Monthly archive
11 headlines
Source-linked reporting
training.unh.edu
Olivia Olbrych reports on the University of New Hampshire Violin Craftsmanship Institute, an enduring luthier workshop founded by Karl Roy in 1974. The program runs June 18 through July 20 and attracts novices and professionals worldwide, with instructors including Lynn Armour Hannings and new teachers Marilyn Wallin and Jay VandeKopple.
theviolinchannel.com
The Violin Channel reports a stolen 2003 modern Chris Johnson violin from London, stolen on December 18, 2017. The instrument is described as pale yellow with a large centre chinrest, labelled Chris Johnson, Loughborough maker, and inscribed with the maker's name at the neck base; it was in a black canvas case with two bows. A reward of £200 is offered for information leading to its recovery, and contact details for London police are provided.
dolcevitaonline.it
The article discusses a Macdonald Stradivari viola sold at auction in London for 45 million dollars. It notes that Antonio Stradivari, who crafted the instrument in 1719, is one of the most renowned luthiers and that the viola is one of ten remaining from that era.
bbc.co.uk
Fiona West, a musician with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, was reunited with her stolen viola after it was recovered in Glasgow. The instrument had been stolen from the RSNO Centre on 30 December, with a colleague's violin also recovered; a £2,000 reward was offered. West, who is nearly 70, has had the viola since 1970 and described feeling relieved and happy to have it back.
claudiorampini.com
The article reports the death of violist Luigi Alberto Bianchi at age 72 in Rome. It notes his authority on Paganini, his roles as principal viola of the RAI Orchestra, member of the Rome Quartet, and long-time viola teacher at the Milan Conservatory, along with career highlights and instruments involved.
secretflying.com
The article reports a 300-year-old viola da gamba worth $200,000 destroyed aboard an Alitalia flight. The owner, Ms Myrna Herzog, claimed she attempted to purchase a seat for the instrument but was told it would go in the hold. Alitalia issued a statement offering guidance on accommodating oversized items and noted no such seat purchase was made by the passenger.
digitalmusicnews.com
The article reports that a rare 17th-century viola de gamba owned by Myrna Herzog, who commissioned two instruments from the early 1660s, was crushed by Alitalia after the airline refused to let it in the cabin and instead checked it. Herzog had purchased an extra seat for the instrument and arrived early, but the instrument was damaged and later released only after signing a waiver.
symphonyparnassus.org
Starla Breshears, cello, and Valery Breshears, violin, are highlighted as sisters who will perform Haydn and Mozart concertos with Symphony Parnassus on January 28. The article notes their competition-winning status with Symphony Parnassus / San Francisco Conservatory of Music and provides details on their studies and performances, as well as mention of their older brother Dustin Jr., the Little Stars Trio.
unomaha.edu
The University of Nebraska Omaha announces that the New Alaska Trio, consisting of Kathleen Butler Hopkins on violin, Patrick Hopkins on cello, and James Johnson on piano, will perform on UNO’s campus on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, and again on Sunday, March 20 at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Council Bluffs. The UNO debut program includes Bach, Cassadó, and Beethoven; admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and free for UNO students, faculty, and staff with a MavCard.
designboom.com
The article discusses Sean Riley, a violinist, and mechanical engineering senior Daniel Goodwin who, with Milton, designed and 3D printed a six-string violin after seeing an electric six-string concept. It mentions UT news and The Foundry, a makerspace in the Fine Arts Library, where the collaboration occurred.
earlymusicamerica.org
An article about Catacoustic Consort in Cincinnati acquiring a new theorbo made by Klaus Jacobsen of London. The piece covers the handoff in Europe, the transport journey to Cincinnati, and notes the ensemble’s existing instruments including harpsichord, rental viols, lirone, pardessus, viola da gamba and a baroque harp.