How One Violin Sparked a Story, and a Brand
A story seed, a summer fire, and what I'm building next
Dear Friends,
Some stories begin with research. Others arrive unexpectedly.
Last year, I found myself sitting in the Raiffeisensaal in Klosterneuburg, a small concert hall tucked behind Rathausplatz. No chandeliers, but a quiet elegance—wood floors, clean lines, and the poised stillness of a modern space with a regal air.
And then the violin began.
The piece was a Czardas. First soft, then quick, then soaring.
Suddenly, the world inside me changed tempo too. A girl appeared, a cat, a covenant, a violin that wasn’t just an instrument, but a voice.
That night, a story found me.
It would become The Czardas Cats & The Magical Violin.
📚 EDUCATING THROUGH CULTURE
This week on Understanding Vienna, we’re exploring the roots of that story:
The history of Czardas as a Hungarian folk form with two tempos: lassú (slow) and friss (fast)
How that musical structure mirrors story arcs and emotional change
The Vienna Philharmonic's quiet role in preserving cultural traditions through regional concerts
Klosterneuburg’s long musical history, from Babenberg chants to monastic concerts
These traditions live in our present. And when stories grow from them, they carry more than just plot. They carry presence.
The full blog post will be live on the new Understanding Vienna site this August. Stay tuned, and be among the first to explore it when we open the doors.
🎼 ENTERTAINING THROUGH STORY
That concert didn’t just inspire a book. It changed my brand.
This week, I’m sharing how that moment shaped The Czardas Cats & The Magical Violin—and how it helped redefine the vision behind Understanding Vienna.
These reflections are part of the upcoming launch of two new blog spaces:
YRB Blog: Stories Begin in the Body: What a Violin Taught Me About Writing (coming in August)
UV Blog: How Stories Start in Place (coming in August)
Until then, you can get a first look here:
Medium: What a Violin Solo Taught Me About Pivoting My Business
LinkedIn: From Inspiration to Redirection
🎧 Want to hear the music that sparked it all?
Listen to the playlist here: Echoes of Liszt
Free Download: Story Seeds: A Listener’s Guide to Czardas & Liszt
Learn the history
See how music became a story
Preview The Czardas Cats
✨ INSPIRING A CULTURAL SHIFT
This summer, Understanding Vienna is growing into more than a blog.
It’s becoming a home for:
Multicultural storytelling
Language-rich resources for teachers and families
Creative guides for readers of all ages
We're weaving history, music, identity, and memory into books, guides, and behind-the-scenes reflections, all rooted in Vienna's past, but alive in its present.
If you’re an educator, a parent, or simply someone who loves stories that start in unlikely places, I’d love to hear from you.
And if you have questions or requests for what you’d like to see next, reply to this email. I read every one.
🌟 SEASONAL NOTE: FIRELIGHT ON THE HORIZON
Vienna is preparing for Sonnwendfeier, the summer solstice fire.
Soon, hills in the Wachau and gardens in Hietzing will flicker with flame. Neighbours will gather under elder trees and share wine and old songs. The city will glow with celebration.
These are the living rituals that fuel my work. And this week, I invite you to notice what fuels yours.
Where might your next story begin?
With warm greetings from Vienna,
Yolanda