Maestro (novella)

This article is about the novel. For information on the movie, see Maestro (film).

Maestro is a 1991 novel written by Australian author Peter Goldsworthy. It is a bildungsroman which deals with the themes of art and life.

Plot Summary

The protagonist is a boy called Paul Crabbe, who is taught piano by his teacher (or maestro), Eduard Keller. Paul does not like his teacher at first, but by the end of the novel has grown to appreciate him dearly. Paul learns the limits of his own musical ability through Keller, but he also grows to understand himself and Keller enough to write the novel. Additionally, he has a loving relationship with his sweetheart, Rosie. This book deals with the main idea of contrasts, as well as other themes. Contrasts are shown by Paul's mother and father - how they differ; Vienna and Darwin - high culture vs. low culture; Paul as an adolescent and Paul as an adult - through the continual change in narrator, as Paul changes.

the most influential character, Eduard Keller, lost his family to the holocaust.

Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy: "This is a novel about love in all its forms. In the novel Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy, the protagonist Paul is educated about love in all its forms from the various relationships he encounters. During his time with Eduard Keller, Paul learns how important honesty and harsh criticism is for achieving or not achieving his goals. From his parent's love, Paul learns that opposites do attract and can live happily ever after. His first experience of lust is with Megan, while he gradually discovers a more enduring and mature love with Rosie. [1]

Themes of Paul Summary: Provides an analysis of Maestro, a novella by Peter Goldsworth. Describes the major themes of the novel, adolescence and maturity. Provides a short plot summary and a character review of Paul.

"Maestro is a novella about adolescence and growing up.

Peter Goldsworth novella Maestro is based on adolescence and growing up. Keller (Maestro) educates Paul about the basis of life through music metaphors and Paul learns of other cultures and lives through Keller's experiences in Vienna. The book follows Paul from early adolescence into adulthood and depicts Paul learning and understanding about life.

Paul Crabbe's music lessons in Maestro with Keller do not only teach Paul the essence of music; they tutor him in the fundamentals of life. For Maestro, the grand piano is his sanctity and security, assisting him to deal with the horrors of the world; "safe beneath that grand piano," and likewise offering Eduard a method of destructing life. "Never trust the beautiful ... beauty simplifies" quotes Keller referring to music, also relating to the world. Goldsworth typifies beauty as a facade, a means of avoiding reality, depicted by Paul's discovery of true love in Rosie, whom he initially dismissed as "podgy baby-fat" and "mousy" as he lusted after Megan. As Peter matures, Maestros phrasings, which seemed absurd in adolescence hardened into a "musical bible whose texts I knew by heart" but Paul does not relate them to his life until middle-age, leaving him "smug, insufferable," throughout his life.

Keller originates from Vienna, where he was a renowned musician "becoming so visible so that nothing can touch him", therefore believing he is exempt from the effects of war. Eventually he lost his wife and son and disappeared from the country, leaving every-one to believe he was dead. Filled with remorse and regret Keller transforms and evolves to become a completely different man, "if we are discussing the same man how different our two versions." Keller understands the frivolities and foolish nature of human's society, passed onto Paul in the form of clippings from newspapers, Keller's "textbooks." "The thousands of stories of human foolishness and greed and cruelty that he had tried to patch together into some kind of understanding of his fellow beings" depicts Keller's knowledge.

When Paul initially began lessons with Maestro his first impressions were misleading, "a boozers incandescent glow", "I'd seen nothing like him before." As Paul matures his attitudes towards Maestro become warmer and they develop an unexpressed bond. "I slipped my arm beneath his head and kissed him" represent Paul's final realisation of his connection with Maestro in death. Throughout his life Paul took Maestro for granted, believing his advice was "irritating - and also contradictory." After Eduard's death Paul realises the opportunities Keller had presented him. "Mourning for a great man, yes, but also mourning for myself - for times and possibilities that will never come again." Throughout the novella the tone shifts from egotism and selfishness to regret and wisdom depicting Paul's growth.

In conclusion Maestro has the main themes of adolescence and growing up. Paul is educated about life through music and Keller's experiences in Vienna and understanding of human nature contribute to Paul's knowledge of the world. The book tracks Paul as he develops into a responsible, mature man from an obnoxious, egotistical teeanger.

The Movie

A filmed adaptation of the book is to be directed by Catherine Jarvis, and is scheduled to be released in 2008. Tom Sturridge will portray the role of Paul Crabbe and Klaus Maria Brandauer will play Eduard Keller.