This Week’s Gear Review

This simple shoulder rest falls somewhere between the sponge-and-rubber-band outfit of your childhood and today’s ergonomically designed rests. The PSR (Perfect Shoulder Rest) is designed for musicians of all sizes looking for a rest that doesn’t lift the instrument too high into the neck. The foam is dense enough to hold its shape, with enough give for comfort. The curved side is shaped to fit the shoulder—the thicker side goes in front over the collarbone for a secure, but not restrictive fit. A layer of denser foam laminated to the flat side keeps the instrument from shifting. The PSR is held in place by a clear synthetic latex band (non-drying, non-cracking) looped through the tailgut and around a corner of the lower bout—you’ll probably remember how from your sponge-and-rubber-band days.

PRS Plus fits 1/2- to full-size violins, while PRS Petit Plus is designed for 1/8- to 1/4-size instruments. $7.45. stringsmusicandmore.com

Cellist Lawrence Granger Dead at 57

Lawrence Granger, a cellist with the San Francisco Symphony since 1979, has died after a battle with cancer. Granger had also performed with the Oakland Symphony, San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, and as a guest member of several community orchestras over the course of his career. He also was a committed chamber player. He studied with cellists Bonnie Hampton and Michael Grebanier at California State University–Hayward and earned his music degree in 1975. In addition studied aeronautics. SFS music director Michael Tilson Thomas says that Granger’s background as a pilot helped the technical aspects of his playing. “He was actively interested in the future of music,” Tilson Thomas says, “and played a real role in encouraging young artists, young composers, and new independent performing groups to find their way.”

Going to Bat for the Violin

Glenn Donnellan, a violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra, needed an instrument to play for a children’s concert in Arkansas and decided to make one himself. Using a baseball bat and a stagehand’s drill, he created an electric violin. “I thought it would be cool to say to the kids, ‘Hey, you can make your own,’” Donnellan told the Washington Post. Hoping to play the bat-violin at a Washington Nationals game, Donnellan posted a video to YouTube of himself playing the national anthem. The video now has close to 50,000 views. Watch it here.

Musical Marathon and a Half

Musicians, staff members, and one life trustee from the Boston Symphony Orchestra struck out June 29 on a 150-mile relay from Symphony Hall in Boston to the main gate of Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts, to mark the opening of the 2009 season. The last of the 26 runners made it just in time to rehearse for the BSO’s opening night all-Tchaikovsky program. bso.org.