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Thursday 22nd
Rose was complaining again this morning about me keeping her awake half the night. It's not my fault - I've been having this recurring dream where I find myself in Spain dressed as a matador, with a very rough-looking bull coming towards me... and all I have in my hand is a soundpost setter. Quite odd.
Toby seems to be very grumpy these days. He keeps muttering about how he's wasting his time working on rubbish when he should be doing something more creative. Actually, he's been a bit depressed since he broke up with his girlfriend last month.
I'm just doing the final fitting up on my violin now. Boris told me he wanted boxwood fittings and I must admit that they do go very nicely with the colour of the dirt in the dents and scratches.
Wednesday 28th
This afternoon Beth Hurley phoned me sounding very distraught. Took me some time to work out what she was saying, but I eventually realised that she'd left my violin in a taxi!! Oh dear... I tried to comfort her by telling her that most of the top players do this on a regular basis, especially with violins they have on loan.
I suppose this means there’s a chance that my violin could become the subject of a long-standing and famous mystery. Perhaps it will end up like the 'Huberman' Strad ' hidden away and jealously guarded for half a century by some obscure musician, only to be finally discovered and returned to the limelight after a death-bed confession. Must check my insurance policy.
Thursday 29th
Beth called again this morning - apparently my violin was handed in immediately and she has it back already! That's a big relief for her anyway. Will call the insurance company and cancel the claim.
My Guarneri copy is finally finished - I think it's sounding good and Toby also seems to be fairly impressed with it... in fact he said: "I really don’t know how you do it" (which I assume was a vague compliment). He even suggested that I should take it over to Oslo for the forthcoming 'Ole Bull' exhibition, but I told him that as far as I'm concerned, the fewer people who see this one, the better. Besides, imagine looking at a whole room full of 'Ole Bull' Guarneris!... I'd be having nightmares for a month.
I've phoned Boris and he's going to come in tomorrow.
Friday 30th
Had to have a few whiskeys this afternoon to settle my nerves... this business of making instruments on commission is really very stressful. Not good for the heart… or the liver!
When Boris arrived I presented him with the violin and he examined it briefly. Then he started playing. I immediately glanced at the clock and noticed that Toby also looked at his watch - we both know that this is the real test. If he plays for less than five minutes it's a total failure. Ten minutes is reasonable, and over 15 minutes is a good sign.
Boris got past the five minute mark and I was able to relax a bit... he was still going after ten minutes and I noticed Toby started to smile. And he just kept on playing... 15 minutes, 20 minutes... after 30 minutes I collapsed into a chair with relief. There's no doubt about it – half an hour means it's definitely a winner!
Eventually he stopped (37 minutes!!) and said "Wonderful, wonderful... even better than the one that Beth Hurley is using. It has a magnificent dark sound – amazingly well developed for a new instrument. You obviously have a great affinity with Guarneri del Gesu! You must make more."
After he'd gone Toby started grumbling again about all his wasted talents. I suggested that since I had my commission finished he might try making his own 'Ole Bull' copy. I'd be happy to help out around the shop so that he had more time for making. I told him I'd even be willing to give him some pointers... that seemed to cheer him up considerably.