Playing a great instrument can make a profound difference in a musician's life. Rarely, though, do Juilliard students own instruments that complement their artistic development. Thanks to the generosity of its benefactors, The Juilliard School has acquired an important collection of rare violins, violas, cellos, and basses, which are used by students at the beginning of their performing careers. This collection was significantly enhanced with the donation of the Pixis, a 1729 Guarneri del Gesù violin generously donated to Juilliard by Howard Phipps, Jr. The Pixis violin is now the most valuable violin in the School's collection.

Yi-Jia Hou’s performance demonstrated the unique qualities of the "Pixis." Photo by Ben Asen

Juilliard welcomed the Pixis on May 13 with a celebration honoring Howard Phipps for his extraordinary gift. The evening included a panel discussion about the instrument, a performance with Juilliard student Yi-Jia Hou, and a champagne reception. Participants in the discussion included Ren&eaccute; Morel, a noted luthier and co-owner of Morel & Gradoux-Matt (where the violin was extensively refurbished); Eric Grossman, curator of Juilliard's instrument collection; and Dean Stephen Clapp and President Joseph W. Polisi. Family and friends of Mr. Phipps and members of the Juilliard community were also on hand to celebrate his vision and tremendous generosity in making this gift.

Mr. Phipps joined in on the discussion, which centered on the violin's history and its recently completed renovation. "I believe this instrument can inspire performers to give their very best," he has said of the violin. "It has a gorgeous tone with a depth that seems limitless, in addition to being a very beautiful object, a pleasure to see, handle, and play."

Mr. Morel illustrated the painstaking methods that he and his colleagues used in the lengthy restoration of the Pixis, a complex process that took around 15 months. Through a slide presentation, he showed the repair at its various stages, from the total disassembly of the violin to the mending of cracks and the patching of spots worn with time. Juilliard curator Eric Grossman elaborated on the ways that string instruments change over time as they are affected by exposure to resin, contact with human skin, and other natural elements. He also talked about the instructions he gives to students who are borrowing fine string instruments—such as to hold them only at the neck or the chin rest, and to refrain from touching the body of the instrument.

Left to right: Guests Robert Pirie and Vartan Gregorian with René Morel. Photo by Ben Asen

President Polisi, who moderated the discussion, talked about the violin's maker, Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri, who was the last member of a noted family of violin makers in Cremona, Italy. Guarneri became known as "del Gesù" when he began inscribing IHS (the Greek symbol for Jesus), beneath a cross on his violins. In the course of his career, Guarneri del Gesù made an estimated 250 violins. Although there is no definitive proof that he created instruments in other forms, some violas and at least one cello are attributed to him. Approximately 150 violins made by del Gesù are still known to exist.

The Pixis is named for the violinist and composer Friedrich Wilhelm Pixis, who owned it for several years in the early 19th century. The instrument was purchased in 1943 by Howard Phipps Sr. for his son, in consultation with his brother John S. Phipps, who was a violin collector. Howard Phipps Jr. played the instrument at home and lent it from time to time to various artists, including Juilliard alumna Ani Kavafian. After he donated the instrument to Juilliard in December 2000, it underwent the lengthy restoration process that will enable it to be played by generations of young violinists.

To demonstrate the special qualities of this extraordinary instrument, violinist Yi-Jia Hou performed the adagio movement from Bach's Sonata No. 3 in C Major for solo violin, as well as the Faust Fantaisie by Sarasate and Kreisler's Schön Rosmarin with pianist Rohan De Silva. Ms. Hou was a soloist with the Juilliard Symphony in a performance last spring of the Dvorák Violin Concerto, for which she played a Stradivarius violin given to Juilliard by the late Avery Fisher.

"It took a completely different technique of drawing sound out of a violin than with the 1692 Stradivari that I was using before," she said of her experience playing the Pixis. "Physically, the violin was very different: The neck was a lot shorter and thicker and I had to adjust my technique in order to keep the intonation, articulation, and freedom I was used to. I had been playing the Stradivari for over four years, so it was a major adjustment. But, because of the huge potential of volume I could feel within the instrument and its wide array of colors, it was very exciting for me, and a great opportunity to get to know a Guarneri del Gesù."

President Joseph W. Polisi and Howard Phipps Jr. were two of the participants in a panel discussion about the instrument on May 13. Photo by Ben Asen

The Juilliard School's musical instrument loan program allows students to use instruments that enhance their musical development. Instruments are loaned to students under rigorous supervision, requiring frequent visits with the curator to ensure that they are being cared for properly. Students borrow instruments for important recitals, professional engagements, recordings, auditions, or competitions. When not in use, the instruments are stored in a climate-constant vault. Almost every one of the more than 100 instruments in the collection have undergone substantial repairs, ranging from regluing seams or replacing pegs to completely restoring instruments left in pieces. Even after restoration, each rare instrument needs ongoing care to ensure its readiness for performance. The Pixis violin will join several other high-quality stringed instruments in the School's collection, including three Stradivari, three Guadagnini, two other Guarneri del Gesù, and one Amati.

"I will always be indebted to Juilliard for giving me the unique experience of playing on truly great instruments for my performances these last five years," says Yi-Jia Hou."I think it's wonderful that the School has an instrument collection that makes it possible for students who are starting their performing careers while in school to perform on such incredible instruments. It makes such a difference to be able to do anything you want on your instrument, without limitations. My violin is my voice, and with these instruments I have the full range to express every emotion, paint every color, to tell my story and sing my song." Adds Ms. Hou, "I particularly want to thank Dean Clapp and Juilliard for giving me this opportunity... and especially donors like Howard Phipps, whose generosity to Juilliard makes it possible for me to play an instrument I would otherwise be dreaming of." 

Lori Bierly is Juilliard's assistant director of major and planned gifts.