Violinist Kevin Lin, concertmaster of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra since two thousand twenty, will have the opportunity to play on the one thousand six hundred eighty-three "Ex-Gingold" Stradivari until the two thousand twenty-six edition of the International Violin Contest of Indianapolis (IVCI). The violin was made by Cremonese luthier Antonio Stradivari in one thousand six hundred eighty-third and was previously owned by IVCI's Artistic Founder, Josef Gingold. Having served on the juries of all major international competitions throughout the world, Gingold performed as concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony and the Cleveland Orchestra before joining the faculty at IN Univ in Bloomington.
He acquired the violin in one thousand nine hundred forty-sixth and concertized with it until his death a half-century later. The instrument was acquired by the IVCI in one thousand nine hundred ninety-ninth. Since then, the ex-Gingold has been performed by IVCI Gold Medalists Judith Ingolfsson (one thousand nine hundred ninety-eight), Barnabás Kelemen (two thousand two), Augustin Hadelich (two thousand six), Clara-Jumi Kang (two thousand ten), Richard Lin (two thousand eighteen), and two thousand fourteen Silver Medalist Tessa Lark. “The IVCI is thrilled that for the first time, Indianapolis audiences will have the opportunity to hear Josef Gingold’s Stradivari violin played regularly in the hands of ISO Concertmaster Kevin Lin,” says IVCI Executive Director Glen Kwok.
“I cannot think of a more meaningful opportunity than to have our city’s Concertmaster carry out on this Strad, which carries the distinctive sound and artistry of Josef Gingold.” Violinist Kevin Lin previously served as the Co-Leader of the London Philharmonic and has appeared as Visitor Concertmaster in the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Houston symphonies, London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. “To be able to carry out on a Stradivari violin is to be around a piece of history,” says Lin, “but to the ex-Gingold, a violin with such a meaningful provenance, is incredibly special.”
“The Gingold Stradivarius provides Kevin with even more ways maintain the artistic growth of the ISO,” says Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra CEO James Johnson. “When I think of the lineage of this instrument, particularly the glory years of the Cleveland Orchestra when Gingold played Concertmaster for George Szell, I'm awestruck at the possibilities for the ISO’s musical future.”
