The Web page of Joe

The Violinist©

 

The crowd was watching eagerly and watched every movement that the violin maestro made.  The maestro was Alexander Geoteri and he was accompanied by a guitarist named Henry, who backed up the music by providing a constant rhythm on his 6 string guitar.  As Alexander gently touched the strings of his violin which was worn from many years of use, with his rosin bow, the air resounded with the high and low melodious pitches it made. Prancing to and fro in time to his music, Alexander was deeply enveloped in every chord he played.  His music touched the soul of every passer-by and as if hypnotized, they stopped and listened.  In acknowledgement of their presence, he would give a knowing smile and continue to play while remembering days gone by and thinking of what the future may have in store for him…

Alexander Geoteri was born 40 years ago to a Mr and Mrs Louis Geoteri of Sardinia Italy. Sardinia was a small fishing village and its people were very poor. To provide a living for his family, Alexander’s father Louis would get up in the early morning hours and quietly leave for the seashore. His little boat with its oars neatly laid side by side was always kept in readiness for Louis to be able to row at a moment’s notice into the deep blue Mediterranean Sea. Louis spent many an hour throwing his nets and fishing with a hand line. Many were the days he would not catch anything and would have to go home without food for his family.  The fish that he did manage to catch would be divided into what his family could eat that day, and the remainder he would sell in the local market.

Alexander, being too young to accompany his father, would stay at home with his mother while she worked and cleaned their tiny cottage. His mother did some sewing for money to help buy things they needed, but the work she received was unfortunately, sparse.

Each day Alexander would play with his friends in the dirt streets that surrounded his home and on weekends he would go to the beach and watch all the tourists that came to visit the tiny island. They were brought to the island on huge ships that remained in the harbour. His father had always told Alexander not to bother the tourists or ask for money, for although the family was poor, they still retained their pride. Alexander always did as his father said and while the other boys begged for coins from the tourists, he would sit and watch from a distance, wanting to do the same and help his family.

Alexander never went to school, for the only one on the island cost $10.00 per month. This was far too much for the meager earnings of his father. So his mother would try to teach him but as she had very little schooling herself, all she was able to teach him were lessons from her own years of experience and wisdom.  

Alexander was a very handsome child, His skin was bronze in color, his hair was shiny blond as gold and he had piercing deep emerald eyes. At times when he was allowed to do so, he would help his father with the fishing and his father was glad for his help and company. One weekend while they were out casting nets, something peculiar was brought up in the net. Alexander had never seen anything like it before….but his father had. Slowly, and carefully they pulled the net into the boat. It contained some small fish that flopped around and a…..violin!

The violin seemed to be in pretty good shape, and could not have been in the water very long.  His father determined it probably fell off a passing cruise ship on its way to Napoli or France. Alexander’s eyes grew wide with excitement as he watched his father remove it from the tangled net.  Seeing the look on his son’s face, and never being able to give him anything of value before, he decided then and there that his son should have the violin. As they fished during the remainder of the day, Alexander’s thoughts were on the violin. He had always loved music especially the music played in his small village by wandering musicians that made their way through the small streets of the town in search of work.

It was dark when they reached home and after a supper of fish, rice, and bread, Alexander lay by the kerosene lamp and proudly cleaned his new possession. The wood was intact as were the strings, but the salt water had caused the varnish to peel and fade from the case.  However, as he rubbed the violin with oil, he noticed there was a name inside. It read…STRATOVARIUS… Alexander imagined that it must be the owner’s name.

One by one he plucked the strings, ‘Plink, Plank, Plunk, Pling’ they sounded.  He was unsure how the violin worked so he asked his father. His father didn’t quite know but once he took a closer look at the violin, he determined it was missing the piece that you held in your hands to make it play. Alexander asked his father how they would be able to replace this piece.  His father felt bad because he could see the desire in his son’s eyes but how was he going to buy him the missing piece when he could barely put food on the table?

Day by day they would go out and fish and the son thought more and more of his treasure and wished more than anything to be able to get that missing piece and learn how to play the violin.  “Its hopeless” he thought, “we will never be able to afford it”. As the weeks passed and the cold winds began to blow many people stayed tucked up warmly in their homes and the stores closed up earlier. The fishing season had come to an end and now Alexander’s father had to find other work to make it through the lean months that lay ahead. 

As luck would have it there was a shop in town that sold an assortment of items and Alexander’s father knew the owner, a man named Peter. One day he went to Peter’s store and looked around hoping he would find the missing part needed to play the violin.  There, in the corner of the shop buried under miscellaneous items, Louis discovered a broken violin with a bow.  He picked up the bow which was in good shape and asked the owner what would he take for just the bow since the violin was broken? He told him the story of the violin and how much his son loved music. Being close to Christmas and seeing the bow had no real value, he told Louis it was a gift to him and his son. Louis asked Peter if he could show him how to hold the violin, Peter said “Sure Louis, it is pretty simply really, but you must have the heart to be able to play. You tuck it under your chin, hold it snuggly and with outstretched arm cradle it as you stroke it with the wand”.  Louis was overjoyed as now he knew how the violin should be held and how to use the bow. Gratefully, he thanked Peter over and over again, and with a smile on his face he left the store.   His son’s birthday was a few weeks away and Louis thought how wonderful it would be to be able to give him the missing part.  

