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First Violin
The year is 1938 and Austria has been annexed by Nazi Germany.
Klaus Lehner plays first violin for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and when the concertmaster is amongst other Jews expelled from Philharmonic, he sees the opportunity for a position he covets He is bitterly disappointed when he is passed over.
In the wake of his disappointment, Klaus’s lover Eva, a virtuoso cellist, urges him to become a soloist. To determine whether he is merely brilliant or can truly move an audience she tasks him with mastering difficult pieces by Bach and Paganini, and with fathering her baby – both of which he does.
Meanwhile, at home, Klaus’s wife Helga gives birth to their firstborn.
When Eva’s Nazi husband finds out about the love affair, he has Klaus arrested and sent to a Mauthausen subcamp to supervise Ukrainian laborers. Amidst the suffering, Klaus composes a tone poem, Silence Interrupted, translating his nightmares into sound.
After the camp is liberated, Klaus returns to a war-torn Vienna devastated by American bombers and occupied by the Soviet army. He makes a living busking in front of the Soviet Vienna City Kommandatura. Klaus faces a choice between the two women he left behind.
Klaus Lehner plays first violin for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and when the concertmaster is amongst other Jews expelled from Philharmonic, he sees the opportunity for a position he covets He is bitterly disappointed when he is passed over.
In the wake of his disappointment, Klaus’s lover Eva, a virtuoso cellist, urges him to become a soloist. To determine whether he is merely brilliant or can truly move an audience she tasks him with mastering difficult pieces by Bach and Paganini, and with fathering her baby – both of which he does.
Meanwhile, at home, Klaus’s wife Helga gives birth to their firstborn.
When Eva’s Nazi husband finds out about the love affair, he has Klaus arrested and sent to a Mauthausen subcamp to supervise Ukrainian laborers. Amidst the suffering, Klaus composes a tone poem, Silence Interrupted, translating his nightmares into sound.
After the camp is liberated, Klaus returns to a war-torn Vienna devastated by American bombers and occupied by the Soviet army. He makes a living busking in front of the Soviet Vienna City Kommandatura. Klaus faces a choice between the two women he left behind.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2024
84 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Richard Tomlinson
2 booksPrior to writing novels, my life was divided between being an academic (Australia, USA and South Africa) and an urban policy consultant (Southern Africa).
Throughout my life I have dreamed plays, movies and books whose origins lay in something I saw, read or did. Aside from a play many decades ago, it was heading into retirement that I wondered about actually writing the books or plays.
THE BOLOGNA MIRACLES 1498 tells of De Biaggi, a brilliant physicist whose breakthrough regarding time travel is mocked by academic colleagues and, due to his religious zeal, laugh that he seeks to visit Jesus. He is advised to ensure that his vaccinations are up to date lest he need a miracle. De Biaggi decides to return to Bologna at the time of his grandmother, 1937, and to make profound breakthroughs that he can attribute to divine inspiration. He arrives in 1498. His breakthroughs require, at the very least, an understanding of Einstein. His scheme fails. Christ and physics remain disunited. Unforeseen, the tech he has brought with him enables him to perform seeming miracles. Bishop Richter, Copernicus, Da Vinci and Michelangelo certify that miracles are occurring. Cardinal della Rovere, the next Pope, and Copernicus secure DeBiaggi a position at the University of Bologna. All is not lost.
Novels that blend Renaissance or early-modern Italy, and/or irreverent time travel and alternative history that echo the novel’s mix of miracles, physics, and sly humor are The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore, Baudolino by Umberto Eco, Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman, and City of Silk by Glennis Virgo.
The FIRST VIOLIN is set in Vienna and a Mauthausen subcamp for the period before Germany’s annexation of Austria (1938) to when Vienna is occupied by the Soviet army. The events and experiences of the period are seen through the eyes of Klaus Lehner (violinist and categorized by the Nazis as a Mischling of the second degree – quarter Jew) and of those close to him.
