Alexandra Von Triessen is a deeply introspective and passionate pianist whose journey is at the heart of Descending Thirds. Raised as the only child of wealthy and emotionally repressed parents, Alexandra found solace and emotional expression in music from a young age. Her upbringing was stifling, her emotions constrained by her parents’ rigid expectations, but the piano became her refuge, the one place where she could channel her sensitivity and longing into something meaningful. Her talent flourished, but her quiet nature and self-doubt kept her from fully embracing her potential.
Her life changes when she is accepted into the Royal Academy of Music in England, where she meets Chandra Hashimoto, a fellow prodigy who becomes her lifelong friend. Over the years, Alexandra evolves from a shy, uncertain girl into a rising star in the classical music world. At the International Ketterling Piano Competition in Portland, she risks everything by choosing an emotionally charged piece over a safer, more technical one. Her boldness wins her first prize, but the victory is bittersweet as it entangles her with Sebastian D’Antonio, a charismatic but troubled fellow competitor. Alexandra’s journey is one of constant tension—between her need for emotional authenticity and the demands of a competitive, often cutthroat world. Her relationship with Sebastian, as well as her growing connection to Conrad, forces her to confront her own desires and the sacrifices she must make for her art.
