Jakob Stainer

In Absam prope Oenipontum, an excerpt from “Pavel’s Violin”

Published on August 31, 2017August 31, 2017 by willmelnykLeave a comment

The great Austrian luthier, Jakob Stainer (c. 1619-1683) used this handwritten label in all his instruments:

stainer_label

Jacobus Stainer in Absam
prope Oeinipontum 16–

“Jakob Stainer, in (the town of) Absam, near Innsbruck, (date)

And this is the title of Part I of “Pavel’s Violin,” the story of Jakob Stainer and his crafting of the very special violin.

from the title page of Part I, a quotation from Paul Stoving, in “The Story of the Violin:”

The Tyrolean fastness will guard his memory,
and the eagle will tell it to its young,
and pine to pine,
and the winds in dark recesses
will mourn the memory of Jacobus Stainer.

And the tale goes on from there:

I. Jakob Stainer and the Making of the Violin

II. In the Palaces of Bishops and Emperors

III. The Jewish Community of the Moravian Countryside

IV. The Great Olomouc (AH-lah-moats) Synagogue

V. In Terezin Concentration Camp

VI. In Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp

VII. The Violin Comes to Pavel

The author, playing Pavel’s violin.

Words of Praise for “Pavel’s Violin”

Published on August 9, 2017August 9, 2017 by willmelnykLeave a comment

terezin transport from a Reader:

The story is real, a vivid account of the people who lived through an unthinkable time in our history.

Melnyk writes: “I hope you will not just learn about what happened,, but that you will become part of the story, yourself”…….”I hope that you will not only hear the Violin, but you will experience the playing of it”. Well he (the author) takes you there. You are one with the characters, and experience their pain, suffering, hope, and joy. And you hear the music. The wonderful music. The universal language that heals. The Song of Hope…

The author has selflessly pledged to donate all proceeds from the sale of this book to the United States Holocaust Museum and other Holocaust Memorials.

Another 5 Star Review

Published on June 22, 2017June 22, 2017 by willmelnykLeave a comment

“Pavel’s Violin has received another 5 Star Review on Amazon – This from a local Reader:

stars-5-0._CB192240867_ 5 stars Fantastic Must Read

D.J.C. June 21, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This book has touched my deepest soul and surprisingly that of my 11 year old Goddaughter who is studying the Subject matter. We have read the book simultaneously with my guidance along the way. We have both laughed, cried and then actually mourned the book characters. A must read for everyone remotely interested in the plight of our Jewish brothers and sisters during the war. As my signed copy reads, “may we never forget.”

If It’s Baroque . . .

Published on June 14, 2017June 14, 2017 by willmelnykLeave a comment

The Violin of “Pavel’s Violin” was made by Jakob Stainer in Absam, near Innsbruck, in 1670. In the midst of the Baroque Period, it used gut strings, and had neither chin nor shoulder rest. The bow was shorter, lighter, and curved in the opposite direction from today’s bows. The Stainer model I play today – which was Pavel’s – is the inspiration for “Pavel’s Violin.” It was likely made in Bavaria in the mid-1800s. My own violin study is now dedicated to Baroque music.

Baroque Meme