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A Note Yet Unsung (A Belmont Mansion Novel) by Tamera Alexander - Rebekah Carrington has returned home to Nashville after spending several years studying music in Vienna, but she soon decides it would be impossible for her to live with her mother and stepfather and begins a desperate search for employment. Her greatest hope is to be accepted into the newly formed Nashville Philharmonic so she manages to audition for Maestro Tate Whitcomb. Although the violin is her instrument, she auditions for an oboe part because she knows that a woman playing the violin in public is still considered socially inappropriate and scandalous. Rebekah had seen an article written by Whitcomb that had been positive about women musicians being included in orchestras, but unfortunately for her, he knows that the donors holding the purse strings of the fledgling Nashville Philharmonic would never approve.
Tate's initial irritation at Rebekah's boldness in forcing the audition fades when he realizes how talented she is, but he dares not accept her into the orchestra for fear of the wealthy patrons withdrawing their support. He is struggling to finish his symphony in time for the opening of the opera hall, while trying to get his musicians prepared, and while spending weekends visiting his ailing father whenever possible. In addition, he is facing his own health concerns - but surely he is just overtired and anxious, and once the symphony is complete he'll feel better. He knows he needs help, and Rebekah's musical talent and ambition are the perfect complement to help him complete his composition and transcribe all the music. After disappointing her so bitterly at her audition, it takes some time - and some pressure from Rebekah's new employer, Adelicia Cheatham - for Rebekah to accept the situation. She and Tate form a partnership as they work on the music, and a friendship as well. And it could be so much more than a friendship, except it seems their careers may take them in separate directions after the symphony is complete.
Both characters face complex situations that test their loyalties and integrity, and both must decide what they can sacrifice and what chances they can take in order to pursue their dreams while still honoring God first with their musical gifts. I loved this story that gives a glimpse of what it was like for women to earn their place as respected musicians and performers while also telling a compelling story of love and family loyalty.
From the Publisher:
A master violinist trained in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington manages to wheedle her way into an audition with the maestro at the newly formed Nashville Philharmonic. But women are "far too fragile and frail" for the rigors of an orchestra, and Rebekah's hopes are swifly dashed because the conductor -- determined to leave his mark on the world of classical music -- bows to public opinion. To make matters worse, Adelicia Acklen Cheatham, mistress of Belmont Mansion and Rebekah's new employer, agrees with him.
Nationally acclaimed conductor Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is Nashville's new orchestra leader. And despite a reluctant muse -- and a strange buzzing and recurring pain in his head -- he must finish composing his symphony before the grand opening of the city's new opera hall. But far more pressing, he must finish it for the one who first inspired his love of music -- his father, who is dying. As Tate's ailment worsens, he believes Rebekah can help him finish his symphony. But how do you win back a woman's trust when you've robbed her of her dream?
As music moves us to tears yet makes our hearts soar, A Note Yet Unsung captures the splendor of classical music at a time when women's hard-won strides in cultural issues changed not only world history - but the hearts of men.
by Tamera Alexander - Rebekah Carrington has returned home to Nashville after spending several years studying music in Vienna, but she soon decides it would be impossible for her to live with her mother and stepfather and begins a desperate search for employment. Her greatest hope is to be accepted into the newly formed Nashville Philharmonic so she manages to audition for Maestro Tate Whitcomb. Although the violin is her instrument, she auditions for an oboe part because she knows that a woman playing the violin in public is still considered socially inappropriate and scandalous. Rebekah had seen an article written by Whitcomb that had been positive about women musicians being included in orchestras, but unfortunately for her, he knows that the donors holding the purse strings of the fledgling Nashville Philharmonic would never approve.Tate's initial irritation at Rebekah's boldness in forcing the audition fades when he realizes how talented she is, but he dares not accept her into the orchestra for fear of the wealthy patrons withdrawing their support. He is struggling to finish his symphony in time for the opening of the opera hall, while trying to get his musicians prepared, and while spending weekends visiting his ailing father whenever possible. In addition, he is facing his own health concerns - but surely he is just overtired and anxious, and once the symphony is complete he'll feel better. He knows he needs help, and Rebekah's musical talent and ambition are the perfect complement to help him complete his composition and transcribe all the music. After disappointing her so bitterly at her audition, it takes some time - and some pressure from Rebekah's new employer, Adelicia Cheatham - for Rebekah to accept the situation. She and Tate form a partnership as they work on the music, and a friendship as well. And it could be so much more than a friendship, except it seems their careers may take them in separate directions after the symphony is complete.
Both characters face complex situations that test their loyalties and integrity, and both must decide what they can sacrifice and what chances they can take in order to pursue their dreams while still honoring God first with their musical gifts. I loved this story that gives a glimpse of what it was like for women to earn their place as respected musicians and performers while also telling a compelling story of love and family loyalty.
From the Publisher:
A master violinist trained in Vienna, Rebekah Carrington manages to wheedle her way into an audition with the maestro at the newly formed Nashville Philharmonic. But women are "far too fragile and frail" for the rigors of an orchestra, and Rebekah's hopes are swifly dashed because the conductor -- determined to leave his mark on the world of classical music -- bows to public opinion. To make matters worse, Adelicia Acklen Cheatham, mistress of Belmont Mansion and Rebekah's new employer, agrees with him.
Nationally acclaimed conductor Nathaniel Tate Whitcomb is Nashville's new orchestra leader. And despite a reluctant muse -- and a strange buzzing and recurring pain in his head -- he must finish composing his symphony before the grand opening of the city's new opera hall. But far more pressing, he must finish it for the one who first inspired his love of music -- his father, who is dying. As Tate's ailment worsens, he believes Rebekah can help him finish his symphony. But how do you win back a woman's trust when you've robbed her of her dream?
As music moves us to tears yet makes our hearts soar, A Note Yet Unsung captures the splendor of classical music at a time when women's hard-won strides in cultural issues changed not only world history - but the hearts of men.
Visit the Baker Publishing Group for more info on where to buy.
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by James A. Owen - Read some during the beginning of the week, but then got way too busy to keep up during the last several days. I'll hopefully get back to it today!
by Jamie Carie - I've enjoyed a couple of Carie's previous books and picked up this Valentine's theme novella free for my Kindle during the week. It's a contemporary setting and so hasn't really grabbed me yet, but hey - it's short, it's free, and it's a week before Valentine's Day, and I needed something to read on my Kindle!
by Julianna Deering
On my blogs last week . . .
