This clip from the Columbus Dispatch shows Columbus Symphony concertmaster Joanna Frankel trying out ‘Il Cannone’, Paganini’s favourite violin, during its weeklong stay at the Columbus Museum of Art.

The violin, made in 1743 by Guarneri ‘Del Gesù’, was nicknamed ‘Il Cannone’ (the cannon) by Paganini because of its power and projection.

It is on exhibition until 19 May and was played by Frankel in a concert with the Columbus Symphony at the Ohio Theatre on 15 May.

Accompanying the violin is its curator Bruce Carlson, who wrote an article for The Strad in 2004 about the work he did on the instrument to make it playable.

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