The story is about people getting by in very specific and trying circumstances. For example, Klaus’s friend who fought for the Social Democrats in the 1934 uprising has a music publishing business most of whose clients are linked to government, and he finds that he has to become a National Socialist in order retain his business. Another example is Klaus, who speaks Russian, being ‘adopted’ by the Soviets, performs at receptions and works with them to arrange a propaganda concert by the Vienna Philharmonic.
The book pays close attention to the history of the period. It is situated within, for example, the independence plebiscite of Chancellor Schussing, the pogrom that followed the Anschluss, Hitler’s speech at the Heldenplatz, Americans bombing the Vienna State Opera, and so on.
Central to the story is the role of music. At the outset Klaus plays first violin in the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. At the Mauthausen subcamp he retains his sanity through translating his nightmares into music, into a tone poem. On returning to Vienna he first makes a living busking on the street outside the Soviet Vienna City Kommandatura, and then is offered a job playing first violin with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
Unforeseen at the outset of writing this novel, Jewish individuals and a Jewish identity also became central to the story.
Novels where music (often the violin), Jewish identity, and the moral ambiguities of wartime Vienna/Austria or wider-European WWII survival play a central role include The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood, Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Throughout my life I have dreamed plays, movies and books whose origins lay in something I saw, read or did. Aside from a play many decades ago, it was heading into retirement that I wondered about actually writing the books or plays.
THE BOLOGNA MIRACLES 1498 tells of De Biaggi, a brilliant physicist whose breakthrough regarding time travel is mocked by academic colleagues and, due to his religious zeal, laugh that he seeks to visit Jesus. He is advised to ensure that his vaccinations are up to date lest he need a miracle. De Biaggi decides to return to Bologna at the time of his grandmother, 1937, and to make profound breakthroughs that he can attribute to divine inspiration. He arrives in 1498. His breakthroughs require, at the very least, an understanding of Einstein. His scheme fails. Christ and physics remain disunited. Unforeseen, the tech he has brought with him enables him to perform seeming miracles. Bishop Richter, Copernicus, Da Vinci and Michelangelo certify that miracles are occurring. Cardinal della Rovere, the next Pope, and Copernicus secure DeBiaggi a position at the University of Bologna. All is not lost.
Novels that blend Renaissance or early-modern Italy, and/or irreverent time travel and alternative history that echo the novel’s mix of miracles, physics, and sly humor are The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore, Baudolino by Umberto Eco, Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman, and City of Silk by Glennis Virgo.
The FIRST VIOLIN is set in Vienna and a Mauthausen subcamp for the period before Germany’s annexation of Austria (1938) to when Vienna is occupied by the Soviet army. The events and experiences of the period are seen through the eyes of Klaus Lehner (violinist and categorized by the Nazis as a Mischling of the second degree – quarter Jew) and of those close to him.
The story is about people getting by in very specific and trying circumstances. For example, Klaus’s friend who fought for the Social Democrats in the 1934 uprising has a music publishing business most of whose clients are linked to government, and he finds that he has to become a National Socialist in order retain his business. Another example is Klaus, who speaks Russian, being ‘adopted’ by the Soviets, performs at receptions and works with them to arrange a propaganda concert by the Vienna Philharmonic.
The book pays close attention to the history of the period. It is situated within, for example, the independence plebiscite of Chancellor Schussing, the pogrom that followed the Anschluss, Hitler’s speech at the Heldenplatz, Americans bombing the Vienna State Opera, and so on.
Central to the story is the role of music. At the outset Klaus plays first violin in the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. At the Mauthausen subcamp he retains his sanity through translating his nightmares into music, into a tone poem. On returning to Vienna he first makes a living busking on the street outside the Soviet Vienna City Kommandatura, and then is offered a job playing first violin with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.
Unforeseen at the outset of writing this novel, Jewish individuals and a Jewish identity also became central to the story.
Novels where music (often the violin), Jewish identity, and the moral ambiguities of wartime Vienna/Austria or wider-European WWII survival play a central role include The Violinist of Auschwitz by Ellie Midwood, Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 3, 2024
A thought provoking read. A story about a love affair between Klaus, a violinist, and two women, in the depths of a war.
This book is about war, love affairs and violin concerts.
A well written, interesting plot that keeps you wanting more.
