Sigma Alpha Iota

20 Fall 2023 • sai-national.org Music Histy Reviewed by Jayne I. Hanlin In Violins of Hope: Violins of the Holocaust—Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind's Darkest Hour (Harper Perennial, 2014), James A. Grymes writes a narrative that is heart- wrenching and poignant—yet often uplifting. In this book about World War II, the author has a unique perspective, focusing on Jewish musicians and their instruments. He relates Holocaust experiences that both sadden and inspire. Not all of the individuals mentioned escaped Nazi persecution, and many instruments were lost. Grymes concentrates on lives of several violinists and their violins. Reading these stories, I was frequently on tenterhooks. I felt mixed emotions—dismay and outrage, relief and gratitude. The author summarizes the book's theme: "Wherever there were violins, there was hope." Son of Zionists who emigrated to Israel, Luthier Amnon Weinstein has lovingly restored over ninety instruments once belonging to Jews. Often he resurrected these instruments at no cost to the owners. This riveting book is not for the fainthearted. Grymes' well-written accounts fascinate though often horrify. He explains how music-making even under shocking situations brought joy — if only temporary. Quite a few examples illustrate how lives of these musicians were saved simply because they were fine violinists. Amidst the volume's sadness, I felt music's power to sustain and nourish the soul. Grymes describes the formation of one concentration camp orchestra (which performed for fifteen-minute shifts in an unfinished latrine building) and how orchestra musicians played for several hours by the gate as prisoners marched in and out of camps. A cheerful charade indeed! Of course, not all musicians were spared death or deportation. Grymes identifies a few Nazis who went out of their way to help and even protect detainees. On the contrary, a specific punishment inflicted is so gruesome I have chosen not to include it. When asked why he played for his murderers, one violinist replied, "I play for me." I think, the most endearing and unforgettable story chronicles the bravery of Mordechai Schlein, a young violinist who exacted revenge on Nazis in retaliation for their cold-blooded murder of his parents and sister. Grymes expounds on the enraged attack of the National Youth (Norway's equivalent of Germany's Hitler's Youth) by an Oslo audience. Fortunately, the Jewish soloist escaped without harm; after the war, he even returned to play the priceless violin of Norwegian virtuoso Ole Bull! In 1999, Weinstein's successful lecture about his own German instrument collection impelled him to look for more Holocaust violins. Thus began the Violins of Hope project, co-founded by concert violinist Shlomo Mintz (who, incidentally, plays one of the restored violins). In Violins of Hope's inaugural concert in Jerusalem on the sixtieth anniversary celebration of the State of Israel, a twelve-year-old joined other young violinists and performed on Mordechai's violin. Another violin in the collection was made by the Polish luthier who had taught Weinstein's father about making stringed instruments, the art Weinstein had shared with his son, Avshalom. Three generations of luthiers! Reading about some of these violins is touching; actually seeing and hearing them would be extraordinary. Scheduled events are listed at: https://www.violins-of-hope.com/ Violins of Hope

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