Madam, – On reading Michael Dervan’s review of Arabella Steinbacher’s performance of the Dvorak Violin Concerto with the RTÉ NSO and the unfortunate snapping of a string on her instrument (Reviews, May 18th), my mind flashed back to a concert I attended in the old Theatre Royal over 50 years ago, where a lady violinist experienced a similar mishap.
Some readers may remember the very first symphony concert that was organised to raise funds for the “Concert Hall”. The then RTÉSO was accompanying Gioconda da Vito in the Brahms concerto, when, half way through the first movement, snap! A string broke. As far as I remember, it took a minute or two to insert a new string – not as fast as Ms Steinbacher swapped violins with Elaine Clarke – and Tibor Paul gave the nod to continue at bar so-and-so. Things were not as hectic in those days. The proceeds from the concert yielded £1,000. That’s where it all started. And now look at us! – Yours, etc,