At just 24, this ‘extraordinary’ L.A. musician plays a violin older than the United States

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Colin Maki, a dealer in exceptional and rare violins, had been tracking the Playfair for years. This violin is a particularly valuable model created in 1741 by the renowned maker Guarneri “del Gesù.” Its history is largely unknown, but it appears to have been cherished by talented musicians throughout the centuries. It was last sold by the famous London violin shop, W.E. Hill & Sons. According to Maki, it then passed through several owners – first a significant collector, then another, and finally a well-known musician – who ultimately decided to sell it to Maki, asking him to find a player who could carry on its musical tradition.

Maki explains that they got the chance to introduce two people with the hope they’d connect. They chose Ray Ushikubo, a 24-year-old musician from San Gabriel who plays the violin and piano.

A celebrated performer, Ushikubo has graced stages like Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall, and even appeared on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.” He’s also received prestigious accolades, including the Davidson Fellow Laureate Award and winning the Hilton Head International Piano Competition. Now, he’s taking on an exciting new challenge: performing with the Playfair, a truly remarkable violin with a rich history.

So, I was asking about the Playfair manuscript, and Maki totally clammed up at first. He didn’t want to say anything about its value, said it was best kept private. But after I pressed him a little, he finally admitted it’s worth way more than you’d think – we’re talking eight figures, easily. Seriously, a fortune!

It’s remarkable enough that this violin is being loaned out at all, but it’s especially meaningful that it’s going to such a promising young musician. He’s dedicated most of his life to studying at the Colburn School, right near the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and this feels like a significant opportunity for him.

As a critic, I rarely get to experience something truly special, but witnessing the search for the right musician for this antique violin was one of those moments. Maki and his colleague, Aurélien Fort Pederzoli, embarked on a quest, and it was Aurélien who had the brilliant idea to reach out to Robert Lipsett, Ushikubo’s teacher of sixteen years. They essentially asked him to name someone deserving. Within days, Ushikubo was on a plane, ready to play for them – a testament to Lipsett’s recommendation and the instrument’s significance.

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I was immediately struck by Ushikubo – he’s not just an incredibly talented musician, but a truly remarkable person. As Pederzoli described it, he carries himself with a maturity and calmness you wouldn’t expect from someone so young. He’s incredibly charming and easy to talk to, and has this natural poise that just radiates outwards. When he performs, he sits up straight, makes eye contact, and has a subtle, captivating stage presence.

He’s spent the last few months getting to know his violin, learning how it responds to him. He describes it as a conversation: he asks what the instrument can do, and the violin answers. It wasn’t easy at first – like any new partnership, there were some misunderstandings. But now, the violin feels like a natural extension of himself. He says that when he plays, it feels as if he’s been playing for years.

He takes it with him always, and will be showcasing it for the first time on December 3rd at Colburn’s Zipper Hall, which seats 400 people. He carries it in a case slung casually over his shoulder. When he opens the case, the violin shines with a warm, reddish-brown glow, like a newly cracked chestnut. It’s amazing to think this instrument is 284 years old, especially considering that fewer than 200 were ever created.

Ushikubo, who is only 24 years old, plays a violin from 1741 – older than the United States itself. He’s amazed by its history, saying it’s hard to grasp so many years. But mostly, he feels joyful and privileged to play it, believing it’s the best-sounding violin ever created.

He began to play, first removing his bracelets and jacket. He took a deep breath and gently rested his chin on the violin, as if bracing himself. He drew the bow across the strings, closing his eyes and appearing deeply moved. His vibrato was precise and delicate, and his movements along the neck of the violin were fluid and graceful, like a plane taking off.

VIDEO | 00:57
Ray Ushikubo playing a 284-year-old violin

Instruments made by Del Gesù are known for their deep, vibrant sound and impressive volume – they can easily fill a concert hall. Violinist Ushikubo recalls being surprised when he first tuned the Playfair violin a few months ago, noticing a bright, clear tone. When he tested it by playing a Tchaikovsky concerto, he discovered sounds he hadn’t thought possible on a violin. He describes the violin’s tonal range as being like different shades of chocolate, from light to dark, with hints of caramel.

Ushikubo’s first performance will feature four dramatic and emotional pieces from the Romantic era: Tomaso Antonio Vitali’s “Chaconne in G minor,” Nathan Milstein’s “Paganiniana,” Ernest Chausson’s “Poème,” and Maurice Ravel’s “Tzigane.” He sees these works as reflecting his personal journey of growth, explaining, “Each piece has helped me develop as a musician.” Despite admitting he doesn’t enjoy practicing, he says these particular compositions remind him of his passion for music.

His journey as a musician started with a childhood fascination for a talented violinist-pianist he saw on Japanese television. He pleaded with his parents for a violin, and on his sixth birthday, received a simple $20 instrument. They soon enrolled him in lessons at Colburn, requiring a long commute from Riverside to Los Angeles for years until they eventually moved to San Gabriel. He studied at Colburn until age 17, then attended the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia before returning to Colburn for his master’s degree. Now, he’s completing an extremely competitive post-graduate program called an artist diploma. He dedicates around 10 hours each day to practicing both piano and violin – a dedication that Colburn’s president and CEO, Sel Kardan, considers remarkable.

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Ushikubo is among a select group of Colburn School students with the potential for successful careers as soloists or in chamber groups. Colburn Artists, the school’s management program, supports musicians like him by helping them develop their skills, build a performance repertoire, and create a professional image. Kardan notes Ushikubo is a captivating performer with exceptional technical ability and a deep understanding of music. However, performing the Playfair piece is more than just career advancement; it’s a unique opportunity to connect with musical history while simultaneously forging his own path.

Someone asked me how I’d feel if I ever had to give back the Playfair violin, and I honestly paused to think about it. It’s a really special instrument, and I’d be heartbroken to see it go, I’ll admit. But even though it might be the most unique violin I ever play, I’m determined to keep exploring and finding new sounds with any instrument for as long as I live. That’s what really matters to me.

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2025-11-24 14:38