the ex-finkel
TRANSCRIPT
The Ex-Finkel
An Important Italian Violin by Giovanni Baptista Guadagnini, Milan 1751
Fine & Rare Instruments
Property of the late David Stevenson
The Ex-Finkel An Important Italian Violin by Giovanni Baptista Guadagnini, Milan 1751
Labelled: ...oannes Baptista Guadagnini Pla. ...centinus fecit Mediolani 1751
Length of back: 355mm
Sold with the certificate of Peter Biddulph, London 2008.
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David Alexander Stevenson – 19th May 1935 - 31st January 2021
David Stevenson was an accomplished violinist and lover of all things violin. In the late 1950’s David played in the Grenadier Guards Orchestra, performing at investitures and at other state occasions, frequently in the presence of the Queen. Although he had played in a number of the big orchestras, his time with the London Mozart Players was something he talked about with great fondness. David continued to play in quartets well into his retirement.
Teaching and musical education was very close to David’s heart and he spent 22 years managing the North Bucks Music Centre until finally stepping down in 1995, but kept teaching for a couple of years after. He had a close association with Cleo Laine and Johnny Dankworth at the Wavendon Allmusic plan (Stables, Wavendon) and was involved in helping develop music education there and also attended concerts, meeting world leading soloists such as Stephanne Grappelli and Nigel Kennedy.
Over the course of many years, David carefully curated a wonderful collection of instruments and bows and some of this legacy is included in this Auction. He had many friendships with leading figures involved in fine stringed instruments conservation and sales and would often attend auctions when he could. David’s family will be sad to see the collection sold, but hope that their new owners will gain as much pleasure from them as he did.
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Jane Leeks
I have fond memories of David, having known him for nearly forty years. I first met him whilst at Sotheby’s in the early 80’s and also when I worked for Peter Biddulph (whose certificate the violin carries). Later, when I was running Bonhams Musical Instruments Department, we often met before the sales. He was a true enthusiast, always keenly interested in the better instruments and bows, as can be seen from his fine collection in this sale. He would compare his bows to other examples being offered, inevitably, he would decide his bows were better, and he was probably right.
David loved to discuss the violin world and the people in it, and we swapped many stories about the various characters in the business – David had a very distinctive laugh, that once heard was never forgotten. Latterly it would be telephone calls rather than visits, where David tried to tease out information on the top lots, and of course we had a good chat.
I have always admired the instruments from Guadagnini’s Milan period, especially for their flowing beauty and special warmth of tone – David’s violin from 1751 is no exception.
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Peter Horner
WATC H T H I S V I O L I N B E I N G P L AY E D
Consigned to Brompton’s June Fine Sale
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Fine & Rare Instruments
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