In a book-length lyric narrative inspired by history and imagination, a much celebrated poet re-creates the life of a nineteenth-century virtuoso violinist.
The son of a white woman and an “African Prince,” George Polgreen Bridgetower (1780–1860) travels to Vienna to meet “bad-boy” genius Ludwig van Beethoven. The great composer’s subsequent sonata is originally dedicated to the young mulatto, but George, exuberant with acclaim, offends Beethoven over a woman. From this crucial encounter evolves a grandiose yet melancholy poetic tale.
from “Vienna Spring”:
though dipped in ink, this Jacob
has grappled the shining messenger
for a glimpse of heaven
and won the battle: entirely master
of his instrument, he climbs the strings
agile as the monkeys from his father’s land.
Ah, Immortality has a new-wrought
human face. . . .