A Late Quartet Page #4

Beethoven's Opus 131,

and they played it for him,

like, five days before he died.

Right. Here's what I do.

Before we play the piece,

I imagine our quartet,

surrounding Schubert

on his deathbed,

about to play for him

the last music he'll hear on earth.

(SLOW, LYRICAL

STRING QUARTET MUSIC PLAYING)

Bow Bridge.

I don't think I've been here since

the first time I came to this country.

L-Hm-

Juilliard years.

Juilliard.

Do you remember why we picked

this as our meeting place?

Um...

- No.

- Darwin.

Darwin.

You were so into Darwin.

Everything was natural selection.

Yep.

In that respect,

things haven't changed much.

- Really?

- Yep.

The old man is ill,

the old man is out.

(SIGHS)

Any news about the medication?

It hasn't had much effect yet,

but it's still... it's still early.

Let's hope it's quick enough

for the concert.

If he's well enough

to play the concert,

then he should be able to finish

the rest of the season with us, Daniel.

Why not respect his wish, Jules?

Because I don't believe it is his wish.

He's overwhelmed right now.

Imagine how devastating

this has been for him.

First Miriam and now this.

We have to give him time to adjust.

What do we do about Robert?

What about Robert?

Alternating chairs Robert?

You should talk to him about that.

I doubt me talking

to him would help.

It will completely alter our sound,

Jules, you understand that.

That's also true if we replace Peter

with another cellist.

Not if it's Nina, no.

She subbed for Peter very well

last year. She's very compatible.

Would you please talk to him?

Anyway, if Peter quits,

I may not continue.

All right.

I talk to Peter,

you talk to Robert.

You know, I didn't expect to feel this,

but it turns out, I love being our age.

I just love not having to prove

anything to anybody.

It's just great to go on stage,

sit down and play music.

You know, in Munich,

after our concert,

the audience was applauding and Nina

whispered to me, "That was fun!"

Ah.

Can you imagine Nina?

"That was fun!"

You really taught her well,

and I am very, very grateful to you.

Gideon, I need to ask

a big, serious favor.

Well, for you, anything.

I've made up my mind to stop performing,

and my choice to replace me

at the Fugue would be Nina.

- Nina? From my trio?

- Your Nina.

She's the one who can do it.

She knows our repertoire,

the quartet likes her,

personally, creatively.

We need her.

If she'll agree, of course.

Peter that would be a big mistake.

Don't retire!

I promise you,

you are going to get a second wind,

and it could be the nicest

part of your entire life.

I mean, and you certainly

can't ask me to give up Nina.

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