Dr. Dave owns a 1737 Guarneri del Gesu known as "Viconte de Panette" that was previously owned by Isaac Stern. Fulton bought the instrument in 1994 (he must have come into some money about that time < bg > as the price of this level instument often runs into the millions ). In 1996, Vadim Repin recorded the Ravel and Medtner sonatas on this instrument, which was lent to him by Dr. Dave.
Fulton plays the violin himself, but this kind of arrangement, where a rich patron of the arts buys a famous instrument and then loans it to a performer for concertizing is not uncommon.
Hope that helps
Charles Hankey
Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened.
- Thomas Hardy
Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-- but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.
-- T. S. Eliot
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
- Ben Franklin
Pardon him, Theodotus. He is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.
