Marwood announced as next player of the c. 1709 ‘Scotta’ Stradivari violin, held in trust by UKARIA
Earlier this year, the ‘Scotta’ Stradivari was given to UKARIA by a generous Australian patron. Crafted at the height of Stradivari’s Golden Period, the violin has had a remarkable life in the hands of renowned musicians – a legacy that continues as violinist Anthony Marwood becomes its new player.
Crafted in 1709, the ‘Scotta’ violin has all the features of Antonio Stradivari’s Golden Period, including a flamed, single-piece maple back. According to dendrochronologist Peter Ratcliff, the soundboard of this violin comes from the same log as was used for other 1709 violins by Stradivari, including ‘La Pucelle’, ‘King Carlos’, ‘Viotti’, ‘Greffuhle’ and ‘Wieniawski’. Following a rich history that connected the instrument to a series of outstanding artists, including Frida Scotta, Barbara Kempner and Pekka Kuusisto, the violin has recently become the eighth fine string instrument in UKARIA’s collection.
British violinist Anthony Marwood is the next recipient of the violin: an artist of virtuosity and imagination, who has enjoyed a special rapport with UKARIA since his first performance there in December 2017. ‘I have the huge honour of taking on this great instrument, which is especially meaningful and moving for me since the proposal comes not only from Australia, a country that has been so welcoming to me as a performer, but from UKARIA itself.’
In an interview with UKARIA, Anthony speaks of the violin’s invaluable effect on his artistry: ‘The first notes I played on the Scotta jolted me with thrilling and electric energy – I was diving into a broad sound-world of colours: tragic depths and glistening brilliance, instantly gratifying but full of promises of secrets that could be unlocked. There are places I can go to with this instrument that are uncharted territory for me. It’s clear this new companion is a great and inspiring facilitator – I can hardly believe what it is capable of. Not only does it have undeniable power – but what it can produce in whispering, in vulnerability, and with colours, is remarkable.
The greater the instrument, the more potential there is for you to become your best self as a player. I feel so lucky to have this door opened for me.’
Anthony will be bringing the ‘Scotta’ Stradivari to UKARIA for the first time on Sunday 14 September, performing alongside his duo partner James Crabb, double bassist Rohan Dasika and a string quartet of next-generation artists from the Australian National Academy of Music.
Find out more about the violin’s history here.