 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Gainesville ViolinsNewsletter September 2004
Dear Customers and Friends, In this newsletter, we publish our Fall 2004 travel schedule (which is also published on our website www.gviolins.cc) and some other news and fun items such as letters from customers and the regular quiz. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please just send an email with the word "Unsubscribe" in the subject line to groger@techfeasibility.com. If you like the newsletter and find it useful, please help us by asking your students/ teacher/ orchestra director/ fellow players (etc) to sign up too. They can just go to "Newsletter" on our website www.gviolins.cc and sign up there. Thanks! If your e-mail address changes, please re-subscribe using your new e-mail address. Our contact information: Phone: 352-372-8264 (Mon-Fri 1-6 pm). Email: info@gviolins.cc. Website: www.gviolins.cc. Address: 3631 NW 41st Lane, Gainesville, FL 32605. Shop hours: Mon-Fri 1-6 pm. Accounts: Regina Melzer 352-372-8264, email regina@gviolins.cc. Best regards, Jan and Anna van Rooyen
ScheduleGeneral: Each month we travel to certain locations in order to serve our customers there. We take with us various instruments and accessories. Below is our regular Schedule for Fall 2004. If there is sufficient interest and needs in other locations, a teacher is welcome to invite us to their studio or another suitable venue to meet with customers or potential customers and to show them our instruments. Just contact us by email or phone to make the necessary arrangements. We gladly do the same for orchestras and orchestra directors. Please Note: Dates may be changed at the last moment, so please call to confirm by calling 352-372-8264 (listen to the message which will contain the changes, if any) or our cell-phone which will be operational while we are traveling or on location: 352-278-1899. In order to watch out for sudden changes in plans, you may also check our website, as well as your e-mail if you are subscribed to this Newsletter. Regarding our Schedule, please e-mail us or call us well ahead of time if you want us to bring you a specific instrument or accessory. Please also enquire by e-mail or phone if you feel uncertain about our schedule or need more information. Even if we state that we are "closed", we'll be open for confirmed appointments. Default Locations and Times: In Tallahassee we set up shop on the FSU campus, in the hallway
in front of KMu 103 (Kersteiner Music Building, Room 103). Date: Whereabouts:
Personal NewsThe GREAT news is that Anna and Jan both became USA citizens this
year! We are so happy and thankful. We now have US passports and we can
vote! We received the following email: "Dearest Jan, Most joyous
congratulations upon you and your family. We cheer you on obtaining American
citizenship! Welcome, once again, to America! From all your friends and
families at the Suzuki Institute of Dallas. - Michele McCreary, Administrative
Assistant, Suzuki Institute of Dallas." Our youngest daughter, Maggie, got married in June to Darin Duvall. He is a wonderful American who calls us Pa and Ma. She was born in Chicago, so she is an American by birth. They live in Austin, TX. Our other daughter, Katrien, and her South African husband, Corrie van Schalkwyk, live in Monarch Beach, CA. (This country is too big!). They have Green Cards and will eventually become US citizens, too. Jan's mother, Rosie, turns 95 on September 18. She lives in Brevard NC with Jan's sister and brother-in-law. Further good news: We have survived the hurricane season so far and the violins, violas and cellos are safe! We are keeping cautious eyes on the still-to-arrive hurricanes. The final good news is that there is no bad news!
New Business: "Gainesville Bow Works"This summer we sent our assistant Daniel Muni, who has worked for us for seven years and still works for us on instrument set-up, adjustment, repair and restoration, to the University of New Hampshire to study bow rehair and repair. He studied with the famous Lynn Hannings (who also taught the Gainesville bowmaker David Forbes) and completed his hands-on studies with flying colours. With our encouragement he started his own business called Gainesville Bow Works ("in association with Gainesville Violins"). He has already had a considerable amount of repair and rehair work and does it in an exemplary way. We recommend him very strongly! You can reach him by email at gainesvillebow@yahoo.com or by phone on 352-278-0525. Daniel has completed high school and is studying business at the University of Florida in Gainesville. He still works for us, too. To purchase fine pernambuco or brazilwood bows, please contact us at Gainesville Violins. We are also a major CodaBow dealer. For particulars, see our website www.gviolins.cc under "CodaBow" as well as the official CodaBow website www.codabow.com. We give a 10% discount and ship for free!
