The rare Stradivarius violin putting the spotlight on an unknown Polish composer

There is only one Stradivarius violin in Poland, a rare example that survived the turmoil of the Second World War and returned to Polish hands.

Now, Janusz Wawrowski, a violinist and professor at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, is using his musical talent and unique access to bring light to the talent of Polish composer Grażyna Bacewicz.

Antonio Stradivari, a master Italian craftsman of string instruments from Cremona, left behind around 1,000 instruments, including violins, violas and guitars, the latter of which unfortunately have not stood the test of time.

While the technology of lutherie - that of building string instruments - has evolved immeasurably since the time of Stradivari, his violins have maintained their irreplaceable status within the world of music.

"His violins are unique," Wawrowski tells Euronews Culture, "From what luthiers say, they are precisely made in terms of shape and geometry."

"We know that Stradivarius was really concerned with alchemy, he had a studio where he apparently didn't even let his wife and children enter," he adds.

Stradivarius violins are characterized not only by their perfect geometry, but also by their unique lacquer, which not only keeps the wood of the instrument safe, but also influences its sound. According to experts such as Wawrowski, it is this secret substance, concocted by Stradivari himself, which is key to the violins' unique sound.

Stradivari also used a special type of wood for his instruments, sourced from trees that grew harder and thicker during the long, harsh European winters of his time.

Today, as a result of the changing climate, Europe lacks such raw materials, which makes Stradivari's craftsmanship all the more original.

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