By Jenny Schuster
Staff Writer

Playing a centuries old Stradivarius violin worth somewhere between one and two million dollars, acclaimed young violinist Judith Ingolfsson will demonstrate her own priceless talent at 3 p.m. on Sunday in Fowler Hall in Stewart Center.

Ingolfsson has been recognized as a talented performer in the music world since she made her debut at the age of eight. She performed with the Waiblinger Chamber Orchestra in Germany. She is also the winner of numerous recent competitions, including the Concert Artists Guild Competition and the prestigious International Violin Competition in Indianapolis, both in 1998.

Ingolfsson originally hails from Iceland but has lived in the United States since 1980. She has performed with various chamber and symphony orchestras all over the world and graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music. In 1999, she was named "Debut Artist of the Year" by "Performance Today" on National Public Radio. As a violinist, Ingolfsson is known for her meticulous technical ability along with her unique style, which incorporates stylistic surprises into performances of well-known violin pieces.

Winning the prestigious International Violin Competition, which takes place every four years, is an honor that comes with numerous laurels. Along with receiving the 24-karat gold Joseph Gingold medal, named for the late Indiana University violin professor, Ingolfsson also received a $30,000 award, a recording contract, a debut concert in Carnegie Hall and a nationwide tour of more than 30 concerts and recitals. The violin she will play Sunday was made in 1683 by the legendary violinmaker Stradivarius. It belonged to Gingold, who was the International Violin Competition’s artistic director, until his death in 1995.

The 26-year-old Ingolfsson will perform five pieces Sunday, accompanied by accomplished pianist Ronald Sat. The program includes "Autumn Music" by Ned Rorem, "Sonatensatz" (Scherzo, Op. Posth.) by Johannes Brahms, "Poème Mystique" (Sonata No. 2) by Ernest Bloch, "Solo Sonata No. 3 in C-major, BWV 1005" by J.S. Bach and "Fantaisie brillante" (on themes from Gounod’s Faust) by Henryk Wieniawski.

Tickets to see Judith Ingolfsson are still available at the Loeb Playhouse or Elliott Hall of Music box offices. Those interested can call Purdue Convocations at 494-3933 for more information.