STRADIVARIUS: A Synopsis
This story joins the two facts previously mentioned into a tale of passion
for music, love, integrity and the contested possession of the great Stradivarius
Violin, "Hercules". It is a story that crosses the boundaries
of culture and religion. It is also a story of real justice versus senseless,
mechanistic law.
In the novel two central themes are interwoven. One is the history, in the
form of anecdotal descriptions, of the history of the Stradivarius violin,
"Hercules", from the moment of its creation, through the hands
of several great violinists of history, to the moment when it was stolen
in St., Petersburg then carried east across Russia until it finally arrives
and is hidden in the wall of a Korean farm house.
The second and dominant theme begins when a battered army sergeant from
the hills of W. Virginia finds the "Hercules" and brings it and
a Medal of Honor back to the United States. For Sergeant Martin Luther Cole
the violin becomes a talisman of beauty. It represents the only thing of
value to survive that terrible time. For him it is endowed with Grace and
he comes to understand that he is meant to preserve it and with it fulfill
a destiny he cannot yet imagine.
A quarter of a century later the reclusive Martin Cole learns that his orphaned
cousin, seven year old Ailey Parkman Barkwood has a remarkable musical talent,
and it is for the violin. The circle of destiny begins to close. With the
help of Ailey's grade school teacher and adoptive parent, Miss Iris Bentley,
Luther and Miss Iris arrange for Ailey to go to Bronxville, New York where
he will become the student of Maestro Joachim Everade, a world famous violin
teacher.
In New York, Ailey is a fish out of water and must overcome vast cultural
differences to continue the development of his gift. While in Bronxville
two things occur which put shape and focus on his young life. He meets his
first love, Lucienne Rosamond Ysayë, great granddaughter of Eugene
Ysayë from whom the violin Hercules was stolen in 1908. Secondly, he
meets Rabbi Sholem Ben Ezra, a crusty old Jewish Rabbi full of wisdom and
kindness for the young genius from W. Virginia. They could not be further
apart in culture and history but they form an enduring friendship.
When Luther Cole discovers that Ailey's development as a violinist has taken
him to the point of being accepted in the Queen Elizabeth Competition in
Brussels Belgium, Luther decides it is time for the Hercules to leave his
care and pass into the hands of someone who can take it to its proper destiny.
He gives the "Hercules" to Ailey.
On returning to New York one of the first things Ailey does is show his
treasured instrument to his love, Lucienne Ysayë. She has heard the
story of its theft and disappearance from her father a hundred times. With
some trepidation she tells her father, an arrogant Parisian. The worst thing
happens. Through a law firm in the city he arranges for the violin to be
taken from Ailey. Ailey is crushed both by the loss and betrayal by Lucienne.
Ailey goes to his friend and mentor, Rabbi Ben Ezra who agrees to help.
Ailey also tells Luther who comes to Bronxville on the next train bent on
getting back - "that which weren't theirs to take."
Rabbi Ben Ezra keeps everybody from each others throats, gets all the principles
together. Then by subtle coercion and logical persuasion gets them to agree
to a Talmudic Decision which he shall make. After some days, he delivers
his judgment and the solution in the midst of turmoil is so correct none
can disagree.
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Donald P. Ladew E-Mail Address: novelistdpl@earthlink.net