Bein & Fushi

A superb violin by Giuseppe Guadagnini
Como, 1782

This near mint condition violin is a remarkable example by Giuseppe Guadagnini (1753 – 1805). It is, with certainty, the finest example we’ve seen by the maker, both in its condition and in its sound. It is an exquisite violin, first class in every standard.

Giuseppe, also known as “Il Soldato,” apprenticed with his father, celebrated violin maker, Giovanni Battista Guadagnini (1711 – 1786), for many years before setting out on his own to become the best known and most prolific violin maker among G.B.’s sons.

For an appointment, please contact us at (312) 663-0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

An exquisite violin bow by
ÉMILE AUGUSTE OUCHARD
New York, c. 1955-60
“Ex-Kavakos”

Son of the highly-regarded bow maker Émile François Ouchard of Mirecourt, Émile Auguste Ouchard was a master maker who began assisting his father in 1913 and left Mirecourt to open his first atelier in Paris in 1938. During the course of his long and distinguished career, Ouchard won the Grand Prix at the 1942 International Paris Exhibition, had several shops in Paris and New York, and took an exclusive position with the eminent Chicago firm of William Lewis & Son in 1948 before returning to France in 1960.

This stunning Dominique Peccatte model violin bow features a beautifully translucent tortoiseshell frog. The previous owner, the great violinist, Leonidas Kavakos, played this bow during a recent recording session with legendary musicians, Emanuel Ax and Yo-Yo Ma. The bow is exemplary in every aspect and an exquisite example by the maker.

This violin bow is an ideal choice for an accomplished performer or discerning collector. For an appointment, please contact us at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

We were honored to host a special event for the Oberlin Violin Makers Workshop and the Chicago School of Violin Making, Inc. that featured the heroic ‘Harrison’ Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1693, courtesy of the National Music Museum (NMM) in Vermillion, SD. It was a rare Chicago viewing of the 'Harrison' Stradivari and the event included a discussion by Owner and Executive Director of Bein & Fushi Gabriel Ben-Dashan and performances by The Stradivari Society artist Philippe Quint and and Askar Salimdjanova.

A fine violin by GIUSEPPE FIORINI
Zurich, 1918

Giuseppe Fiorini began making violins in Bologna under the guidance of his father, Raffaele Fiorini, before moving his workshop to Munich, Zurich, and then Rome. Besides being a highly gifted craftsman, he was also a savvy businessman and in 1920, he purchased the relics of the Stradivari workshop once owned by the celebrated collector, Count Cozio di Salabue. Fiorini used very fine materials and excellent varnish and his instruments are known to have superb tonal qualities.

This violin we are offering here is a remarkable example by the maker. It has incredible volume while retaining complexity and warmth. It is effortlessly responsive, very fast, and has no weaknesses in its playability or its tone. It is simply a phenomenal violin.

For an appointment, please contact us at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

From the B&F Photo Archives...

A violin by PIETRO GUARNERI
Mantua, 1686
“Duke of Mantua, Bourke”

We are happy to share with you some of the photos of this stunning violin from our archives. With so few extant violins by Pietro Guarneri, this exquisitely decorated violin is a true treasure.

The oldest son of the master luthier Andrea Guarneri, violins by Pietro Guarneri are rare and highly sought-after, with only about fifty in existence. Also known as “Pietro of Mantua” to distinguish him from his nephew, Pietro Guarneri II or “Pietro of Venice,” Pietro was trained by his father beginning around 1670 and quickly developed his own style, which can be seen in the distinctive f-holes, larger scrolls, and fuller arching of his instruments. Pietro’s violins are celebrated for their meticulous workmanship, elegant appearance, use of only the most exceptional wood, tonal richness and power, and outstanding varnish.

Violin making was not Guarneri’s only occupation. He was also an accomplished violin and viol player and worked professionally as a musician. He married Caterina Sussagni in 1677 and they left Cremona around 1679, arriving in Mantua in 1683 where he established his shop and played in the Duke of Mantua’s court orchestra. The later Mantuan masters Camilli and Balestrieri were strongly influenced by his work.

Wonderful news!!!

Breaking News:
Join us in congratulating our prize winners at the Queen Elisabeth Competition! We are so proud of you both!!! ❤️

Joshua Brown was also awarded the Audience Prize!

Joshua Brown, Violinist and Julian Rhee!

