Violin performance prodigy gracefully overcomes a disastrous bow malfunction with poise and panache.
In an unexpected turn of events during a concert on May 10, 2023, violinist Stefan Jackiw experienced a bow break while performing with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. The incident occurred approximately one-third into his performance of Ukrainian-born composer Reinhold Gliere's violin concerto.
The violin Jackiw was using was a 1704 Italian violin made by Vincenzo Ruggieri, a prized instrument that he has been playing since he was 16. The broken bow, however, was a 19th-century Parisian violin bow made by François Nicolas Voirin, a renowned bow maker whose creations have fetched prices ranging from £18,000-£40,000 at auction. Notable soloists such as Eugène Ysaÿe and Issac Stern have also used Voirin bows. Jackiw's specific Voirin bow, worth $30,000 (£23,926), has been owned and played by him for over 20 years.
As the bow snapped, three seconds of silence passed before concertmaster Amyn Merchant swiftly provided Jackiw with a bow from the second violin desk. The UK premiere of Reinhold Gliere's violin concerto, a significant event in itself, was momentarily paused by Ukrainian conductor Kirill Karabits, who is also a close friend of Jackiw.
Despite the unexpected interruption, Jackiw, a half-Ukrainian, half-Korean musician, regained his composure and continued the performance. The incident, reminiscent of another violinist, Ray Chen, who snapped a string mid-performance of Tchaikovsky's concerto and handled it in a similar manner, was met with applause from the audience.
The full concert, including the bow break, can be viewed on the BSO website until 9 June. Jackiw took to Facebook to write about the incident, stating that the performance was particularly meaningful to him as a half-Ukrainian, half-Korean musician. The concert, conducted by Kirill Karabits, will also feature Jackiw's 1704 Ruggieri violin in a concert on 20 May in New York.
