Musician Protagonists in SF, pt.13

TITLE: “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” (short story)

AUTHOR: Fredric Brown, (with Carl Onspaugh)

YEAR: 1965

IS THIS SF?
No, though Fredric Brown is known a science fiction author. Many lump fantasy with SF, and so it could be considered that way.

PJE SYNOPSIS
A clarinetist searches the world for the perfect “Sound” which haunts him throughout his life and travels

REALLY A MUSICIAN?
YES, plays the clarinet and talks about musical things using musical terminology. Able to recognize a ‘hautboy’ instrument even though its particular build is hundreds of years old.

WHY A MUSICIAN?
See above—to recognize the hautboy puts the narrator in a situation of privilege in regards to the owner of the hautboy, who has never entertained guest previously. As a clarinetist the narrator is over-qualified to play the hautboy which leads to… the outcome (can’t say more without really ruining it…). Being a musician helps link the narrator to the hautboy-owner and to… Mythic considerations. Once the reader knows the ending, then someone drawn to sound was the only choice for the protagonist to be a musician.

RECOMMENDED?
YES—well written, well paced and well constructed. Will leave you thinking for a bit after you’ve finished.