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Nippon Violin Society: Announcement of Free Violin Loan Program - Giuseppe Antonio Rocca c.1855
2024.01.19
We are pleased to announce that Mr. Shin Takeuchi, a member of the Nippon Violin Society and an instrument owner, has generously offered to lend a violin following last year's loan recruitment for violins and cellos made by Fagnola.
The violin now offered for loan is crafted by Giuseppe Antonio Rocca. Rocca, a disciple of the renowned luthier Pressenda, is a notable 19th-century maker from Turin whose instruments are particularly suited for soloists, providing exceptional support to musicians at a high level.
Our company, in collaboration with the instrument owner, Mr. Takeuchi, is committed to supporting the further advancement of world-class musicians through the loan of these carefully selected masterpieces. We will seriously consider every application, including personal statements and performance videos. We are eagerly looking forward to receiving applications that truly convey your passion and dedication.
[A Message from the Instruments Owner]
Mr. Shin Takeuchi
CTO of Visional Inc. / External Director of Tsukuruba Inc. / Director of Japan CTO Association
During my university days, I picked up the guitar and even worked as a singer-songwriter for a time. At 28, I transitioned from music to the business world. Lately, outside of my professional duties, I've been supporting those who, like my younger self, might have to abandon their creative and cultural pursuits due to economic challenges. I do this by working behind the scenes in art and music.
Regarding the Violin:
Looking closely at the violin, one would hardly describe it as neurotic. Instead, it has a wild, rock and roll aesthetic, reminiscent of the contemporary ceramic artist Shiro Tsujimura, making it a strikingly cool instrument. However, once played, it reveals a capacity for encompassing low tones, a seductive mid-range, and soaring highs, reminiscent of the pleasant song of a beautiful bird. Ultimately, the violin seems to embody the life of its maker: rich in sensitivity, thus easily wounded, but playful due to its concern for others. It reflects a life marked by high volatility, enduring pain, suffering, and joy, while maintaining a delicate touch and a magnanimous heart. This exquisite balance is profoundly expressed in the sound of the instrument. Of course, I haven't researched the life of its maker, so this is purely my imagination. Yet, the instrument's sound inspires such a story. It's a wonderful violin that I hope will be played by musicians who wish to convey such unspeakable emotions and stories, making its strings quiver beautifully.
Introduction to the Instruments
Violin: Giuseppe Antonio Rocca c.1855
Giuseppe Rocca is ranked among the top violin makers of 19th century Italy. After studying in the workshop of the renowned maker Pressenda (1777-1854) in Turin from 1834, Rocca established his own workshop. Particularly after 1840, he created high-quality violins, winning numerous awards at exhibitions in Turin and Genoa and garnering significant attention. He had a close relationship with the historical collector and dealer Luigi Tarisio and was inspired by Tarisio's collection of Stradivarius violins, including the 1716 “Messiah”. Rocca's pursuit of high acoustic quality is unparalleled, and his careful selection of materials is evident in his work. His golden period is said to be the 1840s and 50s, and notable musicians like Günter Pichler, former concertmaster of the Vienna Philharmonic and first violinist of the Alban Berg Quartett, currently play a Rocca violin from this period.
This Giuseppe Rocca violin, created around 1855, is considered a culmination of his golden period. It was made following the pattern of the Stradivarius “Messiah” that he studied throughout his life. A certificate issued in 1974 by William Moennig & Son (then the largest musical instrument dealer in the US) states that Rocca chose high-acoustic-quality wood for the back plate, highlighting a unique feature of his violins. The sound of this violin combines a solid volume with a deep, historical tone, meeting the high demands of internationally active soloists.
- Eligibility for Application
- Anyone with experience playing the violin (no distinction between professional and amateur, and no consideration of past competition wins).
- Loan Instrument
- Violin: Giuseppe Antonio Rocca c.1855
- Loan Period
- From March 2024 to February 2026, with a possibility of extension based on performance.
- Cost
- Free (including insurance, covered by the instrument owner).
- Application Requirements
- Name
Email address
Age
Current instrument and its year of make
Self-promotion (including profile, up to 400 characters) - Please express your aspirations and intentions to excel as a musician through this instrument loan.
Performance video (upload to YouTube as unlisted and provide the link). - Application Period
- January 19, 2024 (Friday) to February 18, 2024 (Sunday) - Document review (Application deadline is 11:59 PM Japan Time on February 18).
March 4, 2024 (Monday) - Announcement of document review results (only successful applicants will be notified via email).
March 6th, 8th, or 9th, 2024 - Face-to-face final selection. - Notification of Results
- Successful candidates in the document review will be contacted via the registered email address. For the final selection, candidates will be invited for an interview with the instrument owner and our company on one of the proposed dates.