Dancing to a Different Tune | Ep. 270

Have you ever heard the expression, “Music calms the savage beast”?

The saying means music can be so powerful, it can soothe anyone – no matter how upset, distressed or worked up they may be.

In today’s tale, we’ll meet a musician whose sounds don’t just ‘calm the savage beast.’ They make it dance!

Our tale is called “Dancing to a Different Tune.” It’s inspired by tales from the South American country of Brazil… though you’ll find versions in many other places, including Denmark, Egypt, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Russia and the Ozark Mountains of the United States.

Voices in this episode include Ryan Dalusung, Todd Scofield and Hilary Hahn. Three-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn has made a career of connecting with fans and musicians of all ages – from her recordings of the first three Suzuki violin books to her “Bring Your Own Baby” concerts and “100 Days of Practice” project on social media. Not only does Hilary play the main character in our story; she also did us the honor of playing the violin!

This episode was adapted for Circle Round by Rebecca Sheir, with help from our composer and sound designer Eric Shimelonis. It was edited by Dean Russell. Our artist is Sabina Hahn.

GROWN-UPS! PRINT THIS so everyone can color while listening. We’re also keeping an album so please share your picture on Facebook and Instagram, and tag it with #CircleRoundPodcast. To access all the coloring pages for past episodes click HERE. Our resident artist is Sabina Hahn and you can learn more about her HERE.

Now it’s your turn!

Luciana was passionate about making music. What’s something you’re passionate about? Perhaps you enjoy being in nature, or practicing gymnastics. Maybe you love doing art or gathering with family during the holidays.

Find some paper and draw a picture of you and your passion. When you’re finished, share it with someone you have fun with. And if you’d like, share it with us! Ask a grown-up to snap a photo of you and your drawing and email it to circleround@wbur.org.

With your permission, we may feature it in “The Lion’s Roar,” the monthly newsletter of the Circle Round Club. Learn more about this super-fun opportunity for super-fans like you here.

Musical Spotlight: Violin

Since its invention in Italy in the 16th century, the violin has been a significant player in many styles of music.

The violin is the smallest member of the string family (or “chordophones”), which also includes the viola, cello and bass. All members of the string family are played either by drawing a bow over the strings, or by plucking the strings with your fingers, in a technique called pizzicato. 

The violin’s body is usually made from different types of wood. The strings are most often made from nylon, steel or gut (a type of cord prepared from the natural fiber found in animal intestines!). An individual who builds or repairs violins is called a luthier (from the French word for “lute”). A person who makes or repairs bows is called an archetier (from the French word for “bow”).

Story Transcript:

NARRATOR: Luciana lived with her father Lucio out in the countryside, where they ran a cozy little farm with a modest piece of land for growing crops, a tiny orchard for picking fruit, and a small flock of sheep for making milk and cheese.

Of all Luciana’s chores, her favorite was herding the sheep.

LUCIANA: Come along, Tulip and Petunia! You too, Magnolia and Bluebell! There are some yummy dandelions just over this hill. You fluff balls are going to love them!

NARRATOR: But her true passion wasn’t growing crops or picking fruit or even herding her beloved “fluff balls.”

Her true passion… was music.

Ever since she was little, Luciana longed to play… the violin. It thrilled her to think about gliding her elegant bow back and forth as her fingers danced across the strings. But every time she asked Lucio if she could have a violin of her own…?

LUCIO: (warmly) I’m sorry, my dear. But even though we’ve been scrimping and saving, we could never afford a violin. Never.

NARRATOR: The years went by, and Lucio grew old and frail. One day, as he was resting his creaky bones in bed, he called his daughter to his side.

LUCIO: (older, weaker, but still spirited) Luciana. You are the apple of my eye. The light of my life. But I believe I’m drawing closer to the end of that life.

LUCIANA: Come now, Father. Your body has slowed down a bit. But your mind is as quick as ever!

LUCIO: That’s sweet of you to say, my dear. But you and I both know I won’t be around forever. And when I go, there isn’t much I can leave you in the way of worldly riches. Other than this farm, of course.

