Chimei Museum to hold concerts featuring historic violins

Taipei, Jan. 8 (CNA) Chimei Museum announced Thursday that it will hold violin concerts themed around the Guarneri family, featuring 11 historic instruments, on March 21 and 22 in Tainan and Taipei.

In a news release, the museum said violins made by the Guarneri family, one of the three leading violin-making families of Italy's Cremona school, are known for their distinctive and expressive sound.

The family was founded by Andrea Guarneri (1623-1698), who studied under Nicolò Amati (1596-1684) and developed a bolder, more expressive violin-making style based on Amati's precise techniques.

Their instruments gained fame in the 19th century after being praised by legendary violinist Niccolò Paganini, making Guarneri violins highly coveted by performers.

According to the organizer, the "Violin Masterpieces of the Guarneri Dynasty" will bring together 11 historic violins, including seven made by members of the Guarneri family and four from the Brescia school. Some of the instruments will be played during the concerts, demonstrating how their craftsmanship evolved and matured over generations.

Among the highlights are three masterpieces by Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù (1698-1744), the family's third-generation luthier, including his final work, the prized "Ole Bull" violin.

During the concerts, Chimei Museum's chief violin adviser, Chung Tai-ting (鍾岱廷), will also share stories and insights into the history of the instruments.

The first concert will be held at Chimei Museum in Tainan on March 21, followed by a performance at the Eslite Performance Hall in Taipei on March 22.