Playing the ‘Falmouth’ Q & A
Q: WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THIS STRADIVARIUS?
A: The Strad is the 1692 'Falmouth', named after an Earl of Falmouth during 19th century. Also, for the history buffs, 1692 was when the Salem witch trials took place where people were accused of witchcraft, and when J.S. Bach was just 7 years old!
Earl of Falmouth
Q: WHAT MAKES THE STRAD SOUND SO UNIQUE AND WHAT ARE ITS CHALLENGES TO PLAY, IF THERE ARE ANY?
A: There is kind of a celestial quality in a Strad that is one of a kind. I have played 7 Strads so far, most recently the 1709 'Artot' for my London debut, and 'Falmouth' has a particularly special quality that is deep and dark. But to bring out this type of characteristics, one has to figure it out, which is a big challenge like driving a Formula 1!
Q: HAS IT BEEN OWNED BY ANY OTHER NOTABLE FIGURES?
A: It was also owned by an American tycoon William Clark in 19th century, and now by a US socialite. It used to be played by Leonidas Kavakos.
William Clark
Q: IF GIVEN THE ABILITY, WHAT WOULD 'FALMOUTH' SAY TO YOU IF THE TWO OF YOU SAT DOWN FOR A GLASS OF WINE?
A: Like a legendary wine, let the mystery begin!
David Park and ‘Falmouth’