The Oesterreichische Nationalbank attaches great importance to having Austrian musicians play these instruments rather than locking them away. Over the years, many musicians have benefited from the long-term loan of these instruments and have been able to embark on international music careers, which at the same time has helped spread Austria’s reputation for outstanding music throughout the world. Members of renowned Austrian orchestras and chamber music ensembles as well as numerous soloists perform concerts with instruments from this collection. The Oesterreichische Nationalbank’s collection of valuable old string instruments represents an important contribution to upholding Europe’s common cultural heritage, just like the Oesterreichische Nationalbank’s day-to-day business represents an important contribution to the stability of Europe’s common currency.
The violinmakers represented in the collection of valuable old string instruments
A scientific publication about this collection entitled “Meisterwerke der Geigenbaukunst” (“Masterpieces of Violinmaking”) has been published by Rudolf Hopfner.
This book is available from the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna.
