Presented by Bernard Keeffe
with Ruggiero Ricci, William Luff

£150,000 - the approximate value of the violins which the virtuoso Ruggiero Ricci had at his disposal for this programme. Any professional fiddler will say there is something about an old Italian instrument, whether it's the varnish, the wood, or just age. But can a single violin really be worth £30,000?
William Luff, an English violin maker, believes that no one has improved on the basic design as it evolved in Cremona, Italy, in the 17th and 18th centuries, and he bases his designs on the best instruments of Stradivari and Guarneri.
Bernard Keeffe tries to pin down some of the elusive qualities of the great old Italian violins, and Ricci demonstrates the capacities of different instruments, from a 300-year-old Nicolo Amati to a brand new William Luff, in a brilliant set of Paganini variations.

Also taking part Mario Ferrasis, Andrew Hill, Dr Bernard Robinson