With a reddish-brown varnish over a golden ground, this violin shows the influence of Nicolò Amati
The Canada Council for the Arts is the country’s public arts funder. Through its programme of grants, services, prizes and payments, it supports and promotes the nation’s arts scene both across Canada and internationally. The Strad Calendar 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of its Musical Instrument Bank by showcasing twelve of the finest instruments in its collection.
c.1700 ‘Bell’ Giovanni Tononi violin
Giovanni Tononi (c.1640–1713) was in his day one of the most successful makers of Bologna. Like many other luthiers of his time, he was influenced by the work of luthiers in Cremona, a hundred miles to the north, particularly that of Nicolò Amati, whose influence can be seen in this Tononi violin of c.1700. The instrument back is made from two pieces of slab-cut maple with a faint figure. The ribs and scroll are quarter-cut and the figure is stronger. The two-piece top is mostly straight-grained spruce of medium width and the varnish is a reddish-brown over a golden ground. Tononi’s violins were prized in their time for their superb sound quality, and this violin is no exception.
The instrument was donated to the Musical Instrument Bank in 2002 by Justice R.D. Bell, a judge of the Tax Court of Canada who also served as chancellor of Brandon University in Manitoba. It is currently played by Lucy Wang.
Click here to purchase The Strad Calendar 2025
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Photo: Donna Santos Studio
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The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025. This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures, including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana, Gagliano, Pressenda and David Tecchler.
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