July 27, 2018 at 4:29 p.m.
Poetry through the Violin
Rosin the Bow presentation examines instrument reverence
Poetry through the Violin
Sentimentality was a common theme during McHugh's July 23rd discussion at the Rhinelander District Library, where he not only examined some of the history of high-end violin, viola and cello making, but also spoke poetically about what the instruments mean to him and others.
McHugh has recently finished an ambitious project known as "Rosin the Bow", where he has traveled around the world, from California to Italy, to further explore the adoration that is seen in both players and makers of the instruments. The project has begun a gradual release through podcast episodes. Eight are currently available to the public, with over 100 set to come out over the coming year.
Episodes include interviews with Laurie Lewis, a Grammy award-winning bluegrass fiddler and songwriter, world-renowned violin collector David Fulton and Dr. Paolo Bodini, the president of the Museo del Violino in Cremona, Italy, a city that is famous for having been the home of master violin makers Andrea Amati, Antonio Stradivari, and Guiseppe Guaneri.
"My true passion for the fiddle revolves around stories," McHugh said. "So many fiddle tunes come with great stories. Throughout the project, I was continually amazed by the expressive language that was used to describe the instruments or the music."
McHugh's passion for storytelling was evident as he relayed stories about his travels, along with retellings of some of the tales he was told along the way. He also interspersed the discussion with a duet performance with his wife, painter and banjo player, Paula McHugh.
The pair performed two songs for the crowd.
"So many of the stories that I heard along the way were not even about music, specifically, but they related back to the way that the individual related to music or their instrument," McHugh said. "I was continually amazed by what I was hearing."
That amazement carried through to the audience that evening at the Rhinelander District Library, as the crowd appeared enamored by the stories that McHugh shared and by the enthusiasm he had for the subject.
More information about McHugh's radio project can be found at rosinthebow.org.
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