Seidel was reputedly Leopold Auer's favorite student. I thinks his glorious tone was matched later by Ivan Galamian's favorite, Michael Rabin. I love seeing and hearing my late teacher Mr. Goldsmith, whose violin playing had the same wit, elegance, and charm that these interviews (including one's on Rabin and Milstein) exhibit. Thanks to all involved in these remembrances!
When I was in my early teens, I rode with my teacher to Weisshaar's to have my violin repaired and set up. My teacher, Adriaan Grootegoed (Adrian Holland) and Hans wanted to chat, without me knocking about, so Hans gave me a fiddle and told me to go play in a tiny practice room. When I came out, I could see they were sharing a beer with their banter. I approached the counter as Hans said, "How's the violin, did you like it?" I said, "Ja, I guess it's OK." He said, "It's...OK? Do you know you've been playing a Guarneri?" Shocked as I passed the violin back, I almost dropped it as he snatched it from my now limp hands. He and my teacher thought that was a great joke on me! Hans asked me if I wanted a beer. "Beer? I'm too young sir." and they laughed again. I had no idea that kids in Europe were used to drinking beer with their meals. It wasn't done in America, at least my town, my family. I was worried if I drank some that my Mom would smell it when I got home. But I chanced it and took a little sip, and they laughed some more. I felt embarrassed; but I look back on it now, and I feel myself laughing with them. Little boy from the conservative Midwest moves to Los Angeles, like a fish out of water, playing Scandinavian dance tunes on a Guarneri. RIP Adrian Holland, Giacinto "Joe" Nardulli, and Hans Weisshaar.
Thank you so much for this ! Seidel was indeed a great violinist. How sad it is that that we don’t have any concerto recordings of his (there is a broadcast recording of Chausson Poeme with Stokowski conducting).
Thanks for this. Absolutely fantastic player
Seidel was reputedly Leopold Auer's favorite student. I thinks his glorious tone was matched later by Ivan Galamian's favorite, Michael Rabin.
I love seeing and hearing my late teacher Mr. Goldsmith, whose violin playing had the same wit, elegance, and charm that these interviews (including one's on Rabin and Milstein) exhibit. Thanks to all involved in these remembrances!
Thank you, Stephen!
Incredible sound
When I was in my early teens, I rode with my teacher to Weisshaar's to have my violin repaired and set up. My teacher, Adriaan Grootegoed (Adrian Holland) and Hans wanted to chat, without me knocking about, so Hans gave me a fiddle and told me to go play in a tiny practice room. When I came out, I could see they were sharing a beer with their banter. I approached the counter as Hans said, "How's the violin, did you like it?" I said, "Ja, I guess it's OK." He said, "It's...OK? Do you know you've been playing a Guarneri?" Shocked as I passed the violin back, I almost dropped it as he snatched it from my now limp hands. He and my teacher thought that was a great joke on me! Hans asked me if I wanted a beer. "Beer? I'm too young sir." and they laughed again. I had no idea that kids in Europe were used to drinking beer with their meals. It wasn't done in America, at least my town, my family. I was worried if I drank some that my Mom would smell it when I got home. But I chanced it and took a little sip, and they laughed some more. I felt embarrassed; but I look back on it now, and I feel myself laughing with them. Little boy from the conservative Midwest moves to Los Angeles, like a fish out of water, playing Scandinavian dance tunes on a Guarneri. RIP Adrian Holland, Giacinto "Joe" Nardulli, and Hans Weisshaar.
Bravo, Tomasz, for doing this great short video and THANK YOU!!
Thank you, Misha!
Thank you so much for this ! Seidel was indeed a great violinist. How sad it is that that we don’t have any concerto recordings of his (there is a broadcast recording of Chausson Poeme with Stokowski conducting).
TS had an avocado farm in South California.