Clara-Jumi Kang loaned Golden Period Stradivari

Violinist Clara-Jumi Kang receives Golden Period Stradivari on long-term loan

The international soloist was granted the long-term use of the 1702 “Thunis”

International soloist Clara-Jumi Kang has been granted the long-term use of a fine Stradivari violin, the 1702 “Thunis”. The fine Golden Period instrument was loaned to Clara in 2023 by Kia Motors, for whom she now acts as a Global Ambassador.

Following a long period of searching for a new instrument Clara first met the “Thunis”, on a visit to Beare’s in 2022. At Beare’s, “the world’s leading authority on stringed instruments” (The Guardian), she was able to try a number of different fine instruments by makers including Stradivari and Guarneri del Gesù, but she quickly fell in love with the sound of the 1702 instrument. The generous loan of the instrument from Kia Motors further enhances the violin’s long history, which includes time spent in the hands of Jeanette Ysaÿe, widow of the famed Eugene.

On her experience at Beare’s, Clara said,

“Words alone cannot express my gratitude for the generosity, support and care I experience with J & A Beare. When I was in need of a violin, they instantly helped me out and through them, I have found my 1702 Strad.”

Steven Smith, J & A Beare’s Managing Director, said,

“It was a joy to assist Clara in finding her perfect violin. A great musician needs a great instrument, and the connection she found with the 1702 “Thunis” here at Beare’s is a match made in heaven. It’s wonderful to see that through the patronage of Kia Motors she has now secured this violin for her future use.”

Clara-Jumi Kang performing at Beare's Chamber Music Festival

Clara-Jumi Kang’s career to date has seen her perform on all the world’s major stages, being known for her “brilliant colour and expressive intonation” (Bachtrack).

Accepted to Mannheim Musikhochschule as its youngest ever student at just four years old, she made her debut with the Hamburg Symphony just a year later and was a cover star of German culture magazine Die Zeit aged six.

Since then she has won first prize at the Indianapolis, Seoul and Sendai International Music Competitions and made solo appearances with a star-studded selection of leading world orchestras, collaborating along the way with artists including Paavo Järvi, Lahav Shani and Ryan Bancroft.