Internationally renowned violinist Jonathan Liou
The string instrument, which is valued at NT$200 million, is part of the Stradivari Society's collection and has been loaned to Liou since autumn of 2002 as recognition of his achievements as a violinist.
He described the Wieniawski as a wild horse waiting to be tamed, at his press conference earlier this week.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS ENSEMBLE
"A classic violin like the Wieniawski sounds better only when it is played by a competent violinist. Otherwise, the instrument will fail him."
He said his relationship with the violin was like that of two lovers who need to urgently explore the merits of their love. The complete merger of human inspiration and the "spirit" of the violin is what he seeks in each performance, Liou said.
He will play the Butterfly Violin Concerto, from the centuries-old folk legend known as "The Butterfly Lovers," a story of two lovers transformed into a pair of butterflies after being separated. The music was composed in 1958 by Chen Gang (陳鋼) and He Zhanhao (何占豪).
Besides playing the Butterfly Violin Concerto, Liou will also perform Sarasate's Carmen Fantasy and Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto in D Minor. The 2005 Siqing Lu Violin Concert
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