TOMAS McDAID,
Sir, - I refer to Arminta Wallace's interview with Maxim Vengerov, the Russian violinist (Arts, January 25th). The first sentence stated that "he mastered the violin in a year".
This is encouraging news for the many students and professionals struggling with violin techniques over many years. We can only hope that Mr Vengerov will market his elixir of magic formula for the benefit of the musical masses.
Obviously the claim has to be taken with a grain of salt, particularly as many of today's great players admit that there is still room for potential development in the technique in general and in the bow arm specifically.
On the question of wunderkinds, our very own Myles na Gopaleen dealt with this in his humorous contributions under the heading of "Cruiskeen Lawn":
"The old man, his technique perfected in 40 years of study, practicing 12 hours a day, is suddenly shamed by an Eskimo, aged two, who, though illiterate, lame, deaf and suffering from a weeping affection of the eyes, can play anything with a grandeur of interpretation, with an insight too acute to be 'acquired', with a perfection that is not even to be discussed." - Yours, etc.,
TOMAS McDAID, Taobh na Coille, Dublin 18.