The story of a donation
Grandpas Violin 01
At Benslow we often have phone calls from people who have found a violin tucked away in a cupboard, in the loft, or hidden under a bed. Sometimes it is the much loved instrument of a relative, or, as in the case of this violin, an instrument that someone learnt on as a child or student, that has been put away and forgotten. I had completely forgotten that I learnt on this little ¾ size French violin when I was about 11 or 12. My grandfather loved violins and had quite a few that he bought and collected. He had bought this one from a violin shop in Leeds probably around 1940 or so, and my mother would also have used it. The old case it was in had lots of black sticky tape holding the broken bits together, and the bow inside had no hair.
Grandpas Violin 02
Marco, Luthier to the Loan Scheme, examined the condition of Grandpa's violin in his workshop at Benslow. It was made in the 1920’s in the Vosges region of France. My Grandpa must have bought it when it was fairly new. It has a big sound, and will project very easily. I have no idea how much my grandfather paid for it, but it was probably only a few shillings in those days. When I found the the violin it was quite dirty, but because it had been kept dry and at a steady temperature that was not too hot or too cold, it had no cracks or splits. The woodworm hadn’t had a chance to eat away at it either, so after a clean and polish, new strings, a bridge, and better pegs, it was ready to go to its new home and be played and loved again.
Grandpas Violin 03
When the violin arrived at Benslow Marco, our luthier checked it over, looking inside to check for cracks or repairs and any labels. You can see him talking about the violin and playing it in two short videos.
Grandpas Violin 04
I had completely forgotten that I learnt on this little ¾ size French violin when I was about 11 or 12. My grandfather loved violins and had quite a few that he bought and collected. He had bought this one from a violin shop in Leeds probably around 1940 or so, and my mother would also have used it. The dark varnish, typical of Vosges instruments of the early 1900's, and the soundpost were fortunately in good order.
Grandpas Violin 05
Whenever someone donates an instrument we encourage them to fill in a specially printed label that goes inside the instrument. On it they can write their name and, if they are donating it in memory of someone, they can write that persons name on as well. Every instrument has a story, and these labels help keep the story alive. Our borrowers and young musicians like to know these stories; it helps build the personality of the instrument, and makes it special. The new label inside marks the donation of my Grandpa's violin in his memory, because he loved the sound of the violin.
Grandpa’s little ¾ violin is now happily in a new case at Benslow. It is waiting for its first Benslow Borrower to chose it, and I hope it will help a young musician to grow and develop into a better musician. I know that my Grandpa would have been delighted to hear the talented young players who come to us; he would have been very proud that the violin his few shillings bought in the 1940’s could help many on their musical journey.