Violin Sonata in A Major, op. 13
Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)
Fabiola Kim, violin
Matthew Bengtson, piano
by Érard Frères (1866)
Allegro molto (00:00)
Andante (07:11)
Allegro vivo (13:42)
Allegro quasi presto (17:44)
Although unsigned, this violin was almost certainly made by François Chanot (1787-1823) in Mirecourt, France, around 1818. One of the Stearns Collection's most beautiful instruments, the violin features a reverse scroll, elegant inlaid edging, and a curved, cornerless shape more similar to guitars than to traditional violins. Though primarily a marine engineer and scientist, Chanot was fascinated by musical instruments and innovative acoustic designs. He worked with renowned luthiers, including J. B. Viullaume, and patented his unique violin in 1818. Similar instruments by Chanot are held in the Smithsonian Institution, the Paris Conservatoire Collection, and the Brussels Royal Conservatoire de Musique.
