For those not in the know, and boy, this is something you should know, trust me, in 1715, famed Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari constructed what would become one of his most legendary violins. In 1817, the violin was bequeathed to Polish virtuoso violinist Karol Lipinski, who inspired many works for the instrument. In 2008, the Lipinski Strad arrives in the hands of Frank Almond, through an anonymous donor. In 2013, Almond releases A Violin's Life, an album that traced the provenance of the Lipinski Strad.

In January 2014, a shocking twist in the violin's life occurs: following a concert, Frank Almond is tasered by an assailant and the Lipinski Strad is stolen. An FBI pursuit results in its recovery a few weeks later, and media coverage goes viral, including national TV coverage as well as features by Vanity Fair, NPR, BBC, and many more.

And now, in May 2016, Frank Almond releases A Violin's Life - Vol. 2. The Lipinski Strad lives on in a studio recording alongside Fraser's choral arrangement of Elgar's Sea Pictures, with Woods conducting the English Chamber Orchestra and the Rodolfus Choir.

1. BEETHOVEN: Violin Sonata No. 9, Op. 47
2. MAIER-RÖNTGEN: Violin Sonata in B minor
3. TUBIN: Sonata for Solo Violin

A Violin's Life - Vol. 2 is a wonderful compilation of pieces, beautifully performed. I suppose one's sound system matters, but I swear this instrument was noticeably better than other violinists' fine violins. If you love violin and piano you will love this! It's just so obvious that the performers both spent untold time compiling the history of this violin, and then performed the exact pieces the owner had performed. Wow what a treat to hear these selections from the time period of the composition. A wonderful treat to hear this magnificent gentleman play and a great addition to their A Violin's Life musical history.