Ah, friends, we’ve been inculcated for over four years now, maybe more. I can’t remember. It seems like an eternity. Here’s what Nachmu has learned.
Violin
The violin is the most expressive of the stringed instruments, no doubt about it. Loud, boisterous, quiet, moody, joyful: the violin does it all. The violin must be heard and will not be ignored. As such, the violin can be quite nasty, unlikeable, at times, like a spoiled child who cannot share playthings of nominal value. Whenever the violin is properly tempered, however, its beauty soars.
Cello
The violincello expresses the most emotions of all the stringed instruments. When the cello feels slighted by the violin, it might indignantly remind the violin that the cello has far more expressive range, starting low with a stormy rumble, working into a angry froth in the middle, finally reaching the range of the violin, striking lightning at its extreme. This makes the cello quite the moody instrument, rarely happy, mostly melancholy, sometimes angry, but at all times, beautiful. The cello is never unlikeable.
Viola
The viola expresses the least range of the stringed instruments. At first glance, this might make the viola a secondary instrument, but it is a false impression. The viola is neither moody nor easily cajoled. Its expression is even, reliable, hopeful. I saw a young woman, a wallflower, play her viola, coaxing out of it all of its mellow beauty, and then she was heckled, in a friendly way. She shot a glance at the heckler that no wallflower could, expressing a flaming passion that is not tamed. No, this wallflower is beautiful, but her beauty must be unlocked. Who has the key to her beauty? Likewise the viola: emotional depths difficult to plumb, a long-burning hot fire difficult to feel.
Guitar
The classical guitar is a misfit, a colorful character who does not fit in at court. All the other instruments condescend, but they know they must have the guitar in their midst. After all, with all the swinging moods and coursing emotions, we need the guitar to keep ourselves well-grounded. What better way to see ourselves than with the outsider commenting, like a jester in the King’s court? And when the guitar comments, its own emotions are unleashed, racing with urgent expression, putting in awe all the courtiers. The guitar can do that? Who knew? I would like to hear that again!
Piano
The piano is a complicated character who rarely participates with any heart at all. The piano is bored, yet satisfied with the banal task of supporting the other instruments, particularly the violin, who, above the others, needs the security of a bored parent. Every now and again, the piano deigns to open up its character, showing us the mystery of the instrument, causing us to listen in discovery, as we experience the interplay within the many elements of the piano. The piano is overwhelming, and it knows so; therefore, the piano speaks only limited pieces, then is again removed from the foreground.