Camilla’s Stradivarius finds new hands in Norway
NewsThe pedigree violin formerly played by the American virtuoso Camilla Wicks has passed into the hands of a Norwegian foundation, which has loaned it to the young Swedish soloist,Johan Dalene.
Wicks, who died in November 2020, had a Norwegian father. Her violin, known as ‘the Duke of Cambridge’ was once owned by Beethoven’s pupil Louis Spohr. It is now in the hands of the ASAF – Anders Sveaas’ Almennyttige Fond, which selected Dalene as the most appropriate Nordic beneficiary.
Dalene gave his first performance on the violin with the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic this weekend.
This is (obviously?) what should always happen. Kudos.
Beethoven’s pupil, Louis Spohr? Grove says that they were friendly and Wikipedia says they practiced [sic] together. But that doesn”t mean that Spohr was Beethoven’s pupil. Spohr’s music shows little influence of Beethoven – it sounds more ‘modern’, often through his audacious chromaticism, but never plumbs the depths of Beethoven’s greatest works.
He knows it as the photo shows him clutching the instrument.
Oh. I thought you meant your future queen. Camilla Windsor suddenly had culture – for a moment there!
And I thought the reference was to Camilla Urso!
Dalene is a talented and deserving recipient of this great violin.