Jay Grymes, interim chair of the Department of Music, has written a new book “Violins of Hope: Instruments of Hope and Liberation in Mankind’s Darkest Hour.” The book, published by HarperCollins, is receiving critical praise and should be in bookstores now.
Academy Award-winning film composer John Williams wrote, “Violins of Hope is a work of research and scholarship that forms one of the most moving chronicles in the history of Western music. James A. Grymes has earned our plaudits and praise, and deserves our everlasting gratitude.”
“Violins of Hope” tells the stories of seven violins played by Jewish musicians during the Holocaust and restored to playing condition by Israeli violinmaker Amnon Weinstein. Grymes was inspired to write the work when UNC Charlotte brought 18 Violins of Hope to Charlotte for a series of exhibitions and performances in April 2012.