Playing For Life
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Many Jews in Europe have favored the violin as their instrument. The choice is rooted in convenience. Escaping from pogroms with the likes of a piano was a lot more cumbersome than just grabbing a violin.
At the age of four, Bronisław Huberman was given that most Jewish of instruments by his poverty-stricken Polish parents. In 1901, when he was 9, he performed the Violin Concerto in D Major (Opus 77) in front of its’ composer, Johannes Brahms. This work, thought of as impossible to play, did not deter the Wonder Kid. His performance was flawless. Thus, the boy from a poor Jewish family began his career and arguably went on to become the greatest violinist of the 20th century.