Hi to any 'classical' music / faerie folk. This is not a Froudian-poem, but it is inspired by an artist, Daniel Merriam, that is is a rising star in the fantasy art world. I was inspired by a sketch-in-progress of his [which you can see on his facebook page...link below} of a shy, elfish violin player {"The Jealous Violin}. Hope you like it...

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The Jealous Violin

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O, tell us virtuoso
What caution do you show?
Your lips are all aquiver
As you grip your timid bow

What instrument so glorious
Is it rare perchance?
A precious Stradivari
Louis Guersan of France?

What mystery is hiding
In your piercing, doubtful eyes?
You certainly don’t fear us
Your musical allies?

There is no need to hesitate
Your craft we do adore
Please play a tuneful melody
And share what’s on your score

Some Mendelssohn or Mozart?
A Bach solo would be nice
Perhaps a simple country tune
Warm-up to break the ice?

Perhaps Baroque is more your style
Vivaldi, Bach, Rameau?
Pergolesi, or a Telemann
Does Corelli make you glow?

Are you feeling modern
The third concerto by Saint-Saëns?
Max Bruch would be most welcome
Chausson would be très bon!

Perhaps you only play in court
To serve your king and queen?
Not used to a large audience
Where you are heard and seen?

Shy, bashful violinist
O, fiddler with a doubt
Pray to St. Cecelia
And let the notes come out

We promise we will listen
With generous mind and heart
We’ll praise your deft cadenzas
And celebrate your art!

So, channel Paganini
And let your spirit fly!
We’ll shower you with roses
Your name we'll loudly cry!

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Theo J. van Joolen©2011

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Inspired by Daniel Merriam's sketch-in-progress, "The Jealous Violin."

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=429043513559&set=a.267143628559.144784.266583153559

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Antonion Stradivari: (1644 – December 18, 1737) was an Italian luthier, a crafter of stringed instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, violas, and harps. Stradivari is generally considered the most significant artisan in this field. [Wikipedia]

Louis Guersan : A Parisian violin maker circa 1730-69. One of the best in France. Great experimentalist.

Online Dictionary of Violin and Bow Makers

http://www.musicforstrings.com/dictionary_of_violin_makers.html

Favorite Froud Book? Good Faeries, Bad Faeries

I made many improvements to this poem. You can read a better version here:

http://fairypoet.com/the-jealous-violin.html