Update: Every once-in-a-while, a violin finds its way to the home for which it was meant to be. This instrument was purchased by Paulette McCullough of Calgary for her daughter, Erin. Here is the result (I think Nairn Menzies would be proud):
And here:
And another one here:
The violin: Some violins by famous luthiers like Stradivari and Guarnari are forever named for great players who once owned the instrument. Names like Lord Wilton, Kreutzer and Lady Blunt have become as much a part of violin culture as the makers themselves. When you really think about it, a violin will be owned and played by scores of violinists over the centuries, though the instrument may undergo nearly transformational changes as time progresses. In my humble opinion, there can be no greater homage payed to a player.
Meet the Nairn Menzies violin. Mr. Menzies was not a virtuoso, nor was he a concert performer (at least as far as I understand). I believe he was a small town fiddler in and around Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada, and I bet he lit up more than a few pubs and dance halls in his day. In my own way, I thought it appropriate to pay homage to this man I will never know. Working with his violin collection over the past several months, I feel I got to know him, if only just a little.
Nairn Menzies, this one is for you:
The Prairie Fiddler 