The violinist will now play on the 1724 ’Ludwig, Szigeti’ Stradivari violin, describing it as ’a privilege and a most inspiring experience’
Violinist Elias David Moncado has announced that he will now play the 1724 ’Ludwig, Szigeti’ Stradivari violin, on indefinite loan from the L-Bank Baden-Württemberg in Germany.
The 1724 ’Ludwig, Szigeti’ Stradivari violin was owned by Joseph Ludwig, and counts Joseph and Deszo Szigeti among its previous owners. It has been in the possession of L-Bank Baden-Württemberg since 1989.
’It is truly a privilege and a most inspiring experience, being able to perform on such a fine violin with such a rich history,’ Moncado told The Strad.
’It still feels surreal, thinking that the legendary Joseph Szigeti, a Hungarian violinist with an incredible sound and profound soulfulness in his playing, had actively performed on this instrument until 1940.
’I would name Szigeti as one of my sound idols, alongside David Oistrakh, Isaac Stern and Jascha Heifetz, and, in many ways, I can sense the influence and the impact it had on the violin, it is as if the soul of Szigeti continues to live on.’
When asked what it was like to play his new acquisition, Moncado said: ’Already at the first encounter with the “Ludwig, Szigeti“, I immediately sensed an incredible sound potential, and as I spend my time intensely performing and practising on it, I continue to discover new sound colours which I didn’t know existed.
’The instrument “opens up“ even more and unveils a new dimension of possibilities. It is truly mesmerising how quickly the instrument translates all of my different intentions as a performer, even the slightest thought or hint of a spontaneous decision in the phrasing of music will shine through, combined with Antonio Stradivari’s efficient way of channeling sound, even in big halls.
’I am very much looking forward to continuing to shape my individual artistic voice as a violinist alongside this magnificent instrument and I am already thrilled for all the musical adventures which we will embark on together in the future,’ he concluded.
The 24-year-old German-Spanish-Malaysian violinist is currently studying under Mihaela Martin at the Kronberg Academy. He is a scholarship holder of the Anne-Sophie-Mutter and the Gautier Capuçon foundations.
Moncado has enjoyed competition success, including first prize and ten special prizes at the 2019 Karol Lipinski Competition in Poland, plus victories at both the 2021 Valsesia Musica and Vladimir Spivakov international competitions.
He has been a guest at various festivals such as the Lucerne and Gstaad Festival, the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, the Kissinger Musiksommer, the Rheingau Music Festival and the Festspiele Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
As a soloist, he has appeared with numerous orchestras across Germany, Europe and Asia, and has performed internationally with Anne-Sophie Mutter’s ‘Mutter’s Virtuosi’.
Moncado released his debut album in 2022 on Avi-Music, which featured works by Hindemith, Poulenc and Bartók.
Read: Violinist Anthony Marwood loaned c.1709 Stradivari
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