Maestro gives 8 prime instruments to his US orchestra
NewsThe Italian conductor Gianandrea Noseda has long collected string instruments as a private passion and a hedge against inflation.
Of humble background, unaccustomed to handling wealth, Noseda bought with frugal care and great attention in a field that is studded with fake antiques and charlatan dealers. He bought well.
But good instruments cannot be allowed to lie in a vault, gathering dust. They need to be played.
Today it became known that Noseda, 58, has quietly loaned seven violins and a viola, worth a total $5 million, to players in the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC. The oldest is a 1686 violin from Cremona, crucible of the luthier’s art. A 1725 Venice instrument by Santo Serafin is being played by Marissa Regni, the NSO’s principal second violin. Two cellos are soon to follow.
Noseda’s generosity is uncommon, if not unprecedented. Marin Alsop loaned her parents’ three instruments to the Baltimore Symphony while she was music director there but a loan on this scale if literally off the scale.
Next time you’re in DC, listen closely to the NSO. You may hear the difference.
UPDATE: Noseda explains his thinking here.
Love his style, repertoire, and discography!
Cool. And I would add that I’ve heard the NSO on/off over the last 20-odd years. Always competent, but only since Noseda arrived do they consistently sound like a real orchestra (with other conductors, too).
Having heard National Symphony concerts for 50-odd years, I agree that this is an excellent period for them. Previously, we most admired the leadership and repertoire in the Antal Dorati era.
That man is a seriously cool guy and a good conductor too. I almost alwasy enjoy his performances
You can hear them play The Firebird ballet at Carnegie Hall on April 18–along with Prokofiev 2 with Trifonov.
A true maestro that supports his orchestra.
Unlike the grifting, PR diversity pushed, liberal agenda, garbage conductors that now get in front of orchestras.
When you combine generosity like this, with genius talent – hey who knows you just might get a great sounding orchestra and maybe just maybe the audience will LOVE IT!
“Liberal agenda, garbage conductors?” Noseda’s fairly woke himself, you know. At least he’s playing a lot of George Walker and William Grant Still.
Very cool. Instruments are not paintings to be hung on a wall. They must be played. Kudos to maestro Noseda!!
The National Symphony is lucky to have him; he’s good. ii
Nice story too, thanks.
Bravo to a real maestro. This was a splendid example for every conductor in the field.
I wish he would invest in some contemporary American instruments
That is such an inspiring story. These conductors nowadays make so much money. To see one that actually gives back to the ones making the sound is inspiring and I hope other conductors follow suit. Some conductors disappear while their musicians are left without pay. Some get their musicians a flower. And Noseda lends out his fiddles. Amazing!!!
Interesting that nobody is questioning how Noseda has amassed enough wealth as a conductor to invest millions in instruments. No doubt he is a very good and well-loved conductor, but interesting that we turn a blind eye to his “Russian period” and the likely early sources of his wealth…