Romancing the Red Violin

This is not normally the type of movie I watch but having recently had an experience with violins, I decided to check it out. The story follows a violin as it goes from person to person over several centuries. Each time it changes hands, a new story is told. Some are happy, some sad, some frightening, but my favorite is the enticing one involving Frederick and Victoria. 

Frederick Pope is a concert violinist and Victoria Byrd is a writer and his muse. Just before a concert, we hear, behind a closed door, Frederick playing his violin and the the sounds of passion. He goes on to perform a new piece of music, inspired by...we know what, even if his audience doesn't. The two are involved in another fabulously passionate scene, where she is trying to write and he interrupts her. He blames it on her beauty and they make up with a tempestuous round of sex. This chapter of the violin's life has a violent moment at the end but I won't ruin it for you. The instrument survives, never fear.

Here is a snippet from Frederick and Victoria's story, where Victoria informs him she must travel to Russia to do research on her book. Oh, the days before the Internet were brutal on love affairs!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/mv-6fGK/the_red_violin_youre_leaving_me/

Not all the adventures of the Red Violin are this sensual, but passion is always present when great music is played. 

Available on Netflix to rent. Thanks to my brother for this excellent movie tip.

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