Beat-Up Old Fiddle Worth £25,000

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31093, 23 June 1966, Page 14

Beat-Up Old Fiddle Worth £25,000

Ruggiero Ricci will play “a beat-up old fiddle” at his recital in the Civic theatre this evening. At least, that was how Mr Ricci described his £25,000 Guarnerius del Gesu, an instrument made in 1734 by the famous Cremona school of manufacture, in Christchurch yesterday.

“You can pay up to three times that amount for a collector’s Stradivarius, but 1 have always been disappointed in the sound of any I have played.” he said. “Collectors are concerned with condition and not sound. The best violins on the market are rather too stiff for a performer. Personally I find the sound of a beat-up old fiddle much better. “There is no sentiment in my choice of fiddle .Temperament is the main consideration. and 1 consider that the instrument I am using suits me best. I am rather more demanding on a fiddle than many performers.” Views On Prodigies Mr Ricci, who performed the Mendelssohn concerto at the age of 11 with the Manhatten Symphony Orchestra, has strong views about the exploitation of child prodigies. No child should be

forced to study music, he considers.

“That’s why there are practically no child prodigies these days,” he said. “Child labour laws have made it impossible for parents to capitalise on a gifted child’s musical ability.” At the age of six, Mr Ricci was spending more than five hours a day practising. He was able to spend the time because a private tutor provided Ms education. “Most of (is prodigies did,” he said wryly. Travel makes it difficult for him to practise for long periods these days. On a free day, which is usually before a concert, he aims at about four hours’ hard preparation. At other times he squeezes in an odd hour or two when he is able. Shortage Of Works

Mr Ricci said the number of worth-while pieces being composed at present for the violin was almost nil. “There is maybe one composition in three years which I would consider good enough to play. The situation is rattier disturbing. There is only about a tenth of the music available for the violin that there is for the piano. Consequently, although my repertoire is very large, it is often very difficult to provide a new programme.” ’ Although he is not prepared to attempt a Freudian analysis of Ms dreams, Mr' Ricci said he has had a recurrent nightmare for many years. “I dream I am performing in Carnegie Hall without my clothes on,” he said. “Whatever the significance, it’s a pretty embarrassing position to find yourself in.”

A.A.C. Membership.—Membership of the Automobile Association (Canterbury) was now 62,156, the association’s council was told last evening. At the meeting 370 new members were elected.