February - May 1999 - Berlin-Restoration of a Guarnerius
Strings Attached - Herald Sun, Arts and Entertainment, 22/3/94 - BY LORETTA HALL

"David Berlin had to have Gwen's guardian before he was allowed to take her out to a concert. She was recuperating from major surgery to her belly, and the country doctor in charge of the 297-year-old wanted to question Berlin about his intentions. Berlin, principal cellist with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, was not the first to express an interest in the $550,000 cello, made in 1697 in Cremona, Italy. Two other prominent Australian cellists have also been granted the honor of using the instrument.

Its owner, a doctor and part-time cellist from a New South Wales country town, is reluctant to reveal his identity. But he is keen for other music lovers to hear a bow drawn over the strings, rather than keeping the instrument in silence as a collector's piece.

Called Gwen by one musician, in reference to its maker, Andreas Guarnerius, the instrument sounds as a fine wine tastes. With maturity comes a richness and "sound colors", Berlin says.

He says recent restoration of the cello's maple and elm belly has enhanced its performance. Melbourne violin-maker John Ferwerda was responsible for the work, and for introducing Berlin to the cello's owner.

"This is way out of my league," says Berlin, holding the rare cello gingerly. He took out insurance on the instrument for the duration of the "Great Classics" series of three concerts to be held at Monash University's Robert Blackwood Hall and the Melbourne Concert Hall.

"At first, because I hadn't played with an instrument like this, I was a bit shy about picking it up," Berlin says. "Then you relax into it. Because it is what it is, you want to be so gentle with it and you become paranoid about people walking past it."

Audiences will be able to see and hear the cello and its minder when they perform a solo, Saint-Saens Danse Macabre, cello concerto one, in the first concert only (on Friday). Berlin says there is a difference in the sound the old cello makes. "It feels different in the way that great instruments have greater tonal range. String instruments improve with time."

The MSO will also present Mahler's first symphony in Friday's program. The instrument that has served Berlin well during his six years with the MSO will be put back into use after the concert series. "It will be like going back to a Commodore that's good and serves you well after driving a Ferrari.""