Tognetti takes posession of Australia's most valuable violin
Gramophone - February 5 2007
A violin made nearly half a century before European settlement of the Antipodes makes its Australian debut this Thursday when the artistic director of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Richard Tognetti, plays Beethoven's Violin Concerto on a 1743 Guarneri del Gesu. The Carrodus, named after English violin virtuosi, John Carrodus, is one of only 100 Guarneri de Gesu violins known in the world today. It was bought through London dealer Beares from the collection of American software millionaire and violinist David Fulton. The price tag was Aus$10m.
It was in November 2006 that Tognetti received an email from a prominent Sydney businessman who was interested in purchasing an instrument for him. Tognetti already knew the one. He had seen the Carrodus, which is a twin to the Cannon, Paganini's violin, while on tour in London so later that month a representative from Beares brought the Guarneri to Sydney with a Stradivarius for comparison. After playing the instrument to fellow musicians and the prospective purchaser the sale went ahead and last week Tognetti officially took possession of the instrument, which is believed to be the most valuable violin in Australia.
According to Katherine Kemp, artistic administrator of the ACO, the announcement has sparked a renewed interest in classical instruments. The orchestra has been flooded with calls from people asking about old violins found in their attic or under their bed, and tickets for the 11-concert tour have sold out.
It is not the first time Tognetti has enjoyed such benevolence. The 42-year-old violinist has played a 1759 Guadagnini violin since 1996. The Guadagnini was purchased for Tognetti's use by the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a long-term sponsor of the orchestra. The Commonwealth Bank has agreed to let it remain with the ACO, where it will be played by principal 2nd Violin Helena Rathbone.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity and the vision of the owners of this extraordinary instrument," says Tognetti, who is one of the best-known classical musicians in Australia. "A violin is to a violinist as a voice box is to a singer. This is the ultimate voice box.”
When Tognetti leads the Australian Chamber Orchestra's North America tour this April the Carrodus will, no doubt, be travelling in hand luggage.
Harriet Cunningham, online Australia correspondent
