Description
Frank Almond's life is intertwined with that of his violin, the "Lipinski" Strad, an exceptional instrument named for the famed 19th-century Polish violinist Karol Lipinski and first owned by legendary 18th-century Italian composer-violinist Giuseppe Tartini, represented on A Violin's Life, Volume 3 by his Sonata Prima in D, Opus 2, a trio sonata in all but name. The masterful Piano Trio in E flat by 19th-century Swedish virtuosa Amanda Meier connects with the instrument that had passed on to her future father-in-law Engelbert Roontgen. Another great Nordic composer, Edvard Grieg, opens the album with his great Sonata No. 3 in C minor.
The legend of the Lipinski Strad went viral in 2014 when, following a concert, walking towards his car, Frank Almond was tasered by an assailant and the prized instrument was stolen. An FBI pursuit resulted in the recovery of the instrument within weeks. International media ensued on the BBC, NPR, and a feature in Vanity Fair. An award-winning documentary film "Plucked" premiered at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.
Frank Almond's critically acclaimed and chart-topping recordings of A Violin's Life are now a trilogy. The "Lipinski" Strad lives on.
Critical Acclaim for Frank Almond
"in his hands, the "Lipinski" flourishes and shines in notes spun out with casual virtuosity and graceful poetry…" – Strings Magazine
"the glorious "Lipinski" Stradivarius violin … which passed through the hands and lives of a number of composers beginning with Giuseppe Tartini, and whose fascinating journey is chronicled on a gorgeous recent CD, "A Violin's Life" - New York Times
"Intoxicating brilliance and immense panache." – The Strad
Also available:
A Violin's Life, Vol 1 (AV2279)
A Violin's Life, Vol 2 (AV2363)
Respighi, Janacek & Strauss (AV2113)
