Ever wanted to test drive an FI Ferrari? Or get the chance to climb Everest? Or......?

For most violinists the chance to play an original Stradivarius violin is something of a dream, but one which came true for final year Anglia Ruskin music student Mateja Kaluza. She performed musical extracts from Bach, Sarasate and Lalo as part of a recent illustrated lecture on the great Italian instrument maker given by Anglia Ruskin honorary doctorate Nigel Brown as part of the popular Friday Lunchtime Concert Series.

Nigel has pioneered the use of syndicated trusts to fund instrument purchases, providing fine violins, violas and cellos for virtuosi such as Nigel Kennedy, Stephen Isserlis and Natalie Clein. More recently, his work with the Stradivari Trust has enabled talented young instrumentalists to also get their hands on these precious instruments. His lecture to a packed Mumford Theatre explained the structural and timbral differences between early Italian violins and their mass produced modern counterparts.

"This was a fantastic experience for all, not least Mateja..." added concert series director Alan Rochford "...and I was so relieved she didn't drop it!!"

More details of the Stradivari Trust can be found on their website. A full list of Semester Two Lunchtime Concerts, promoted by the Department of Music and Performing Arts with financial assistance from the University Arts Council, can be found on the Music and Performing Arts events page or in the latest edition of Anglia Ruskin Arts.

For more information about the lunchtime concert series please contact Series Director Alan Rochford.

Go back to the index page