violin

In 1999, this violin was loaned to the Musical Instrument Fund by violinist Piet Nijland (1916–2001). Piet Nijland was a prominent Dutch violinist. For many years, he served as second concertmaster of the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and performed extensively in chamber music ensembles such as Sonata da Camera and the Röntgen Quartet. After his death, his heirs continued the loan. We are very grateful to them for this.

This Vuillaume gained renown because it served as Louis Zimmermann’s concert instrument for many years. It is therefore known as the “Zimmermann-Vuillaume.”
Louis Zimmermann (1873–1954), born in Groningen, studied with Eugène Ysaÿe in Brussels, among others. In 1899, he joined the Concertgebouw Orchestra as second concertmaster. From 1904 to 1911, he taught at the Royal Academy of Music in London. From 1911 until his retirement in 1940, he served as first concertmaster of the Concertgebouw Orchestra and as a principal faculty member at the Amsterdam Conservatory. He also composed and made many gramophone recordings. A fine example of his playing can be heard in the aria “Erbarme dich” on the recording of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion conducted by Willem Mengelberg.

Ergys Koni was the first player of the Vuillaume; since 2007, it has been in the possession of Julija Hartig.