Music distinguished him.
It defined him. It consoled him.

Twenty-seven pieces chosen by James Abruzzo for specific moments in the novel. Scan a QR code in the printed book to arrive at the right chapter’s music — or scroll through the full playlist.

One tap to play · No account required · 27 pieces across 13 chapters

01

Harpsichord Music

J.S. Bach

Chapter 1

James’s note

Alfredo plays the clavichord for the first time — this recording is from a harpsichord.

Harpsichord Music

02

Rhapsody in Blue

George Gershwin

Stefano Bollani & United Soloists Orchestra

Chapter 2

James’s note

Stefano Bollani improvising at the piano. I saw Bollani play this piece at the Politeama in Palermo in 2018.

Rhapsody in Blue

03

Keyboard Sonata in B Minor, Kk. 87

Domenico Scarlatti

Ivo Pogorelich

Chapter 3

From the novel

“This is a piece of deep emotion. Its repeating structure comforting, its beauty otherworldly.” — Fefè

Keyboard Sonata in B Minor, Kk. 87

04

Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90

Ludwig van Beethoven

Daniel Barenboim

Chapter 7

Piano Sonata No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 90

05

4 Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899: No. 2 in E-Flat Major

Franz Schubert

Mitsuko Uchida

Chapter 7

From the novel

“Gumps mistook this piece for the Beethoven before it. The polished charm, the curated grace, a world built on habit and privilege, neither earned nor deserved.” — Fefè

4 Impromptus, Op. 90, D. 899: No. 2 in E-Flat Major

06

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

J.S. Bach

Glenn Gould (1981)

Chapter 8

James’s note

Goldberg Variations — right before Noa is born.

Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

07

Piano Concerto No. 3, Sz. 119: I. Allegretto

Béla Bartók

Géza Anda, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Ferenc Fricsay

Chapter 10

James’s note

Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3, first movement.

Piano Concerto No. 3, Sz. 119: I. Allegretto

08

Piano Sonata No. 7: IV. Scherzo

Viktor Ullmann

Gregor Weichert

Chapter 11

James’s note

Ullmann wrote this piece in a concentration camp without a piano. The manuscript was hidden and kept until the camp was liberated. Ullmann never heard it performed.

Piano Sonata No. 7: IV. Scherzo

09

Symphony No. 6 ‘Pastoral’: II. Szene am Bach

Ludwig van Beethoven

Chapter 20

James’s note

Listen for the flute — the nightingale; the quail — the oboe; the cuckoo — the clarinet. In the Second Movement of this symphony.

Symphony No. 6 ‘Pastoral’: II. Szene am Bach

10

La gazza ladra: Overture (The Thieving Magpie)

Gioachino Rossini

Chapter 20

La gazza ladra: Overture (The Thieving Magpie)

11

Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: IV. Gigue

J.S. Bach

Chapter 25

From the novel

“This piece is a kind of castle — everyone starts at the drawbridge, but few know how to find their way to the royal quarters.” — Fefè

Violin Partita No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004: IV. Gigue

12

Sequenza VIII for Violin (1976)

Luciano Berio

Jeanne-Marie Conquer

Chapter 25

Sequenza VIII for Violin (1976)

13

24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 8 in E-Flat Major

Niccolò Paganini

Itzhak Perlman

Chapter 25

24 Caprices, Op. 1: No. 8 in E-Flat Major

14

Caprice No. 1

Salvatore Sciarrino

Miranda Cuckson

Chapter 25

15

La Ronde des Lutins, Op. 25 (Dance of the Goblins)

Antonio Bazzini

Chloë Hanslip

Chapter 25

From the novel

“The music was a whirl of mischief…” — Fefè

La Ronde des Lutins, Op. 25 (Dance of the Goblins)

16

Threnos

John Tavener

Natalie Clein

Chapter 25

17

Fi Tabe3 El Iraq (Instrumental)

Abdul Aziz Jamil

Chapter 25

James’s note

Arab Maqam that Samiro plays at the end of his walk in the Cretto.

Fi Tabe3 El Iraq (Instrumental)

18

Clair de Lune

Claude Debussy

Chapter 26

19

Gesù Bambino

Pietro Yon

Chapter 32

20

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Traditional

Violin & Piano

Chapter 32

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

21

Silent Night

Franz Gruber

Claire Ryann (age 4)

Chapter 32

22

Sicilian Tarantella (Fischiettando)

Traditional

Chapter 32

Sicilian Tarantella (Fischiettando)

23

Chan Mali Chan (Eastern Prelude)

Christopher Norton

Chapter 32

James’s note

It’s about teasing someone you love. Or about longing. It depends on who you ask.

Chan Mali Chan (Eastern Prelude)

24

Weihnachtshistorie, SWV 435: Eingang

Heinrich Schütz

Oxford Camerata

Chapter 37

Weihnachtshistorie, SWV 435: Eingang

25

Piano Concerto: II. Adagio

George Gershwin

Daniil Trifonov, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Chapter 41

Piano Concerto: II. Adagio

26

Variations on ‘I Got Rhythm’

George Gershwin

Werner Haas

Chapter 41

From the novel

“Four notes up, four notes down. Trust me—it will swing.” — Fefè

Variations on ‘I Got Rhythm’

27

Second Prelude

George Gershwin

James Abruzzo

Chapter 41

James’s note

James’s own recording — performed live at a recital in May 1990.

Second Prelude — James Abruzzo