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EMILY SUN NAMED NEXT CUSTODIAN OF 'THE ADELAIDE' GUADAGNINI VIOLIN
FRIDAY 8 DECEMBER 2023
Internationally acclaimed Australian violinist Emily Sun has been named the next custodian of 'The Adelaide' violin, crafted in Milan in 1753–57 by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini (1711–1786).
Currently held in trust by UKARIA, the instrument was purchased by the people of South Australia in 1955 and is today valued at over US$1M. It has previously been played by an illustrious list of Australian violinists with a connection to South Australia, including Carmel Hakendorf, William Hennessy, Jane Peters, Sophie Rowell, Paul Wright and Natsuko Yoshimoto. UKARIA CEO Alison Beare formally handed over the instrument to Emily Sun on Saturday 18 November.
'This Guadagnini has a "golden" sound, Sun said. 'I feel very privileged to play on this beautiful instrument, during this fleeting period of its already long life and history. The tone is very warm, dark and rich; very even and homogenous across the registers.'
'Possessed of a superb talent' (The Australian), with 'a searing and poetic tone' (The Guardian), Emily Sun's powerful sound and compelling, captivating interpretations have won her international renown. Emily originally shot to fame as a young soloist and media star in Australia, and internationally as a multi prize-winner. Now largely based in London and having performed with significant orchestras and in major concert halls around the globe, she is a fast-rising star. Emily's most recent orchestral performances have included Bruch with Mark Wigglesworth and Sydney Symphony, Beethoven with Asher Fisch and the West Australian Symphony and her recent world-premiere performance with Adelaide Symphony which received significant praise: 'The memorable premiere of a new musical landmark, Elena Kats-Chernin's violin concerto, featuring a wondrous performance by violinist Emily Sun' (Limelight).
Emily is currently Professor of Violin at the Royal College of Music in London and aside from her solo and chamber engagements is an ambassador for the college, recently speaking on modern pedagogy at the Global Music Education League Conference for Higher Education as well as coaching at the China Conservatory of Music. Emily's 2024 season sees her continue as Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Artist-in-Association, with two programs as soloist alongside conductors Andrew Litton and Shieyeon Sung, as well as debuts with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Johannes Fritzsch) and the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra performing Barber. Record releases will include concerto performances with the London Mozart Players and with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra for ABC Classic.
'It is my responsibility to understand "The Adelaide" and draw out its authentic sound, rather than impose on it my perception of what it should sound like – it takes time, patience and love to truly understand its depth and possibilities,' Sun said.
South Australian audiences will have the opportunity to hear Emily perform on the Guadagnini violin with the ASO in Bruch's Violin Concerto (Friday 22–Saturday 23 March), and in Barber's Violin Concerto on Saturday 29 June. Sun will also give an intimate solo recital at UKARIA with London-based Australian pianist Joseph Havlat on Sunday 28 July.
UKARIA CEO Alison Beare said Italian luthier Giovanni Battista Guadagnini is regarded as one of the finest craftsmen of string instruments and ranks just behind Antonio Stradivari (1644–1737) and Guiseppe 'del Gesu' Guarneri (1698–1744).
'We're thrilled to have a mid-career artist of Emily's calibre as the next recipient of "The Adelaide" Guadagnini violin,' Beare said. 'Emily has become an audience favourite in concert halls across Australia, and her ever-increasing array of international engagements are yet another testament to her universal appeal. Her close connection with local and national audiences will ensure the violin continues to be heard in Australia, whilst also playing a part in furthering her international career in London, as it once did for the inaugural custodian, Carmel Hakendorf, back in the 1950s.'
The previous recipient, Natsuko Yoshimoto (who joined the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster in 2021 after serving as Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra), performed on 'The Adelaide' Guadagnini from October 2018–November 2023.
'It was such an honour to have the opportunity to play this violin,' Yoshimoto said. 'As a violinist, your connection with sound is a unique one, because it's such an intimate relationship, and you're basically connecting with something that's going to expose your innermost thoughts and feelings. In a way, it's more than your voice, so that first, instant attraction to the sound is important because you have to see the potential for pushing and exploring the sound, and then you know you're in for a long-term relationship.'
UKARIA Founder and Director Ulrike Klein AO is particularly excited about Emily Sun's appointment as the next custodian of the Guadagnini. 'It's been wonderful to see Emily's career go from strength to strength on the international stage, as she continues to build a reputation as one of the finest Australian violinists of her generation,' Klein said. 'Hearing her in recital at UKARIA over the years has been a great joy, and I know our connection will continue to deepen and evolve over the years to come. Emily's artistry is the perfect fit for such an exquisite instrument.'
