Linzi Stoppard & Swarovski violin break world record.

1. Linzi Stoppard And Swarovski Violin Breaks World Record
Bespoke jewelery brand
Swarovski Crystal join forces
with the world leading electric
violin duo FUSE to create an
exclusive one-off pair of million
dollar violins, never seen before
and to be repeated.
FUSE are virtuoso violinists
Linzi Stoppard, former model
and daughter-in-law of Sir Tom
Stoppard, and Ben Lee, the 2-
time Fastest Violin Player in the
world Guinness World Record
holder. Linzi and Ben formed
this dynamic violin duo in 2008.
Both classically trained for the age of 4 and 5 respectively Linzi and Ben explored the boundaries of
the acoustic violin but both by different routes decided the electric variation of the instrument was
where they wanted to be. At the time classical cross-over was just being born, it was the natural
extension for the acoustic instrument but it wasn't long before both of these world leading
musicians coincidentally decided the boundaries needed to be pushed. More and more violinists
were switching to cross-over and ultimately ended up performing the same unimaginative music.
this was too mundane for Linzi and Ben and hence lead to their fortuitous meeting.
Linzi had carved herself a special niche performing around the world at A-list events with her
dance/club variation of the cross-over sound and
within a short few months was in global demand.
But her passion lay more towards the world of
rock. However the instrument of choice for rock
music was the guitar but Linzi was convinced the
violin could be as versatile as the more common
place guitar. In order to really prove the
impossible Linzi knew two was better than one to
produce the harmonies, light and dark,
arrangements and of course the performance
necessary to accompany this more dynamic, high
impact and ultimately more powerful musical
direction. Welcome Ben Lee.
Ben had come from the indie session world, he was the first pick for cool bands who wanted to add
the string flavour to their tracks. He was also the "fastest fingers" at the Royal College which would
come to prominence later in FUSE's meteoric rise. Ben understood the value of affecting the violin
sound that Linzi was after, taking it away from the monotone drown other violin acts were using.
Linzi and Ben locked themselves away rehearsal rooms, beg and borrowing whatever equipment
they could lay their hands on to develop a sound that was way beyond anything before. After two or
three months of experimenting with guitar analogue valve amps, processors and the obligatory
digital wizardry the FUSE sound was born. It was fresh, exciting, high energy and took the violin to
a place never heard before.

2. Six months later and the eponymous debut album was demoed and in the melting pot with some of
the major rock labels. A deal followed shortly and FUSE were label mates with the likes of Prince,
Simple Minds, The Police, Stevie Wonder and Kiss. The album is a collection of rock anthems, but
Linzi and Ben's classical routes and influences are still there to be heard woven into tracks like Led
Carmina, Fix You, Beat It and the lead track Glorious.
FUSE had aligned themselves with music royalty - so
“Exclusive to world leading electric far such exclusive collaborations with Swarovski had
violin duo FUSE the one-off pair of been limited to artists such as Michael Jackson,
Swarovski Crystal Signature violins Beyonce, Madonna and Taylor Swift. With this sort of
are worth over $1,500,000 each...” exclusivity the new Swarovski Signature Violins were
in need of a special introduction and where better than
Harrods, the most aspirational store in the world.
Once Linzi and Ben presented their "Swarovskis" to the directors of Harrods it was forgone
conclusion; they adored them. It was straight to the drawing board to organise a launch to coincide
with the release of FUSE's new album. There were many options in-store for FUSE to present their
Swarovskis to the media but take one look at the Egyptian Escalator and it was clear this is where it
would take place. It is iconic within Harrods and the main artery connecting all 5 floors. FUSE
revealed their Signature Violins at a media call in-store and then the instruments were displayed in
a bullet proof glass case at the top of the escalator for the public to view.
Linzi Stoppard of FUSE said,
"These violins are incredible,
just stunning - the light
explodes off the Swarovski
crystals. We love the fact that
whilst they have become pieces
of art, we can still play the
songs from our new album
'FUSE' on them.
David Miller, Director of
Harrods Home commented "We
are delighted to welcome FUSE
to our world-famous store to
celebrate the launch of their
debut album." He went on to
say "Harrods is renowned for
enhancing its customers'
shopping experience' and added
'On this occasion, our customers
will have the chance to catch a
glimpse of these extraordinary
masterpieces which will be
exhibited on the fifth floor of the iconic Egyptian Escalators until 2nd June."
In the violin world FUSE were catapulted to a completely new level, the package was irresistible -
Beautiful looking violinists, a new and modern sound, the twist on a classical instrument now clad
in thousands of crystal creating a new world record in doing so, along side Ben's two Violin Speed
World Records, no violin group had managed to create such a wealth of interest, angles and
attention when first bursting on to the scene.

3. More power to their elbows!