Coda (I) (2019)

Patrick Stewart: Henry Cole

Photos 

Quotes 

• Paul : The classical market is a lot like the wine market. It survives by creating the illusion of meaningful diversity. There wll always be the demand for the opportunity to distinguish oneself by pretending to see a world where others see nothing.

  Helen Morrison : Sometimes there really is a world.

  Paul : Well, the fact that you perceive a difference doesn't necessarily make that difference meaningful.

  Helen Morrison : Are you calling me a snob?

  Paul : No! No! Oh, but seriously. Do we actually need another recording of the "Goldberg Variations?"

  Richard : Or another pianist maybe?

  Paul : Yeah, exactly. Sturgeon's law, 90% of everything is crap.

  Richard : That's a lot.

  Paul : Yes!

  Francine : Did you know you were managed by the enemy, Henry?

  Henry Cole : So long as he keeps getting me gigs, I'll let the philistine speak his mind.

• Henry Cole : You know one of the few good things about getting old?

  Paul : Uh-oh.

  [Henry chuckles] 

  Henry Cole : You become a pragmatist. You're not reaching for meaning anymore. You're just searching for words or sleep or the reason you're staring into an open drawer. And you're not worried about the future just... you want the present to last. The heart and the mind finally get along.

• Henry Cole : The, um.. the verse on your car, where did you find it?

  Helen Morrison : In your book.

  Henry Cole : It has been out of print for years.

  Helen Morrison : Do you still write?

  [silence] 

  Helen Morrison : Henry?

  Henry Cole : Mm?

  Helen Morrison : You seemed so far away for a second.

  Henry Cole : I did?

  Helen Morrison : Yeah.

  Henry Cole : I'm sorry. What did you say?

  [voiceover] 

  Helen Morrison : Success often conceals a flaw, a wound, some deep-seated doubt. It might be forgotten for a while, but it's always there, operating in the background, lurking behind the mask.

• Helen Morrison : Why the "Fantasie?" Is it because it is meant as a cry of despear after the separation from Clara?

  Henry Cole : When Schumann was asked what he meant by the piece, do you know what he said? Nothing. He just sat down at the piano and played again. However, some scientists claim we owe the "Fantasie" as well as numerous other masterpieces to treponema pallidum.

  Second Reporter : Is she a composer?

  Henry Cole : She's the syphilis bacterium.

• Henry Cole : I am an old man.

  Helen Morrison : What's the matter? You have something against younger women?

• Henry Cole : The pianist's duty is to serve. His personal contribution belongs to the realm of small differences. That Beethoven walked the face of the earth, now that's something.

• Helen Morrison : I would like to do an article on you.

  Henry Cole : Ah...

  Helen Morrison : Something comprehensive.

  Henry Cole : It sounds unpleasant. I appreciate it, but there is a lot to be said for staying at the surface of things.

• Henry Cole : Music is never about despair. It's a celebration. A victory. And being appreciated is not enough. Most people want to overcome something.

  Helen Morrison : Were you celebrating a victory tonight?

  Henry Cole : You're prying again.

  Helen Morrison : Sorry.

  Henry Cole : I just play the notes.

  Helen Morrison : You had me fooled.

  Henry Cole : Well, thank you.

  [begins to close the door] 

  Helen Morrison : I'm sorry, um... you don't remember me, but... you changed my life fifteen years ago.

  Henry Cole : I did?

  Helen Morrison : You were giving a master class at Julliard and, um, I had just been cut, first round of a minor competition. I lacked the basic talent of... not shaking.

  Henry Cole : How unfair.

  Helen Morrison : "What matters most is experience," you said, "Not performance. The greatest gift what truly sets people apart is... the ability to feel."

  Henry Cole : I said that?

• Henry Cole : Do you realize how reckless it is to play in front of an audience? It's why they come you know. Like those cliff divers I saw the other day on TV. People enjoy the show but really it's the looming disaster that makes it special.

  [takes a drag on a cigarette] 

  Paul : [reaching for the cigarette]  May I?

  [audience clapping rhythmically] 

  Paul : Do you hear that?

• [Henry and a patron are strolling, admiring photographic portraits hung on a wall at eye level] 

  Customer : You play the piano?

  Henry Cole : Yes, a little bit. You?

  Customer : Yeah. Mostly by ear. I can pick up pretty much any tune. I've got a soft spot for the oldies, though.

  Henry Cole : So do I.

  Customer : Mm... I like classical too, but I find some pieces are a little long.

  Henry Cole : Ain't that the truth.

  [Henry sees his portrait, turns and exits] 

  Henry Cole : Have a good evening.

  Customer : You too.

  [patron comes upon Henry's portrait, realizes who he had been talking with] 

• Helen Morrison : Now, I have a friend like that. He's also a pianist. He's unique.

  Henry Cole : Being unique, is a desirable attribute for stamps or landscapes. In a pianist, it usually spells trouble.

  Helen Morrison : [thoughtful pause]  No one plays like you, Henry.

  Henry Cole : Well, thank you, Ms Morrison. It's kind of you to say.

• Helen Morrison : [Henry's admiring a vase of calla lilies]  Do you like flowers Mr Cole?

  Henry Cole : [turns and approaches]  I like all quiet forms of life.

  Helen Morrison : Fish?

  Henry Cole : Them too.

  Helen Morrison : I'm sorry, I haven't eaten all day.

  [eats an amuse-bouche] 

  Henry Cole : I'm a little surprised to see you here.

  [crosses his arms] 

  Helen Morrison : I was in the neighborhood.

  [Henry, silently skeptical, arches his eyebrows] 

  Helen Morrison : Actually my friend told me you would be here.

  Henry Cole : Ah.

  [sighs] 

  Helen Morrison : Did you like my flowers?

  Henry Cole : I did, thank you. You didn't write a review.

  Helen Morrison : I'm working on something else.

• Paul : Oh, those are nice flowers.

  [admiring the flowers sent by Helen] 

  Henry Cole : Did you know some of the loveliest flowers mimic the smell of fecal matter, so as to attract dung insects?

  Paul : Why not attract other insects?

  [both chuckle] 

• female reporter : Why didn't you give an encore?

  Henry Cole : Uh... I like... I like clean breaks... the way... the ocean... abruptly ends between your feet, the edge of a dying wave. And I couldn't think of anything else to play.

• Maya : Sorry to disturb you, Mr Cole. Could I ask you for your autograph? I was at the concert last night.

  Henry Cole : Magnificent!

  Maya : I drove all the way from Boston.

  Henry Cole : Oh, you didn't yave to drive all that way. I'll be playing in Boston a week from now.

  Maya : I know, I'm taking my son.

  Henry Cole : Ah. Well, that automatically qualifies you for an autograph. What's your name?

  Maya : Maya. But it's not for me, it's for my son. Daniel.

  Henry Cole : Uh-uh. How old is he?

  Maya : Twelve. Music is everything to him. I mean, it's all he cares about.

  Henry Cole : Tell you what, bring him backstage after the recital next week. I'll sign it for him then.

  Maya : Really? He has a poster of you in his room, you know.

  Henry Cole : A poster.

  Maya : Yeah.

  Henry Cole : I hope it doesn't give him nightmares.

  Maya : [admiring the flowers sent by Helen]  You should put those in water.

  Henry Cole : Yes, I should.

  [pause] 

  Henry Cole : Maya...

  Maya : Yes.

  Henry Cole : Did you really enjoy the recital?

  Maya : [perplexed, softly emphatic]  Of course!

  Henry Cole : [humbly]  Thank you.

  Maya : Thank you.

  [smiles, turns and exits]