Thy Fair Youth

WARNING: GAY SEX IMAGES, DARK CATHOLIC JOKES

PROCEED WITH CAUTION

G—B—D—G—

The opening of the Crucifixion Sonata had Biber remember his relationship with his previous employer, Karl II. The penetration that night, was it similar to the nails that pierced the hands and feet of Jesus?

He had always tried to find chances to flee Kromeriz, but Karl wouldn’t let him go. No, he was precious. Who else could play the violin so well and also be such an obedient servant?

Biber thought about the pain that night, it was overboard. He was a priest, the Archbishop of Olomouc! How could he do these sinful things. With the anger in his mind, he started writing percussive chords for the part where Jesus was being nailed to the cross. His anger took over, as he wrote more chords until the end of the preludio.

When will Karl release his papers for Maximilian? Biber didn’t know. He is just grateful that Maximilian still pays him the sum of money he deserves, sometimes even more. He met Maximilian after Karl sent him to Innsbruck to buy some violins from Jakob Stainer, and the man, after hearing his profound technique up on the 7th position, hired him on the spot. Maximilian was a nice employer, but Biber had a strange feeling about him. He was too nice, paying him a lot of money but rarely asking for any work. Maximilian even took the blame when Karl demanded why Biber had left his service, stating that ‘he liked him too much’.

Biber continued to write the sonata, the first two variations were sweet, as he remembered his first encounter with both employers. Karl at the beginning treated him with respect, as no other violinists except for the legendary Schmelzer could use the very techniques. But then it got weird, Karl was inviting him for dinner more, asking him to play while he slept. Biber asked why would his sonatas make him feel sleepy, he merely answered he enjoyed whatever he played.

Things soon escalated after Biber went with his violin the last time. As he stopped, Karl didn’t let him leave, instead held his hand and said,

‘These hands deserve a better instrument, I will get you something.’ He patted his hand, and put it beside his cheek.

‘Your Grace…’ Biber hesitated, trying to pull his hand back.

‘Don’t leave, you’re staying here tonight.’ Karl smiled, and quickly embraced his musician. The rest, Biber didn’t want to remember, the only thing in his mind was the pain.

The humiliation came back again, as he wrote more chords and demi-semi quavers. He wished that any musician who could play this piece could do it with frustration. He wrote briskly on the paper, until a knock was heard on the door.

‘Herr Biber, His Grace calls for you.’ A lackey came by his room.

‘For what reason?’ Biber asked. It was 9 o’ clock at night, and everyone should be sleeping.

‘He would like for you to play him to sleep.’ The lackey said, smiling at him. Biber would like to please his new employer, and quickly took his new bought Stainer with him. He rushed outside, not noticing the sigh of the lackey.