LUCIANA: And I adore this place! I grew up here! I don’t need anything else.

LUCIO: But you DO need something else, Luciana. And that is why, once I’m gone, I want you to sell whatever you need – the land, the orchard, even the sheep – and buy yourself a violin.

NARRATOR: Luciana’s heart did a somersault in her chest.

LUCIANA: Are you serious? You want me to buy a violin?

LUCIO: (warmly) Having a violin has always been your dream, has it not? And to be honest, buying one for you has always been MY dream.

NARRATOR: Luciana wiped away a tear. Then she reached down and wrapped Lucio in a hug.

LUCIANA: Oh, Father. Thank you so much! I love you.

LUCIO: And I love YOU, my child. Forever.

NARRATOR: Not long after that, Lucio was gone. Luciana had never felt so heartbroken or alone. But she did as her dearly-departed father instructed. She sold the land and orchard – though she held onto the sheep.

LUCIANA: Tulip and Petunia? Leave some clover for Magnolia and Bluebell! You fluff balls are hogging the whole patch!

NARRATOR: Luciana made just enough money from the sale to set aside a handful of coins for savings… and spend the rest on a violin.

Her first notes on her new instrument were shaky and uncertain.

But Luciana practiced…

…and practiced…

…and with each passing day, week, month and year, she felt more and more in command.

The music that sailed forth from Luciana’s violin was rich and beautiful. But there was a melancholy to it: a sense of sorrow and loss.

You see, when Luciana’s father was alive, she had shared everything with him: her thoughts, her hopes, her dreams. Now that Lucio was no longer around, she had no one to turn to… save for her violin. So she poured her heart and soul into her playing, day after day after day.

But while Luciana’s musical prowess was growing… her savings were dwindling.

LUCIANA: Ugh. I need to find some work and bring in some cash. In my wildest dreams I would become a professional musician, and earn money doing something I love! But let’s face it. There aren’t exactly a ton of opportunities for a violinist out here in the country.

NARRATOR: Luciana frowned, picked up her violin, and went outside. Perhaps practicing in the warm summer air would help soothe her worries. But soon after she settled on the porch and began to play…

LUCIANA: Tulip? What are you doing here? Did you come to hear my music?

Petunia! You’re here, too?

And Magnolia?

And Bluebell? I had no idea you fluff balls were music fans! If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were dancing!

NARRATOR: Indeed, as note after sweet note filled the air, the sheep were bobbing their heads and swaying back and forth.

LUCIANA: Well… if you fluff balls really want to cut a rug… this melancholy music will never do. (beat) I think it’s finally time to try something different.

NARRATOR: Luciana paused for a moment, then began playing again.

And for the first time ever, the music coming from Luciana's violin wasn’t aching with grief. It was bursting with gaiety! Brimming with so much life and energy that the notes seemed to skip, jump and leap through the air.

And get this: the notes weren’t the only things skipping, jumping and leaping. The sheep were, too! Tulip, Petunia, Magnolia and Bluebell were all bouncing from hoof to hoof and shimmying their rumps as they danced in time to the music.

Little did Luciana know, but her audience was about to get a whole lot bigger… and WILDER!

What do you think will happen as Luciana keeps playing?

We’ll find out what it is, after a quick break.

[BREAK]

NARRATOR: Welcome back to Circle Round. I’m Rebecca Sheir. Today our story is called “Dancing to a Different Tune.”

Before the break, Luciana was grieving the loss of her father, Lucio. As she played sad, melancholy music on her violin, her sheep came over and began to sway back and forth.

Luciana was so delighted by the sight that she began playing more gayly... and the sheep followed suit! They started prancing and dancing all over the lawn. And as the music continued, who should come scurrying over to join the flock… but a horde of mice!

…followed by a family of frogs…

…then a flock of birds…

…then a pack of wolves…

…then a tangle of snakes…

Soon, animals from all corners of the countryside were running, crawling, jumping, winging and slithering Luciana’s way… then boogieing to the music!

