In loving memory of my grandfather, who gifted me his violin: Dmytro Lysko

Discover more Featured Stories like this in The Strad Playing Hub

The passion for the violin in my family stretches back to my great-great-grandfather. A  humble carpenter with a deep love for music, he dared to craft his own violin. He often said, ’Any carpenter can make a violin, but it takes true craftsmanship to make it sing.’  That violin, passed down from father to son, has become more than just wood and strings — it is a cherished relic, a testament to the enduring power of music, an instrument that still resonates through the generations. 

My grandfather, Oleksii Lysko, was the first in our family to truly bring the violin to life. His journey began in his childhood, when he heard the sound of a violin on the radio for the first time. The experience captivated him so deeply that he couldn’t think of anything else for days. Fortunately, there was already a violin in the family, and he tried his best to make it sound, even with no formal training at the time. That moment marked the beginning of his lifelong relationship with the instrument. Despite starting later than most — these were post-war years — he made the bold decision to pursue music professionally, dedicating his life to playing the violin and sharing this knowledge with others.  

As a violin teacher, my grandfather was much more than an instructor. He nurtured his students as if they were his own children. His house was open to everyone, he often invited students to learn in his living room, surrounded by violins of all sizes and shapes. I was no exception to this hospitality. At the age of five, I spent a few months living with my grandparents, and it was then that I first became enchanted by the world of violins. My grandfather had a collection of instruments, which he carefully repaired and maintained, offering them to students who couldn’t afford their own. Though he never built a violin himself, his carpentry skills gained from his grandfather came in handy. I can still recall the smell of warm hide glue as he worked, carefully fashioning bridges, pegs, and other parts, bringing worn instruments back to life. 

It was impossible to resist the allure of the violin. So by the age of seven, I had moved in with my grandparents to study violin under my grandfather’s careful guidance. My first violin, a tiny 1/8 size, is remembered for the sound of its open strings, where my early practice often began. It’s hard to say that it brought as much joy as I had expected at that time, so I tried my best to follow all the instructions precisely in order to play melodies sooner. As I grew, so did my violins. Each larger instrument signified a new stage in my musical development, a step forward in my journey. By the time I was 13, I had finally received a full-size violin. The sound was fuller, more mature, and playing it made me feel more connected to the music than ever before.

 Another key part of my musical journey is the bow that my grandfather gifted me when I was accepted into the Lviv National Music Academy. While he didn’t have high-quality bows in his home, he bought one for me. The bow may seem like a simple wooden stick, but over the years, it has become far more than that. Despite having access to a newer, technically superior bow, I still use that one for orchestra auditions, because I believe it brings me luck. And four successful orchestra auditions is the answer. My colleague from the Vivere Quartet also won an orchestra audition using the very same bow.

The violin that I now play, however, holds a special place in my heart. Just as I began to outgrow the instrument I received at 13, in terms of my performance skills, my grandfather gifted me the finest violin from his collection. It is always with me at home, rehearsals and on the stage for the last 18 years. I was lucky to visit many countries, to play in some of the world‘s greatest concert halls and even perform on the high seas with it. 

The violin I play, the bow I cherish, and the lessons I carry with me are all part of a family legacy that has lasted for generations. Music is more than just an art form in our family— it’s a connection between the past, present, and future. Every note I play is a tribute to the hands that came before mine, and every performance is a continuation of our family’s story.

Dmytro Lysko is a violinist with the Vivere Quartet. Its new album, Prayer for Ukraine, is out on 4 October 2024 on Phenotypic Recordings, with all proceeds of the album to be donated to Revived Soldiers Ukraine.

Playing

In The Best of Technique you’ll discover the top playing tips of the world’s leading string players and teachers. It’s packed full of exercises for students, plus examples from the standard repertoire to show you how to integrate the technique into your playing.

Teaching

The Strad’s Masterclass series brings together the finest string players with some of the greatest string works ever written. Always one of our most popular sections, Masterclass has been an invaluable aid to aspiring soloists, chamber musicians and string teachers since the 1990s.

Calendars

The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025. This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures, including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana, Gagliano, Pressenda and David Tecchler.