{"id":24593,"date":"2024-03-28T18:37:19","date_gmt":"2024-03-28T22:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/?p=24593"},"modified":"2024-06-22T16:46:25","modified_gmt":"2024-06-22T20:46:25","slug":"far-cry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/2024\/03\/28\/far-cry\/","title":{"rendered":"If You Could Play One Of the World\u2019s Best Violins Which One Would You Choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>On Monday afternoon, musicians from the Boston chamber orchestra A Far Cry were picking out violins to borrow for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afarcry.org\/strad-serenade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">\u201cStradivari Serenade\u201d that they\u2019ll perform at New England Conservatory\u2019s Jordan Hall in Boston on Friday, March 29, 2024<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They gathered inside a gray house on School Street in Brookline that is home to Reuning &amp; Son Violins, \u201cdealers of fine violins, violas, cellos and bows.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Laid out on tables for the performers to try were rare violins, violins crafted by Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri and Carlo Bergonzi in Italy in the early 18th century, violins considered to be among the best ever made. Organizers said the instruments to be borrowed for the concert by the 18 members of the twice Grammy-nominated orchestra are \u201cvalued at over $100 million.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7lUuWE2Qiuw?si=fdZrr7iXSZUJfueC\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThese instruments get to sort of come alive together, all these incredible instruments in Jordan Hall,\u201d Grant Houston explained. \u201cThere will also be demonstrations of each instrument and kind of introductions by different Criers to give a little taste to the audience of what each instrument\u2019s special personality is like. And hopefully can kind of communicate what [are] the differences as a listener hearing a truly incredible fine Italian instrument.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s something about the Bergonzis that they\u2019re very juicy, rich,\u201d said Megumi Stohs Lewis, who chose a violin created by Carlo Bergonzi in 1731 to play.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m sure many shady characters have played this violin,\u201d Stohs Lewis quipped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you feel you\u2019re a shady character? \u201cNo. I hope not,\u201d Stohs Lewis said. \u201cBut it\u2019s kind of fun to experiment. \u2026 You tend to go for an instrument that feels familiar and you kind of know how to get the sound. But this one feels mysterious. I feel like there\u2019s a lot in there that could be teased out. Who knows what will come out with a few more days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112858w.jpg\" alt=\"Megumi Stohs Lewis (left) and Grant Houston of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)\" class=\"wp-image-24605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112858w.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112858w-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112858w-370x278.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Megumi Stohs Lewis (left) and Grant Houston of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, it just makes you want to be a better player,\u201d said Houston of selecting a violin made by Antonio Stradivari in 1725 or 1729. \u201cIt seems to be right in the sweet spot where some of the best Strads were made.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThey\u2019re not easy to play,\u201d Houston said. \u201cThey actually really don\u2019t respond kindly to careless play. \u2026 It requires a sensitivity, but also a certainty.\u201d Houston played for a moment to demonstrate. \u201cEven there I was a little uncertain about the next note I\u2019d play and the sound just didn\u2019t happen at all. And so it wants you to tell it what to do. \u2026 The way that it has this really strong core surrounded by this brilliant halo of high overtones is just everything you want in an instrument.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If this is the kind of coverage of arts, cultures and activisms you appreciate, please support Wonderland by&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/wonderlandlandfanclub\" target=\"_blank\">contributing to Wonderland on Patreon<\/a>. And&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/subscribe\/\" target=\"_blank\">sign up for our free, occasional newsletter<\/a>&nbsp;so that you don&#8217;t miss any of our reporting. (All content \u00a9Greg Cook 2024 or the respective creato<\/em>rs.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112795w.jpg\" alt=\"Jae Cosmos Lee of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)\" class=\"wp-image-24607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112795w.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112795w-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112795w-370x278.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jae Cosmos Lee of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112841w.jpg\" alt=\"Megumi Stohs Lewis of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)\" class=\"wp-image-24603\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112841w.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112841w-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112841w-370x208.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Megumi Stohs Lewis of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"878\" src=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112825w.jpg\" alt=\"Grant Houston of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)\" class=\"wp-image-24602\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112825w.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112825w-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112825w-370x278.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grant Houston of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112873w.jpg\" alt=\"Grant Houston of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)\" class=\"wp-image-24606\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112873w.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112873w-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112873w-370x208.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grant Houston of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1170\" height=\"812\" src=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112847w.jpg\" alt=\"Grant Houston (left) and Megumi Stohs Lewis of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)\" class=\"wp-image-24604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112847w.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112847w-768x533.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/picFar-Cry240325_P1112847w-370x257.jpg 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1170px) 100vw, 1170px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grant Houston (left) and Megumi Stohs Lewis of A Far Cry at Reuning &amp; Son Violins, Brookline, March 25, 2024. (\u00a9Greg Cook photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>On Monday afternoon, musicians from the Boston chamber orchestra A Far Cry were picking out violins to borrow for the \u201cStradivari Serenade\u201d that they\u2019ll perform at New England Conservatory\u2019s Jordan Hall in Boston on Friday, March 29, 2024. They gathered inside a gray house on School Street in Brookline that is home to Reuning &amp; [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24601,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[101],"tags":[1238,1239],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24593"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24593"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24593\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25160,"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24593\/revisions\/25160"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24601"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24593"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24593"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gregcookland.com\/wonderland\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24593"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}