Young Hungarian Cellist Awarded Jacqueline du Pre’s Stradivarius Cello

31 year old Hungarian cellist Istvan Vardai has been granted the long term use of the 1673 ‘Du Pré-Harrell’ Stradivari cello

It has been announced today that 31 year old Hungarian cellist Istvan Vardai has been granted the long term use of the 1673 ‘Du Pre-Harrell-Guttmann’ Stradivari cello - on loan from an anonymous benefactor.

1 of only 65 surviving cellos by the famous maker, previous owners include British cellist Jacqueline du Pre and American cellist Lynn Harrell.

A graduate of the Vienna University of Music and the Kronberg Academy, Istvan is a former major prize winner at the Popper, Feuerman, Geneva, Brahms, Tchaikovsky International Cello Competitions and the ARD International Music Competition.

ISTVAN VARDAI | SCHUMANN CELLO CONCERTO | ZSOLT HAMAR & THE HUNGARIAN RADIO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | 2012