It’s disgraceful—displaying a perfectly good violin as an ornament, but there it is—on top of my piano propped on a small brass easel! The thing is, it’s not perfectly good: the G string is missing altogether, a black peg has broken off the neck, horsehairs are lax on the bow. Indeed, my violin has become a sorry sight.
I play hymns and simple pieces on the piano quite often now, but at the moment, my violin is un-playable. I would have to shell out major moolah to bring the violin up to snuff.
As a teenager, I took violin lessons and played in the orchestra at Elizabethtown Area High School (PA). A gift from my dad, the violin was a splendid caramel-colored instrument, its curvy shape tapering to a fancy scroll. Now when I peer inside the S-shaped openings of the instrument, I see a papery tag with the label: Copy of Antonius Stradivarius / Handarbeit / Garmisch bei Mittenwald—Made in Germany.*
In my first memoir, I go into detail about my developing love for the violin
After classes every two weeks on a Wednesday, I walked to the music room in the bowels of Elizabethtown High where I meet Mrs. Santeusanio for violin lessons. Mrs. S. was tiny, even-tempered, and always smelled slightly floral. Did she wear Eau de Joy? One magazine boasted it took 10,000 crushed flowers to make an ounce of Joy. She wore a wedding ring, so maybe her husband could afford expensive perfume, I reasoned.
As I began lessons, my teacher taught me how to angle my head on the neckpiece and arch my fingers on the fingerboard. My left-handed fingers groped and stretched as I fumbled to find first and then third position on strings G, D, A, and E on the neck of my violin. Practicing the violin called louder to me now than rehearsing my piano lessons because I was going to perform in the school orchestra, not just play the piano alone on a bench at home for a dreaded spring recital. It turned out I liked playing in the orchestra. Oh, I really loved it! I could blend in with some of my fancy classmates, our notes touching and soaring together. With the focus on a musical score, my plain cap and simple dress might be more easily overlooked. Excerpt from Chapter 19: Cinderella at the Ball, Mennonite Daughter: The Story of a Plain Girl
You can read about my transformation from plain to fancy dress at a spring concert in a previous blog post: https://marianbeaman.com/2014/05/07/plain-girl-finds-fancy-dress/
Noah Klauss conducting Spring Concert at EAHS
* * *
The Riddle Solved
The Italian violin maker Antonio Stradivari was a poor man. And yet his violins are now the most prized violins ever made because of the rich and resonant sound they produce. The unique sound of a Stradivarius cannot be duplicated. What may surprise you is that these precious instruments were not made from treasured pieces of wood; they were carved from discarded lumber. Because Stradivari could not afford fine materials, he got most of his wood from the dirty harbors where he lived. He would take those waterlogged pieces of wood to his shop, clean them up, and dry them out. Then, from those trashed pieces of lumber, he would create instruments of rare beauty [and value.]
It has since been discovered that while the wood floated in those dirty harbors, microbes infiltrated the wood and ate out the center of those cells. This left just a fibrous infrastructure of wood that created resonating chambers for the music. From that wood that nobody wanted, Stradivarius produced violins that now everybody wants.
* Quoted from The Word for You Today, September 8, 2024 entry
Antonio Stradivarius 1644-1737 Wikipedia image
The lesson is obvious: Trash can become treasure in the hands of an artisan!
Playing violin in dorm room at Eastern Mennonite College/University 1960s
Have you played a musical instrument?
Any tales to tell about your musical experience?
Good morning! It’s a sad day, but thank you for sharing your memories. The information about Stradivari and the wood he used was fascinating. I played violin in junior and senior high, but I was really terrible. I was better at piano.
I too am grieving this morning, Merril. Inspired by Marian, I searched for my favorite violinist, Joshua Bell, and listened meditatively to him play his Stradivarius (I think I read that he plays one). I found the story about the wood very inspiring. Let us be builders of beauty out of the wood the builders rejected.
Hi Shirley, yes indeed. As usual, I looked for beauty while out walking this morning.
SHIRLEY, with a nation divided nearly in half, you are certainly not alone in your feelings about the election outcome. I’m glad you found inspiration from Stradivarius’ story and consolation in the strains of Joshua Bell. I join you in the aspiration to be “builders of beauty out of the wood the builders rejected.” 😀
MERRIL, thank you for checking in (first again) in spite of your feelings. I know you will find those who sympathize here.
I’m guessing you had some encouragement–maybe even pressure–from parents to try a musical instrument. And I’m glad you found out something new about violins!
Hi Marian. always encouragement from my parents, never pressure.
And yes, that was very interesting!
Glad to hear it!
How wonderful that you play the violin, Marian! My niece plays the violin. How interesting that Stradivari took what was unanted and turned it into an instrument highly prized today.
I took piano lessons, but didn’t last long at it. I wish I had continued.