This book is about war, love affairs and violin concerts.
A well written, interesting plot that keeps you wanting more.
September 22, 2024
First Violin is author Richard Tomlinson's debut historical novel set in 1938 Vienna, Austria, that follows Klaus Lehner, a talented violinist whose ambitions are thwarted by the rising tide of Nazi Germany. The story intricately weaves personal and historical turmoil as Klaus grapples with his career, love, and the harsh realities of war.
Klaus's journey is both heartbreaking and compelling. His affair with Eva, a gifted cellist, brings passion and conflict, while his wife Helga’s struggles highlight the complexity of his choices. Eva's Nazi husband finds out about their affair, leading Klaus to Mauthausen subcamp.
The author skillfully balances the personal with the political, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and historical context. As Klaus faces the aftermath of war and the ghosts of his past, readers are left to ponder the cost of ambition and the nature of true love. The book powerfully depicts life in a concentration camp, where Klaus transforms his suffering into a moving composition.
"First Violin" is a haunting exploration of creativity, survival, and the choices that define us. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. The book is very interesting to read. It's eventful and engaging, with a story that's thought-provoking too.
Klaus's journey is both heartbreaking and compelling. His affair with Eva, a gifted cellist, brings passion and conflict, while his wife Helga’s struggles highlight the complexity of his choices. Eva's Nazi husband finds out about their affair, leading Klaus to Mauthausen subcamp.
The author skillfully balances the personal with the political, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and historical context. As Klaus faces the aftermath of war and the ghosts of his past, readers are left to ponder the cost of ambition and the nature of true love. The book powerfully depicts life in a concentration camp, where Klaus transforms his suffering into a moving composition.
"First Violin" is a haunting exploration of creativity, survival, and the choices that define us. It’s a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. The book is very interesting to read. It's eventful and engaging, with a story that's thought-provoking too.
September 9, 2024
First Violin is a haunting tale set against the backdrop of 1938 Austria, newly annexed by Nazi Germany. Klaus Lehner, a talented violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic, is consumed by ambition and love, which leads him down a treacherous path. When the concertmaster is expelled due to his Jewish heritage, Klaus hopes to seize the opportunity but is left disillusioned when he’s passed over. His lover, Eva, a brilliant cellist, pushes him to become a soloist, and amidst personal and professional turmoil, Klaus faces the challenges of both fathering her child and perfecting his art.
As war ravages Europe, Klaus’s affair is discovered by Eva’s Nazi husband, resulting in his deportation to a Mauthausen subcamp. There, amidst unspeakable suffering, he transforms his nightmares into a poignant tone poem, Silence Interrupted. Upon returning to a shattered Vienna, Klaus is left busking for survival, torn between two women—his wife Helga, and Eva, the lover who shaped his artistic journey.
This novel explores the intersections of love, ambition, and artistic expression amid the horrors of war. Rich in historical detail, First Violin is a thought-provoking and emotionally intense read, blending music, betrayal, and survival in the face of unimaginable adversity.
As war ravages Europe, Klaus’s affair is discovered by Eva’s Nazi husband, resulting in his deportation to a Mauthausen subcamp. There, amidst unspeakable suffering, he transforms his nightmares into a poignant tone poem, Silence Interrupted. Upon returning to a shattered Vienna, Klaus is left busking for survival, torn between two women—his wife Helga, and Eva, the lover who shaped his artistic journey.
This novel explores the intersections of love, ambition, and artistic expression amid the horrors of war. Rich in historical detail, First Violin is a thought-provoking and emotionally intense read, blending music, betrayal, and survival in the face of unimaginable adversity.
September 15, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you BookInfluencers for the provided copy. First Violin follows Klaus, a musician, as he is wrongly accused of crimes and taken to a concentration camp. After he returns home, he has to rebuild relationships with his wife and child, and they have to navigate the obstacles of war-torn Austria.
This book was good. The setting was well done, and I believe the translations and history were accurate! I liked the characters, especially Ilse and Klaus. Klaus was able to persevere with his music although being in a tough position.
I do wish there was more detail to the story. Majority of the plot was just written, rather than shown, and it hindered my experience and enjoyment of the writing.
