From Vikram Seth, international best-selling author, comes a passionate tale of two gifted musicians. Violinist Michael Holme and the Maggiore Quartet are tackling a piece by Beethoven. For Michael, the music resurrects memories of his days as a student in Vienna, where he developed an intense love for Julia McNicholl, a mesmerizing beauty and gifted pianist. After years apart, they share a chance encounter, and Julia agrees to accompany the quartet on tour. As they sweep through various concert halls, they are forced to examine their relationship and confront the inevitable consequences of their love.