The Kochanski del Gesł has been the faithful companion of Aaron Rosand for
nearly 40 years. This violin, created in the year 1741, is an outstanding
late example of the art of Joseph Guarneri "del Gesł" of Cremona. It has
magnificent deep red varnish and is in a wonderful state of preservation.
Joseph (Bartolomeo Giuseppe) Guarneri (1698 - 1744) is the most famous of
the Guarneri family. The moniker "del Gesł" comes from the presence of a
cross and the initials "I.H.S." on the printed labels of his violins. These
initials may be either an abbreviation for the name "Jesus" in Greek, or may
be an acronym for the Latin "Iesus Hominum Salvator" (Jesus saviour of men).
Whatever its origin, IHS was a logo commonly used by the Jesuits and very
familliar to the residents of 18th century Cremony. Giuseppe's use of this
device on his labels led later generations to the assumption that he was a
man of exceptional piety, hence the designation "del Gesł" (of Jesus) was
added to his name. Today many scholars believe it is perhaps likely that
IHS was was adopted by Giuseppe more as a recognizable trademark to
distinguish his work from that of his well-known relatives than as a
religious expression. (His grandfather, father, uncle, and brother were
also noted violin makers.)
The Kochansky first became known to the violin world when it was shown to W.
E. Hill & Sons in 1880 by a Mr. Enthoven, a London antiques dealer and fine
amateur violinist. Enthoven also showed the instrument to Charles-Eugene
Gand who recorded it in his files. When Mr. Enthoven died it was sold to
Charles Davis who shortly resold it to the Hills. Then followed a sale to
Mr. Richard Bennett, doubtless the greatest stringed instrument collector of
all time. When Bennett died the Hills repurchased the instrument. In 1924
the violin was sold to Paul Kochansky a violinist who played it thoughout
his career. Upon Paul Kochansky's death, his widow chose to store the
instrument in the vault of Rembert Wurlitzer, the celebrated New York violin
dealer. Aaron Rosand would go to Wurlitzer's to demonstrate violins for
potential purchasers and this is where he first became acquainted with the
Kochansky. The instrument remained in the Rembert Wurlitzer vault for many
years until finally in 1958, Mr. Kochansky's widow was persuaded to sell the
instrument to Mr. Rosand. Since then Mr. Rosand has concertized
continuously using the Kochansky.
The Kochanski is considered to be one of the great del Gesł's. It is from
Guarneri's last and perhaps greatest period, 1740 - 1744. The maple back is
a mirror image of the "Ysaye" from the year before. The wood of the top is
cut from the same log as that of the "Vieuxtemps" del Gesł. The bass side
exhibits a heavy, broad grain, while the treble side is of much
finer-grained wood.
The tone of the Kochansky is much-admired and is very well-known in today's
concert halls and recordings thanks to the many great performances and
recordings made by Mr. Rosand over the past 40 years. It is regarded by
many as one of the best sounding del Gesł violins in existence.
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