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Nippon Violin Society: Viola Loan Application Announcement Hannibal Fagnola 1905-1910
2024.08.23
We are pleased to announce a new viola loan offering from Mr. Shin Takeuchi, a member of the Nippon Violin Society and the owner of the instrument.
The viola being offered was crafted by Hannibal Fagnola between 1905 and 1910. Fagnola is renowned as one of the leading modern makers of the 20th century, particularly noted for the period of rapid development following his award at the exposition in 1906. The violas he crafted during this time, often modeled after Pressenda, are known for their rich and practical lower tones.
We are now opening applications for this rare and valuable viola. We look forward to reviewing each personal statement and performance video with care and sincerity. We welcome applications from those who are passionate about music and this opportunity.
[Greetings from the Instrument Owner]
Mr. Shin Takeuchi
Director and 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 spent some time as a singer-songwriter. At the age of 28, I decided to leave music behind and pursued a career in business. Recently, as part of my activities outside of work, I have been supporting the arts and music as a backstage figure, aiming to assist talented individuals who, like my former self, may be forced to abandon their creative and cultural activities due to financial challenges.
About the Viola :
When I decided to acquire a violin and loan it to a promising musician, I, being a guitarist myself, wondered how musicians of other instruments manage. Through my research, I discovered that, indeed, many string instruments are extraordinarily expensive, often making the quality of the instrument a critical factor in a musician’s career. While there is a large, open market for violins due to the many violinists, the markets for cellos and violas are much smaller and more closed off. In fact, it’s incredibly difficult to find good violas, even more so than cellos.
I believe that violins, cellos, and violas are equally wonderful instruments, and I particularly love the harmony created by a quartet. It has been a long-standing wish of mine to be able to loan a fine viola to a deserving musician, and I am thrilled to have finally acquired one. This Fagnola viola is one of the rarest in the world, producing a rich, story-filled sound. This is only the second time in my life that I have listened to a viola on its own, and its warm, resonant tone captured my heart. The cello resonates deeply in the stomach, the violin directly in the brain or ears, and the viola resonates in the chest. Listening to the sound of a good viola solo has helped me understand why quartets can evoke such rich emotions.
I eagerly await the day when this viola, with its chest-rattling sound, reaches a musician who will touch the hearts of people around the world.
Instrument Introduction
Viola: Hannibal Fagnola 1905-1910(body length 41cm)
Hannibal Fagnola was the most significant maker in Turin in the 20th century. Initially, Fagnola trained under Romano Marengo in the Rinaldi workshop in Turin, where he was deeply influenced by the masterpieces of Guadagnini, Pressenda, and Rocca. This exposure inspired him to create numerous copies of these instruments.
In 1906, Fagnola’s works won awards at expositions in Milan and Genoa, marking the first time his talents were publicly recognized. This success allowed him to acquire a larger workshop the following year, which remained active until 1921.
Fagnola’s fame quickly spread worldwide, and by 1911, at the International Exhibition in Turin, commemorating the 15th anniversary of Italy’s unification, his quartet (two violins, a viola, and a cello) was awarded a gold medal, establishing him as one of the most successful makers of his time.
Even Alfred Hill, a violin dealer of that era, noted in his diary during his travels in Italy that Fagnola was likely to become a prominent figure in the future. Fagnola’s reputation soon reached England, where his instruments, modeled after Pressenda and Rocca, were regarded as equal to or even superior to the originals.
This viola, created during the peak of his career, features the Pressenda model he most favored and specialized in, offering a rich and practical lower register.
- Eligibility
- Applicants must have experience playing the viola.
*Both professional and amateur players, including those who also play the violin, are welcome to apply. - Loaned Instrument
- Viola: Hannibal Fagnola 1905-1910
- Loan Period
- Two years from October 2024 to October 2026 (with possible extension based on performance).
- Cost
- Free of charge (Instrument insurance will be covered by the instrument owner).
- Application Details
-
- Name
- Email Address
- Age
- Name and year of the viola maker currently used
- Personal Statement (including profile, within 400 characters)
Please describe your aspirations as a musician and how you plan to use this instrument during the loan period. - Video of your viola performance (Please provide a link to a publicly available YouTube video)
*Videos of violin performances will not be accepted. - Affiliation (orchestra, music agency, label, etc., if applicable)
- Application Period
- August 23 (Fri) - September 29 (Sun), 2024: Document Screening
*Application deadline is 11:59 PM (JST) on September 29.
October 7 (Mon), 2024: Document Screening Results Announcement (Only successful applicants will be notified by email).
Two of the following dates are expected for the final in-person selection: October 20, 21, or 23, 2024. - Result Notification
- Successful applicants from the document screening will be contacted via the registered email address. In the final selection, applicants will have an in-person interview with the instrument owner and our company on one of the proposed dates.