There are a million ways to spend a million dollars. There is jewelry, designer clothing, shoes, houses, education, antiques, cars, artwork, etc. You could buy a single item (yes, there are million dollar shoes), or you could buy any combination of the above, and still have some left over. However, as tempting as all those choices sound, I can say for certain that if I had a million dollars, the only purchase I’d make is an 18th century Italian violin.
I’ve always thought that the violin is the most fascinating instrument. The shape of the instrument is undeniably gorgeous, the curves shaping so elegantly into the neck and scroll. The coloring ranges from dark brown to almost crimson, and, if you look closely, the shades blend into one another to create ornaments, giving each violin an individualized touch. But what jumps out immediately are the sound holes. They are the eyes of the violin, looking up at you with spunk and personality, almost as if challenging you to play.
Ultimately, the most beautiful decorations and ornaments pale in comparison to the sound. The sound of the violin is its soul. A violin can laugh and it can cry. It can be bright, joyous, crazy, angry, and pretty much any other emotion with the slightest change in the angle or pressure of the bow. Musicians literally spend a lifetime mastering all these nuances. The musician must practice thousands of hours to bring out the full potential of the instrument, and the beauty of a successful performance after such work and dedication is unparalled. The sound of the violin becomes your voice, and soul of the violin becomes your soul.
I am one of the many music students on that quest for beauty. I started playing the violin when I was five, and after ten years of drama, fights, and tantrums, I finally fell in love with the instrument and the music. As a classical violin student, I have been blessed with opportunities to play an incredible repertoire with fantastic orchestras in breathtaking concert halls all around the US. As a Chinese American, I have been blessed with the opportunity to bridge the gap between two drastically different cultures. With this project, I hope to continue my work in both. There is nothing like dazzling an audience with a showpiece or hearing the trumpet opening of Pictures at an Exhibition ringing through Carnegie Hall, and I would like nothing more than to offer these same invaluable experiences to young musicians in China.
The joys I derive from the violin are immeasurable, and that is why I’d like to share a bit of this world with you, my audience back home. I will introduce aspects of the fine violin trade - the makers, the pricing, the returns, the insurance and the care. I will also be discussing my experience with the classical music scene in the US and my humble opinions on how to extend these same opportunities to music students in China. As China advances, she must establish herself culturally as well as economically, and I invite you, my readers, to join me on this journey.
