ca. 1830 Shaw Adam cello bow
Made in France by Jean-Dominique (J.D.) Adam, the bow is a fine example of Adam's work. J.D. Adam was born in Mirecourt, France in 1795 and was the son and pupil of Jean Adam. He was a prolific maker and a contemporary of Dominique Peccatte and Guillaume Maline. Adam bows are much sought after by both players and collectors.
This bow has a round stick of light honey colour. It displays mineral deposit at tip; ebony frog displays pearl eyes and silver ferrule; frog being without undershoe; and the ebony button displays a pearl eye and two silver bands.
The donor, Andrew R. Shaw, was a professional cellist, the president of Canada's largest music publishing company for many years as well as the CEO of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra until 2013.
Past winners:
2000 - 2006 Kaori Yamagami (Maple, Ontario)
2006 - 2009 Emmanuelle Beaulieu Bergeron (Houston, Texas)
2009 - 2012 Emmanuelle Beaulieu Bergeron (Toronto, ON)
2012 - 2015 Karen Ouzounian
2015 - 2018 Cameron Crozman
2018 - 2022 Bryan Cheng
2023 - 2024 Leland Ko
The Power of a Donation
The Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank consists of exceptional instruments donated or loaned by both individuals and foundations. These contributions empower the next generation of Canada’s major classical musicians to further their creative development and reach a new level in their careers, while also giving audiences around the world the opportunity to hear remarkable instruments at play.
“Winning the Canada Council Instrument Bank competition to play on the historic Bonjour Stradivarius cello was one of the most rewarding and life-changing experiences I’ve had as a musician. The Bonjour Strad allowed me to stretch, explore and deepen my expression as a musician, all the while opening many different doors for my musical career.”
— Soo Bae: winner from 2006 to 2009
“During those three years, I played, recorded and connected to new musical partners more than ever before. The cello gave me the confidence to reach out and surpass any boundaries I had previously had. I am forever grateful to the Instrument Bank and the donor of the 1696 Bonjour Stradivarius.”
— Rachel Mercer: winner from 2006 to 2009, from 2012 to 2015 and from 2015 to 2018
“Having the opportunity to perform on this extraordinary violin had a huge impact on both me and my career. The wonderful qualities of the violin allowed me to explore my playing and take it to new heights and greater depths. The instrument’s notoriety also helped open doors for my career, as it brought outside attention and validation to me as an artist.”
— Renée-Paule Gauthier: winner from 2009 to 2012