The Song Of Names

'The Song Of Names' is what renowned musicians hear in their heart of hearts, a secret register of all the things they have left behind on the ruthless ascent to wealth and success.

Two boys are growing up in wartime London. Martin is an only child, imprisoned in swottish loneliness. Then Dovidl enters his home, a refugee violinist from Warsaw. "I am genius", says Dovidl. "You have information. Together we make good team."

His arrival brings merriment and love, mischief and menace. Blood-brothers, they roam the ruined city, finding tragedy and triumph, sex and crime. It is the time of their lives, their finest hour.

Then Dovidl disappears, on the afternoon of his international debut. Martin is broken-hearted, his father near-bankrupted, the police dumbfounded. Where has he gone? How can a genius escape his date with destiny? How could he betray a brother?

Martin is condemned to forty years of humdrum half-life until, one wintry night, an unexpected musical clue sets him on the trail to an astonishing act of self-discovery, and renewal.

In his enthralling first novel - part mystery, part love story - Norman Lebrecht observes how great artists invade the lives of ordinary people, stealing something of their normality to save their own tortured souls. Author of several best-selling books about music and society, Normal Lebrecht now explores the inner voices which the public never get to hear.