This cue’s title refers to blindfolds, which put blind and sight-limited fencers on the same playing field. The uncanny ability of these fencers to compete using auditory and tactile cues is a central topic of the documentary Touché: A Blind Fencer’s Story.

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Some of the fencers in Touché: A Blind Fencer’s Story had their own themes, reflecting their personalities as captured in the documentary. Robbie’s leitmotif was a bluesy riff on acoustic guitars, performed here by Tom Strahle.

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This spirited cello solo is cut from the same cloth as last week’s Fencing Prelude No. 2. To quote last week’s description, which applies equally well: “The piece is meant to convey a sense of fencing’s regal history, as well as the nimble back-and-forth of the sport’s footwork. Cello performances by John Acosta.”

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Continuing the music series from Touché: A Blind Fencer’s Story, this is one of several cello solos and duets underscoring the fencing instruction scenes. The piece is meant to convey a sense of fencing’s regal history, as well as the nimble back-and-forth of the sport’s footwork. Cello performances by John Acosta.

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George Adams’ documentary Touché: A Blind Fencer’s Story tells the extraordinary story of Catherine Bolton, a woman who after losing most of her vision in adulthood became a champion blindfolded fencer.

As touched upon here previously, music for a documentary has to walk a line between romanticism and respect for its subject matter. That said, I felt that it made sense to compose a leitmotif for Catherine, who recurs throughout the film. Instead taking the traditional approach of varying the theme over time, I changed its instrumentation to reflect the mood of the moment. This solo piano version takes on a reflective but optimistic tone.

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