Musical Chairs

Before the rise of Chuck E. Cheese and other venues for children's birthday parties, celebrations were hosted at home. We’d feast on homemade food or pizza from a proper pizzeria—none of that cardboard-like stuff you find at Chuck E. Cheese. Growing up in New York, I was spoiled by fantastic pizza, and those home parties always featured games with prizes for the winners.

The most popular games were scavenger hunts, pin the tail on the donkey, and musical chairs. All of them were great fun, but musical chairs took the most skill and strategy.

In case you’re unfamiliar with musical chairs, here’s a quick rundown. It’s a game of elimination: a row of chairs is set up, but there are fewer chairs than players. As music plays, participants walk around the chairs, waiting for the moment it suddenly stops. Then it’s a mad dash to claim an empty chair. If you’re left standing, you’re out. To win, you need sharp listening skills and quick reflexes.

My fascination with book titles led me to this book. It’s about three musicians who met at Juilliard and formed a trio. Over the years, the pianist and cellist have been constants, while the violinist position has been repeatedly replaced. Having raised a violinist who was part of a quartet, I know firsthand the delicate chemistry that exists within a musical ensemble. Each replacement disrupts that balance.

The story begins with the trio once again searching for a new violinist. They’ve been together a long time, but their repeated shuffling of members has taken a toll. Feeling weary, they decide to take a summer break.

This pause is meant to rejuvenate them, but instead, it becomes a time of upheaval. Will, the pianist, learns that the rent for his New York apartment is going up, and during a visit to Bridget in Connecticut, he meets a woman he’s instantly drawn to. Meanwhile, Bridget, the cellist, is blindsided when her novelist boyfriend breaks up with her over the phone. To make matters worse, her father—a world-renowned conductor—announces he’s remarrying, throwing her off balance.

The story feels like a game of musical chairs: two of the trio’s original members are circling, searching for stability as the metaphorical music plays on. With one chair missing, they’re left wondering what their next move should be. Will they find a way to keep the trio together, or is it time to move on?

The book explores the shifting dynamics of relationships and the challenges of holding onto something that’s constantly evolving. I have personally witnessed shifting dynamics of a musical quartet.  My daughter played violin through college as part of an orchestra and a quartet.  If you’re intrigued, I highly recommend diving into this thoughtful read.

They are playing a game of musical chairs, with one chair missing and the both of them circling, waiting for the music to stop and then what.  What will be their next move? Musical Chairs by Amy Poppel