Professor receives 330-year-old violin

Giovanni Grancino is widely considered one of the greatest and earliest violin makers of the "Golden Age of Violin Making" from roughly 1680-1750 in Italy. Violins crafted during this time period have sold for millions of dollars to present-day musicians, enthusiasts and collectors. 

Gregory Maytan, associate professor of violin at Grand Valley, is currently in possession of one of these rare violins that was created more than 330 years ago.

"It's amazing to think about this great artist and maker named Grancino sitting down centuries ago in his studio in Milan, Italy, to craft this particular violin, and somehow I now have the honor of benefitting from the fruits of his labor," Maytan said.

A 1683 Grancino violin was recently loaned to Maytan by the Swedish Järnåker Foundation, which lends string instruments to highly talented young musicians of promise, eminent soloists and chamber musicians, as well as string section leaders in professional orchestras and ensembles.

"Great old Italian instruments tend to produce a unique sound that is extremely beautiful and colorful, yet projecting," Maytan said. "The problem has been that the price of these violins have gone up so much, making them financially out of reach for most musicians."

Maytan was chosen to receive the violin following an in-depth application process based on merit, concert scheduling and his Swedish heritage. He said the foundation prioritizes musicians with active careers because it wants these instruments to be seen and heard. 

All recipients are evaluated on an annual basis to determine whether or not they will be allowed to keep the violin for a longer period of time. Maytan plans to apply for an extension in May when his contract concludes.

Currently on sabbatical in Germany, Maytan is recording a CD using the instrument and also touring northern Sweden performing all of Bach's works for violin.

"It's exciting to tour in the north, which is where I was born and raised," Maytan said. "It will be neat to return to childhood places where I first started to learn the violin as a concert artist with this wonderful instrument."

Maytan said the violin allows for smoother musicality and responds beautifully to his performance style. "It has already become my 'voice' and having it on stage has really added to my sense of confidence," he said.

Maytan plans to give his students the opportunity to perform with the rare instrument when he returns from sabbatical in March, but said they will learn more about the violin through listening, rather than playing.

“I find that a big part of being an effective teacher is to be able to demonstrate passages to students in a way that inspires and convinces them,” Maytan said. “I remember one of my teachers at Indiana University playing on a Stradivari violin during my lessons and how inspiring that was to hear as a student. It would be wonderful for me to be able to pass on those same feelings to my own students.”