L. Marie, you’ll have to put playing the violin for me in the past tense, although I still play the piano. I hope you return to playing the piano if you still want to and have the opportunity. Music is soothing whether playing or listening, in my opinion. 😀
I played piano, took about five years of piano lessons from Martha Krabill, our pastor’s wife. I finally backed out when I was about 7th or 8th grade, and can still play hymns (if they don’t have too many sharps or flats). I played a song for one wedding, my niece’s (Hard to believe now). I also monkeyed with guitar, until I finally sold it when I was in college for a mere $25. My fingers didn’t like having hard finger tips…. 🙂 Now you know my entire history.
Thanks for sharing your musical history. I can tell you enjoy composing lyrical lines as a writer a lot better. My preference in playing music is flats; I don’t know why. If I can, I sometimes transpose from sharps to flats. Again, I don’t know why my mind (and fingers) work better this way. 😀
That’s interesting, Marian. I’m the same way when I play hymns. I am much more comfortable transposing sharps to flats. 5 flats are easier to play than two sharps. Go figure. I prefer to sing in flats, too.
Elaine, I had to look this phenomenon up. Mr. Google says, “f you began your musical studies playing mostly in flat keys, then these will naturally feel more familiar and easier than pieces that are in sharp keys.”
I remember the violin story from your memoir, Marian. You are super creative. I have a lot of awe and respect for musical and other artistic talents. And, I love the Stradivarius tidbit, except for the fact and contradiction that he was so poor! Not fair.
Of course you do–you were one of my squinty-eyed readers of Mennonite Daughter! Thanks again for that.
I agree with you on Stradivarius: genius often is accompanied by penury. When I look at mugs with imprints of Monet’s Starry Night, I think the same thing. Ugh! 😀
I took piano lessons when I was in elementary school. When the teacher subjected me to theory worksheets, I quit. Those worksheets sucked all the joy out of the music. I played clarinet in junior high and high school.
My youngest grandson, who is a music “specialist” at Jacksonville’s school for the arts, smiles when he talks about music theory. As you may guess, I’m not interested either.
However, now that you make music in your writing, poetry included! :=)
Thank you, Marian! I do tend to write by ear (or should I say “rewrite”).
Because we were poor immigrants we couldn’t afford musical instruments, but I longed for a piano and eventually my parents bought an old one and my sister and I took shared lessons from a kind woman. My daughters all took lessons and played various instruments in the school orchestra. Some of my grandchildren took up violin lessons.
Thanks for that great story about the Stradivari violin! Had not heard that before!
I felt sad when I read about your love for music but difficulty in having a piano in your home growing up. I’m glad you eventually got a piano to share with your sister–and now enjoy listening to music through the generations . 😀
I love music but the only thing I ever played was the record player! My fingers are very uncoordinated and I could never learn to play the piano or type. (Even though I tried) Interesting info about the wood used by Stradivarius. Did you ever see the movie The Red Violin? It’s so good. The story follows the life of a special violin through the centuries. I included a violin in Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music. I’ve always been fascinated by them and think its great that you used to play one.
You mention that you never could learn to play the piano or type. Yet you have published so many books. You also referred to The Red Violin. I believe I’ve seen the title, but did I read the story? Not sure.
I wonder if you’ll include music in future stories. Hmmmm!
Thank you, Darlene. 😀
There are bagpipes in Amanda in Scotland! Yup, I’ve written ten books and many short stories all with two fingers. I didn’t let not being able to type stop me!! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. xo
Oh, Darlene, you never cease to amaze! 😀
I have a guitar on display in much the same way as your violin – an instrument I once played. It’s a matter of choice of how to spend time now. I made choices to spend my time in other ways. Maybe someday I’ll take it up again? It would take some time to build up the guitar calluses again!
It’s a matter of choice of how to spend time now. I like that!
The grandkids have bugged their grandpa to play his accordion again. Not much has happened except that he has dislodged the accordion case from the closet. He even printed “Joy to the World” for accordion, so there’s hope. 😀
I played violin the orchestra and clarinet in the band. It wasn’t so much that I had a passion for playing music as much as it was something to do in my small boring town. Once I got to college I dropped them, thankful about what I’d learned, but ready to move on.
Okay, so playing instruments relieves boredom. . . maybe?
Since then, you’ve moved on to the excitement of writing–sharing joie de vivre, Ally!
What a fascinating story about the Stradivarius violins! I had no idea they were made from driftwood. How very clever!
I played classic guitar for many years and it gave me great joy. Alas, I was too shy to play in public and just kept it for my family and closest friends.
Fatima, you don’t seem shy to me–online at lest. Maybe years ago you were, though.
Now, I wonder whether you still play guitar. (My youngest grandson is a huge fan of guitar.) 😀
Amazing you played violin Marian. it looks beautiful sitting on your piano. Piano was my instrument, along with my voice – Days longe gone, lol. <3
Well, Debby, we do move on.
It seems writing is your jam now. And when we go on trips, we can WRITE about the experience. Yay! 😀
Exactly Marian. Gives us so much to write about. 🙂 <3
😀 !
