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 Minna Pensola. For more information about Minna go to www.minnapensola.fi

Bergonzi application 2025

The Bergonzi violin may be applied for during the autumn 2025. The application time is 24.10-13.11.2025 and the applications are to be sent as an e-mail attachment to Siiri Oinonen, siiri.oinonen@gyllenbergs.fi.
Attachment: pdf or word
Attachment name: Bergonzi application + last name + first name
Title of e-mail: Bergonzi application

The loan period is 5 years and can be renewed once. The total loan period can thus be 10 years. The foundation pays the violin's insurance and maintenance costs.

Opportunities to try the instrument will be organized during weeks 45 (3-7.11.2025) and 46 (10-13.11.2025). More information siiri.oinonen@gyllenbergs.fi

An expert committee goes through the applications and suggests a new instrument holder to the foundation's board in November. The new holder and the other applicants will be informed of the decision in December 2025.

Profile of instrument holder
The Bergonzi violin is a valuable and demanding instrument, and in the choice of instrument holder we prioritize professional violinists with a strong connection to Finland, an interesting and versatile musical profile and a good reputation. The foundation wishes that the instrument holder is available to perform at the foundation's events once a year.

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.