The Foundation's instruments

The Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation owns a few musical instruments. Some are at the museum, and others held by musicians.

Bergonzi violin

The violin was built by Carlo Bergonzi (1683–1747) in Cremona, Italy, in 1732. In the 17th and 18th centuries Cremona was the central location for the building of top quality string instruments. Carlo Bergonzi was a student of Stradivarius, and the violins built by these two men are without doubt among the world’s elite. The instruments are still today in great demand among musicians. In 2005 the Foundation bought the violin from Paavo Berglund, who wanted the violin to remain in Finnish ownership. Before Berglund, the violin was owned among others by Isaac Stern.

The Bergonzi violin is currently held by Linda Suolahti. For more information about Linda go to https://www.lindasuolahti.com/

Rombach violin

The Foundation commissioned a copy of the Bergonzi violin in 2008. It was built in Vienna by Johann Rombach and Masayuki Komatsu and is currently deposited at the Sibelius Academy. The violin can be lent to students in need of an instrument.

Signe’s grand piano

Signe Gyllenberg’s grand piano stands in a place of honour in the drawing room of Villa Gyllenberg. The instrument was manufactured by Eduard Westermayer in Berlin at the end of the 19th century. The grand piano has been restored but is not in active use.

Steinway grand piano

In 1998 the foundation bought a white Steinway grand piano. It was given a complete renovation in 2013 and it is often used in concerts at Villa Gyllenberg. You'll find more information about the concerts here.

Salvi harp

The Salvi Iris Gold harp was bought in 2001. On the 1st of October 2015, the harp was deposited at the Sibelius Academy, where it can be loaned to students.

Neupert harpsichord

In 2002 the Foundation purchased a harpsichord made by the J.C. Neupert company. The harpsichord is deposited at the Sibelius Academy, where it is either lent to students in need of a rehearsal instrument, or used at rehearsals and concerts at Helsinki Music Center.