The pressure is on! Finalists are given only one week to learn a never-before-seen piece of music in total isolation and then perform it along with a major concerto. Good luck to all the finalists! Especially The Stradivari Society recipients, Joshua and Julian! We will be watching.❤️

Julian will be performing the TCHAIKOVSKY Concerto on Thursday around 2:00 PM Central Time and Joshua will be performing the BRAHMS Concerto around the same time on Saturday. Each finalist will also play a new piece that they will have had only one week to prepare in total isolation with no contact to the outside world. The piece this year is Thierry Escaich’s “Variations Litaniques.”

There is nothing in the world quite like the Queen Elisabeth Competition and we are extremely proud of Joshua and Julian. Wish them luck in these incredibly high pressure final performances!

Brussels is seven hours ahead of Chicago time. Julian Rhee and Joshua Brown, Violinist perform with the Belgian National Orchestra around 9:00 PM Brussels' time which is 2:00 PM Central Time. Please adjust accordingly where you live.

Link to the livestream:
https://queenelisabethcompetition.be/en/watch-listen/

Have a safe Memorial Day Weekend!

The Magical Strings of Youth from the Betty Haag Academy of Music will perform with former Betty Haag student and current Associate Concertmaster of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Stephanie Jeong. The concert will honor the incredible career of Mrs. Haag as she retires from full-time teaching.

Congratulations to Mrs. Haag on a magnificent career!
Her unwavering dedication and excellence in teaching have inspired musicians the world over.

Concert: Saturday, May 25, 2024, 1:00 PM, Symphony Center, Chicago

First Photo: Betty Haag in the Great Room of Bein & Fushi with a young Stephanie Jeong.
Second Photo: Horst Kuhnke, Betty Haag-Kuhnke, and Mary Galvin, Founder and Patron of The Stradivari Society.

Congratulations, Joshua and Julian!!! Good luck in the finals!!!

BREAKING NEWS! Congratulations to Joshua Brown, Violinist and Julian Rhee on advancing to the finals of the Queen Elisabeth Competition!!!
We're so proud of both of you! Good Luck!!!!!

We'll send updates on when and where to watch the finals.

A big congratulations to Bein & Fushi customer and friend of the shop, Giovanni Mazza, on his new television gig! He is a talented young man and a joy to have in our shop. (We hear that you might just see him play some violin on the show as well…)

Setting up another shot in the Great Room…
We had more fun hosting yet another crew who was using Bein & Fushi as a location for a second feature length film this spring.

(We’ll share more details as we are able.)

A superb bench copy of the ‘Alard’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ violin, c. 1742 by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, Paris, c. 1855

We had the pleasure of presenting this rare Vuillaume bench copy of the ‘Alard’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’ at “The Art of the Bench Copy” event that we hosted last fall and now we have the great pleasure of placing it with its next caretaker. The violin is a beautiful and faithful rendering and shows an abundance of Vuillaume’s personal touch.

When the famous violin dealer and collector Luigi Tarisio passed away, J.B. Vuillaume quickly traveled to Italy to acquire the massive collection from Tarisio’s heirs. Vuillaume is said to have discovered the ‘Alard’ Del Gesù nestled in the same drawer as ‘The Messiah' Stradivari. Of course, the Guarneri and the Stradivari had not yet been given these names, but soon the Guarneri would carry the name of Vuillaume’s son-in-law, Jean-Delphin Alard, who would, in turn, bestow the name ‘Le Messie’ (‘The Messiah’) upon the famous Stradivari. Alard was a violinist, composer, and professor of violin—Pablo de Sarasate being amongst his most notable students.

This unique copy of the ‘Alard’ Guarneri plays like a dream. It offers balance and stability which facilitate an ease of playing across the fingerboard combined with an expansive range of color possibilities. It has astonishing power in the low end and has an E string that sings effortlessly. From bottom to top, it is a special violin to play.

This violin is an ideal choice for an accomplished performer or discerning collector. For an appointment, please contact us at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

Our very own John Gerson was interviewed for a WFMT article about what makes Stradivaris so special. John shares some of his vast violin expertise as well as his personal insights as an accomplished performer.

