Asko|Schönberg

Anyone interested in all the possible sounds and limits of the violin is in for a treat with Joseph Puglia. In his search for a new violin, he learned more about the relationship between the violin and its player. He asked thirteen composers to bring out the personality of the violin in new works. The project yielded a kaleidoscope of never-before-heard sounds and techniques, and serves as the official introduction of his 1785 Anselmo Bellosio, owned by the Karel Appel Estate. In addition to his other roles, Joseph Puglia is the virtuoso concertmaster of Asko Schönberg. The American violinist had to return his beloved violin to its owner after nine years. After having tried over eighty violins, he is now exploring the limits of the violin and his own abilities on his new instrument. New techniques such as playing the violin with chopsticks or holding the violin in his lap taught him ‘that there are still many unexplored possibilities of expression’.