He had magic in his hands <br />For, as he played, <br />He transported us to heights <br />Way above the stars. <br /> <br />A slim man, almost gaunt, <br />Ascetically thin, <br />Mouth wide and mobile, <br />Nose aquiline, <br />Bright, piercing eyes <br />With dancing brows <br />In a long, sharp Gallic face <br />Below a bush of graying hair. <br /> <br />His hands--- <br />Long, bony, knobbly-knuckled, <br />Huge, splayed thumbs, misshapen things, <br />Finger tips worn down, calloused <br />From constant pressure on the strings. <br /> <br />On stage he would come <br />Smiling expectantly around, <br />Acknowledge us, sit down, <br />Adjust his cello. <br />Be still; a slight frown <br />Of concentration <br />Like a saint in meditation <br />Then start to play- <br /> <br />-To play the Bach Suites. <br />Rich-textured pattern of notes unfolding <br />Austerely, yet hinting of abandon, <br />Harmony undulating, light with dark contrasting. <br />From Praeludium to Gigue through Sarabande <br />And other ancient, courtly dance; weaving <br />An elegant tapestry of gracious age gone by, <br />Freeing our machine-bound, constricted souls, <br />Transporting us way, way above the stars <br />With the magic in his hands.<br /><br />Margery Rehman<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/paul-tortelier-in-recital/
