Air on the GI String – Art Emerges from the War Zone in Iraq

One of the old chestnuts of the violin repertoire in J.S. Bach’s “Air” from Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major – usually referred to as “Air on the G String.” A U.S. GI – a medic serving a deployment in Iraq - has emerged as a master craftsman in building instruments fit to play Bach’s Air and anything else from the great composers who wrote for the violin.

My radar is always tuned to hear of men and women operating in “Renaissance Mode,” so this Newsweek article about Sgt. Geoffrey Allison caught my eye – and my ear. I left a comment on the Newsweek Website commending this Renaissance Man for his achievements:

“I commend you for highlighting the story of a warrior who is also clearly a Renaissance Man. For a medic to also be a master violin maker means that Sgt. Allison is instrumental in using his hands to offer two kinds of healing - one for the body and the other for the soul!”

I commend to the readers of The White Rhino Report this fascinating article.

“Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast,

To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.”

William Congreve

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19649896/site/newsweek/page/0/