"The Fuchsiad" Urmuz

photograph of theodor fuchs, ca. 1900

another 1 of urmuz s prose creations fuchsiad , subtitled heroic-erotic musical poem in prose . among scholars, perpessicius first argue subtext here direct reference greek mythology , norse paganism, re-contextualized sadistic pleasure of children take apart dolls . protagonist fuchs eminently musical creature, came world not out of mother s womb, through grandmother s ear. @ conservatory, turns perfect chord , out of modesty spends of education hiding @ bottom of piano. puberty comes , grows kind of genitalia —in fact fig leaf keeps rejuvenating. actual story begins on 1 night fuchs spends in open air: under spell of mysteries, composer finds way traian street (bucharest s red-light district).

there, group of vestals whisks him away, praying shown beauty of immaterial love , begging him play sonata. music overheard goddess venus. instantly defeated passion , asks fuchs join on mount olympus. act of lovemaking between clueless, overanxious fuchs , giant goddess compromised when fuchs decides enter whole body venus ear. embarrassed , angered audience humiliates guest , banishes him planet venus; merciful athena allows him return home, on condition not reproduce. however, fuchs still decides spend of time practicing lovemaking on traian street, hoping venus grant him second chance, , believing , goddess breed race of supermen. in end, prostitutes reject advances, deeming him dirty satyr , no longer capable of immaterial love. story ends fuchs flight boundless nature , whence music has been beaming away equal force in directions , fulfilling destiny enemy of inferior art.

urmuz s story has been variously described praise of artistic freedom, , more precisely ironic take on own biography failed musician. on more transparent level, references classical composer theodor fuchs, depicted posterity puberal , clumsy man, , known disgraced favorite of romanian queen-consort elisabeth of wied. fuchsiad may contain intertextual nods midsummer night s dream.