Modeled after Fritz
Kreisler's 1733 Guarneri del Gesu', the Farrell Mann violin was completed by Thurmond Knight
in December, 2007. The Sitka spruce used for the top is from
northwestern Canada. The one piece highly flamed maple back, neck
and ribs, are from Bosnia. The instrument was gently antiqued with oil
varnish.
Thurmond dedicated this violin to the memory of his father's ranch
foreman, Farrell Mann of Belle Glade, Florida. In the 1940s and
early 50s
Farrell taught Thurmond how to rope and ride a horse, how to
lasso from horseback for branding cattle, and all the cowboy ways and lore that a young boy
needed to know. In return, Thurmond taught Farrell the rudiments of
reading and writing.
Farrell's violin has a large brilliant tone suitable for a soloist. The
instrument was first purchased by Bill Hayden, of Montpelier, Vermont, and
later by Mary Grothe, formerly a violinist with the Vermont Philharmonic
Orchestra and the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra. Mary is presently
a violinist with the Symphony of the Sierra, in the foothills of the
Sierra Nevada. |