Music lovers will be treated to an up-close and personal experience as East Central University and Oklahoma Heritage Bank present “The Legendary Violins of Stradivarius and Guarnerius” on Friday, Dec. 1, at 5:30 p.m. in the Ataloa Theatre of the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.
The event will feature two priceless and museum-quality violins from Cremona, Italy – the Lenora Jackson Stradivarius (1714) and the ‘Sloan’ Guarnerius del Gesu (1742). Dr. William Sloan and Professor Judy Sloan, of Los Angeles, will present a multifaceted program, demonstrating the history, artistry, sound quality and enduring superiority of these priceless instruments from Cremona.
“This event will truly be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear and to be moved by the beauty of the sound of the music from these legendary violins,” said Dr. Darryl Fisher, chairman of the Board for Oklahoma Heritage Bank.
In addition, Dr. Sloan will demonstrate his precise replica of their Lenora Jackson Stradivari that he personally crafted, based upon his exact measurements of the dimensions and structure of their Lenora Jackson Stradivarius, as his year-long project of the Oberlin University Violin Makers Workshop.
Accompanying Dr. and Professor Sloan will be Ada musicians Susanne Woolley (violin) and John Emery (cello).
“We are pleased that Oklahoma Heritage Bank and Dr. Fisher are partnering with us in sponsoring this unique event,” said ECU President Katricia Pierson. “It should be an exciting night for those who are music lovers and historians.”
More than 300 years ago in Cremona, Italy, this small village gave birth to the world’s masterpiece violins – the Stradivari and Guarneri. Today, Cremona is off the tourist paths and differs from all other small and picturesque Italian towns in Northern Italy because it truly remains the violin capital of the world with 140 violin makers playing their craft today.
However, none are considered to have the skill of the masters, Stradivarius and Guarnerius. This Cremonese method of violin making, dating to the 17th century, has left a legacy of one-of-a-kind instruments for the ages.
Immediately following the program, a reception to meet the Sloans and to view these incomparable instruments up-close will be held in the Pogue Art Gallery in the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center. Light refreshments will be served.
Complimentary tickets to the performance and reception will be provided the Oklahoma Heritage Bank and can be obtained at any Oklahoma Heritage Bank location in Ada, Roff, Byng and Stratford or by contacting Tiffany Gamble at 580-447-8172 or at tgamble@okheritage.com. Tickets may also be obtained through ECU President Katricia Pierson’s office by contacting Peggy Saunkeah at 580-559-5213 or saunkeah@ecok.edu.
The complimentary tickets will be necessary for admission to the performance and reception and must be obtained through OHB or ECU prior to Dec. 1.
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