Summary

Henry has become used to both short pain—which painkillers and physiotherapy can heal—and long pain, which is irrevocable. The quartet knows Henry has tendonitis in his bow arm, but they do not know his doctor has told him to cut back on his playing or lose it entirely.

The quartet is teaching and performing at the 2007 Festival of the Redwoods, where they will premiere a commissioned piece by Julia St. John. As they walk to the amphitheatre, Henry’s pain flares. He asks the host to stall so he can swallow four aspirin. This afternoon concert is for the quartet’s professional peers, in advance of the true premiere the following evening.

The collaboration with Julia St. John arose from her friendship with Brit. Her piece is a “meditation on land,” tiring because of its lack of breaks and...