The Canada Council for the Arts has announced that a national competition will be held for the loan of two rare Stradivarius violins (1689 Baumgartner and 1702 Lyall). A 1729 Guarnerius will later be made available after restoration. The donor of these instruments, valued at $1.5 million each, wishes to remain anonymous. The Council's 1717 Windsor-Weinstein Stradivarius is presently on loan for a second 3-year term to the fast-rising Canadian violinist James Ehnes.

Queen Elizabeth Violin Competition 1997 results:
  1. First Prize: Nikolaj Znaider
  2. Second Prize: Albrecht Breuninger
  3. Third Prize: Kristof Barati
  4. Fourth Prize: Andrew Haveron
  5. Fifth Prize: Natsumi Tamai
  6. Sixth Prize: Kazuhiro Takagi

Joshua Bell, who recorded for many years on the London label, has signed a recording contract with Sony Classical. He intends on recording the following works:
  • Nicholas Maw's Concerto
  • Vaughn William's "The Lark Ascending"
  • a disc of Gershwin arrangements
  • "The Red violin" Concerto by John Corigliano
  • the Sibelius Concerto

Vadim Repin renews contract with Erato label.

James Ehnes plays Paganini's 24 Caprices
Isaac Stern plays Beethoven sonatas

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