Name: Gordon Kerr Occupation: Violin Maker Tale Title: The Fiddle Maker's Tale Destination: The Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, England
The Fiddle Maker's Tale
Gordon Kerr's pilgrimage took him to see the famous 'Messiah' violin made by Stradivarius.
The violin is now housed in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, to which Gordon attempted to hitch hike. Unfortunately, there was no lift forthcoming, so Gordon resorted to public transport, arriving in good time to deliver his Tale from beside this revered instrument.
"This is the name given to a particular Stradivari violin, made in 1716 in Cremona, Italy. It is made on slightly more delicate lines than the model he was using at that time and the instrument gives an impression of elegance which Stradivari himself much appreciated, for he guarded this violin jealously right up to his death without it having ever been played."J.B Vuillaume - Sa Vie et son Oeuvre, Roger Millant
Gordon's had seen the 'Messiah' as a teenager, but this was his first visit to view it from the perspective of a professional violinmaker.
We attempted to have Gordon granted permission to touch the fabled object, but apparently its' loan to the Ashmolean rests upon it remaining sealed in its museum case.
Gordon's Prologue tells the story of the Messiah's rise to fame and speculates on recent scientific techniques that may solve the mystery of its' true age. His Tale reflects on his observations about the violin at close quarters, and is accompanied by footage Gordon took of himself at work crafting a violin.
The Fiddle Maker's Prologue (3 mins)
The Fiddle Maker's Tale (9 mins)
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