Frank Almond’s life is intertwined with that of his violin, the “Lipiński” Stradivari, an exceptional instrument named for the famed 19th-century Polish violinist Karol Lipiński and first owned by legendary 18th-century Italian composer-violinist Giuseppe Tartini. A Violin’s Life chronicles the extraordinary history and lineage of this instrument, which also has direct ties to Edvard Grieg, Johannes Brahms, and Robert and Clara Schumann. The present album – Volume 3 of A Violin’s Life – features works by Grieg, Tartini, and the newly discovered Piano Trio of Amanda Maier.