The New Violin

Violins are very ancient instruments that have transformed over thousands of years by different cultures and time periods. It was created in Asia and transformed into a traditional violin by Europeans. But now they have made the ultimate change to fit with today’s generation. Violins are now rockin’ instruments with many different styles.

The company, Wood Violins, is the only company that has violinists making violins, and their specialty is wooden electric guitars.
The company was started by violinist and violin maker, Mark Wood. This company came into existence after Wood graduated from Juilliard School of Music, he made it his sole purpose in life to make great electric violins. “Since there were no really cool looking electric violins to buy, I had no choice but to build my own by hand,” said Wood.

Each violin is made to have a unique look and style that will fit the owner. The instruments are meant to be owned by anyone, kids, beginners and professionals. Wood Violins also makes cellos, and is known for the famous Cobra Cello. The violins after being made are given names to fit their different looks such as, Viper Violin, Sabre, and Stingray.

In Wood’s mission statement he says, “In a world where it is still a new experience for an audience to witness an electric violinist in concert, I firmly believe that my vision as an instrument designer is to provide an exciting approach to keeping the surprise factor alive and well. In addition, my instruments simplify and streamline the whole concept of playing the violin. They are the perfect example of practicality, innovation and originality.”

It is truly amazing to see all the designs that are possible just for this classical instrument.
Violinists who work with big music stars have bought violins from Wood Violin’s and only had good things to say about their instruments.

Shawn Bailey, owner of the Viper Violin said, “I love my Viper for the amazing comfort and playability that it gives me... and for the great natural tone that I get out of it!" He has played with country artists Big and Rich and Cowboy Troy.

Valerie Vigoda, a violinist who played for Cyndi Lauper, Joe Jackson and Groovelily said, “After years of struggling with other electric violins, I was lucky enough to find Mark Wood's elegant Vipers. I have taken them all over the world on tour, and would not think of stepping on stage without them.”

This company has participated in the evolution of the violin, made the violin cool and made the violin a piece of art.

"The Red Violin" Movie Review

The movie “The Red Violin” is a beautiful story of the history of a 300 year-old violin and how it affected the lives of each owner. The movie was directed by Francois Girard, and starred Samuel Jackson, Jason Flemying, Greta Scacchi, and Christoph Koncz. The music was written by John Corigliano, but performed by the talented violinist, Joshua Bell.

The epic adventure of the violin begins in Cremona, where it was made in 1681, by Nicolo Bussoti (Cecchi). Bussoti begins making this violin in hopes that his unborn child will play it. But sadly, when his wife and baby die in child-birth he becomes consumed with grief. He takes the blood of his wife and uses it as paint for the new violin. He also uses the hair of his dead wife to paint the violin. After the creation of this violin that holds the spirit of Bussoti’s dead wife, the violin travels the world. The violin is donated to an orphanage where it is played by a child prodigy, then travels to England, Shanghai, and Montreal. The odyssey of this violin is quite intriguing and captures its audience with wonderful characters and a great story plot.

Caren Weiner Campbell, writer from Entertainment Weekly said, “The film’s segmented structure makes it perfect for stop-and-start viewing.”

If you are interested in a classical movie that will hold you from beginning until the end then “The Red Violin” is the perfect choice.

"Violins of Hope" Concert

Sixteen survivors of the Holocaust, for the first time in decades reclaimed their voices, while they were being celebrated in the marking of Israel’s 60th Anniversary on September 24, 2008. These survivors were violins that finally told their courageous tales of survival and rebellion against the Nazis.
One violin was owned by a boy named Motele who volunteered in the rebellion of a village against the Nazis. He would perform for the Nazis and use the opportunity to blow up Nazis buildings. Sefi Hanegbi, whose father also played the violin with Motele said, “After each performance, Motele would hide his violin in the building and walk out with an empty case. He would return with the violin case full of explosives, stuffing them into cracks in the walls, and eventually setting them off.”
Sadly, Motele was killed during an ambush by the Nazis, and his violin was taken by the Hanegbi family to Israel. For years Motele’s violin lay forgotten in a closet, waiting for the day when it would be played again, and be able to tell the story of its past owner.
The man responsible for restoring these abandoned violins was Luthier Amnon Weinstein, a violin maker who lost most of his family in the Holocaust. He received each tattered violin, with the “Star of David” engraved on some, from current owners and revived the violins back to life so they could be played again.
Weinstein said, “By restoring their violins, their legacy is born again.”
The 16 violins were played by Israeli musicians Shlomo Mintz, Yair Dalal and Turkey’s Cihat Askin. They were accompanied by the Instanbul Philharmonic and the Ra’anana Symphonete.
The profit from the concert went to an organization focused on helping Israeli children called Meir Panim Layeled.

The New Instrument in Rock and Rap

Violins are the new instrument ingraining themselves in different genres of music, specifically rock and rap. Different artists are making the sound of the violin more pronounced in their music. Yellowcard, a rock band from California, consists of the typical rock instruments such as guitar, bass guitar, and drums. The major difference is that they have added a violinist who not only plays, but sings. The violin which is thought to be a soft, high pitched instrument holds its own in this rock band and creates intensity to the songs. It is truely fascinating to here these instruments in Yellowcard's songs performing together harmoniously. Other rock bands who have incorporated the violin into their music are Blue October, DMB. Electric violins even contribute more to this kind of music and fits in well with the electric guitar.

Violins are such a diverse sounding instrument and can blend themselves to any genre of music.

Miri Ben-Ari, also known as the "Hip-Hop Violinist", has proven this to be true. She has brought a smooth new beat to the rap world, using just her fiddle. She has collaborated with well known rappers such as Kanye West, Twista, Fatman Scoop, and others. Artists in rock and rap are beginning to infuse the violin's glorious sound with their style of music.

Classical or Not?

Four beautiful women, string instruments, and a new musical sound would catch the attention of anyone. Bond is a successful and sexy string quartet group, who are bring a new and untraditional sound to the genre of classical music.

Unfortunately, this group was too radical for the classical charts. This rebellious quartet includes Haylie Ecker (first violin) from Perth, Australia, Eos Charter (second violin) from Cardiff, Wales, Tania Davis (viola) from Sydney, Australia, and Gay-Yee Westerhoff (cello) from Hull, England. They have made three CDs which are Born (2000), Shine (2002), and Classified (2004). Bond has also made appearances in the movies "XXX: State of Union" and "Johnny English". They are popular internationally and continue to tour the world sharing their beautiful new sound with everyone.

The birth of this remarkable group defied all traditional classical music, by incorporating techno and firey dance beats from around the world in their music. Bond has done the unthinkable and crossed-over from classical charts and placed in the pop charts by the Chart Information Network (CIN).

Bond was not embraced in the classical world because according to the CIN their music was not created by a well known classical composer. A CIN spokesperson claimed that their music was not "really a classical idiom" because of the different beats and rhythms used.
Haylie Ecker from Bond told Entertainment Magazine. "In a modern world it is disappointing that the classical elite cannot embrace change."

Honestly, who cares if the classical world won't accept them!

Their music is inspiring to young musicians out in the world who don't want to be stuck with playing old boring classical pieces. Bond brings excitement into listening to instrumental songs. They should be praised for their courage to bring a new sound to the classical world, not banned from this genre of music.