What Our Customers SayWe receive an enormous number of letters from our customers. Due to considerations of space (and your time!), we publish only a few here. Rebecca M, Inverness FL: "I LOVE the work you did on my cello! I am soooo happy with it and I don't want to put it down! I was so surprised how quickly you finished it, I was expecting it to take weeks, even months and it took only a few days! The sound is BEAUTIFUL and the new bridge is great! Also, the strings you put on it are wonderful, I love the feel of them and the sound they bring. I am SO happy with it, I've been playing cello for hours everyday! Your shop is the greatest! I hope to own one just like it someday. I am still enjoying my Hellier copy violin and its wonderful tone. I love the Maggini and Klotz violins you have there also. You have some of the most beautiful violins in your shop that I have ever seen! Thanks again." Ramiro S, Bradenton FL: "Carlos (Gino's teacher) feels that the cello you have provided is just what Gino needed to upgrade from his "Chinese Cigar Box" and he feels that the instrument has an exquisite sound. Therefore we have a closed deal. I have taken the liberty to copy this e-mail to Mrs. Denise Travers at Tampa Bay Youth Orchestras. She gave me your name and I feel very lucky that I have personally met you and purchased such a fine instrument from you. I feel very happy with the final results. Thank you for everything!" Nicolette Solomon, Dallas Suzuki Institute, Dallas TX: "The Sun Ray competition took place on Saturday here in Dallas. Over 200 contestants from all over, Russian and Japanese judges. I wasn't there as I was, as usual, busy as a bee. I phoned the students that night, with beating heart, to hear 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners were all my students. I was overjoyed. st Michael Wang, with the Kreisler-Pugnani Praeludium and Allegro. [Note: Dozens of students at the Dallas Suzuki Institute own and play our Fritz Kreislers.] Tim W (via email): "Hello Gainesville Violins, I wanted to learn to play the violin and so I made the mistake of purchasing one off of Ebay, it was very inexpensive and brand new. I don't know if it is me or the instrument but I can't seem to produce any good sound. My question to you is this: Will a better quality instrument be more condusive to learning to play? This includes the bow as well. Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated." [Note: We receive many calls for help like this, in person, by phone and via email. Lesson: Beware of cheap internet violins!] Ruth Klukoff, Gulfwinds Montessori School, St Petersburg FL: "Dear Jan, Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the great service you have been providing my students! My private students who have purchased inferior instruments are beginning to realize the difference it makes to have a good (albeit tiny) instrument when they hear the violins purchased from you! I have so enjoyed using the violins you provided for the Montessori School this Spring. We will be continuing in the Fall with 25-30 students. As you might expect, we will be ordering a few more instruments in mid-September. I am starting another program at Shorecrest Preparatory School in September for Kindergarten and Grades 1-2. This will be an extra-curricular offering after school, and I expect a response of 10 students or so. I would like to obtain insturments from you again if possible. The parents will be buying the violins this time. Some may prefer to rent. I hope you are having a wonderful summer and I look forward to working with you again soon!" Georgeann Engel, FL: "Dear Jan and Anna - Thank you for your prompt response when I called last week about Bobby's violin bow breaking. I received the replacement bow the next day. I appreciate your prompt service and your dedication to your customers." Albert F, FL: Background: Albert was in the Allstate Orchestra in Tampa in January this year. He accidentally dropped his violin and the fingerboard came off. Jan loaned him one of Gainesville Violins's fine violins for free and let him take it home pending the fixing of his violin. Jan then did a complete restoration of Albert's violin. Albert wrote: "A thousand thank-you's for helping me in my time of need! You have
returned my violin in phenomenal condition. When I first opened
the alligator case I would've never believed it to be my own violin sitting
right in front of my eyes. Thank you so much for working on my violin.
