The Red Violin

The Red Violin is a detailed, beautiful, impressive, and visually spectacular movie that

begins by describing an interesting art house movie. This movie is about the users, owners, and

creators of a strange red violin that not only covers over 300 years but also uses seven languages.

The Red Violin begins with Charles Morritz playing the violin as he goes to an auction. Later,

the violin maker wife dies during childbirth after several prophecies. In the movie Red Violin,

the violin becomes the center of interest of many people. It moves from Italy to Poland, England,

China, and finally Canada. The movie shows some moral trouble spots such as a Tarot card

reading that foresees future happenings, worshiping of a man-made object, the violin.

The movie is morally about obsession. The creator of this red violin appears to love his

wife and the unborn child, but apparently, he loves the violin more. The red violin then becomes

in the possession of an orphan named Kaspar Weiss. Kaspar's music teacher appears to desire

fortune and fame because Kaspar is a brilliant violin prodigy until his death. Another character

Xiang Pei appears to love the violin so much that she practices courage and save it from the

tyrants of the Cultural Revolution. She hides the violin and does not use it for selfish gains. In

addition, the movie is about love and mortality. It shows how society survives mortality through

art, beauty, and craft. It reveals the importance of art in the society and even the extent

individuals goes to get what they need.

After watching the movie, I have learned that many people in society believe in

prophecies. In this particular movie, the society gave credence and recognition to Tarot cards.

Anna Rudolfi Bussotti the violin maker wife eventually died after a series of prophecies from the

village fortune-teller upon reading the Tarot cards. In other words, this practice by the society

suggests that violin has some magical, mystical powers over its owners. In addition, I have also
learned that ancient objects are very important in society. Some members of the community

treasure them so much that they even worship the item or object. This is clear from the way users

and by the bidders treated the violin as an idol. Additionally, I learned that an idea has the power

to move and threaten people after incorporating such beliefs in our minds. The power of the red

violin took people captive, and many wanted to associate with the instrument while putting their

lives in danger. For example, Xiang Pei courageously guarded the violin, not considering the

dangers that she was exposing herself to.

This movie relates to the music appreciation class in many ways the movie teaches some

elements of the western culture, especially just how the society value art and performance. The

film appreciates how the violin is a very important instrument to people during musical

performances. Besides, it expresses the way people develop a liking to a particular tune produced

by the violin. Individuals in different countries expressed their love for the violin to an extent of

even putting their lives in danger like Xiang Pei. The movie also reveals other cultural beliefs

that society believes in their daily lives, for instance, the Tarot cards. Moreover, in music

appreciation class, students are expected to know available opportunities and utilize them. In The

Red Violin movie, the violin maker wife Anna knew the existence of Tarot cards and constantly

sort it to know her fate. Overall the red violin has been played by many hands and has traveled

the world telling the story of its players lives.

 Question 1-The composition I find the most compelling is Aaron Copland's Appalachian

Spring: Section 7, Variations on Simple Gifts. This piece is a great example of Americana, and I

find it to be a perfect blend of modern and traditional American musical elements. I think it is

particularly powerful because it utilizes traditional folk music as a source of inspiration and

highlights the beauty of simplicity. The variations on the folk tune, "Simple Gifts" are both

haunting and uplifting, and I think it speaks to the power of music to express emotion and bring

people together. It also speaks to the power of American music to draw on and celebrate its rich

cultural heritage. The American musical theatre genre is an incredible example of how

Americans have used music to address difficult and socially challenging topics. Musicals such as

Oklahoma!, West Side Story, and Hamilton demonstrate America's ability to confront complex

issues in a creative and entertaining way. These musicals not only bring joy to audiences, but

also provide insight into American culture and history. Whether it is exploring issues of race and

identity in West Side Story, or the founding of the United States in Hamilton, musical theatre is a

powerful tool for understanding and discussing difficult topics.

 American musical theatre is an incredible example of how Americans have used

music to address difficult and socially challenging topics. Musicals such as

Oklahoma!, West Side Story, and Hamilton provide insight into American culture

and history.

• Music has the power to bring people together and to express emotion, making it an

incredibly powerful tool for understanding and discussing difficult topics.

 Question 2- "Show Boat" by Jerome Kern: This musical, first performed in 1927, was

groundbreaking in its exploration of racial issues. It was one of the first Broadway musicals

to feature a racially integrated cast and to tackle the subject of interracial marriage, which

was a controversial topic at the time. The song "Ol' Man River" is a poignant commentary on

the harsh realities of life for African Americans in the South. "South Pacific" by Richard

Rodgers: Premiering in 1949, "South Pacific" addresses racial prejudice directly. The plot

includes a romance between a U.S. lieutenant and a Polynesian woman, which faces

opposition due to racial prejudice. The song "You've Got to Be Carefully Taught" explicitly

addresses the issue of racism, stating that prejudice is not innate but learned. "West Side

Story" by Leonard Bernstein: This 1957 musical reimagines Shakespeare's "Romeo and

Juliet" in the context of gang warfare between white and Puerto Rican teenagers in New York

City. The musical explores themes of racial and ethnic tension, and the song "America"

contrasts the American Dream with the reality for immigrants.

In conclusion, all three musicals were effective in their time in addressing the subject of

race relations, using the medium of musical theatre to bring these issues to a wide audience.

They used narrative, character development, and song to challenge prevailing attitudes and

provoke thought and discussion.