However, I did love the unique story being told—a violinist wanting to be concertmaster during the height of World War 2. Nothing in the story was sugarcoated, and I relaly appreciated that. This was a lovely story, and I would recommend it!
Thank you BookInfluencers for the provided copy. First Violin follows Klaus, a musician, as he is wrongly accused of crimes and taken to a concentration camp. After he returns home, he has to rebuild relationships with his wife and child, and they have to navigate the obstacles of war-torn Austria.
This book was good. The setting was well done, and I believe the translations and history were accurate! I liked the characters, especially Ilse and Klaus. Klaus was able to persevere with his music although being in a tough position.
I do wish there was more detail to the story. Majority of the plot was just written, rather than shown, and it hindered my experience and enjoyment of the writing.
However, I did love the unique story being told—a violinist wanting to be concertmaster during the height of World War 2. Nothing in the story was sugarcoated, and I relaly appreciated that. This was a lovely story, and I would recommend it!
September 26, 2024
This book was equally heartbreaking and inspiring. It was also vivid and well-written. I really felt for Klaus (even though he was in the midst of an affair - but it's a pivotal plot point, so it makes sense) and can’t stop thinking about the struggles he faced in a concentration camp. That said, given the time, I found it interesting that he made his way out and was able to persevere with his music. Such a nice twist from so many other works of historical fiction set in that time.
It's clear that the author did a LOT of research when telling this story. As I was reading, I felt transported back and (even though it was a terrible time/place) I didn't want the book to end. I think it's hard to capture the past in this way, so it was a great achievement made by the author.
If you love books set in WWII or books about the power of music, you will love this one!
It's clear that the author did a LOT of research when telling this story. As I was reading, I felt transported back and (even though it was a terrible time/place) I didn't want the book to end. I think it's hard to capture the past in this way, so it was a great achievement made by the author.
If you love books set in WWII or books about the power of music, you will love this one!
September 4, 2024
From the overview we get it, there's a lot of things happening in the book and it's not all sunshine and daisies. The period of this novel is nothing less than bone-chilling and I don't usually go for these. But the title intrigued me.
There is this struggle for artistic expression which I'm so desperate for in books and real life and this one delivered. It's not a genre I've read extensively so I wouldn't be able to tell if this is better than the other books of the same genre but I've read it. And I liked it. And with anti-Semitism on the rise, this wasn't far of-topic for the current world. The atrocities against the Jews is well, bone-chilling.
I need more of this book! Or more.
There is this struggle for artistic expression which I'm so desperate for in books and real life and this one delivered. It's not a genre I've read extensively so I wouldn't be able to tell if this is better than the other books of the same genre but I've read it. And I liked it. And with anti-Semitism on the rise, this wasn't far of-topic for the current world. The atrocities against the Jews is well, bone-chilling.
I need more of this book! Or more.
August 30, 2024
First Violin is both liberating and history making. Klaus is torn between his lover Eva and his wife Helga. When Eva's husband finds out about the affair he sends Klaus away to a Mauthausen subcamp. Klaus is a talented violinist and when he returns he busks on the street and is once again torn between the two women. The story has a lot of depth and details. The war raging, the concerts and the affairs are just a part of the intricate plot. I didn't particularly care for any of the characters, how well written and informative the story is told is what I really like and enjoyed.
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September 30, 2024I got the chance to read the ebook for First Violin 📖
A very different read than my usual. This would be a great recommendation for the fans of historical fiction. I think you have to be a fan of history to properly enjoy this book. Characters were likable but I was more invested in the details of the past presented by the author I mean it's a talent to bring out those emotions and not make it feel like a history class. (not trying to be a critique cause im not one) Definately thought provoking and heartbreaking. Inspired me to read more of this genre.
A very different read than my usual. This would be a great recommendation for the fans of historical fiction. I think you have to be a fan of history to properly enjoy this book. Characters were likable but I was more invested in the details of the past presented by the author I mean it's a talent to bring out those emotions and not make it feel like a history class. (not trying to be a critique cause im not one) Definately thought provoking and heartbreaking. Inspired me to read more of this genre.
