On May 10, 2023, during a performance with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, violinist Stefan Jackiw experienced an unexpected mishap when his bow broke while playing the UK premiere of Reinhold Gliere’s Violin Concerto. Despite the sudden incident, Jackiw remained notably calm throughout the disruption.
The bow in question was a rare and valuable Francois Nicolas Voirin model from the mid-19th century, valued at approximately $30,000 and kept by Jackiw for the past two decades. The break occurred during a passage involving a series of broken octaves, as captured in a video where the damage becomes apparent around 17 seconds into the clip.
In an interview with The Times, Jackiw explained, “I’ve had a string break but never had a bow break. Most violinists never experience a bow snapping in their entire careers. What was surprising is that the passage was not played aggressively or percussively; it was just a freak accident.”
The video shows Jackiw inspecting the damaged bow with a look of bemusement before swiftly borrowing a replacement from the concertmaster, believed to be Amyn Merchant, allowing the performance to continue uninterrupted.
Jackiw has expressed his intention to have the precious bow professionally repaired. The mid-19th-century French bow holds sentimental and artistic value, and its repair is anticipated with hope.
This incident underscores the unpredictable challenges musicians may face during live performances, yet also highlights the remarkable professionalism and quick thinking exhibited by Jackiw and the orchestra members.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
