The Stradivari Trust Marks 40 Years of Supporting Musicians with Gala Concert at Smith Square Hall
On Thursday 4 December, The Stradivari Trust will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a gala concert at Smith Square Hall, London.
The evening’s concert programme has been chosen to honour both the Trust’s anniversary and cellist Natalie Clein’s long association with the organisation. Conducted by Roger Benedict, Sinfonia Smith Square will perform Schumann’s Cello Concerto with Natalie. Also on the programme is the second movement of Schubert’s String Quintet with members of the orchestra. The concert also celebrates Natalie completing her scheme and becoming an alumna of The Stradivari Trust.
Founded in 1985 by Cambridge entrepreneur and philanthropist Nigel Brown OBE, The Stradivari Trust has enabled Britain’s finest musicians to acquire instruments of the highest calibre. The Trust’s inaugural scheme supported violinist Nigel Kennedy in acquiring the ‘La Cathédral’ Stradivari violin, an acquisition that laid the foundations for a model of syndicated ownership that has since become unique in its field. Contributors to each syndicate acquire shares in the instrument which the musicians buy back gradually over a set period, enabling them to eventually own the instrument.
Over the past four decades, the Trust has facilitated more than 60 such schemes, with instruments collectively valued in excess of £30 million, benefitting musicians including Steven Isserlis, Lawrence Power, Jennifer Pike and Natalie Clein. In addition, to commemorate the Trust’s founder, the ‘Nigel Brown Fine Instrument Fund’ has been set up which welcomes donations eventually used to acquire certain fine instruments more quickly, before the fundraising has been finalised.
The Stradivari Trust is a registered charity no. 1105562