“STRAD” VIOLIN

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 90, 10 January 1935, Page 8

“STRAD” VIOLIN

Archbishop Redwood’s Treasure

PROVISION IN WILL

Left to St. Patrick’s College,

Silverstream

If not the most valuable violin in Australia or New Zealand, the Stradivarius which was owned by the late Archbishop Redwood, could be numbered among the most precious of its family in this part of the world. It was announced yesterday that this violin had been, bequeathed by his Grace to St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream, the “Benjamin” among the scholastic institutions that he founded, and at whose prize-giving he presided only last month, The possession of such an instrument will no doubt prove, an incentive io musical endeavour among the students of the college of the present and Um future. At the same time its possession carries with it a grave responsibility, as such instruments are keenly sought after the world over, and there are eases on record whole tinscruplous persons have stopped at nothing to secure instruments of such wtliie The college authorities will no doubt see to it that this'precious heritage from the much-revered Archbishop will be properly safeguarded.

Lifelong Love of Music.

The “Strad” had been iu the possession of the late ■Archbishop for over a quarter of a century. lie gained an early love of music during those happy days of liis youth at St. Chamond, in the lovely Loire district of France. There he learned to play the violin, and to love music for its own sweet sake. In later life be never travelled without a violin. It, was on one of his visits to England that he was accompanied by a young priest, who was .".Iso a great devotee of music. What was more natural than that, when travelling in Yorkshire, the distinguished prelate and his companion should be invited to the home of a wealthy elderly Catholic country gentleman'in a small town not.far remote from the city of York. This gentleman was also musical. The conversation naturally turned to music, and the Archbishop was induced to play on his own instrument. The host then produced his violin, a genuine “Strad,” and the Archbishop also played upon this masterpiece of old Cremona. Owner’s Anxiety. It fell out during conversation that the owner, who had no family, was not easy in his mind as to the ownership of the’violin after his death. Eventually, it is related, he decided that his precious "Strad” could he in no better hands than those of his visitor, and when Archbishop Redwood loft England for New Zealand he carried with him the violin, which he cherished as a child up io the day of his death. , Arclibishop’s Executors. According to the will the executors of the late Archbishop Redwood’s estate are Monsignor McManus, of Palmerston North, and the Very Rev. D. Hurley, S.M., Provincial of the Mnrist Order. '