The Senior 1st Prize winner of the Menuhin Competition London 2016 will receive the the glorious Golden period Antonio Stradivari violin, ‘Schneiderhan’ (Cremona, 1715) on a 1-year loan from a generous patron of the Beare’s International Violin Society.

The ‘Schneiderhan’ gets its name from the Austrian violinist Wolfgang Schneiderhan, first concertmaster of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and leader of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who owned and played the instrument for around 9 years during the 1950s and 60s. The violin has a colourful past with a variety of ownership, including musicians, dealers and noblemen alike. The fact that it was owned and played by some great musicians is testimony to its fine craftsmanship and rich tonal qualities.

International star violinist Maxim Vengerov took time out of his busy schedule to visit J & A Beare, and play this amazing instrument (video). Maxim Vengerov said of the ‘Schneiderhan’:

“There is nothing like a 301 year old violin sound, and the ‘Schneiderhan’ has wonderful colours. For the 1st Prize Winner to play this Strad is the next step of their development and is the greatest gift a violinist could have at the start of their career.

“A word of advice to the winner of the ‘Schneiderhan’: remember the instrument owns the violinist! The instrument was my best teacher. Get to know each other and the violin will mould to your playing with its own distinct voice. No-one will ever play the same sound – that is the beauty of a Strad.
“The Menuhin Competition was created by a legend of the violin world, and it is his legacy to his art and the great tradition of violin playing. I wish all the participants the very best of luck, and, hard to do I know, to just enjoy your- selves!”

Simon Morris and Steven Smith, Managing Directors of J & A Beare said: “J & A Beare are delighted to be sponsors of the Menuhin Competition London 2016. The firm has long enjoyed a close connection with the most established soloists but we are also very keen to encourage and support younger players at the beginning of their careers. The Menuhin Competition is a great way to do this as it is so much more than just a competition – as past entrants have often told us.”