THE long and complicated journey of an ancient violin continues – this week Lev’s Violin (the instrument and its story) is in Dorset for dates with Artsreach, including Shipton Gorge village hall on Thursday 5th December, West Stafford hall on Friday 6th and Chetnole village hall on Saturday 7th, all starting at 7.30pm.

Former bandmates of acclaimed klezmer group Moishe’s Bagel are telling the incredible story of the violin, which was originally heard in a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week in 2022.

Born with a beautiful sound but no name, Lev’s Violin was deemed to be worthless. Although its origins remained a mystery, many tales were attached to Lev’s Violin, some true and some wonderfully untrue …

In this live show, audiences can follow the remarkable story of the instrument and hear it played live by violinist Greg Lawson, who is joined by former Moishe’s Bagel bandmate, accordionist Phil Alexander. The show is described as “part storytelling, a wee bit of a music lecture, some stand-up comedy, a book reading and lots of wonderful music”
Old and worn by its travels, Lev’s Violin eventually broke a few years ago, and the instrument became the subject of a book by Helena Attlee, Lev’s Violin: An Italian Adventure, which reached hundred of thousands of listeners when it was broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

The violin has since been through an extensive restoration and, having passed through the hands of countless musicians, travelled continents and played the music of many cultures, it is now in the possession of Greg Lawson, an acclaimed violinist, composer and conductor who has held principal and leading positions in most of the orchestras in Scotland.

Follow the journey of Lev’s Violin and hear some of the music from its past, from Bach and Arvo Part to Armenian and Macedonian music and Klezmer.