A Fiddle Story by Hamilton Cheifetz

To Aaron Mann:

Aaron,

Thank you so much for taking the photos of my sister and the violin.  The video I am attaching is a large file, so if you want to include some of it, feel free to trim it.  I hope this little story conveys some of the joy connected with giving my sister the fiddle.

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My mother was a wonderful violinist, and although she died at the age of 37 when I was 9, I remember her playing vividly.  Her sound set a course for my life’s direction.  It was her choice to surprise me with a cello when I was 7 because she loved the cello.  My father used to accompany her on the piano.

Her violin stayed in my possession and in its case for 58 years, and during that time I stored it for 10 years in a damp basement, and it came apart.  The top separated from the sides, and the back also came off.  It felt horrible to see it in that condition, so once I was able to do it, I had it restored, just last month.  My intention was to bring it to my younger sister Ariel at the Subud National Gathering at Pearlstone Center in Maryland since my sister is a fine violinist too. As soon as the violin was restored, I took it to my colleague in the Florestan Trio, Carol Sindell, who studied with Jascha Heifetz, and I took some short videos of her playing the violin, which was made in Mittenwald, Germany in 1815.  One of the videos is attached.  Miraculously, the violin immediately had the warm, sweet tone which I remembered from all those years ago.

 On June 30 I gave my sister the violin and on July 2, we spent some very special hours playing duets in the afternoon.  This was certainly a​ ​ highlight of an incredible gathering with many Subud members.  Miracles abound.

With gratitude and love,

Hamilton Cheifetz