Famed “Red Violin” to be featured at 2013 Mozart in the South Festival Finale

I was thrilled to learn that the finale of the Mozart in the South Festival will feature celebrated violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn.  A charming young lady, Ms. Pitcairn performs in partnership with one of the world’s most legendary instruments, the “Red Mendelssohn” Stradivarius of 1720.    She will join musicians of Chamber Music Charleston for a grand finale chamber music performance at the stunning Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul.

The historic "Red Mendelssohn" was crafted by Antonio Stradivari, who lovingly made his instruments in his small shop in Cremona, Italy centuries ago, and remains the most famous violin maker of all time. Not long after its creation, the instrument appeared to vanish from the radar screen; no one knows where or to whom the violin belonged for more than 200 years, spawning any number of historians, writers, journalists, critics as well as Canadian filmmaker, Francois Girard, to speculate on the violin's mysterious history. Girard's imaginative speculations became the narrative for his beloved film, "The Red Violin."

The 1720 "Red Mendelssohn" Stradivarius would eventually surface in 1930s Berlin. It had been purchased by an heir to the great composer, Felix Mendelssohn. In 1956, it was purchased by a New York industrialist who kept the instrument in impeccable performance condition. Much of its original burnished red varnish remains on the violin today, and it is thought to be one of the best sounding and most beautiful of Stradivari's remaining violins. Then on Thanksgiving Day in 1990, the instrument's fate would once again be triggered when the industrialist opted to put the Red Violin on the auction block anonymously at Christie's of London. While some of the worlds' most powerful sought to win the coveted instrument, it landed in the hands of then sixteen year old American solo violinist, Elizabeth Pitcairn. Pitcairn would remain silent about owning the violin until her rapidly burgeoning solo career brought her into the public eye on international concert stages after nearly three decades of rigorous training by the world's most esteemed violin teachers. 

Ms. Pitcairn will join musicians of CMC in a performance of Kreisler’s “Praeludium and Allegro” and Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir de Florence.” Tickets start at $10 for seniors and students and then rise to $20, $25 and $35 depending on what section you choose to sit in.  I have learned that the prime seats - section A - have already sold out, and limited tickets remain for the other areas.  Trust me - you don't want to miss this performance!  Visit http://www.mozartinthesouth.org to purchase your tickets now!