One day, a few weeks later, on his 17th birthday, Alexander awoke to find the bow lying next to him. There was no card, but it didn’t matter, he finally had a bow to play his violin!  He ran into the next room and gave his mother and father a big hug and thanked them for the wonderful gift they had given him. This too was a joyous day for his parents, for it was 25 years ago that they were married, and although they didn’t have much money between them, they had the priceless gift love for one another. The gift they gave themselves that day was the one gift of happiness they felt when they saw their son’s face that morning.

Taking the violin under his chin as his father had shown him, Alexander touched the violin with the bow, and he could feel the vibrations and the different pitches it made under his caress. His parents looked on as he carefully turned the knobs at the neck of the violin and changed the sound each chord made. Taking the violin under his chin once more, and with outstretched arms, and to the amazement of his parents he began to play!  He moved his fingers nimbly in succession and soon the room was filled with the sweetest sound they had ever heard.  Alexander didn’t know it but he was given a gift not just from his father, but from someone who loved him just as much.

Being Sunday, it was the custom of the entire village to gather in the small chapel in the centre of town and give praise to God for all the many blessings he had bestowed on them. Wearing the best they had, Alexander and his family proceeded to church in their wagon which was pulled by George their burro. Alexander remembered he had left his violin behind and as his father waited he immediately ran back to get it. He wanted to show it the preacher at the church, for all they had were their voices to praise the almighty.

Arriving at the church, they were greeted by the Pastor (Pastor Thomas). His face beamed as he welcomed them to the service.  Alexander was last in line proudly holding his violin under his arm. With a wide grin on his face he said “Good morning Pastor Thomas” and showed him his shiny violin. The Pastor remarked how very beautiful the violin was as the sun made it gleam.

Once the last person was inside, the service began and everyone sang and hugged each other. As the singing finished the Pastor began his sermon about ‘Fishers of Men’ and said that they would have a treat this day. He told them that a member of the congregation wanted to share something with them.  He motioned to Alexander who stood up and went up in front of the congregation holding his violin.  He said “My name is Alexander Geoteri and I would like to try and play for you.”

Alexander’s parents looked puzzled, for they didn’t know Alexander was going to play for the church. As the congregation looked on, Alexander raised the violin to his chin and carefully raised the bow. As if guided by a master violinist, Alexander played the theme from Amazing Grace. When he was finished, there was a hush throughout the church as they looked at the young boy aged 17. What beautiful music he made, how masterfully he played the violin they thought.

The Pastor came over and gave Alexander a big hug and thanked him for sharing his music with them. The congregation applauded and Alexander felt good in his heart.  After the service, an older gentleman named Simon approached Alexander’s father and told him that Alexander was indeed a very gifted young man and he should be given the opportunity to follow his dream.  Alexander’s father replied that they did not have the money needed to send his son abroad where he could realize his dream, for Alexander wanted to play his music for everyone to hear. Simon said that he too was once a violinist but was never able to go abroad and find out how good he really was, so he stayed in the village and eventually gave up on his passion.  He said Alexander reminded himself of him as a young boy and he would not want to see him lose the wonderful passion that he now possessed.  Simon added that Alexander was a naturally gifted young man and he would want him to try and follow his dream…for both of them. Simon had saved money all his life and now that he was old, he didn’t need all he had saved and wanted to help someone like Alexander make his mark in the world.  He said he knew of a very good school in New York that Alexander could go to and hone the skills necessary to become a great violinist.

Alexander’s mother and father were overcome by the generosity of this stranger for the wonderful gift he had bestowed upon their son.  Alexander was full of anticipation when he heard the news from his parents.  They made plans for him to go abroad on his 18th birthday. Alexander counted the months until it was time for him to leave. As they took their wagon and made their way to the ship that would take Alexander far away, his parents were both happy for Alexander and sad that their only son was going away. Deep in their hearts they knew it was best for him, for there was no future for him in their small village. At the dock there was a crowd from the church that had heard Alexander was leaving and they all showed up to wish him well and safe travelling.  As the ship was boarding, Alexander gave his family a final hug amid tears, and made his way up the gang plank and into the ship, waving as he went. His adventure was just beginning. He had never been alone before and he was a little nervous but excited and full of hope for what lay ahead.

