A Late Quartet Page #5

I mean, she's become an integral part

of the trio, I could never replace her.

Gideon, there's no comparing.

It's easier to replace for a piano trio.

There are cellists who could

take her place, I can help you find one.

To my mind, the Fugue without Nina

might not survive.

It's that serious.

I understand what you're saying,

but I can't do that.

I can't give her up.

I'm going to begin

by talking about some general principles

I'm going to begin

by talking about some general principles

that involve Parkinson's.

One of them

is that everything gets smaller.

Our posture gets smaller,

our stride gets smaller,

our voice gets smaller,

even our handwriting gets small.

Everything contracts and closes in.

So we need to push those boundaries out.

We need to move big, so that

we can take control of Parkinson's,

rather than it taking

control of us.

And to do that,

we use conscious movement.

So, let's just start by stretching

the arms out,

and bringing them up

and bringing them down,

and bringing them up and out.

And we're gonna go front and side.

And up and down. Good job.

And front, and stretch side.

And up and down.

(PLAYING SLOW, LUSH MELODY)

Nice.

My father gave me a tip.

Sounds like a good one.

It was a good one. You should

take a tip from him yourself.

Yeah? Like what?

He could teach you

to be a little less...

...anal.

That's funny.

OK... Frankly, I don't think

you need my help anymore.

And don't worry, I'll call Peter,

tell him something.

Come on, Daniel, I was... I was kidding.

I didn't mean it like that.

Of course you did. Just testing

the extent of your power, it's fine.

The extent of my power?

Could you illuminate me please?

Actually, it's more of a desperate need

for attention.

I would suggest you focus on the music.

Focus on the music?

(METRONOME CLICKING)

Is that all?

Yeah, you've probably just realized

how much hard work it takes

to become a decent violinist,

let alone a good one,

and you're not sure anymore

whether it's worth the trouble,

whether you're talented enough,

whether you can handle the pressure.

Just you and the violin

in a small studio

making the most miniscule progress

every day... of your life.

That's why you formed your quartet.

You thought it would alleviate

all of your problems.

You found it's even more work and now

you're stuck with three other people.

Totally dependent

on the way they play, their taste.

They constantly scrutinize

your talent. They hear every flaw.

And that hurts

your little ego very much.

Doesn't it?

(RAIN PATTERING)

(DISTANT SIREN BLARING)

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

You're special, Alex.

Yeah, right.

Don't waste it.

See you next week.

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