Dunfermline concert to use first violin made in Abbot House

Both are celebrating the completion of the first violin carefully crafted in Abbot House by holding a concert in the historic building.

A striking but happy coincidence saw both violin maker Joan Olivella and the talented violinist Benjamin Shute move to Dunfermline.

Violinist Ben Shute (Image: Ben Shute)

Mr Olivella set up his violin making studio in Abbot House when he met Mr Shute, a teacher of violin and chamber music for the University of St Andrews.

Delaware-born Mr Shute, who has studied at the New England Conservatory and the Freiburg and Frankfurt conservatories, has performed internationally as a soloist in concertos from the 17th to 20th centuries.

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As a composer, he was a finalist for the 2023 American Prize in chamber music composition, and his works have been heard in the UK at venues including the London Festival of Contemporary Church Music.

Mr Olivella hails from Barcelona but trained in Cremona, the birthplace of the violin and of Antonio Stradivari, arguably the most famous violin maker in history.

From his top floor studio in the Maygate he said: "Working in the historic Abbot House feels like working in the time of Stradivari.

"I’m making accurate instruments inspired by the great Italian masters: Amati, Stradivari, Guarneri... copying their models because very little has changed in the way violins are made."

Mr Shute is set to perform the concert using two violins.

One is a baroque instrument made by Robert Brode, while the other has been crafted in Abbot House by Mr Olivella.

He said: "We are so honoured that Ben will be playing part of the program on our first violin made in Dunfermline."

The concert will take place on Saturday June 7 at 7.30pm in Abbot House. Doors open at 7.15 pm.

Details of the event and how to book tickets are here.