Read the article here:
https://www.wfmt.com/2024/04/17/whats-the-deal-with-stradivarius/

There wasn’t an empty seat for Julian Rhee’s masterclass at Bein & Fushi this week! It was a fantastic musical and educational event that offered a chance for Julian to share some of his expertise and also a chance to connect with a community of music lovers. The students all performed fantastically and we were treated to a moving performance by Julian Rhee of Eugène Ysaÿe’s “Ballade” Sonata.

Pictured: Julian with violinist, Henry Auxenfans.
Trio: from left to right; violinist, Kaylee Kim; pianist, Joe Gallwas; and cellist, Kevin Hernandez.

Violinist, Julimar Gonzalez also performed at the masterclass.

Bravo to all the performers!

A fine violin by Joannes Roumen, Amsterdam, c. 1840

This rare violin by Joannes Roumen is built on a wonderfully attractive model. It has great power and strength but also an inviting warmth and maturity. The violin is a joy to play, with incredibly easy response. This exceptional violin is illustrated in the book ‘The Violin Makers of the Low Countries’ by Max Moller.

For an appointment, please contact us at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

We were honored to offer the beautiful Great Room at Bein & Fushi as a filming location for a feature length classical music documentary last week. It’s always wonderful to see Stradivari Society recipient Adé Williams (pictured) in the shop. She performed a piece and was also interviewed for the film. We’ll share more information about the documentary as we are able.

Plus... Adé Williams will be performing Dvořák’s Violin Concerto in A minor with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on April, 12th. This performance is a part of the ISO’s partnership with the Sphinx Organization. The concert is free but tickets are required.

A fine violin by Giovanni Battista Guadagnini
Parma, 1767

G. B. Guadagnini was the premier Italian maker of the later 18th century. Though he lived and worked in Piacenza, Milan, Parma, and Turin, he managed to capture the individuality and spirit of the earlier Cremonese masters within his work and enjoyed a long career with a large production of very high quality. During his time in Parma, the maker was appointed the court luthier to the Duke don Filippo of Borbone, a position he held for thirteen years.

This violin has a robust and rich tone and a bottom end that is endlessly broad. It has a powerful projection and is capable of producing a massive amount of sound, making it a thrill to play. It’s a player’s dream.

For an appointment, please contact us at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

Celebrating 48 years of superb instruments, great talent, and beautiful music. ❤️

We are proud to welcome Alexandra Tirsu into The Stradivari Society! Alexandra is a rising young star in Europe but has wowed audiences across the globe. She has been performing internationally and will be returning to Europe for performances in Switzerland and then the SoNoRo Festival.

Alexandra is the recipient of a fine violin made by Antonio Stradivari, c. 1717, known as the “Reifenberg.”

Welcome to The Stradivari Society, Alexandra Tirsu violinist, and congratulations!

Congratulations, Julian Rhee! Recipient of the 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant! Avery Fisher Career Grants give recognition to emerging instrumental artists who have great potential for major careers in classical music. We are thrilled for Julian and proud that will join the many distinguished Stradivari Society recipients who have been honored in the past with Avery Fisher Career Grants. Congratulations, Julian!

Julian is the recipient of the outstanding 1699 "Lady Tennant" Antonio Stradivari violin and a Jean Pierre Marie Persoit bow on extended loan through the generosity of The Stradivari Society of Chicago, a division of Bein & Fushi, Inc.

Group photo: John Gerson, Julian Rhee, and Angela Yoffe at the Avery Fisher Artist’s Program’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

The next B&F Post features a peek into the extensive Bein & Fushi photo archive. We’ll share some insights and, of course, fascinating and beautiful photographs, some like you have never seen before.

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A fine violin by Gennaro Gagliano
Naples, 1742

The son of Alessandro Gagliano and brother of Nicolò, Gennaro Gagliano’s meticulous craftsmanship is considered near the caliber to that of the great Cremonese makers. He is regarded as possibly the best and most versatile craftsman of the illustrious Gagliano dynasty. Gennaro chose outstanding wood for his instruments and his varnish is of the highest quality. While his work shows the influence of Stradivari and Amati, his style is unique and his instruments are highly sought after by musicians today.

The condition of the Gennaro Gagliano violin we are offering here is simply dazzling. It has no post repairs or patches and no cracks running the table. Tonally, the violin has a superb broadness and depth from the top of the register to the bottom. It has the responsiveness and power that one would expect from a violin made by Gennaro.

For an appointment, please contact us at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

The beautiful view from the north facing windows of the Bein & Fushi Great Room celebrating black history.

