A special moment in Alberto Giordano’s career took place recently at New York University, where he had the honour of giving a talk dedicated to the history, conservation, and cultural significance of the celebrated “Cannone” violin — the Guarneri del Gesù that belonged to Niccolò Paganini.
The event was made possible thanks to the invitation and generous support of Stephanie Baer and Peter Herresthal, who wished to create an occasion for dialogue between historic lutherie, music, and academic education. The audience was thus able to engage with a fascinating theme: not only the constructional history of the most powerful and legendary instrument in the violin tradition, but also the relationship between music, patronage, and European cultural heritage.
Particularly moving was the contribution of the young violinist Kevin Zhu, who shared with the audience his experience of playing the “Cannone”, recounting what it means to perform a repertoire on an instrument so laden with history and myth. Kevin Zhu, winner of the Premio Paganini 2018, is known for his exceptional performances in venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York and for his project to record Paganini’s Caprices on this very historic violin.
The event at NYU successfully united different perspectives — from historical research to musical practice — offering students and enthusiasts an in-depth vision of how historic instruments continue to live in the present, influencing musicians, scholars, and luthiers alike.
