Most of us will not get past the first part of that headline, thinking, "Oh, another story about a multi-million dollar violin being auctioned off." Nope. This time, it's the BOW.
Talk to any string player and ask them about their bow. Then get something to drink and take a seat, because you're going to be awhile.
Logically, the quality of an instrument makes a huge difference in the quality of the sound. I remember the first time I played a Buffet clarinet after years of laboring on a Bundy. Wait, THIS is how it feels to play a clarinet? I then began to discover different mouthpieces, reeds, etc. A new musical world opened up for me.
A on it to make the strings vibrate, right? Sure. Just like your iPhone makes you .
The bow in question was made by , a member of one of France's distinguished bow-making families. Tourte's bow sold for $288,960, a . Reports are it was purchase by a professional musician.
, Creative Partner and Principal Guest Artist with ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, has a pair of bows he regularly uses in concert. One is by was a French luthier and bow maker from the 19th century. One of his bows sold a couple of years ago for just over $145,000. Hey...if you want to make great music, you need great equipment. Vadim's other bow was made by his dear friend , whom he says knows his playing. It was made in about 2005 after a four-year search for a piece of wood he called "agreeable."
As you can see, a bow is a very personal thing. When you hear musicians such as Vadim Gluzman play, you understand why. He will be with as both violinist and leader to play Vivaldi's Four Seasons and A Little Daneliade for violin, piano, strings and percussion by Georgian-born composer , who is a favorite of both Gluzman and ProMusica Music Director David Danzmayr. Don't miss your chance to see Vadim's blazing bow in action!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQYZf2U-AGI