“Leo’s Violin”

By Anthony Giger

I was reading the classified ads and noticed a Stradivarius violin for sale. The haunted sound from a violin always intrigued me. I once thought of taking lessons. Who would be selling a Stradivarius? Who could afford one? There must be a story behind that violin. I called the number and it rang and rang. I though to myself that couldn’t be many callers for a violin especially a Stradivarius.

After several rings a tiny voice answered from her tone I was talking to an elderly lady with a foreign accent. She explained the violin belong to her husband Leo who recently passed away.  She needed money for a headstone.

She cried as she spoke about Leo. They had survived a Nazi concentration camp. He loved his violin. He had played for her everyday for 50 years her favorite melodies. When the American soldiers parc gonflable liberated them she hugged everyone and cried on their tired shoulders. The Nazi had placed Leo in a different camp. The Nazi commandant wanted Leo to play for him. That’s why he was spared. The commandant loved music and knew Leo was well known for his violin concerts.

She thought him dead. Their reunion was so joyful she didn’t recognize him at first. Malnutrition had left him emaciated. Leo mentioned his violin and his desire to play for her. The Nazis had confiscated all the valuables of the imprisoned Jewish people including Leo’s violin.

Everything was looking up. The American liberation forces informed the freed people to come to headquarters and identify their lost valuables. Leo found his violin, upon request he happily played “America the Beautiful”.

Her story was so moving I cried inside being a World War II veteran I understood. I purchased the violin for a substantial amount. I never confirmed that the violin was a Stradivarius. I didn’t care. I wanted Leo to have a headstone.

I’m taking lessons now and sometimes play for Leo’s widow. I also take her to visit Leo’s grave with the beautiful headstone.