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Take a closer look at Lara's Guad on this gallery page 
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| ESSAYS |
Lara and Louise's list of great names
These are all names of real people they have come across over the years. 
Lara's parents
A loving tribute to the two who made it all possible
Joey Corpus
Lara's teacher and mentor from 1985 to the continuous present
Lara's near-death experience
The scary look in Lara's own words at her horrifying ordeal that landed her in the hospital in critical condition.
The buried Guad
A look at the extraordinary history of Lara's Guadagnini - loaned to her by an anonymous donor - which brings to mind The Red Violin. With many detailed photos.
Airlines
In order of Lara's preference
Why not to take KLM
A hilarious account of one of Lara's transatlantic flights
Three tips for concertgoers
Or how to sneak in when nobody's lookin'
Ketchup in Scarborough
"So I played this recital last night in a little town on the Hudson..."
An interview that pissed me off
An interview with the Toronto Globe and Mail that got Lara steaming.
Lara's view on scales and technical exercises
An informative and insightful look at early training and what young students should look for.
Lara's top 10 travel tips
In the first 7 months of 2000, Lara travelled to Europe 7 times, once to Central America, and once to China, as well as numerous trips within the US and Canada. So, take it from the expert.
Just another day in the life of a touring violinist - Not!
Take a sneak peek at what surprises can lurk around the corner when you least expect them - a true story.
Lara responds
Hear arguments pro and con Lara's controversial album covers.
Lara speaks about pure intonation
In response to a music critic.
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Lara's Guadagnini
At the present time I play on a Guadagnini from Turin, 1779- known as the "ex-Salabue" (although I call it "the Resurrection").
This violin, hailed by many as the world's greatest Guadagnini, has an interesting background, at least that which we know, from the 20th century onwards.
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Apparently a loving father bought it back in the 20s or 30s for his young violinist son, in California. This boy was doing very well - he studied with Zimbalist, and at the age of 16 played a concerto at the Hollywood Bowl. At the age of 17, he contracted tuberculosis and died that year. His father was heartbroken, so much so that he entombed the Guadagnini and some bows along with his son. (the details are a bit sketchy, but I have to assume that he had a mausoleum erected for him).
This was the case for about fifty years, until finally the violin came back to light again. I am not sure if the father passed away, or if he decided it should be played again, or what, but apparently it was sold to an amateur for a while in the 80s.
Finally, it started making the rounds of various luthiers, some of whom were rather spooked by the story. A few years ago it came up for auction and was bought by an anonymous donor who has now lent it to me.
 I am somehow not at all freaked out by the history of this violin - mainly because the whole thing happened out of a father's love for his son. The Guad is in extraordinary condition, practically never having had a scratch or crack, and is beautiful to look at as well as to play. There is a depth and a strength to it which I have never felt on any Stradivarius, or other violin.
I am very lucky and grateful to have this living link to a past era, the violin presumably having much more history to it than the later portion that I know. I mean, when this fiddle was made, Beethoven himself was 9 years old! Cool. One can only imagine where it's been, and who has heard it.
Lara
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