Guarneri del Gesu violin sold at Sotheby’s

Guarneri del Gesù violin

Guarneri del Gesu violin sold at Sotheby’s Guarneri del Gesù violin once owned by the composer Vieuxtemps acquired privately for a price “well in excess” of the existing world auction record for any musical instrument]]>

February 14th 2008, source: Sotheby’s
Sotheby’s announced yesterday the sale, by private treaty, of a rare and important Guarneri del Gesù violin to the Russian businessman and collector, Maxim Viktorov. The violin, which was the composer Henri Vieuxtemps’ very own concert instrument for some 15 years, has remained in a private family collection for over 100 years and has not been seen or played in public for more than 70 years. It was acquired for an undisclosed sum which was well in excess of the existing world auction record for a violin or forany musical instrument*. This remarkable violin, made circa 1741, will now join Mr Viktorov’s collection in Russia.

To mark the occasion, the renowned British concert violinist Chloe Hanslip will be present at Sotheby’s New Bond Street to recite Paganini’s delightful and challenging 24th Caprice as well as a piece from the film, The Red Violin.

Commenting on his purchase Mr Viktorov said: “I was extremely excited when I became aware that this wonderfulinstrument was up for sale. I have pledged, following its first public performance in over 70 years today in London, that I will make it available to be played regularly. Its first concert appearance in Moscow will be on the 22nd March, in the Grand Hall of Moscow State Conservatory. Great virtuoso Pinchas Zukerman will perform concertos of J. S. Bach, M. Bruch and W. A. Mozart. I hope it will be as inspirational to the artists who play it as it was to its first owner, Vieuxtemps, who composed real masterpieces on it.”

Tim Ingles, Director and Head of Sotheby’s Musical Instruments Department commented: “The Ex-Vieuxtemps Guarneri del Gesù is an immensely important instrument and its rediscovery is a very momentous occasion for the violin world. The violin was Vieuxtemps’ concert instrument for about 15 years – from the mid-1840s until about 1860 – and he composed and premiered his 4th violin concerto on it. The violin has been in the possession of the same family for over 100 years, and now that it has re-emerged, I am delighted that it will be going to Russia, where it will be treasured, and more importantly, heard on a concert platform for the first time in over 70 years.”