Natalie Cumming's violin helped her family survive starvation, persecution, and torture. It accompanied them in their year long trek across Russia as they sought refuge from the Bolsheviks. Her grandfather would play in payment for food and shelter. The violin then followed Natalie's young Aunt Rosa to Germany, where it would help her survive the Nazi concentration camps and allow her to tell her story of what happened there.

Even though its history is marked by many horrors, the violin has now been given a new life, giving a voice to bright young musicians inspired by its story.

Natalie has written a book about her family and the violin called: The Fiddle.

A warning that there are shocking and distressing descriptions in this programme.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Presenter: Jo Fidgen

Producer: Gaia Caramazza and Andrea Kennedy

(Photo: Natalie Cumming with her family's violin. Credit: Barnet Council)