2 rare violins will be the stars at recital

David Park, the Utah Symphony's assistant concertmaster, has recently played a number of recitals locally. And Wednesday he will perform in yet another concert. But this one will be distinctly different.

Presented by Salt Lake violin maker Peter Prier, Park will play next week's recital on two rare violins, a Stradivarius and a Guarneri. Those names represent the most celebrated and arguably the finest violins ever made. "This is obviously a very unique event for a violinist to play on these instruments," Park said.

Before the concert, Prier will talk about each instrument. "I will give some historical interpretation and information and discuss who played (each violin) in the past," he said. "Then I will turn over the time to (David) and let him do his magic on the violins."

Both Prier and Park have been rather cryptic about the recital. Neither one wants to say much about the program. "I'm going to play certain pieces with one then the other violin," was all Park was willing to commit to. "But it will be a wonderful performance," Prier added.

But in the minds of both Prier and Park, the instruments and not the pieces on the program are the real stars of the show. "This is like dining in a five-star restaurant," Park said. "These are some of the greatest violins in the world. You'll get to learn about them and actually hear them. This will be something for all the senses."

Prier said the Stradivarius that Park will play was made in 1719 by Antonio Stradivari, the founder of the famous violin workshop. The Guarneri is from 1734 and was built by Joseph Guarneri del Gesu, the most renowned of the Guarneri clan of violin makers.

Violins of this caliber fetch an enormous price, but Prier declined to disclose how much these two instruments are worth. "You can't put a price tag on them," he said. "These are the top elite, the best."

What makes these violins priceless? Certainly their history is a factor, but there is quite a bit more, of course. "There are three main things," Prier explained. "One is who made it. The other is the age of the wood. Finally, it's the exquisite technical precision of the violins."

And there is nothing else quite like playing on one of these violins, Park said. "These instruments are a work of art."

Besides the two violins, Park will be using two bows from the late 18th and early 19th centuries that are extremely valuable as well.

Itzhak Perlman told Prier about the value of a perfect bow. "I asked him once about what is more important, the bow or the violin. He said that first comes the head, then the shoulder, then the arm, and then the hand. And the bow is an extension of the hand. It has to feel like an extension. Nothing will happen to the violin until you have this perfect."

If you go ...

What: David Park, violin, Larry Gee, piano

Where: Salt Lake City Recital Hall, 320 E. 200 South

When: Wednesday, 8 p.m.

How much: $25 general admission, $10 students, available at the door (seating is limited)

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com