it women must be so bold as to be heard? Thank goodness Maud knew who she was, as you have so expertly portrayed.
Shalom and lotsa musical love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
My thought is if God didn’t want women doing extraordinary things, He shouldn’t have given us gifts and talents. Nu? I don’t understand why we have to work that much harder to heard and seen. It maketh no sense 😉
Shalom and lotsa melodious hugs,
Rochelle
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It’s frustrating and wrong on every level and maketh no sense at all. 😏
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Well done Maud. Those men needed to be shown a thing or two. Sadly so many still do today.
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Dear Jen,
As I said to Dale (scroll up) it makes no sense. If a woman has the gift she should be allowed (even applauded) to use it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I am always impressed nay determined young talented people. they deserve all the praise in the world, if only all youngsters had their positive drive.
Thank you for the look into the past.
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Dear James,
It’s always my pleasure to find these bits of history and share them. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is one where I actually knew about the person! I sure wish I could have heard her in person. The old recordings really don’t do justice to the quality of her music.
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Dear Linda,
Violin brings me to tears. I actually did another story about her a few years back. https://rochellewisoff.com/2015/03/25/27-march-2015/ Hard to believe it was eight years ago! Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I learned to play violin using the Suzuki method back when I was in my 20s. Loved it, kept it up until my arthritis made it too painful. Gave my violin to my second son, and he became quite a virtuoso 🙂
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Some people will hear the doubts and give up. Others go on and excel beyond from it. Glad Maud chose the second path.
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Dear LIsa,
People like her paved the way for the rest of us. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, indeed! You’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Great story, Rochelle and I particularly loved it as a violin player. Thought you might find this of interest: https://chaddsfordhistorical.wordpress.com/2015/07/17/mythbuster-friday-girls-were-not-allowed-to-play-violin-or-flute-in-colonial-times/
I also have the story of a different trail-blazing Maud who dressed as a male soldier and stowed away on board a troop ship during WWI because she wanted to serve as a nurse at the front and had been knocked back: https://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2020/01/02/the-story-jack-maud-the-rollercoaster-ride-of-writing-historical-fiction/
Best wishes,
Rowena
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So interesting to read that it was thought women couldn’t play the violin as it would be scandalous to show their elbow. When I think of the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle pictured – I do recall it is men who played it for the most part. The men also were artists and women were generally not trained to be painters or musicians. But the odd one slipped through! Glad that there were other women such as the Italians that slipped through as well. Thanks for the peek into history. That was so interesting.
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Dear Rowena,
Thank you for commenting and sharing those fascinating bits of history. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for sharing this story, Rochelle. 🙂
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My pleasure, Kitty. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great story. She obviously shined in a male dominated venue.
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Dear Jan,
Doesn’t seem to be male dominated these days, thanks to courageous artists like hereself. Thanks m’luv.
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Lovely story.
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Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks to Maud for paving the way for other talented women musicians. One brave woman can make all the difference. I loved this story.
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Dear Tracey,
So true. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful. What a character Maud was, talented and determined. And what a shame that women are still not fully accepted as equal. Some colleagues who don’t know me personally still adress me as Mr. 🙄 These days I don’t correct them any longer, shame is on them. In the past I used to adress them as Ms in return… the penny never dropped.
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Dear Gabi,
I’ve never been addressed as Mr. but have certainly been considered my husband’s appendage. (by my husband). Some things change faster than others. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful story, Rochelle.
Such “firsts” are interesting and enlightening stories. They prompt me to reflect on history and life today. I also get to examine my own thinking and behaviors.
Well done.
Peace,
Bill
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Dear Bill,
I’m glad my story prompted you to reflect on history. A writer can’t ask for a better compliment. I often wonder how many heroes and true firsts have been lost in the recording of history. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hey, Rochelle.
So much we will never know.
I will be busy with NaPoWriMo and writing/reading daily poems this month and keeping up with that. I’ll be back with FF in May.
Peace,
Bill
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I will miss you, Bill. Best of luck with waxing poetic.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle.
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Good for her for being so brave! It’s hard enough for women to break through in these times!
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Dear Lish,
I’m a firm believer that if women weren’t meant to do extraordinary things then the Creator shouldn’t have gifted us. Right? Of course, right.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Her determination made it possible for others to follow her. An inspirational story.
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Thank you, Keith.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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lovely and uplifting story Rochelle.
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Thank you, Chioma.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what an inspiring story. thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Plaridel.
Shalo,m,
Rochelle
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Oh, I love this so much! Very inspiring story, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
Thank you so much for such a lovely comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for sharing her amazing story Rochelle 🎻
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My pleasure, Angela. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good for Maud!
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Indeed. Thanks Liz.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Simply lovely.
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Thank you, Brit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh what a woman ! I love this story.
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Thank you, Laurie. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had not heard of Maud Powell so I am really glad to hear her now. Such a talent. A documented record of resilience and perseverance. Thanks for using my photo – such a surprise after being away from blogging for a few weeks. It is really interesting to read all the entries and see what people have come up with. Incidentally, the violin in the photo is a Hardanger Fiddly from the Hardanger region of Norway. I love the sounds it makes.
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Dear Amanda,
I’m not familiar with the Hardanger Fiddly although Trent mentioned it in his post. It’s a beautiful instrument and a lovely photo. Thank you for the loan. And thank you for your kind comments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are welcome. I was honoured that you chose to use the photograph, given that you have so many to chose from.
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Music is the great equalizer and unifier. It brings people together across all ethnicity, gender, creed, social status, and political lines.
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Dear Nobbin,
I’m in agreement on music. It is a great equalizer. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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