September 3, 2024
This was not an easy read. But most good books that go really deep aren’t easy reads.
There really is no easy way to describe it without making it look something that it isn’t. A complex love story (there is a wife, and there is a mistress) at the backdrop of the war and all the horrors the war brings with it, and then there is also music, lots of music, lots of violin. But none of that really conveys the depths this book goes to.
There really is no easy way to describe it without making it look something that it isn’t. A complex love story (there is a wife, and there is a mistress) at the backdrop of the war and all the horrors the war brings with it, and then there is also music, lots of music, lots of violin. But none of that really conveys the depths this book goes to.
September 5, 2024
I enjoyed reading this debut novel set in Austria during WWll. I had a little trouble really liking many of the characters because they seemed a bit selfish. I felt that Klaus seems to be a bit snobbish even when he ends up a prisoner in a labor camp. I liked how music is worked in to the story. I felt sad throughout most of this story even at the ending. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
September 28, 2024
This is also the first time I have ever read a book written in this time period / with so much historical points to the past, simply cause I never thought I’d enjoy them and I’m a sucker for for romance books. I really enjoyed reading this book and found myself not being able to put it down. It’s set in 1938 and takes place in the Second World War, I don’t want to spoil too much but it’s a really good book and I recommend it to everyone!
September 18, 2024
First Violin by Richard Tomlinson is a gripping historical fiction novel set in 1930s Austria, just after its annexation by Nazi Germany. As someone who closely studies in International Relations and social sciences, I found this book to be a meticulously detailed and engaging exploration of the era. It vividly depicts the historical context, enhancing the themes and plot of the story.
The novel powerfully illustrates the consequences of one's actions, as the protagonist's life is dramatically altered by his choices. His decisions ripple outward, affecting the lives of those around him. While the story is undoubtedly tragic, it is also unexpectedly intriguing, making it a compelling read for a debut novel. Nevertheless, I felt sad for every character. Overall, this book was unexpectedly intriguing for a debut novel.
The novel powerfully illustrates the consequences of one's actions, as the protagonist's life is dramatically altered by his choices. His decisions ripple outward, affecting the lives of those around him. While the story is undoubtedly tragic, it is also unexpectedly intriguing, making it a compelling read for a debut novel. Nevertheless, I felt sad for every character. Overall, this book was unexpectedly intriguing for a debut novel.
September 1, 2024
Catching interest slowly
I kept reading in hopes of learning more about the atrocities suffered by Jewish people. There could've been more descriptions.
I kept reading in hopes of learning more about the atrocities suffered by Jewish people. There could've been more descriptions.
September 24, 2024
I am a huge fan of historical fiction and have been on a kick of reading those during World War II. I was instantly intrigued with the book description of First Violin by Richard Tomlinson and was excited to have the opportunity to read it. I was far from being disappointed. I enjoyed back in time to 1938 Austria and meeting violinist, Klaus Lehner. I admired his determination to continue to survive the camp he was sent to and how he was able to cope. The author's use of historical details were so vivid that made me feel as thought I was right there living with Klaus. I could almost feel is fears and anguish all throughout. It was not hard to keep reading his story and seeing how it would all end for him , as well as, the choices he would make for his future. A fabulous and thought provoking to read.
First Violin will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who to read historical fiction, particularly those set during the second World War. I would be interested in reading more books like this one from the talented Richard Tomlinson in the near future. I would love to see where else he would take his characters and fans.
I received a Richard Tomlinson's First Violin from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
First Violin will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who to read historical fiction, particularly those set during the second World War. I would be interested in reading more books like this one from the talented Richard Tomlinson in the near future. I would love to see where else he would take his characters and fans.
I received a Richard Tomlinson's First Violin from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
September 5, 2024
This was an interesting read. I liked the plot, and I thought the story of Klaus was told well. The movement through time felt jarring for me. I thought each portion of time could've used more detail, but I recognize that it involves a lot more work, time, and input from the author. The editing could have also been improved, especially in terms of commas. Overall, this is a good read and reflects on the time period it is set in. As a symphony manager, it was touching.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews