Walter

I did tape the 1.5 hour performance, and I shall treasure the tape. I have Glenn Gould at the beginning, followed by a classical piece by Larry Adler and an orchestra. If Mr. Perlman was tired (and I could not tell) than I too would be tired after dragging around for so many years dead legs encased by steel. He is not the 13 yr-old on the clip he showed playing on the Ed Sullivan Show. I adore Mr. Perlman, his music, his humor, his spirit, and his courage.

If it is repeated in your area, don't miss Mr. Perlman playing an hour and a half for a fairly small group of people, plus the "Conductorless" Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. HIs playing, and the enjoyment of it, is what violin playing is all about.

Come to think of it, if my violin could see MY imperfections, it would never allow me to play it.

I probably will get flack for this - but after living for ("N") years, I would like to offer some practical advice: First, I do not believe in the philosophy that "Anyone can do anything they want - if they jut want it hard enough and work hard enough." Tell that to a paraplegic who wants to win the Marathon, or someone else with a physical or mental handicap. It is just plain cruelty. As for you young lady, I assume God has given you good health and strength. To achieve your goal, you WILL have to work hard - full time - at music. And you will also have to earn a living. If you can get a sponsor - someone who will pay the way for you - wonderful. And if you do devote all your time and energy to the achievment of your goal - you will have little time to think about some other way to earn money. I am not trying to be a bummer. This is just the way the world is. I, nor you, can change it. Dreams are wonderful. Dreamers have given great gifts to the world. But this also is a practical world. Have I discouraged you? I trust not. I just encourage you to think realistically - so you will not be hurt. And nothing would make me happier than to be present at your first concert.

I probably will get flack for this - but after living for ("N") years, I would like to offer some practical advice: First, I do not believe in the philosophy that "Anyone can do anything they want - if they jut want it hard enough and work hard enough." Tell that to a paraplegic who wants to win the Marathon, or someone else with a physical or mental handicap. It is just plain cruelty. As for you young lady, I assume God has given you good health and strength. To achieve your goal, you WILL have to work hard - full time - at music. And you will also have to earn a living. If you can get a sponsor - someone who will pay the way for you - wonderful. And if you do devote all your time and energy to the achievment of your goal - you will have little time to think about some other way to earn money. I am not trying to be a bummer. This is just the way the world is. I, nor you, can change it. Dreams are wonderful. Dreamers have given great gifts to the world. But this also is a practical world. Have I discouraged you? I trust not. I just encourage you to think realistically - so you will not be hurt. And nothing would make me happier than to be present at your first concert.

I do not find the story unusual. I am almost certain that Nigel Kennedy's instrument was inhabited by a mouse as I heard him play a selection from the "Four Seasons" on the Arts Channel the other night here in New York City. Also, from his posture and movements, I wouldn't have been surprised if one was running around inside his pants also.

I believe you are referring to "Somewhere in Time: - with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymore.

Check out this bow on Ebay. Any takers? Item # 164919547

Please excuse me. I have been laughing for 10 minutes straight ever since I read your posting. "28 - Too old to learn to play the violin?" Oh gosh - that is funny! Only vanity stops me from telling you how old I was when I first took up the violin. Wanted to play one so bad when I was 10 I could almost taste it - but poverty prevented it. YEARS later - I started taking lessons. Six years later - I am enjoying it so much I can hardly tell you. AND I STILL CAN DO IT! Oh please - go to it! Do it! You will never regret it.

There is a violin on Ebay (# 160019123) asking price - $500,000. The complete description states - "Violin from 1729. With case and bow. Excellent description." There is no picture. I was wondering - do you think a hard-shell case comes with that?

Linda - if your luthier is serious - he is either a bit nuts - or a serious criminal. The supposed Y2K bug (which has been vastly overblown) has to do with electronic devices - like a computer. It would have nothing to do with a wooden violin - no more than it would affect a watermelon. If he persists in this - try to get an estimate in writing and signed by him - and then take it to a lawyer. (By the way - I would hope you are not putting us all on, are you?)

Suggest you refer to some postings further down under "Sergio Peresson, Haddonfield".

Let's get this straight: I am not a "thoroughly nice person". I am a thoroughly rotten person. My years on this planet have proven that. And while I respect the opinions of Al, Michael, Stefan, and Adean, I happen to notice that their opinions are not the only ones on this international forum. There exists one major reason for the mix of opinions over Mr. Johnston's violins: In an industry where an instrument is first judged not by its quality and sound - but instead by its price - and in a society which reinforces that rule daily - when something is offered for sale at a price which is far out of line with others - the immediate suspicion is "At that price, it can't be any good." I have suggested to William on many occasion to increase his prices, but he is so damn honest, he will not listen to me. One last opinion: I think that Itzhak Perlman is fantastic. Go ahead. Fight over that one.

I sign my name, openly, without having to make up a silly pseudonum, not to ensure the validity of my message, but to show that I have nothing to hide, and that I have an opinion, and that I am grateful that this forum gives me an opportunity to share that opinion. If you have an ear to hear what I have to say - fine. If not, that is all for the good too.

No. I am not an expert. I am just a layman with some perception, who is not afraid to sign his full name to a posting. The violin is a noble instrument, which has been used as a tool to bring out the nobility of many men and woman. Many of them discovered it's potential for beauty and nobility at an early age - they immersed us with their brilliance throughout their lifetimes - and then left us all a with a legacy of joy and inspiration after they ceased playing. If you do not beleive in God, that is your privilege and choice, but I find the mere existance of the violin proof that God exists, loves, and involves Himself in our lives.