Rare 'Brodsky' Guadagnini Violin To Be Played at Ocean Grove Concert

In the world of classical music, few things pull on the heartstrings of musicians and music lovers as the sight and sound of a centuries-old violin - an instrument made by a master that has stood the test of time and has a history of being played by legendary musicians, particularly for the debuts of major pieces by esteemed composers.

Such a wondrous occasion will occur on Thursday, August 3, 2017, when violinist Christine Kwak performs "Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto in D Major" with the MidAtlantic Opera Orchestra, conducted by Jason Tramm, on the rare "Brodsky" Guadagnini violin that was used to debut the piece in 1881. This historic musical event is part of Ocean Grove's "Orchestral Legends and Romance" concert, which will also feature Horatio Parker's rarely heard "Concerto for Organ and Orchestra" and the opening movement of Léon Boëllmann's "Fantaisie Dialoguée, Op. 35 for Organ and Orchestra," both performed by resident organist Gordon Turk with the MidAtlantic Opera Orchestra, conducted by OGCMA'S Director of Music Ministries, Jason Tramm.

Adolf Brodsky (1851-1929) was a noted Russian virtuoso who premiered the piece. Tchaikovsky originally wrote and dedicated the concerto to Leopold Auer, who deemed it unplayable and campaigned against its performance. But Brodsky rose to the challenge and mastered this difficult work, premiering it in Vienna on December 4, 1881. As a result, the concerto was rededicated to him.

According to Stewart Pollens, a well-known instrument scholar, Brodsky owned numerous violins during his career. The 1751 violin called the "Brodsky" is perhaps the better known of his two Guadagnni's, because it is catalogued in Ernest N. Doring's The Guadagnini Family of Violin Makers. Doring notes: "This violin was owned by Anton Maaskoff of Los Angeles. He was also the owner of the Guarneri del Gesu violin of 1735 [sic], which was once owned by the French virtuoso Lafont, who played in public contest with Paganini in 1816. Both the Guarneri and the Guadagnini violins were acquired by Mr. Maaskoff from Adolf Brodsky, who was his professor." Maaskoff [1893-1943] had a prominent career of his own. The present owner purchased the violin from Maaskoff's widow through Luthier Rosenthal of New York in 1979, and has loaned the violin to Christine Kwak for this concert.

Violinist Christine Kwak has been described as "an extraordinary talent who will become one of the best of her generation," by the late Dorothy DeLay, renowned for producing many of the world's finest soloists. By the time Christine was 11 years old, she had already made her debut at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and Avery Fisher Hall, where her debut with the American Symphony was received with much critical acclaim. Today, she continues to perform with renowned orchestras and in solo recitals across the country.

For this unique concert, tickets are $16 and can be online at www.oceangrove.org or at 800-590-4064.