Accompanying the grand return of acclaimed conductory Gianandre Noseda to Milan's famed Teatro alla Scala is a performance by the US National Symphony Orchestra, all of whom are equipped with centuries-old masterfully crafted Italian instruments, AP News reports.
The historically valuable musical accouterments were courtesy of Noseda's own collection, supplying a total of nine ancient stringed instruments that he directly acquired from preeminent Italian master luthiers.
Dated between the range of 1686 to 1835, the instruments are an important part of what Noseda calls the "Italian style" of playing capable of mimicking "vocal voices" despite the lack of it in the pieces played.
This manner of performing is what he instilled in the National Symphony Orchestra during his seasons playing for them in the US; slowly inserting his Italian influence into their "system" of playing.
Behind Gianandrea Noseda's Lending of His Ancient Collection
The nine extraordinarily rare instruments comprising seven violins, one viola, and one cello are usually out of the "grasp" of typical orchestra musicians due to their astronomical price.
Noseda told Euro News in a statement that he cannot recall one musician who owns an ancient model of an instrument, like a Stradivari, as these are normally owned by "banks, foundations, or even collectors."
This is partly why he started his collection over a decade ago, now, as a means to "give back a bit of what music gave [him]."
He added that the added "motivation" the orchestra players feel holding the instruments is as equally important as the rich, deep overall sound the strings bestow upon the whole ensemble.
Indeed, the musicians themselves said playing with such prized musical implements gives them the rare opportunity to explore normally inaccessible sounds.
Through second violinist Marissa Regni's ears, this "new sound" produced by the loaned 1725 Venice-made Santo Serafin takes the sonic form of something "very sweet, but also just very rich and luscious."
Such sonic qualities perfectly complement the North American orchestra's La Scala performance of an original composition by the Kennedy Center's own composer, Carlos Simon, who says having the chance to meld "Black American music" with classical music is very "special."
The performance itself took place at the La Scala Theatre last Feb. 25, a highlight of the National Symphony Orchestra's European tour across nine cities, which is also a first for the orchestra in nearly ten years; a homecoming for Noseda and a debut for the NSO.
