About the book: 2024 / Pianists Andrey and Oleg have known each other since childhood, from their time at music school. But their destinies turn out differently. One is from a provincial family of music teachers, the other is the son of high-status Muscovite parents. Both are talented and charismatic. Everyone builds relationships with women in their own way. Andrey's isolation and immersion in music lead to conflicts at work and at home. The overly sociable Oleg also faces cruel reality. As a result, the pianists find themselves in a criminal situation on one of the islands of Southeast Asia. He moved the middle pedal to the side to muffle the sound, stroked the keys, wanted to play a chord, but did not dare. Instead, he silently “played” a Tchaikovsky-Rachmaninov lullaby over the keyboard. Never before had he put so much tenderness into this music. He was performing it now for his woman and, at the same time, he was afraid that she would hear. In these silent movements there was so much longing for the unrealizable, so much plea for understanding, so much love. In the book, the world of classical music appears as a bright, multifaceted kaleidoscope, where prestigious concert halls give way to a country club, famous festivals give way to a master class in the outback. Young people from a Brazilian orchestra, led by a frantic conductor, together with a respectable lawyer and producer from Germany, come to the aid of Russian pianists. But will the friends be able to get out of this story with dignity and each keep their love? The sellers were accustomed to this fragile elderly woman, they never rushed, and looked at her with hidden interest and even curiosity. Modestly dressed but well-groomed, always in heels and with her hair done, usually wearing a hat, but in winter, as now, in a neat fur cap, she gave the impression of a person whose quiet prosperity allowed her to go through all the whirlwinds of turbulent times and to be invariably appropriate in bakery on Arbat lanes and at the Bolshoi Theater. For whom For those who love classical music or are just about to join it, who want to learn more about the life of the performers. He froze. We must move, give way to her. Or vice versa - don’t let her pass, take her in your arms, squeeze her, not allowing her or yourself to breathe... And don’t let go. He decisively took another sip, and together with the warming wave from the cognac, he felt Margot pass through his body like a clot of hot energy.