Why does a young cellist in late eighteenth-century Europe renounce his noble birthright to become a commoner? Why does a young composer who longs to have his music performed in the most important concert hall in Europe refuse the opportunity and instead play the piano in a tavern? Why does a young noblewoman judge herself unworthy of a commoner who proposes marriage to her? Why do these three individuals all imperil their lives to play music?These questions are answered in Variations on a Noble Theme, a novel of integrity.