The Fifth String

John Philip Sousa (1854 - 1932) was an American composer and conductor in the late Romantic era best known for American military and patriotic marches. He is often referred to as The March King. He wrote three novels -- "The Fifth String," "Pipetown Sandy," and "The Transit of Venus" -- as well as a full-length autobiography, Marching Along and a great number of articles and letters-to-the-editor on a variety of subjects. The Fifth String is the story of a young violinist who makes a deal with the Devil for a magic violin with five strings. The strings can excite the emotions of pity, hope, love and joy - the fifth string is death and can be played only once before causing the player's own death. He has a brilliant career, but cannot win the love of the woman he desires. At a final concert, he plays upon the death string.