Luciana rose to her feet and began marching around the cavorting, capering critters. The animals formed themselves into a long line… following right behind her!

LUCIANA: Oh! So we’re going to have a little parade, are we? Or a big one, more like. (beat) Either way, follow me!

NARRATOR: With her elegant bow gliding back and forth and her fingers dancing across the strings, Luciana led the animals away from the farm and across the countryside. They jigged through meadows carpeted with flowers and forests thick with trees… they jived past rivers teeming with fish and mountains capped with snow.

Next thing Luciana knew, they were parading past the royal palace, with its gleaming stone towers and walls. And standing atop one of those walls… was the king! He was surrounded by his royal guards. And much to Luciana’s surprise, he was tossing back his crowned head…

KING: (laughter)

NARRATOR: …and laughing!

KING: (laughter) Welcome to the palace, my friends! (laughs) You must be the most entertaining visitors we have ever received!

NARRATOR: Luciana was so stunned she stopped playing…

…and the animals went still.

KING: Oh no! Please don’t stop the music! OR the dancing! Something tells me you are JUST what my daughter needs!

NARRATOR: Luciana had no idea what the king was talking about. She gave a little curtsy, then flashed him a nervous smile.

LUCIANA: Your Majesty! I appreciate your interest in our merry band! I truly do! (beat) But with all due respect… how could the animals and I possibly be of service… to a princess?

NARRATOR: The king’s face grew grim.

KING: (sigh) Haven’t you heard? It’s been years since the princess LAUGHED! Ever since her mother died, my daughter has been melancholy, full of sorrow.

NARRATOR: Luciana felt a twinge in her heart. She too knew that feeling – all too well.

KING: I have offered a generous reward to anyone who can make the princess laugh again. Countless people have shown her their funniest tricks, told her their most hilarious jokes. She won’t even crack a smile. But something tells me you will fare better. (beat) Well – you and your dancing menagerie! Never before have I seen or heard such JOY!!!!!

NARRATOR: The king turned to one of his guards and whispered in his ear. The guard bustled into the palace. When he reappeared, he had the princess in tow.

Her eyes were cast downward and her shoulders were slumped. The king laid a gentle hand on her arm.

KING: My dear daughter. I have a surprise for you. I think you’ll like it.

NARRATOR: The king gestured toward Luciana. The violinist smiled, took a breath, then lifted her bow to the strings… and began to play.

At the sound of such joyful and sprightly strains, the princess lifted her gaze. At the sight of hundreds of animals frisking and frolicking to the beat, she straightened her shoulders. With each new note and phrase, her eyes grew brighter… her lips curled into an arc… and for the first time in years, not only did the princess smile…

PRINCESS: (laughter)

NARRATOR: …but she laughed!

PRINCESS: (laughter)

NARRATOR: She laughed and laughed and laughed. And when the music finally came to an end…

…she threw herself into her father’s arms. The king beamed, and turned to Luciana with admiring eyes.

KING: You’ve done it! You’ve made my daughter laugh! Tell me, oh talented one, what reward do you wish to have? What is something your heart truly desires?

NARRATOR: Luciana blushed.

LUCIANA: Honestly, Your Majesty? The one thing my heart desires… is music! I long to make music my livelihood: earning my daily bread by playing and performing and sharing my music with the world!

KING: Is that so…?

NARRATOR: The king tapped a bejeweled finger to his chin.

KING: In that case… my daughter and I shall become your patrons!

LUCIANA: “Patrons,” Your Majesty?

KING: Yes! We shall provide the money you need to devote yourself to your music. We’ll make sure you’re able to practice and keep your violin in top shape. And naturally, we'll want you to perform all across the kingdom! To share this joy. What do you think?

NARRATOR: Luciana’s heart felt like one of her dancing animals: it was jumping and leaping and bouncing inside her chest. She gratefully accepted the king’s offer. And from that day forward, she played her violin for audiences far and wide.

But Luciana didn’t just provide them with music. She provided them with inspiration! Inspiration to dance, inspiration to dream, and inspiration to follow their hearts and maybe, just maybe, make music of their own.