Keeping Score

[ai4i]

We hardly ever watch TV, but we learned about this PBS mini-series just in time to see the two parter on Gustav Mahler.
OK, he was a gifted musician, but what we really came away with was this:
Michael Tillson Thomas is a very special communicator. His facial expressions, his body movements, he must be a giant, certainly intimidating, with whom to work.

Those professional instruments really shone on HDTV, unlike the plastic upon which we screached in the high school marching band, which makes me wonder:
Do professional musicians practice with their concert tools?
I mean, will a violin soloist subject a megabuck Strad to countless hours of wearing and tearing?

[Giant Communist Robot]

As a former violin student, I was told the accepted idea was they improve with playing.

many violinists believe that oldies are goodies, and spurn inexperienced instruments. linkie

[piqaboo]

And a new job niche opens up: Violin 'ager': Experienced violinist will play your violin every day for 1-4 hours(you choose, and pay accordingly), to help develop its full round sound, blah blah blah.
I figure I could handle up to 8 hours a day of playing, after I get my finger tips back in shape.

However, I expect most of the gigs will go to those who play in local professional orchestras.

[Shapley]

The Chinese and Mexicans have both shown a knack for building 'new antiques' (they are snapped up at antique stores by gullible buyers). Perhaps they should turn their expertise to the musical instrument business.