PASTOR DAVE’S MUSINGS FROM THE HEARTLAND

May 23, 2021

ATTACKING THE VIOLIN

I started taking violin lessons when I was in the fourth grade and continued into college.  I gave my first public performance playing “Old Dan Tucker” in a school play.  Belonged to an orchestra in high school and a community orchestra when I was in seminary at Dallas, Texas.  While I was the pastor of the Crescent Avenue United Methodist Church in the 90’s I became reacquainted with my violin when Diane gave me a semester of lessons at the School of The Music which the church sponsored.

From my limited experience I have come to the conclusion that there are two types of violinists.  There are those who play the violin and then there are those who attack the violin.  A person who plays the violin very often is technically superior, can perform numbers with great competence and make a good member of an orchestra.  For the persons who attacks a violin the instrument is not just something to be played but in fact has become an extension of their own personality and body.  When they play, they put their total being into their performance.  Player and instrument move as one.  The person has so internalized the piece that it flows out of the violin.  The contrast between a person who plays a number well and one who attacks the number with passion can be dramatic.

Saturday night, May 8^th, Brendan Shea, the Concertmaster and Elizabeth M. Cullity Chair for the South Bend Symphony, not only played Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 in G, but attacked it.  Instrument and musician moved as one as the concerto came pouring forth.  One could feel his attacking style with every stroke of the bow.  I found it fascinating to watch the expression in his eyes as they peered out above his mask.

As Shea was attacking his violin, Alastair Willis, Music Director of the Symphony, was using the same style as he directed.  Alastair and the orchestra performed as one, supporting Shea with the presentation of the Concerto, and produced a truly marvelous experience.

A number of times the scripture describes life as running a race.  The prophet Isaiah wrote, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” (Isa. 40:31)  In Hebrews we find: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1)

The Apostle Paul sees life not as a leisurely stroll in the park but as a passionate run in which one engages with all one’s being.  “Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize?  Run in such a way that you may win it.  Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but an imperishable one.  So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I myself shall not be disqualified.” (I Cor. 9:24-26)

Paul would seem to be suggesting that we approach life the same way that Brendan Shea attacked his violin and that Alastair Willis directed the South Bend Symphony orchestra the evening of May 8^th. Life is meant to be lived, not endured.  Different persons live their lives in different styles.  Each of us approach our days under the sun in our own way.  No matter your approach, may you live your life with your total being!