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Violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1709, 'Viotti ex-Bruce'
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| Object Type |
instrument |
| Acknowledgement |
National Heritage Memorial Fund, National Art-Collections Fund, The Belmont Trust, Nigel Brown, Mrs Elizabeth Insall, Mr Albert Frost CBE, Mr Ian Stoutzker CBE, Old Possum's Practical Trust, BBC2 The Culture Show, Many anonymous donors, July 2005. |
| Description |
Stringed instrument: Violin by Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1709, 'Viotti ex-Bruce' This instrument has a fine one-piece back in 'tiger stripe' maple and preserves the original finish of the varnish in places.
Viotti was the first significant virtuoso to popularise the modified Stradivarius violin and the Tourte model bow. His own playing instrument was a Stradivari of 1704, possibly presented to him by Catherine the Great of Russia in 1781. He may also have endorsed and sold instruments to admirers.
Earlier players favoured Stainer-model instruments, noted for their mellow tone and good blending qualities. By the late 1780s, JJ Merlin was improving old violins to bring them up to Cremonese standards. |
| Creator/Artist/Maker |
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| Date made |
1709 |
| Notes |
This violin is one of the best-preserved examples of Stradivari's workmanship to have survived. It was made during what is known as Stradivari's "golden period", when he is felt to have been at the height of his powers. The instrument has not been played extensively over the last two centuries and much of the original surface of the varnish has been preserved. The one-piece back, made from "tiger-stripe" maple, is particularly striking. The quality of the workmanship and the state of preservation were the key factors in the NA-CF's decision to award a grant towards the acquisition.
Giovanni Battista Viotti (1755 - 1824) can be regarded as the father of modern violin-playing. and as the populariser of Stradivari's violins. As Marie Antoinette's personal violinist, he fled the Terror in Paris and arrived in London in 1792 with a reputation as the greatest performer in Europe. He astonished listeners with a tone and expressiveness completely new at the time. The Morning Chronicle from February 1793 says: 'it is impossible to speak of [Viotti's] performance in common terms. He not only strikes the senses with wonder, but touches the heart with emotion'.
The importance of the "Viotti ex-Bruce" violin, quite apart from its remarkable condition and outstanding quality, lies in its potential as an object and subject of inquiry and research. The Academy's unique environment, in which world-class performance, world-class scholarship and world-class instruments are brought together, was recognised as the best long-term home for the instrument buy the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council and by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The instrument will be played sparingly under strictly controlled conditions and it will form the pivotal exhibit in a new display within York Gate.
The instrument was llocated to the Royal Academy of Music after acquisition by HM Government in July 2005 in lieu of Inheritance Tax, with additional funding from: the National Heritage Memorial Fund, National Art Collections Fund, J&A Beare, The Belmont Trust, Nigel Brown, members of the Bruce family, Mr Albert Frost CBE, Mrs Elizabeth Insall, Mr Ian Stoutzker OBE, Old Possum's Practical Trust, BBC2's The Culture Show and many anonymous donors |
| Classification |
woodwork |
| Technique |
carved (woodwork)
joined
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| Materials |
maple
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| Measurements |
| Type |
Length |
Width |
Height |
Diameter |
Unit (Length) |
| Back |
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millimetres |
| Upper bouts |
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millimetres |
| Middle bouts |
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millimetres |
| Lower bouts |
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millimetres |
| Body stop |
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millimetres |
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| Accession No. |
2005.1803 |
| People |
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| Multimedia |
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