One of the world’s most valuable and historically significant violins, dating back 300 years and once in the possession of legendary composer Niccolo Paganini, is set to be showcased at a leading classical music festival in the United Kingdom.
The violin, famously known as the Carrodus, is one of approximately 150 surviving violins made by the renowned luthier Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu. In June, a philanthropic organization acquired the instrument for a remarkable $20 million.
Crafted in 1743 in Cremona, Northern Italy, the Carrodus will be performed for the first time at the BBC Proms by acclaimed South Korean violinist Inmo Yang.
In addition to being played at the festival, the violin will be exhibited at London’s Royal Albert Hall on August 28.
Speaking to Agence France-Presse (AFP), Inmo Yang expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I can’t believe how lucky I am to have this instrument. This is easily one of the greatest instruments ever made.” This performance will also mark Yang’s debut at the BBC Proms.
Yang emphasized the responsibility he feels in caring for the historic violin, noting, “I feel a duty to take good care of the instrument and make a beautiful sound, so that people know that it’s worth playing these instruments rather than having them in a vault in a museum.”
The philanthropic group responsible for acquiring the violin, the Stretton Society, is a consortium of philanthropists, patrons, and sponsors dedicated to procuring rare and valuable instruments. Their mission involves lending these treasured instruments to world-class musicians.
According to Stephan Jansen, co-founder of the Stretton Society, Guarneri stands alongside Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari as one of history’s most important violin makers.
“While Stradivari’s instruments were created for the Church and nobility, Guarneri crafted violins for musicians,” Jansen explained. “His violins are celebrated for their deep, sonorous tones.”
Jansen praised Yang as “one of the finest musicians of his generation,” adding, “When he came to my house and I showed him the violin, it was clear from the very first second that this was a perfect match. Ultimately, it’s about chemistry.”
During the Proms, Yang will perform Pablo de Sarasate’s “Carmen Fantasy,” a challenging and virtuosic violin piece.
Yang described how the violin’s wide tonal palette enhances the music’s character, noting it adds “the strong, at times flirty character of the Carmen persona.” He also highlighted the instrument’s “unpredictable” sound, which imparts a lively, capricious quality to the performance.
Reflecting on Paganini’s historic connection to the violin, Yang remarked, “Thinking that Paganini used this instrument feels spiritual. I believe audiences also want to experience Paganini’s music played on his own violin.”
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
