What Role Does Music Play in Maestro?

For most people music brings great pleasure into their lives and is very important to them. Music has a great capacity to evoke many emotions within people. In Peter Goldsworthy's Maestro, Music is an essential part to connecting characters, and the development of them. It brings two opposites together, and creates stronger bonds. Music also can take people on a journey. Its can be used as a point of direction, starting from the basic notes through to the most complex compositions. Music is also used to evoke many emotions within people- good or bad. It can bring up strong memories of events that have strong meanings to people. Throughout Maestro music has many roles, but overall it is used to help the readers better understand the characters.

Two opposites can be united together by the power of music. It can be a shared passion, hobby or even same like towards it. Two individuals can play together, on separate instruments to create on music piece. In Peter Goldsworthy's "Maestro", music brings characters together or creates stronger bonds between them. Nancy and John Crabbe are two very different characters but are united through marriage and their musical talents. "When I think of my parents I see only polarities... Thick and thin, hard and soft."John Crabbe calms most of his frustrations through music. He is very strict, and likes things to be ordered and precise. Nancy Crabbe on the other hand, has "more fun" according to Paul with her music, as she like to change her style depending on her mood. "My mother was sloppier (than John), allowing herself more mistakes, but in end she had more fun." They both have very different approaches towards music, but it is still a source of pleasure, solace and ambition. Music unites the two. They both argue and fight over what piece they will play, what composer, but once they start nothing can split them apart. Music also brings Paul Crabbe and Rosie together. They both share the same passion and appreciation towards the art, which in turn leads to their relationship. They met in the music room at school, and both realised the talent that they shared. Paul and Keller are also joined together by music. When they first met, Keller is very harsh towards Paul, but as Paul's talent blossoms they start to develop a friendship between each other. "You've been like a father to me"Goldsworthy uses music to show the reader the connection between characters. The music creates a stronger bond between two.

Music can create a path of direction, to take one on a journey. Music is very much like life's lessons. You start out with the basic notes, practice and practice until you can make up a piece. Many times you will fail, or play a note wrong, but from these mistakes you learn. Through music we are able to watch Paul Crabbe develop- as a character and as pianist. We watch he journey form child to adulthood through his playing.