Violin prodigy gracefully manages a disastrous snapped bow during a performance with unparalleled skill and panache
In a captivating turn of events, violinist Stefan Jackiw experienced a rare incident during his UK premiere of Reinhold Gliere's violin concerto with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra on May 10, 2023.
Jackiw, a half-Ukrainian, half-Korean musician, was performing on his 1704 Ruggieri violin, a instrument he has played since he was 16 years old. The concert was conducted by his friend Kirill Karabits. However, around one-third of the way into the concerto, Jackiw's Voirin bow snapped in two.
The broken bow that caused the interruption was a 19th-century Parisian bow made by François Nicolas Voirin, a renowned maker whose bows have been used by famous soloists such as Eugène Ysaÿe and Issac Stern. Voirin bows can cost between £18,000-£40,000, and one viola bow sold for $98,000 (£74,643) at auction in 2019. Jackiw's bow, reportedly worth $30,000 (£23,926), is repairable.
In the face of this unexpected event, Jackiw showed remarkable resilience. He grabbed the concertmaster Amyn Merchant's bow from the second violin desk and continued playing. The audience's reaction to the incident remains unspecified.
Jackiw described his Italian violin as "pure and clear. It isn't aggressive, but it is full of colors." His long-time bow, which he has owned and played for over 20 years, shares similar qualities.
The incident is reminiscent of another violinist, Ray Chen, who snapped a string during a Tchaikovsky concerto performance but handled it professionally.
Following the incident, Jackiw took to Facebook to share about the experience. No specific details were provided about the venue or the audience's reaction to the incident.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Jackiw found the experience of playing this concerto particularly meaningful due to his heritage. The concert on 20 May will feature an evening of chamber music in New York, where Jackiw will appear with his fixed bow and 1704 Ruggieri violin.
The full Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra concert, including the bow break, can be watched via the BSO website until 9 June. The article suggests that breaking a bow during a performance is a fear-inducing scenario for most violinists. However, Jackiw's professionalism and resilience serve as an inspiration to many.
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