The Red Violin Page #2

You must clean the violin every day.

Care for it well.

This is your violin for as long as

you're with us at the orphanage.

Well...

a curse hangs over you, Madame.

Danger to those who come

under your thrall.

And there will be many...

many.

It is a powerful card, the Hanged Man.

I see danger...

infirmity and disease.

I'm sorry, but what kind I can't say.

There are many kinds of sickness.

These roads, Brother Christoph!

You've no idea what I've endured.

And why such haste?

What is so urgent that it couldn't

wait until my next visit?

- We have a boy, Sir.

- You have many boys!

This boy is a miracle. You'll see.

Vienna swarms with miracles.

Not like him. We felt

you should see him at once.

- Does he speak French?

- No, Sir. Unfortunately.

All your students should learn French.

It's the language of music.

It hones the ear and elevates the mind!

Monsieur Poussin,

this is Kaspar Weiss.

What violin is this?

I haven't seen it before.

- We've had it for 100 years.

- Far too big for him.

Look at his hands.

He should play on a child's violin.

Even Mozart... God rest his soul...

played in Versailles

on a child's violin.

No shame in that.

Wouldn't you like

a smaller instrument?

He seems to manage.

Let him try.

Play, my boy. Play.

I see.

Monsieur Poussin?

We're prepared

to offer a small sum...

to help him in his study.

They say you're a good boy...

well-mannered and clean.

Glad to hear it.

But you don't like vegetables.

Is that so?

- Yes, Sir.

- What don't you like?

Carrots, Sir. And beans

and cabbage and...

These monks can't cook.

They also write you've got

a weak heart. Is that so?

You must have a strong heart

to play violin.

Believe me. And stronger

still to live in Vienna.

You shall see.

Vienna is an infuriating city.

Infuriating, but magnificent.

Magnificent...

this city!

Antoinette!

May I present to you...

Kaspar Weiss.

One of the most gifted

children on Earth.

But Georges, we can't...

My wife, Antoinette Poussin.

Good afternoon, Kaspar.

How nice to meet you.

Go on in. I'll show you

your room in a minute.

Georges, please!

We can't afford to keep him!

We can't afford not to.

There's something about

your playing that eludes me.

I've decided to analyze it,

logically, with a scientific method.

First, your bowing...

and your left hand phrasing.

Your dtach, ornamentation

and your taste.

And theory!

Theory, too, is important.

You need a lot more than inspiration

to play the violin.

You need method.

You must think...

...and work!

- Won't you eat?

- You must eat!

- Do you want something else?

Try this cheese. I think you'll

like it. It's French.

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