Instruments Can Gain Value

Instruments Can Gain Value

by Sara Penny, CCAC Vice President for Iron County Today

Rare instruments that have survived for centuries are valued for incredible tone. The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) recently announced that it has acquired a viola made in 1610 by the acclaimed Italian instrument maker Giovanni Paolo Maggini.

Another example is the Danish String Quartet violinist Frederik Øland receiving a Domenico Montagnana violin made between 1730 and 1740, and cellist Fredrik Sjölin receiving a 1687 Ruggieri cello and a Sartory cello bow.

Sometimes an investor will buy the instrument, insure it for a fortune, and let a performer use it.  There is a quartet of Stradvarius instruments at the Smithsonian that are played on a regular basis to maintain the tone. As Shinichi Suzuki said, "Tone has living soul." If an instrument is not played regularly it loses part of of the tone, so practicing makes the instrument more valuable.

When I was 14 my Grandma Hafen took me to Banff, Canada for a summer of music while she was weaving. The Banff School of Arts included theater, orchestra, weaving, a many other art forms. It was a magical summer for me. When my mother came up to help us drive home the violin teacher told her I needed a better violin. Mr. Halversen chose my old violin and it has opened doors for me wherever we lived. I have played in orchestras in Cork, Ireland; Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Beaumont, Texas; Salt Lake, and here in Cedar. The value decreased when I was hit by a car crossing South Temple in Salt Lake and a crack by the bridge had to be repaired, but it probably saved me from more serious injury. That is the violin I will use for the free March 21 recital at 7 pm in the Presbyterian Church at 2279 North Wedgewood.

My piano has some woo-hoo coincidences. My Grandpa Paul Hafen bought the piano for my mother, Pauline, when she was in fifth grade in St. George, about 1939.  It was a Howard model Baldwin. My dad's name is Howard.  Also, when you open up the front to see the strings the serial number is the same as our Cedar City landline phone number. It certainly feels like it belongs to our family.  

March is a performance heavy month. We just had the Southern Utah String Festival thanks to Marin Colby and her team plus all the people who help with judging and tabulating. 

Lamb of God is set for both March 21 and 22 at Canyon View High School at 7 pm. Free tickets are available at Cedar Music Store and Whittlesticks. 

The opera Hansel and Gretel is set for March 25 to 28 with a matinee on March 28. This SUU production will be at the Heritage Center at 7:30 pm.

Other events are updated on the Cedar City Arts Council social media. Send us your April events soon for the monthly newsletter. 

As I told my students, I know you can't get to everything, but I would hate for you to miss something you wanted to attend. Think of it as the Cedar City arts buffet. Pick and choose what you like and share the experience with family and friends.