FAQ: Sergey Khachatryan's Return to Brussels with the Legendary 'Kiesewetter' Stradivari

What is the main event described in this content?

Sergey Khachatryan is performing at Brussels’ Palais des Beaux-Arts on October 17 with the Belgian National Orchestra, playing Brahms’ Violin Concerto on the legendary 1724 ‘Kiesewetter’ Stradivari violin.

Why is the ‘Kiesewetter’ Stradivari violin significant?

The 1724 ‘Kiesewetter’ Stradivari is among the rarest violins of its kind, valued at around $16 million, and has been associated with great modern violinists like Maxim Vengerov and Augustin Hadelich, helping define generations of violin sound.

Who is Sergey Khachatryan and what is his connection to Brussels?

Sergey Khachatryan is an Armenian violinist who won the Queen Elisabeth Competition two decades ago, making this performance a homecoming to Brussels where he first gained international recognition.

What organization is supporting Khachatryan’s use of the Stradivari?

The Stretton Society, a non-profit network of philanthropists founded in 2021, is providing the ‘Kiesewetter’ Stradivari to Khachatryan as part of their mission to connect rare instruments with extraordinary artists.

What musical works will be performed in the concert?

The program includes Brahms’ Violin Concerto, which tests the instrument’s technical limits, and Schumann’s Third Symphony, a five-movement masterpiece that pushes classical form boundaries.

Why is this partnership between Khachatryan and the Stretton Society important for classical music?

It represents a growing movement reviving private patronage and ensuring masterpieces like the Stradivari are played on stage rather than stored in vaults, continuing the instrument’s artistic legacy.

What other activities does the Stretton Society support beyond instrument loans?

The Society also funds mentorship programs that foster dialogue between established artists and rising talent, and received the European Cultural Award in 2024 for its arts contributions.

What is the historical significance of the ‘Kiesewetter’ Stradivari?

Crafted in Cremona around 1724 by Antonio Stradivari, the violin is named after 19th-century German virtuoso Christoph Gottfried Kiesewetter and has absorbed the touch of generations of expressive players across centuries.

Where can I find more information about the concert?

More details about the concert program are available through the Bozar website.

How does Khachatryan describe his connection to the ‘Kiesewetter’ Stradivari?

Khachatryan described the connection as immediate, calling the violin’s voice ‘radiant, powerful, yet infinitely nuanced’ and feeling that performing with it represents both a homecoming and new beginning.