In this video for the LSO, Tamestit talks through the unusual features of the ‘Mahler’ Stradivarius, named in honour of the composer, not because he owned it at any time.

The instrument, on loan to Tamestit from the Habisreutinger Foundation, is thought to be the first viola by Stradivari. Tamestit reveals that it took a long time for him to get used to it and he even contemplated returning it.

Watch: Antoine Tamestit performs Hindemith on the ‘Mahler’ Stradivarius