I must say, the violin is the most elegant and sought-after instrument to play after the piano. The delicate music from the strings can bring a sense of peace, or change the atmosphere to eerie and dark. Since the first violin was created in 1855 by Italian violin maker Andrea Amati, the instrument can’t be left out in musical concerts and film soundtracks. We’ll be taking a look at books that dive into the protagonists who play the violin like their lives depend on it. The violin might not be a terrible fixation to have, but looking and sounding cool is a consideration if you’re thinking about wanting to learn to play the violin.
The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb
On the search for his priceless violin, rising musician Ray McMillian hunts his way through the prejudice and classical musical worlds to get it back. Before Ray’s upcoming performance at the Tchaikovsky Competition, the most hardcore competition for musicians to take part in, Ray believed his busted old violin wouldn’t cut it in demonstrating Ray’s hard-earned musical potential.
However, it turns out his old violin is a Stradivarius violin from his great-great-grandfather, worth millions. But now it’s been stolen with a ransom note demanding five million dollars. With the mystery of the stolen violin, Ray won’t know who to trust or confide in. Is someone out to get him, blocking his path to greatness? Can Ray recover his precious violin before the competition and show the world what he’s made of to join the big leagues? Ray knows he’s more than just a black man from rural North Carolina. He just has to prove it.
La Corda D’Oro by Yuki Kure
Kahoko Hino is a student at Seiso Academy in general studies. The school’s prestigious name stems from its music studies counterpart and the students working tirelessly in their pursuit as professional musicians. Kahoko has no musical talent nor has she thought of competing in the school’s annual music competition, but a little fairy changes that.
Seiso’s magical fairy, Lili, has been looking for a student able to see him and is ecstatic when Kahoko has a puzzling, but dismissive encounter with him. Gifting Kahoko a magical violin, Lili signs Kahoko up for the music competition in which Kahoko is reluctant but does so after Lili’s pleading. Playing the violin like a professional with the violin’s magic, Kahoko enters the deep end of the musical world, competing against the hardworking and handsome students from music studies. Even with her magical violin, does she stand a chance against the grueling pressure to win? Unlike the anime, Kahoko does end up with one of the musical prodigies. I won’t say who, but my favorite of the boys is rival violinist, Len Tsukimori.
The Black Violin by Maxence Fermine
Obsession is a dangerous mindset for musicians and performers alike. Violinist Johannes Karelsky is tempted to play the old violin maker’s Black Violin. A legendary piece of musical craftsmanship, the old man warns Johannes from touching the violin, stating “Once you have tasted it, you will never be the same again.” Johannes is willing to take that chance if it means he can play the violin, his obsession growing strongly as he hysterically searches for the woman who nursed him back to health after fighting with Napoleon’s army in the Italian campaign. Set in eighteenth-century Venice, this French novel taps into the mind of a musical prodigy and his deep infatuation with achieving peak creative greatness.
The Mozart Season by Virginia Euwer Wolff
A book for young readers, The Mozart Season follows twelve-year-old Allegra as she learns to play the violin, bringing forth the songs hiding in the wooden instrument. Her dedication to reaching the distance between her playing and Mozart’s music is more than what most middle school kids’ focus is. As the youngest contestant in the Ernest Bloch Young Musicians’ Competition, Allegra’s only focus is on the movement of her fingers. Maybe it’s her commitment to playing the notes right that makes Allegra stand out more. What does she like about the violin? Is drawing out the music that important to her? Why does she play the violin? Hopefully, in its 272 pages, we’ll know what drives Allegra beyond playing the violin.
The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi’s Venice by Laurel Corona
The Four Seasons (Le quattro stagioni), is a famous violin concerto by violinist and composer Antonio Vivaldi. It’s a musical interpretation of the four seasons of the year. It’s his most famous work, so what if the muse for such a score was Maddalena, a violin virtuoso?
Orphaned with her sister Chiaretta as babies, was it luck that they’d been abandoned on the front steps of Venice’s famous hospital and music academy? Chiaretta, the rebellious sister, grows to marry into a great aristocratic Venetian family, becoming a powerful woman with many connections. But the one thing Chiaretta wanted to do was sing, unable to as a married woman. Maddelena, entranced by Vivaldi, chooses the secluded life to stay by his side. Both with different aspirations, The Four Seasons tells a historical tale of love and the lives of two headstrong women in beautiful Venice.
Your Lie in April by Naoshi Arakawa
You’ll need tissues ready for this one. Former piano prodigy Kosei Arima had given up playing the piano after the mistreatment of his mother and her death. Every time he tries to play, Kousei can’t hear the piano’s sound. Unfortunately, this affected his everyday life, seeing the world as dull and colorless as the silent piano keys. Upon meeting the upbeat violinist Kaori Miyazono and her unusual way of playing, Kosei’s world stops being so bland. Becoming Kaori’s music partner in her recitals to bring back his love for the piano, Kosei is impacted by Kaori’s joyful spirit. The process of getting over his trauma is slow, but with Kaori’s efforts, he just might be able to play again. While the focus is on Kosei, the star of the manga is Kaori and her free-spirit attitude. By the end of reading you’ll understand the title’s meaning and become a crying mess.
When reading these books, listen to some classical violin music to bring the mood of these characters playing. The Four Seasons is almost an hour long, so if you’re a fast reader, you might finish this list before the orchestra finishes playing.
For more classical music-inspired reading, check out Music, Magic, And Maestros: Melodic Fiction For Classical Musical Lovers!
Music and books pair well in Artistic Coupling: The Wonderful World of Music and Books!
