A Day of Reckoning

The conversation started about a year ago.  Harrisburg Symphony’s illustrious concertmaster, Odin Rathnam, was faced with a dilemma.  His prized 1755 Bartolomeo Calvarola violin—familiar and steadfast in its service—was in need of a rest.  In fact, at the age of 254, it was deserving of frequent rests.  His playing style, Odin confesses, is quite demanding of any instrument.  How to afford his Calvarola its much needed respite without forfeiting the level of comfort that comes from such intimate familiarity?
Enter Scott Hershey, violinmaker.  Odin approached Scott with the prospect of creating a copy of the Calvarola with all its unique—sometimes quirky—details and the project took flight.  Over the next several months the two “masters” would meet often to hash out decisions concerning everything from the choice of woods to the choice of strings—and everything in between.
Fast forward to Tuesday, July 28th.  In the quiet of his pre-business-hours workshop, Scott handed the freshly polished and newly strung violin to Odin for the first time.  And while Scott had played the violin himself a bit, the true test was, of course, how it sounded when Odin played it–how it sounded to Odin under his ear.
For the next two hours, the shop walls reverberated with Odin’s music.  It is common knowledge that a new instrument must be “played in”—some say for years, even decades–until its true voice is realized, so Scott was realistic in his expectations of Odin’s initial response.
“This is an excellent student,” Odin said finally of his new “old” violin. “It learns the notes quickly, and its tone is every bit as round and full as the original.”  He played for a while longer and then added, “This is the best violin you’ve ever made.”
After further discussion, there are a few ergonomic modifications that will be addressed—strictly to the set-up of the instrument, not to the instrument itself.  The chinrest, the bridge height, the thickness of the fingerboard, and the combination of strings will be tweaked to better suit the maestro, and to make the transition between old and new instruments virtually seamless.
“This is an instrument that is meant to be played,” Odin added with a grin.

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Cellist Cheung Chau at Hershey Violins for adjustments to his instrument before departing for Beijing, China where he will perform in concert and conduct master classes.

Hershey Violins, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania:

Hershey Violins welcomes a valuable new asset to our musical community. Cellist Cheung Chau visited our shop for some last minute sound adjustments before his trip to Beijing China where he will perform in concert and conduct master classes.   Cheung, DMA New England Conservatory and MM Yale School of Music, will settle in the midstate after his month-long stint in Beijing.

The cellist of the Atma Trio www.atmatrio.org Cheung is also the former Assistant Professor of Music, Georgia Southern University and Bethany College and has taught at the New England Conservatory Preparatory School and Phillips Exeter Academy.  An award winning performer, he conducts master classes in many US universities, as well as in Europe and China.

Cheung’s wife Blanka Bednarz, the violinist of Atma Trio is the Associate Professor of Music at Dickinson College in nearby Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Cheung Chau (cello) and Blanka Bednarz (violin and viola) are currently accepting new students of all age levels.  For further information, please contact our shop 717.697.6341 or by email shershey@hersheyviolins.com.

 

scott-viewing-violin

Hershey Violins

11 West Main Street
Mechanicsburg, Pa 17055
717.697.6341

Shop Hours:

Tue. thru Fri: 11am – 5pm
Saturday: 10am – 3pm
Other hours by appointment
call: 717. 697. 6341