Legendary violin by Guarneri del Gesu presented to the audience in Yekaterinburg

The unique “Robrecht” violin made by prominent Italian luthier Giuseppe Guarneri (del Gesu) has been brought to Yekaterinburg. The violin will be played today, the 15th of September, by Honored Artist of Russian Federation Dmitri Kogan.

The instrument has been purchased by The Kogan Unique Cultural Projects Support Fund which was created by Valeri Saveliev, Sverdlovsk Region Legislative Assembly deputy and AVS-group Holding Company Chairman.

Valeri Saveliev is a big admirer of classical music. He donated 7 antique string musical instruments to the Sverdlovsk State Academic Philharmonic. In May 2011 he created The Kogan Unique Cultural Projects Support Fund in cooperation with Dmitri Kogan, famous Russian violinist. The Fund’s priorities are to seek for, purchase and restore unique musical instruments for Russian musicians.

The “Robrecht” violin was made in 1728 by Guarneri del Gesu, one of the most famous Cremona luthiers. It was played by the founder of the Franco-Belgian violin playing school Andre Robberechts. Experts claim that it was the “Robrecht” violin which was played by maestro Robberechts in 1820-1830 when he was a court violinist of Willem I, King of the Netherlands. The instrument also was a part on the Royal Swedish Music Academy collection.

“The Unique Cultural Projects Support Fund is going to purchase another 3 instruments by Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri. In the near future the Fund will possess dozens of antique musical instruments which will be lent to Russian musicians” - said Valeri Saveliev.