Crafting a Symphony in Wood

"Anton Sie's triumph over poverty and hardship to emerge as a first-class violinmaker is sympathetically told in this latest literary offering by Elizabeth Ostring. Music lovers of every hue will treasure this enthralling story of an extraordinary life, while violinists may rejoice that the art of creating great violins did not vanish with the passing of the Italian masters. A truly inspirational tale." 

--Bernard White, FTCL, Assistant Professor, Sahmyook University, Seoul, Korea



"Elizabeth is a gifted writer who captures the rich mixture of Chinese history, culture, and the science and art of handcrafting violins in the biography of Anton Sie. It is a lively and impressive research account of a beloved and well-respected violin teacher and craftsman."

--James Wu PhD, MPH, MSPH, Chief Executive Officer, San Yu Health Education/Management Center, Taiwan Adventist College



"A fascinating read that skillfully and sensitively highlights what results when passion, talent, and hard work are blended with respect and a spirit of generosity, across several cultures in an Asian setting. Inspiring, informative, and highly recommended to anyone interested in the human spirit, music, and science."

--Carolyn Catton, Medical Practitioner