Maestro gives 8 prime instruments to his US orchestra

The 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.