Catalogue

Summary:

1715: the famed Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari constructs what will become one of his most legendary violins. Among its first owners is Giuseppe Tartini, he of the “Devil’s Trill” Sonata.

c1817: the violin is bequeathed to Polish virtuoso violinist Karol Lipiński who inspired many works for the instrument

2008: after passing through many countries and collections the “Lipiński” Strad arrives in the hands of Frank Almond, through an anonymous donor

2013: Frank Almond releases A Violin’s Life, an album that traces the provenance of the “Lipiński” Strad, with music by Schumann, Tartini, Julius Röntgen, and Lipiński himself

January 2014: Following a concert, walking towards his car, Frank Almond is tasered by an assailant and the “Lipiński” Strad is stolen. An FBI pursuit results in the recovery of the “Lipiński” Strad a few weeks later. International media coverage goes viral, including international TV coverage, a feature in Vanity Fair, NPR, BBC, and much more.

May 2016: Frank Almond releases A Violin Life, Volume 2, featuring more music associated with the “Lipiński” Strad, including works by Beethoven, Amanda Maier-Röntgen and Eduard Tubin, poised to create another classic release.

The “Lipiński” Strad lives on.

Tracklist:

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
Violin Sonata No. 9, Op, 47
I. Adagio sostenuto – Presto
II. Andante con variazioni
III. Presto

Amanda Maier-Röntgen (1853 – 1894)
Violin Sonata in B minor
I. Allegro
II. Andantino
III. Allegro molto vivace

Eduard Tubin (1905 – 1982)
Sonata for Solo Violin