Guarneri, "del Gesù", 1744 - "Ole Bull" 

I got to play a Pietro Guarneri once when I was having my violin repaired in 1962/3 by Hans Weisshaar. I was about 15. I gave him my fiddle across the counter, and he said, "here, take this violin to the practice room and play while I chat with the teacher". So the luthier brought out some German beer, and the "chat" got longer. When my teacher was ready to go, he called me out, and Weisshaar asked, "Well, how was the fiddle?" I said, "I guess it's OK". He laughed, "It's OK, is that all?" I said, "Yeah, I guess so". Then he said, "You're holding a Guarneri". My hands went limp and I almost dropped it on the floor, and he snatched it from my hands, and he and teacher had a great laugh at my expense. BTW, that was my first taste of beer. I declined it when offered, and Hans said, "are you sure?", so I took a sip and they laughed again.

Beautiful gift to hear you play.

I really love the sound of this violin. Every note is like a pearl, so round and warm, so clear and beautiful. It gently caresses your ears and heart, brings you back to the old days of the Italian golden violin period. Bravo!

Beautiful, pitty so short the played parts, I would want hearing the violin longer.

I just love listening to you play this instrument. It's like soul food.

This del Gesu looks absolutely beautiful and incredibly healthy. Thanks for the continuation of this series. ❤️🍷🎻🌹🕊

very sonorous and smooth violin, nice talk!

🤗 VERY INTERESTING 🤔 THANKS FOR SHARING and PLAYING 👏👏👏😍😍😍

The voice of this violin is like a bomb!!

THEIR BACKKKKK!

Thanks for posting this, I always love these shows and the playing is really nice.

Violin sommelier! Expressions are accurate and empathetic It feel more emotional than just listening.

Wonderful that you are able to bring these famous instruments to life through playing and thier stories. You play and present beautifully. And you are so SOOO lucky! Keep up the good work!! Tim

Always nice to rewatch these violins trials video ❤

Wonderful instrument, wonderful story and of course wonderful violinist! Thanks for these videos!!

Really enjoy your shows. Thanks for showing us these incredible instruments.

Thank you for this video! I tried out this same violin in 2012, even in the same room surrounded by all the priceless instruments in cubby holes. The highlight of my Taiwan trip!

History and music, what a great combination. That’s why I love this channel. Thanks for sharing.

Really enjoyable video, combining the life of Ole Bull, his music, and the violin he played, down to the unmatched halves of the “belly/front” of his violin.

Thank You for this fabulous video!..

So wonderful to hear your playing on this. This was the first del Gesu I ever got to play, and it was an eye-opening experience. Glad you had the chance to play this incredible instrument.

Love Kentucky! Go to Mammoth cave ... gota say, I'm loving your history, much of which I already at some point or another forgot or knew ... but, I never have heard the actual violins ... so this is incredible ... and this one is, well, if you gota have one, I'm thinking I could live with it, but don't deserve it either ... anyway, grateful for having discovered your channel.

Wonderful scholarship Katha & Ilya! Really enjoyed the melding of history, music, and craft.

Its what I would expect his instrument to sound like. Rugged, woody, but not harsh.

Sounds very deep and rich and sonorous

Beautiful

Explained well, especially for me who has no talent for music but appreciates good sound and history. And, of course, played beautifully.

The string crossing in the Chaconne sounded so good. I don't know if it was the instrument or her playing, or more likely a combination of the two but it was so gorgeous.

I love hearing the violins, but equally I find the personal and social history fascinating.

Compared with other violin, i prefer much to Guarneri. This violin sound, if i can describe is a tonal of the lovely gentleman: powerfull, dark, balanced, open sound, satisfying, yet can be sweet for sometime.

I think this is a very educational video. I am looking forward for more videos like this.

Great video, you make violin playing look so eazy. I've been to the park it is very nice.

Very interesting story. I once owned a German Copy of the Ole Bull. It was a loud violin. But, otherwise, unremarkable. I had often times wondered about the history of Ole Bull. Your video really did a nice job in telling his story.

Extremely interesting video!

Fascinating! And what a beautiful violin! I had to look up Ole Bull national park because I grew up in PA, probably about 3 hours away. Never heard of it, but I'd go if I were back there still. Love the video, Katha!

I think it is significant to mention that the bridge shaving was probably influenced by the Norwegian Hardanger Fiddle!

