As I play Bach’s solo violin works, I often think that this music was composed nearly 300 years ago and the fact that it still inspires and moves people today. I find myself feeling a connection not only with Bach and the many people who have listened to his works over the 300 years but also with the people who performed his pieces and have inspired other performers to interpret the music in certain ways, influencing how we all hear it today.
Along with the listening and performing history, the instruments themselves have their own histories. When I play Bach on my 250-year-old violin, I connect with all the previous owners who have played the same music on it. The instrument itself has already played these pieces many more times than I ever will, and knows them far better that I do, and always will.
The historical implications of an instrument can be compared with those a book that is hundreds of years old. Those who have handled these books and instruments have left their mark; we can feel the impact of the hours spent with them. There’s the appearance and smell, and the evidence of the physical journey their owners have taken them on. As we read these books and play these instruments, we are in a shared past and future. I often wonder if the next person to own my violin will be able to feel the time, effort, energy and emotion, all that I’ve poured into this instrument.
Along with the listening and performing history, the instruments themselves have their own histories. When I play Bach on my 250-year-old violin, I connect with all the previous owners who have played the same music on it. The instrument itself has already played these pieces many more times than I ever will, and knows them far better that I do, and always will.
The historical implications of an instrument can be compared with those a book that is hundreds of years old. Those who have handled these books and instruments have left their mark; we can feel the impact of the hours spent with them. There’s the appearance and smell, and the evidence of the physical journey their owners have taken them on. As we read these books and play these instruments, we are in a shared past and future. I often wonder if the next person to own my violin will be able to feel the time, effort, energy and emotion, all that I’ve poured into this instrument.
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