Free In the Eye of a Storm by Mary Mageau Page B

attractive and totally feminine.
    Next to Marie, Laneve felt awkward and too formally dressed. At last
she had taken a stand at home about her choice of clothing. Against Mama’s
better wishes Laneve had finally refused to adopt the stiff and conventional
clothing and the powdered hair so favoured by the Ancien Regime . It was
always a struggle to dress now in a more feminine and light hearted style even
though she loved her family and tried to respect their wishes.
    ‘Oh Laneve, why is all your beautiful hair and all those curls, flying
loose about your head and shoulders again.’
    ‘Come Mama, this is the new style. And I won’t cover my hair with
powder, ever again.’
    ‘Your hair is your greatest beauty Laneve, but why do you leave it
looking so untidy and windswept? All these new fashions – oh they are all so
common – so lacking in the regal sense.’
    ‘Oh Mama, can’t you see how pretty and comfortable they are.’
    ‘We love you, Laneve, but you are becoming very wilful, especially
about your clothing.’
    Because Laneve’s family were formal and correct at all times she was
finding it especially difficult to break away from her mother’s rigid
restrictions. Her only close friend was a cousin, Vivienne de Nervode, but
thankfully she was also able to enjoy the company of Malande. In her heart
Laneve hoped that she and Marie would see more of one another.
    Dussek interrupted her thoughts. ‘Now that you have met it’s time for
my surprise! Come with me, both of you, into my study.’ Dussek led the two
young women into the next room and there before the window it stood - a
magnificent new fortepiano. Both of them gasped with wonder at the fine sheen
on the wooden cabinet of cherry, with its inlay of delicate scroll work and a
narrow strip of gold veneer.
    ‘It has finally arrived from Augsburg and was built in the factory of
Johann Stein. But just wait until you hear it. When you touch the keys lightly
you can create a softer sound. When you press down more heavily on them the
volume will increase. You can play both loud and soft, hence its name – fortepiano, from the Italian. Now look here, because a quill no longer plucks the strings
as in a harpsichord. Instead a little hammer strikes the string. You can truly
express yourself at this instrument. You can draw music from your soul and play
it straight from your heart. But enough of my rambling! You must play it for me
now.’
    Dussek placed a Mozart Sonata on the music rack. It was composed as a
duet for two players. ‘Do you know that Mozart himself has a Johann Stein
fortepiano? The fortepiano is not a new instrument either as old Bach played
one built by Silbermann back in 1747 three years before he died. Bach was
nearly blind then and was visiting King Frederick the Great at Sans Souci, his
summer palace. But goodness me, I talk too much. I ramble on so, don’t I?
Laneve, you play the soprano staves and Marie, read the bass. You can both fit
comfortably together on this wide piano bench. Now, my two fine students, let
me hear you begin.’
    What wonder and joy the two young women experienced as they exulted in
the beautiful tone of this instrument. When they completed the sonata, Laneve
and Marie changed places to enable them to work with the different registers.
Next Marie chose and performed a solo piece that was fast and brilliant. Laneve
then selected slower music that gave full reign to her great expressive powers.
They laughingly played duets together again and after hugging one another in
sheer delight, each added another solo. And so an afternoon of learning,
exploration and great joy flew by. The beautiful new fortepiano was coaxed into
presenting all of its potential in a dazzling variety of music making.
    ‘My goodness, look at the clock!’ Dussek suddenly noticed that the sun
was setting and it was well past the time that Marie and Laneve should be
leaving. ‘Your parents will be furious if I keep you after dark.’ But what