The trip took two months and Alexander became seasick several times.  Finally the boat arrived in New York City. He marvelled at how huge the buildings were.  As he waited for the boat to tie up alongside the pier he wondered how many people lived in such a large place and why there were no trees.  “This is much different than my village” he thought. Upon getting off the boat he was greeted by a kindly man named Hans. Hans was from a faraway land also and they soon struck up a friendship. Hans told him he was there to take him to the school. He said they would first go and pick up his luggage which was in a circle on the pier.  Alexander pointed to his violin case and remarked that it was all he had. Simon had called the school and made arrangements for them to see to Alexander’s needs while at the school and the bill would be sent to hm.

It was a short ride to the school, and when they pulled up in front, Alexander noted how very large it was.  “It is almost as big as my village” he thought to himself.  He was then introduced to the head master, and led to his room which would be shared with four other boys.  On his bed lay an assortment of clothing and a uniform which he had to wear at the school.  The next day Alexander was led to a large auditorium that echoed as he walked. At the very front row sat a large man with tiny glasses and a tall hat who seemed to be very impatient. “ABOUT TIME YU ALL GOT HERE!” he shouted. “Well let’s get on with it…I have a busy schedule you know”. Alexander was shown the stage and stumbled as he went up the narrow stairs that led to the platform. There were no people as in his church at home, only the fat man and the professor.  Alexander was never as nervous as he was at that moment.

They motioned for him to play, and as Alexander nervously placed the violin to his chin, his thoughts drifted back to his mother and father.  He missed them very much and felt all alone. He wondered if he had made a good decision to leave home.   As he looked at the fat man who was getting more impatient by the minute he summed up all the courage he could muster and started to play. As he played each chord and note, it was a sad tune that echoed throughout the auditorium. With each stroke of the bow against the violin, all the sadness Alexander felt inside came alive. When he was finished, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Moved by the tune this young man had played, the fat man sat weeping as if nothing else mattered.  Alexander thought to himself “No-one liked my music!” and as he turned to leave the stage, the fat man suddenly started clapping and cheering, for this was the first time anyone had touched him so deeply with only….music.  As he gained his composure he told the professor that he wanted to keep Alexander in the school and wanted to hear him play each week after his classes.  The Professor was very happy; for this was the first time he could remember that the fat man (Raphael San Bernistino who happened to be the head of the school) requested this of a student. He normally heard them only in groups never in solos.

The months passed and Alexander learned to read and write. No one suspecting the secret he carried within himself…not even Alexander.  In time, Alexander graduated from the school. He played with the great orchestras in New York and Washington DC. Once he even played for the President on his birthday. No matter how well things were going for Alexander though, there always seemed to be emptiness, a missing piece…his parents. He kept in touch with them by letters but it wasn’t the same.  It seemed he was so busy now that he didn’t have the time to let them know how much he missed and loved them and appreciated the opportunity they had given him.

By now Alexander was well known throughout America and slowly the news of his many successes found their way to the little fishing village. His parents (upon hearing of their son’s success) were overjoyed and thankful that his dream as well as his benefactor’s dream had come true at last.

In the coming months Alexander travelled far and wide. He became wealthy and decided he would go back to the island and bring his mother and father to live with him and take care of them.  He wanted to give back to the ones that had given so much. He even invited Simon to come and visit him. He had plenty of room in his home. His parents agreed and came to live with their son. They too were amazed by all the sights.  He would bring them to his concerts and each time Alexander wore a white suit when he played. He would take off his shoes as he did when he was home in Italy. The crowds would gather as he played his music and he would dance a little jig for them now and then. He smiled a knowing smile, and would play with all the passion he had. His tunes echoed throughout the midday stillness, but he could not hear them. For you see the secret that even Alexander did not know was that he was deaf from childhood. His beautiful music he could not hear. He only knew what people said by reading their lips, and only heard his music through the vibrations of his soul.

Alexander’s parents passed away some years later and he gave them a fitting funeral.  Once again he felt all alone and was getting along in age. In his travels he never had time for relationships.  Then one night as he was playing to the audience a young lady named Elizabeth approached him after he was done and asked him if she could have his autograph. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her hair was golden, her skin was without blemish and her lips were full as a rosebud. She told him she had seen him over the years and really enjoyed listening to his music. He asked if she would like to go out to dinner and she accepted. As they talked they realized they had much in common including loneliness.

In the weeks that followed Alexander spent more and more time with Elizabeth. Then one day he could hold it in no longer and asked if she would make his life complete and be his wife.  Elizabeth heard the words she had been waiting for many months to hear and accepted his proposal. They had a wonderful wedding in the church on his little island and the Pastor, who was now old, was very happy to see them.  They looked very happy as they left the church. Alexander promised to return each year for he never wanted to break the bond he felt with his childhood village.  A few years later Elizabeth gave birth to a boy and a girl and they named the boy Alex and the girl Lisa. They lived many happy years together and as the children grew they found out that they too had talents to pass on……but that is another story!