Violinist Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis Awarded Use of 1645 'Ex Christian Ferras' Amati

23-year-old violinist Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis has been awarded the 2 year loan of the 1645 'Ex Christian Ferras' grand pattern Nicolò Amati violin

It has been announced this week that 23-year-old violinist Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis from Latvia has been awarded the 2 year use of the 1645 Ex Christian Ferras grand pattern Nicolò Amati violin – on generous loan from a benefactor in Europe and the Rare Violins In Consortium, in New York.

The new Arancio Prize, named after the instrument’s current owner, was presented to the laureate at this year's 2019 Michael Hill International Violin Competition who was deemed to potentially benefit most from the opportunity to use the historically-significant violin - which was previously owned and performed on by luminary French violin soloist Christian Ferras.

JAVGENIJS CEPOVECKIS | SHOSTAKOVICH VIOLIN CONCERTO NO. 1 IN A MINOR | GIORDANO BELLINCAMPI & AUCKLAND PHILHARMONIA  | 2019 MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION | 3RD PRIZE

Founded by Bruno Price and Ziv Arazi from Rare Violins of New York, In Consortium was started in October of last year to provide the infrastructure to allow benefactors, investors and fine instrument owners effortless and safe collaboration with young concert artists.

Previous recipients from the Rare Violins InConsortium collection include 18-year-old VC Young Artist Nathan Meltzer, who currently performs on the 1734 Ames/Totenberg Stradivari – and 18-year-old VC Young Artist Kevin Zhu, who currently performs on the 1722 Ex-Lord Wandsworth Stradivari.

Rare Violins In Consortium Chief Executive Officer, Ziv Arazi and Company Chairman, Bruno Price - with 2019 'Arancio Prize' recipient 23-year-old Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis from Lativa

“We were looking for someone here in Auckland this week who obviously needed this fine instrument … plus also who we felt would benefit the most from its use …” Rare Violins In Consortium Company Chairman, Bruno Price has told The Violin Channel.

“It’s a powerful instrument with a very unique voice, so it was not automatically most suited to whoever was awarded 1st prize … we wanted it to go to the laureate who we felt it would have the biggest impact on their career - and on their long term musical life and development,” he has said.

“In Consortium was started as a way to get more great instruments into the hands of more great players and we’ve seen in the past young players absolutely blossoming when given the opportunity to have a truly great instrument in their hands for a number of years … and we are confident in our decision to award this opportunity to Jevgēnijs,” Rare Violins In Consortium Chief Executive Officer, Ziv Arazi has said.