Updated
It's 345 years old and worth $45 million and it goes literally everywhere with the man entrusted with its care.
Named Mahler, it was the first viola made by renowned 17th century instrument maker Antonio Stradivari and is one of a handful still being played.
French virtuoso Antoine Tamestit has been playing the valuable strings for 10 years courtesy of the Swiss owners, the Habisreutinger Foundation.
"The most important thing is to play it and to play it a lot because that keeps it alive," he said.
Tamestit is touring Australia and while in Hobart was happy to share the history of his special instrument with schoolchildren before a concert with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.
Stradivarius, the most famous of string makers, created about 600 violins but it is thought only 10 of his violas have survived.
"It's quite amazing to play such an instrument," Tamestit said.
What makes the quality of the instrument so special, and others created by Stradivari, is the subject of much scrutiny.
Tamestit said it was a combination of factors, including even the varnish.
"I think it's still a mystery, but I would definitely say the wood is a big part of it," he said.
"And of course the craftsmanship. This is 1672, he's 28, he's left his mentor's workshop about two or three years before that and he's making an instrument which is inspired by what he learned."
Coincidentally, Tamestit was the same age when he gained approval to use the precious viola.
"I was 28 when I got it and so in a way I could in some ways relate to this," he said.
Despite its value, it is not considered a prime target for theft.
"It would be not a good idea because all of these instruments are recorded. We know exactly who they are and what they are. This one of all is very famous and very well known," he said.
"Any thief would not be able to go that far with it."
Taking care of such a valuable instrument is surprisingly straight forward.
It is constantly by his side.
"It's just always try to keep it with me. I don't fall asleep on the train, I hold it always beside me, I go with it to the bathroom."
The instrument is protected in transit by a specially built graphite case with shock absorbing foam and a thermostat.
It is sturdy enough to go in a plane's overhead locker.
"You have experienced like me some rough landings or people putting suitcases on your own suitcase but this case is very good like that. It is very solid," Tamestit said.
So has he ever dropped it?
"No, no, no, no, no. And I hope I will never do that," he quipped.
"It once dropped, but not from a very big height but inside the case because one of the straps from the case was not solid enough, but nothing happened because this is a very good case."
The responsibility of taking care of the viola is like that of "taking care of a small child", Tamestit said.
But he said he only contacted the owners occasionally.
"This one is in mint condition and can be played so it should be played, which means that all the risks that we take with it," he said.
"But that is also for the foundation to know who will take the least risks and who can be trusted with the instrument in their hands.
"I call them as if they are my parents and my grandparents, once in a while. They don't ask for much and I see them once a year or twice a year."
Topics: opera-and-musical-theatre, music, arts-and-entertainment, hobart-7000
First posted