0043 A E smith violin 1915

This stunning violin is the second instrument by A E Smith we have been able to make available for loan.

Smith is rightly regarded as the father of the Australian violin making school. He was born in 1880 in Islington, London. Most of his working life was in Hunter St, Sydney where he set up shop in 1914 but before then he spent time in Melbourne from 1909 then San Francisco from 1912-14.

This violin came to the current owner in 1973 during her first year in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. It was the first violin she could afford to purchase, having been the beneficiary of generosity and trusting loans until that time. 

The owner was priviledged to visit Mr Smith during an MSO tour to Canberra. Despite his fragility he recognised this particular instrument and was deeply touched to reconnect with it after many years. The impact of this interaction has remained with the owner to this day and she hopes that those musicians who use this violin can be touched by its’ provenance too. 

All violins have a story and this one is no exception.