Stradivari
Tomo Keller plays a uniquely shaped violin by Antonio Stradivari from ca 1726, the Braga-Bell or Chanot-Chardon, on kind loan through Beare’s International Violin Society.
It is the only known Stradivari that has survived which is cornerless, ‘guitar-shaped’.
“It is always a pleasure to make music with Tomo Keller, and my latest experience was a particular treat since he brought along the Braga Stradivarius of 1726.
Seeing and hearing this violin flooded me with fond memories of when I was it’s caretaker from 1987-1992.
I bought the Braga, also known as the Chanot-Chardon (or, as I nicknamed it – based on my surname, the ‘Campanella’, meaning ‘little bell’!) during the formative years of my performing career, and I made several of my early recordings for Decca on the instrument. It was my faithful companion for five years. Besides it’s unusual ‘guitar-like’ appearance, the Braga Strad has a distinctively rich lower register as well as the silvery e-string sound one associates with Stradivarius.
I am ever grateful for the opportunity I had to play on this instrument, and I am delighted to find it currently in the capable hands of Tomo Keller. They deserve each other!”
The Braga Stradivari, in conversation with Steven Smith of Beare’s
Filmed by Nikolaj Schubert at J&A Beare London, with pianist Linn Rothstein.
Filmed by Nikolaj Schubert at J&A Beare London, with pianist Linn Rothstein.
Filmed at Festum Pi Samos with pianist Arielle Beck.
From Apollon musagète, filmed at the V&A Museum, with Oliver Zeffman, Jakub Orlinski and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Errollyn Wallen – Concerto Grosso
Excerpt, filmed at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, with Ying Lai Green, Maki Namekawa and the Amsterdam Sinfonietta
