No Violin Worshipper
Yesterday I enjoyed a note from a subscriber who shared some details of his violin acquisition. He then asked the following question;
‘Just how important is the instrument (violin/bow) to a concert violinist?’
Let me begin by relating 2 famous stories. In the first Jascha Heifetz was once entertaining well wishers in his dressing room following a concert.
One elderly matron exclaimed, ‘Mr. Heifetz, I just love the sound of your violin.’
Heifetz lifted his violin to his ear and countered, ‘That’s funny, I don’t hear a thing.’
The second is even better. Seems Kreisler was to give a concert in London, way back when. In advance of the concert a well known London Times music columnist wrote, ‘We all look forward to Mr. Kreisler’s performance, particularly to hearing his gorgeous Del Gesu violin once again.’
When this was brought to Kreisler’s attention, he became incensed. He then went to a London violin house and bought an extremely cheap violin.
At the end of the concert, as he was taking his bows to thunderous applause, he lofted this counterfeit into the air and toward the forward rows of the orchestra section. Cheers well replaced by gasps of astonishment as Kreisler spun on his heels and strode to the wings.
Now, to answer the question, let me repeat, I am no violin worshipper. That is not to say I don’t appreciate the work of a great luthier, I certainly do. I just don’t believe that I will ever possess the violin equivalent of a ‘soul mate.’
Violins are tools, for me.
The kind of tool I need has changed over time. I think it likely that I will own several more instruments in my time.
I recognize that others may feel differently. So be it.
The other point I’ll make is that I don’t think one need spend the amount of a home in Beverly Hills to come by an excellent playing violin. I think the cost of a used Corolla is sufficient if you are patient and have a little luck.
Some feel it is the bow that is more important. Even here I beg differ.
Though I will grant that each bow will produce subtle differences in color and volume out of an instrument, I have found that my taste in weight, balance and flexibility all change over time.
In fact, playing with very differently weighted and balanced bows may help reduce stress to your arm and shoulder, to some extent.
Again, the bottom line is, find an instrument whose tone you are drawn to and that is comfortable to play. Price tag be damned.
All the best,
Clayton Haslop
P.S. There are no better works to self-discover the tone you want out of a fiddle than Bach’s exultant ‘Preludio’ and Kreisler’s fetching ‘Praeludium and Allegro.’ And to draw the best tone your violin has to offer while playing them you will need absolutely pure playing mechanics. Begin ‘fine tuning’ yours today.
