Clara's Voice - Part 2
Clara is Played
(By Ann Bray)
Part 2 - Clara is Played
Enter our next two Aussies – Trevor and Hildy West.
Our story resumes after Clara’s arrival in Geraldton, with her maker luthier Bernard McLean. After selling a couple of violas through respected Perth violin restorer and dealer Trevor West, the difficult decision was made to let go and send Clara out into the wider world. Thus Clara was entrusted to the care of Trevor and Hildy West at their West Violins workshop in the suburbs of Perth. In the big city, it was hoped that she would find a new owner to appreciate her unique voice.
To select a violin is not an easy task. There is the budget to consider of course, but even with a price in mind, there will be a range of violins with greatly varying timbres and playing characteristics. Trevor and Hildy understand this difficult process well, having been in the business for many years. They appreciate the full range of qualities of an instrument, and are known for their patience and experience with connecting a player to the right instrument for them. As it says on their card “By Appointment Only”. Clara would be well cared for.
Clara would go on to have two owners in her playing life, but her constant violin “GP” for the last 20 years has been Trevor West. He has always been on hand to analyse and resolve any problems eg. a little buzz that develops with her voice, sanding out a bit of resin build up, resetting pegs etc. All serious players know the importance of the relationship with their local luthier/restorer, and getting in with a good one is a must. Bernard will tell you horror stories from back in the day in Bendigo, when sending a violin for repair meant the person would start by stripping off all the varnish!
Trevor West at his work bench with Clara
Enter our next young Aussie – Clara’s first player / owner.
A young Perth boy who was very keen on music had been playing the violin since he was 5 years old. By the time he was in grade 7 he was doing exceptionally well and was looking for a new instrument. He and his family found their way to Trevor West, and very happily went home with Clara.
The best thing for a violin is to be played. Now Clara’s voice rang out daily. The young man completed all his Suzuki training, and he continued playing during his years at Hale School where he was Captain of Music. He won an 8 week scholarship to the prestigious Marrowstone Music Festival in Seattle. Here he had the wonderful opportunity of studying with top players from the Chicago Symphony.
Back in Perth he was accepted as the only student of the inspirational Cary Koh, who was here playing with the Western Australian Symphony (WASO) at that time. Over the summer he would go to Cary’s place for daily lessons that would happily stretch on for hours – it was an enlightening experience. He and Clara had such marvellous musical adventures.
At university the young man had decided to study law, but was still passionate about music. His mother says, “He played from his heart and his soul”.
Four years into his law degree an unusual connection developed over a mutual love of music. This resulted in a unique recital that took place in the empty main chamber of the High Court of Australia in Canberra. Clara’s voice sang in the High Court of the land, played by this multi-talented young man for a greatly appreciative audience of just one! Oh, to have been a fly on the wall that day, I suspect the acoustics were superb.
This deep bond over music and the importance of the law, saw the young man propelled into a stellar career first in Canberra, then onto New York, Venice and Vienna. At a certain point however in this now very busy life, the young man decided once again Clara should be entrusted to Trevor West. He wanted her to be played.
Enter our last Aussie – Clara’s present owner
A Perth Mum who had been deeply passionate about music whilst growing up in Adelaide, had come full circle. She had studied with the Adelaide Symphony – ASO’s wonderful Mrs (Robyn) Hanna (wife of Ritchie), and the ASO’s inimitable Robertson “Rob” Collins. A degree in Computer Science, a career in IT, and the raising of 2 wonderful sons mostly done and dusted, she was returning to her first love – music. She had found Trevor and Hildy several years earlier when buying her first traditional violin in many years, having gotten back into playing on a Yamaha “Silent” Series violin whilst the kids were growing up.
Not knowing how things would pan out with her re-entry into the world of violin, she had initially bought a very nice but basic instrument from Trevor. Three years down the track it was time to go back and find a violin with a clearer high voice, that possessed the kind of timbre she had always hoped for. She was searching for a “Clara”, to be named not only for her tone, but also as a tribute to the inspirational Clara Wieke-Schumann. Trevor had just the right violin.
Clara got her name, and her current owner. Her full title is “Clara Mclean”, after her maker Bernard Mclean. Real “Strads” have a name, and as my husband says - “Violins are people too you know”.
Clara’s voice sings again daily, played by her very grateful present custodian.
One of her most important recitals in recent years has again been to an audience of just one. Her voice sang quietly for hours in my mother’s room in a nursing home in Adelaide earlier this year, before her passing.
The End
Clara is one of the MetSO’s voices - that blend together to make that superlative orchestral whole.
Many thanks to all who have participated and connected during the writing of this article: Australian Luthier Bernard McLean, Trevor and Hildy West (the keepers of many amazing stories), and the families of Clara’s past and present owners.
Clara
McLean
A MetSO Voice
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