Your generosity and altruism will not be forgotten in my book. I have
played on my fixed violin and it sounds better than ever.... Hope to stop
by Gainesville and see both of you some time! Sincerely, Albert F." Winners all the time: Students of Lev Gurevich in OrlandoMany of Lev Gurevich's students have our violins. They range from fine and rare antique German violins to modern Stradivarius copies by Panis Angelicus and some Fritz Kreislers. Here are just two letters: Peggy Muradova wrote: "Dear Mr. van Rooyen, It is a great pleasure to inform you that my daughter Esther was selected as a winner in her category (Junior III) and has been nominated for the Irene Muir memorial award during recent FFMS competition. We think your wonderful violin played a crucial role in her success. I thank you very much for sending us a good quality instrument and look forward to interacting with you in future." [Note: Esther plays on one of our Fritz Kreislers.] Chiyo Tekalli wrote: [Note: Chiyo's son Suliman Tekalli got his first 4/4 violin from us when he was about 13 years old - a Rudoulf Doetsch. (We are official Doetsch dealers.) Later we supplied him with a modern Panis Angelicus Stradivarius copy. On this violin he played the first movement of the Paganini Violin Concerto # 1 with the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra in Orlando. We were there. The violin soared above the orchestra. Thereafter Suliman was scheduled to play the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the professional Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in the Bob Carr Auditorium in Orlando. We were unable to attend but prior to the concert we serviced and adjusted Suliman's violin for best possible tone. Afterwards his mother, Chiyo Tekalli, wrote:] "Yes, the concert was successful. The violin sounded very well. Mr. Gurevich was so happy when Maestro France acknowledged him on the stage as Suliman's teacher for 12 years. The house was almost full. It is pretty good for an unknown artist like Suliman. The General Manager was so happy that he wanted Suliman to be back again in the near future. The audience gave him standing ovation immediately after he finished and he received three curtain calls. A week after the concert, Suliman went to Alabama for Blount Young Artists Competition and got second place; a pianist won the first place. Then we had to fly to New York for Juilliard audition. He was happy about how he did in the audition." Suliman now is a student at Juilliard. He won a full scholarship on our violin! Visit http://www.naplesnews.com/npdn/ne_columnists/article/0,2071,NPDN_14929_2605417,00.html for a newspaper account of a spectacular concert that Suliman gave in Naples, FL. Panis Angelicus Stradivarius models, such as Suliman's, are available from us at $3,000.00. Steffen wins Gainesville competitionOur long-standing customer, Steffen Zeichner, won the last Betsy Schnell competition in Gainesville FL. He played the Bach G minor unaccompanied violin sonata #1 (first movement), Bloch's "Nigun" from "Baal Shem" and finally "Liebesleid" by Fritz Kreisler. Steffen plays on a family heirloom violin. Jan takes care of this fine violin and tweaks it from time to time. Congratulations, Steffen! We are proud of you. The Germans are here!Our beautifully restored fine, classic and rare antique German violins go as fast as they become available. At $1,800.00 - $3,200.00 they are priced to sell fast, and they do. But do not worry, a steady stream will continue to be available. These are professional quality violins that are loud and powerful, yet with a refined and noble tone. They are ideally suited for serious orchestra and soloist performance. Each restoration was complete and unrushed so that they are in super condition, and sound great for our customers. These are real and rare antiques, not worn-down "you-can-get-a-million-anywhere" scratched up old violins. We also have in stock a variety of equally well restored but less expensive old German and French violins, from $1000.00. They, too, are great performers and excellent value for your money! Ask us (or better, visit us) about our great variety of modern violins: Antonio Vivaldi's, Fritz Kreislers, mid-range Panis Angelicus's, Bravo's, Hans Otto's, Marco Bartolini's, Scarampella's, Ivan Dunov's, Rudoulf Doetsch's, Wilhelm Klier's, Frank Denti's, top-of-the-line Panus Angelicus's, "Hellier" Strad copies, Cracovia Workshop's, Calin Wultur's and more. Most of these are also available as violas, while our cello range includes the Emanuel Feuermann, the Marco Bartolini, the Klier and the Calin Wultur. Ask about custom-made professional violas by Sean Peak. If you need any other modern brands, chances are that we can get them for you. Our prices are very competitive!
QuizThe last quiz posed the question: Name the three tone poems for orchestra that Respighi wrote that involve Rome; what is Respighi's first name; and when did he live? The winner (first correct answer sent in by email to us) was Joe Mieszek of Jacksonville FL. He wrote: "Respighi was born on the 9th of July 1879 in Bologna, Italy. Respighi had lessons with Rimsky-Korsakov during visits to Russia (1900-03). In 1913 he settled in Rome, teaching and composing until his death in 1936. The three tone poems are Fontane di Roma (Fountains of Rome), Pini di Roma (Pines of Rome), and Feste romane (Roman Festivals). Respighi's first name was Ottorino." Congratulations, Joe! You have received your book prize some time ago. Thanks to all who participated. New quiz: What is Joshua Bell's current violin? (Name, date.) It is nicknamed after a famous violinist. What was his name? Who stole the violin in the 1930's? Please email your answer to jan@gviolins.cc. The first correct answer wins the book "One step up" by David Basch and Daniel Whitman. The book deals with approaches towards buying a stringed instrument and is very instructive though funny.
Tail PieceStoring your violin/viola/cello: Humidity and temperature are arch-enemies of your instrument. A good balance between the two is important for good instrument health. Too dry weather might cause cracks whereas too much heat and humidity could cause the varnish to bubble. It is best to keep the instrument indoors in an air-conditioned room and play it daily. Never leave your instrument in a car or in a car's trunk, as the heat will be devastating to it. Because it is easy to damage a violin (etc), keep the instrument in its closed case when not playing. Violins are delicate instruments that can be greatly injured by the slightest mishap. Following these simple guidelines can keep a violin around for longer than your lifetime.
************************************
|