The Hot Seat, or the Sweet Spot?

You may find this hard to believe, but before last night I had never seen “The Red Violin.” Now, in case you also have managed to miss seeing it, it must rank as the finest film ever made with the violin as subject matter.

In fact, never mind the violin, this is just one great film, period.

And it was particularly stirring for me to watch during this time. As you may know, I have not been able to hold a violin up for two weeks. My left shoulder and arm are yet sore, weak, and tingly from the dislocation of two weeks ago.

John Corrigliano’s score for the film was brilliant. And of course wonderfully realized by Joshua Bell’s solo playing. As I listened I wanted to get hold of the music and enjoy mastering all its intricacies, now.

But then, with a squeeze of my hand, reality bit me strong and hard. The possibility to do so feels many weeks off.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not crying for sympathy. I plan to come back from this stronger, and with more to offer as a violinist, than ever before.

It must be so.

Now, I also wasn’t watching alone. A friend here in Asheville has been on my case about this film for many months. Finally he just brought it over and sat me down to enjoy it with him.

After it was over I asked him to wait around a few minutes while I looked for a little something to play for him. It was almost midnight.

The ‘something’ was a cassette ‘demo’ my wife and I had created some 17 years ago to promote my career as a soloist and her career as a composer.

The project entailed hiring a full professional orchestra, LA Phil members and top studio players, and recording movements from 4 violin concerti; among them one written for me by my wife, Tania Gabrielle French.

To say there was a tremendous amount of pressure on both of us would not be hyperbole. The cost for the project, some 27 thousand dollars came out of our own pockets. Additionally, I was standing in front of 60 of my colleagues ‘putting it out there.’

We had 3 1/2 hours to rehearse and record the music. One of the works had never been played or heard before. And to make matters even more challenging, the conductor I’d selected surprised me greatly by not having a handle on Tania’s movement.

Ultimately I had to lead the orchestra with my violin while the conductor played catch-up.

At the end I was completely wrung out. Mentally exhausted.

But last night, as I played Tania’s movement, entitled “Sacred Journey” for my friend, we were swept away. Her music has every bit the sweep and expressivity of Corrigliano’s score, yet it was written several years before.

Anyway, it made for a sweet encore to the movie.

All the best,

Clayton Haslop

P.S. Only a few days ago I was going through our basement doing a little Spring cleaning. I found a box of these cassettes, and I had put them aside to be discarded. What I was thinking I don’t know. Thankfully I was brought to my senses. Now the question is, how to get them in the hands of folks who can truly appreciate them?

P.P.S. Can’t bear to leave you without giving you a chance to benefit your playing in a very real way. Today I’ll just give you the link to my best seller, Kreutzer for Violin Mastery. Take a look for yourself.