I am so impressed you played the violin, Marian! Please know that I am clapping, haha. 👏👏 That is such a great photo of you from the 1960s. It was also super interesting to learn about Stradivarius and where he found the wood for his violins. The microbe part and the role it played is incredible!!! Thanks for the violin lesson. 😉
Thanks for the applause, Melanie, but I was a fair to middlin’ player though I did enjoy the camaraderie in the orchestra. Our director, Mr. Klauss, told my parents that I had potential, but, sadly, I really didn’t develop it.
By the way, you can find a back story about this violin in a kind of prequel: https://marianbeaman.com/2015/09/16/a-cloistered-life-at-peachey-house-a-prequel/
I started out playing an accordion in elementary school in Spokane, WA. My brother played the trumpet for awhile but quit.
When my family and I moved to Idaho I continued to play the accordion, mostly in church. When I made a mistake while up on stage near the pulpit I would look sheepishly down and say, “I’m sorry”, then I would continue the song. I’m not sure how many “sorries” I made, but it was rather like torture.
One time my parents had some friends over at our house and my Mom took great joy in showing off my skills in art and playing the accordion. When she asked me if I would like to play the accordion for our guests, I said NO. She then quietly whispered in my ear, “Do you want to play for our guests or would you rather not eat supper!” My mother had great persuasion powers.
In Jr. High and some in college I also took piano lessons but I found that I enjoyed making up music rather than reading the notes.
Yes, my family, including the grandkids, are putting pressure on me to treat them to a song on the accordion. The other day I did drag it out of the closet and as the fall weather sets in I will air out the squeeze box and steel my trembling fingers and see what happens.
Thanks for the musical history, my dear. I can imagine that you would rather make up music than read the notes.
You will get raves from me when you unpack that accordion and try some notes. You don’t have to sound good. . . just try! A legacy to your grandchildren. 😀
This instrument is still beautiful, Marian, and I didn’t know about Stradivarius. You look natural and relaxed holding your violin. I tried alto sax for a while (the band director must have needed someone to take that position), but didn’t like it at all. I also took piano lessons without much enthusiasm, but singing! I absolutely loved singing and dancing, so I loved taking part in musicals as soon as I was old enough to memorize the lines. I still remember many lyrics from West Side Story and the Music Man and more. Thanks for sharing music since I can no longer hear music.
I’m so very sorry you can’t hear music these days, but maybe some notes come through birdsong on your forest walks.
I agree, a sax doesn’t seem right for you. Somehow I can picture you with a flute or harp.
Yay, for singing and dancing. You have happy memories with musicals, a very good thing, Elaine!
Hi Marian, how wonderful that you played the violin and the piano. I wanted to learn as a girl but the opportunity never presented itself.
Ah, Robbie, I’m sorry you never got to play an instrument, but I must remind you how lyrical you sound creating poetry of all forms. Thank you!
Such a beautiful instrument, Marian. Both our daughter and later, one of our grandchildren played for a few years in their school days. I’ll never forget going to a district-wide concert in Anchorage when our daughter first started playing. There were hundreds of young players and when the concert began, it sounded like a field full of bees, buzzing and screeching, entertaining us with a cacophony of sounds that would eventually (with much practice) become music to our ears. Loved it!!!
I smiled when I read that the concert with young players “sounded like a field full of bees, buzzing and screeching, entertaining us with a cacophony of sounds.” It’s so wonderful when the screeching eventually turns into music to your ears.
Just now I saw your email message announcing your book available for pre-order. Good for you! I’ll get back to you on that very soon, Bonnie. 😀
Hi Marian – I really enjoyed this post. I knew you played piano, but I never knew you also learned to play the violin. I relate to your comment about being in an orchestra. I played the flute in two orchestras and, although I don’t think I was ever very good at the flute, I had a lot of fun. I liked watching the string players and always wanted to play violin because they could chew gum when they played! I also loved reading about the discarded wood Stradivarius used. That’s a great story.
You’ve made quite a few YouTube piano videos, so no surprise there. I did not know, however, that you played flute. Yes, being in an orchestra is FUN.
Thanks for the chuckle: “I always wanted to play violin because they could chew gum when they played!” 😀
I was definitely not a good flute player!
But certainly “good enough”!
Would love to hear you play the violin sometime❤️. I played the piano, although, not very well. It was just for pleasure, since I didn’t start lessons until I was a senior in high school. I continued when the boys started their lessons years later.
Well, Bonnie, my violin is un-playable at the moment–lacking a string, etc.
I do still play the piano, mostly hymns in the morning. It sounds as though you have been persistent with piano lessons even though you got a late start.
Good to hear from you! 😀
Music is in my blood. I play piano, flute, recorder and piccolo, and one day I will learn to play my Dad’s very old mandolin. I used to drive our neighbour nuts singing on my swing. It wasn’t my singing; it was the squeaky swing. He’d sneak over and oil it after I went to bed. I still sing, but I miss my swing!
Sweet–and impressive!
In my opinion, your love of music carries over to your writing: lyrical even when you write about gritty topics.
Thanks so much for tuning in here, Jenn! :=D