Glier's "Geige"

I have been in a bit of a photography funk. Partly because I have been busy, and partly because I feel like I haven't had a creative or original idea in months. I am grateful for the last few months of steady, well-paying work, but I also blame it for zapping the creativity right out of me. This picture happened a couple afternoons ago. I got out my violin so we could spend some quality time together before it goes in for some repairs. I laid it on my bed while I set up my music and metronome. But, as I went to pick it up, inspiration struck! And the result is the what you see here. If you love it, feel free to encourage me. I'm going to need as much motivation as possible to get myself out of the funk.

The violin was a gift. I am not a great musician, just an experienced hobbyist. But this violin is my most prized possession. Well, maybe it's a tie between the violin and my engagement ring. The fact remains, it means a great deal to me. It represents an incredible amount of generosity on the part of the giver. I was given a choice of four violins. I spent a week playing them. Each was beautiful and special in different ways, but this one awed me every time I played it, and still does. I can't put my finger on it, but there is something very special about this particular instrument. If you played it you might understand. Then again, maybe it was just meant for me. I sort of feel bad that such a beautiful instrument should have to be meant for me, but that doesn't change the fact that I know we were destined to be together. It's a bit like a good relationship, I suppose. Mark motivates me to be a better person. The Glier motivates me to be a better musician.

While playing the four violins, all I knew about them was their origin (year, location, and maker). I had a short write-up about each of the makers, and that was it. The violin I chose was made by Robert Glier, Jr. The write-up on him is the least impressive. Actually, it isn't even about him, it is about his father:

"GLIER, ROBERT.
Born at Markneukirchen, 1855. Worked for Wurlitzer at Cincinnati, 1885-1900. Died 1924.
Experimented with various woods (especially for bellies). Violins of ordinary workmanship.
Succeeded by son Robert."

(All I have is a photocopy of a single page, so the best I can do for a reference for the above is: Universal Dictionary of..., p. 472)

After I chose the Glier, I was told it's value, which certainly justified my selection. Then again, I felt a little guilty about choosing the most expensive one. But the giver wanted me to choose based on which violin I loved, and not which was the most economical.

Ever since, I have had a strange curiosity about Robert Glier, son of the Wurlitzer employee who made "ordinary" violins. I spent a few hours the other day collecting any and all information the internet could offer me about Glier. There wasn't much. But what I did find was VERY interesting.

The Gliers, from Markneukirchen, descend from a centuries old, exclusive instrument makers' guild. Robert Glier, Sr. came to America in the nineteenth century and set up shop in Cincinnati making violins with his son, Robert Glier, Jr. All I know about Robert Glier, Sr. is what is stated in the quotation above. All I know about Robert Glier, Jr. is that he also made violins (mine included) and that he also had a son named Robert. Robert R. Glier, son of Robert Glier, Jr. decided not to go into the family business. Instead,

"Robert Glier returned from World War II in 1946 and trained in his family's retail butcher shop. He apprenticed as a sausage maker at Cincinnati's H.H. Meyer Packing Co. where he made sausages and cut retail-case meat while his wife Louise assisted customers. During the winter, Glier made his special recipe of the locally popular product, goetta. Demand soared for this breakfast food. Glier's son, Dan, assumed the presidency of Glier's in 1977; he remains at the helm today." (http://prepmagazine.us/articles_det.asp?aid=77)



I made an attempt to get a hold of Dan Glier. I expressed my interest in his family and asked for confirmation that his ancestor's were indeed the Gliers of violin fame. I recieved the following email.

"Hello Careen,
A quick reply to your questions. Yes, we are the same Glier family of violin fame. Three generations of Glier men, in the USA, were named Robert. The first Robert, and the immigrant who came in the late 1800's, was Robert Carl Glier. His son, my grandfather, was Robert Louis Glier who made violins up until his death in the early 1940's. Robert L. made his instruments using the name Robert Glier, Jr. even though by virtue of the different middle name he was not really a junior. The two Roberts worked together for many years so I guess the "junior" came naturally. I am fortunate to have a picture of these two Roberts working in the violin shop.
My father was Robert Ralph Glier and he broke the violin and instrument making tradition that went back to at least the mid 1400's in Germany and then the last two generations in the USA . He worked in his maternal uncle's meat shop in Newport as a youth and after serving in WWII he returned to open his own meat shop in Covington in 1946.
I have a few of my grandfather's violin making tools and fixtures and a few of both generation's violins. The above picture, a wedding picture and death notices and little else are all that has survived the passing generations. I would be glad to share what I know or have with you.
Feel free to contact me again,
Regards,
Dan Glier"

That was pretty exciting! I can't wait to investigate further. Also, let me know if you've ever tried goetta. Sounds pretty tasty.