Oh wow, this one was particularly interesting, what a character!

Thank you for give me an idea what tone color I that I desire..❤

Thanks much!! Very very informative! I’ve read a little bit about Ole Bull. I just purchased a very old (mid 19th century. Rec’d it yesterday) beat up copy of an Ole Bull. Thanks!

I am fortunate to have heard a famous Strad and famous Del Gesu in a chamber room. Both had marvellous sound. I prefer the sound of the Del Gesu. But, cannot explain why: words are insufficient, it's about sensation and emotion.

Aaooowwwww, i can't believe you didn't pay the end of the piece for us to hear on this instrument 😭😭

Wonderfully presented! I really loved the Ole Bull part, and I hope that we get to hear more about Del Gesu soon, perhaps even a bit about his wife? :)

Beautifuly played and Such a rich sound! Had it been played much over the last few years? I get the feeling that it may have been on the shelf for a few years and could open up even more ?

Very interesting instrument, plenty of grunt, well balanced and good sound. I have liked this whole series of playing historical instruments and of course, playing them well.

What a beast of an instrument, seem to be somewhat intimidating to handle.

I truly appreciate the history of violins that you share with us. How long did it take for you to get so proficient? If you don't mind my asking. Thank you.

What a focussed, bottomless tone

Is it me or the camera quality got a tad better? Anyway, lovely video as always, I'm always looking forward to those!

Another great production! You should have your own PBS series. So wonderful. Many thanks. BTW where are these violins?

Excellent video as always, with interesting background information and beautiful playing. One very minor suggestion, if I might? Move the teleprompter a little closer to the camera position. Your glances at it are noticeable. Like I said, very minor. Thanks for putting these videos out. Edit: btw, I found your CD on Qobuz and favorited it!

I love these videos, what violin do you pay yourself?

Nice piece. Are you living in Italy right now?

Great Video and great violin! There´s actually an ancestor of Ole Bull who´s a renowned violinist today, his name is Charlie Siem. You should check him out since he´s also regularly performing pieces by Ole Bull!

Depending on your own qualities as a musician, it will take a long time before the Guarneri will surrender (or you to the Guarneri). Del Jèsu was a poor violinbuilder and had to find his woods in old farms and other unknown sources. Very much unlke master Antoinio, who made only instruments for the riches and the nobility. In beauty te Stardivari are topnotch, in soundthe balance goes towards Guarneri, Jèsu. Hadelich gots his 'Ex-Szeryng' with which he was superhappy. Played by one of the very best violonists of his time, Hadelich could rest assure that he inherited one of the best Guarneri's known today.

8:13 did you just call it a fiddle???

What a feeling must it be to be in this room with all these very historic and extraordinary violins around you. This series is my absolute favourite at yt at the moment. If you once can play the "Messiah", currently residing in Ashmolean Museum, I'll invite you to the most delicious Dinner you ever had ;-)

Violin tops are made from spruce and the backs are made from maple and not from the same block of wood.

Sounds almost like Viola.. 🤯

Just as a possible suggestion, the full range of a Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu needs a fairly wide, slow vibrato in 1st position of the G string, as found in works by Ysaye, various Tango pieces, and probably more, but this is for starters. For high positions on the E string - too many to list, but no ‘panic’ vibrato, please.

Sadly the dry acoustics of the room you were in does not make this violin justice, we need to hear it more in a better setting!

To me it pretty much sounds like a Stainer

That was very nicely presented. Greetings from Bergen, Ole Bull's city. Edit: Have you seen the Ole Bull documentary from around ten years ago? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-oe2mL7K8etY.html

90 % playing and 10 % talking would be welcome. Nobody clicks on a video link about a violin to listen to a lecture. That's very close to bait-and-switch.

I wish someone would sell me a Guarneri for £135

So the man tried to make a commune and failed in a year but there is still a park in memory off it ? 🤣

I don't like this Guarneri. I like my violin.🙂

The sound is so dull, rough and non-sonorous! Even some advance level modern violins sound better than it! I'm serious!

She talks too much

Nice presentation. But, the artistry and playing does not justify the honor of playing this violin. Obviously a professional violinist (orchestral ?) But not an artist, soloist who can bring out the true character of this violin. Joshua Bell, Maxim Vengerov , Repin, Mutter, etc. are true soloists. This was a good college student level performance, nothing great.