Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) directed the New York Philharmonic from 1958-1969. He led more concerts with the orchestra than any previous conductor. It is reputed that when asked what is the hardest instrument to play, he answered: “Second fiddle. I can always get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm . . . now that’s the problem. And yet if no on plays second, we have no harmony.”
Second fiddle, the idiom, which refers to someone in a supportive rather than a primary role, originated in the music world. The term spread throughout the orchestra to include the second horn and the second flute; and even outside to the business world where subordinate is the synonym for second fiddle.
Skilled Players Take Turns
It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit. - Harry Truman.
“Second violinists are first-class musicians,” read the Los Angeles Times headline on May 17, 2009. In the article, Glenn Dicterow, current concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic stated, “Our string sections have rotation, so all second violinists actually end up playing in the firsts at some point during every season.” Dan Nobuhiko Smiley also affirmed, "Playing second fiddle may connote being second best, but the preparation for playing first or second violin is exactly the same.”
The supporter is as significant as the leader will ever be. It is important that the person in the lead position lead with humility and consideration; and it is also important that the second fiddle serves with the same enthusiasm as he or she did in the lead role. If someone finds this concept impractical, here’s the reason. “It is only those whom the love of Christ constrains to live not unto themselves, who are capable of thoroughly acting in the spirit of this precept” (Commentary: http://msdora.hubpages.com/hub/To-Play-or-Not-To-Play-Second-Fiddle).
My thoughts: Most, if not all, relationships are like being in an orchestra. To create something beautiful, there must be harmony. This philosophy applies whether at work, home, play, study, church. Perhaps it may not always be easy to lead, but in most cases there is the authority that comes with the position of leader that enables one to pull through. More importantly, it is even more difficult to play and enjoy playing the role of second fiddle in any relationship.
Most of us are in second fiddle roles - the subordinate at work, the assistant in one society or the other, the support spouse in a relationship. If we are in this position, let us play our roles with enthusiasm. After all at the end of the day, what good is any relationship without harmony? Or what successful relationship is there in which the second fiddle is not played faithfully? It does not come naturally, but with practice, practice and more practice.
A disciple in scripture who played the role of second fiddle faithfully is St Barnabas. Let us ask his intercession to carry out this role in a manner that pleases God. His feast day is 11 June.
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