❤️🎻❤️ Happy Valentine’s Day! We love hearing from our customers who have fallen in love with their instruments. We are passionate about our role as matchmakers! ❤️🎻❤️

“Thank you for my beautiful ‘magic’ violin. All of a sudden I can play better in tune and I hear the intonation better. Impossibly difficult passages are now so much easier to play. The violin brings joy to my life every single day.”

Join us in celebrating the birthdays of four legendary violinists this month!

Henri Vieuxtemps - February 17, 1820
Fritz Kreisler - February 2, 1875
Jascha Heifetz - February 2, 1901
Gidon Kremer - February 27, 1947

Pictured: An 1842 lithograph of Henri Vieuxtemps of by Josef Kriehuber and a G.B. Guadagnini viola, one of several of Vieuxtemps’ instruments that have passed through our shop over the years.

Fritz Kreisler and his wonderful Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesù of 1735 known as the “Mary Portman.” We had the pleasure of placing this fine violin with its current owners who generously loan the instrument through the Stradivari Society, a division of Bein & Fushi. Now played by Francisco Fullana.

One of many paintings and other images of Jascha Heifetz that hang in our shop in Chicago. Also, his F.X. Tourte bow we had the pleasure of placing with a new caretaker a few years ago which can be seen and heard on numerous Heifetz albums.

Customer and living legend Gidon Kremer’s wonderfully designed and signed print that hangs in our lobby.

Happy Birthday!

An extraordinary violin bow by
François Nicolas Voirin
(1833-1885)
Paris

François Nicolas Voirin is recognized as the foremost bow maker of the second half of the 19th century. A cousin of the legendary maker Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, he worked in his Paris shop from 1855 to 1870. The distinctive character, exquisite craftsmanship, and wonderful playing qualities of Voirin’s bows had a major influence on French makers at the time and that legacy continues to instruct bow makers today.

With its rare and stunning gold and tortoiseshell mounts, this extraordinary bow is one of the most beautiful examples we’ve seen by the maker. The bow has a precise articulation and an elegance that makes bow changes virtually imperceptible. And in the hand, it feels as good as it looks.

For an appointment, please give us a call at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

For all of our expertise and passion for the violin business, it’s nights like last night that we are happily reminded that, ultimately, it’s all about the music. We were absolutely blown away by Joshua Brown’s performance filling in for Gao Can at the last minute at a The Stradivari Society recital. He performed a full hour of unaccompanied music that was simply unbelievable… Deeply personal playing that words just can’t describe. We were honored to be there to witness such a marvelous achievement by such a young player. Bravo, Joshua Brown, Violinist!

Joshua performed Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s, Louisiana Blues Strut, Bach’s Violin Sonata no. 3 in C major, Ysaÿe’s Sonata no. 1 in G minor and Sonata no. 3 in D minor, and Lera Auerbach’s T’filah for solo violin.

Congratulations, Joshua!
(& Get well soon, Gao Can!)

Pictured: Melanie Brown, Roland and Almita Vamos, Joshua Brown, John Gerson, Paige Ben-Dashan, and Gabriel Ben-Dashan

A fine violin by FRANÇOIS-LOUIS PIQUE
Paris, c. 1800

Pique was a contemporary of Nicolas Lupot— regarded as the finest of all French makers—and this gorgeous violin is reminiscent of Lupot’s greatest work in both craftsmanship and tone. Its stunning golden varnish, wood, and craftsmanship are some of the very best we’ve seen by Pique. Tonally, it has power and is incredibly responsive, but what really sets it apart is its refined elegance and nuance that put it on the top shelf of French instruments.

For an appointment, please contact us at 312.663.0150. We look forward to hearing from you.

Tschu Ho Lee
(1932-2024)

We were saddened to hear the news of the passing of the wonderful Tschu Ho Lee. The master teacher led field trips from the Chicago School of Violin Making, Inc. to our shop countless times over the years. It really was an honor to be a part of the education of so many of his students whom he cared so deeply about. Around twenty-four years ago, Bein & Fushi Head of Workshop Jeremy Koons first visited our shop on one of those many visits. Pictured is Jeremy and Tschu Ho Lee from around that time.

We remember Tschu Ho fondly and are heartened to know that he made such a positive impact on so many people. Rest in peace, dear friend.