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Mint
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
The most expensive musical instrument in the world: This rare viola is now valued at $30 million
In May, Roberto Díaz performed at the US Library of Congress using a rare viola made by Antonio Stradivari in 1690. Called the Tuscan-Medici viola, it is now valued at $30 million, possibly the world's most expensive instrument. Díaz, who leads the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, has played the viola for nearly 15 years. He even recorded a Grammy-winning album with it. Many admire its fine grain and craftsmanship, calling it both simple and deeply beautiful. According to Diaz, the instrument produces an 'incredibly resonant but kind of compact sound'. 'It has a tremendous brilliance to it, and you can hear this. People call it the 'Cremonese spin' inside the sound, which is what makes the sound just kind of travel out into the hall,' the South China Morning Post quoted him as saying. Though he doesn't often think of its price, Diaz calls it 'surreal'. The instrument was recently gifted to the Library of Congress, making its stay permanent after being on loan for years. Díaz showed Curtis board members two violas without telling them which was which. When they heard both, they were surprised. Even without knowing much about music, they could tell the difference in sound. They didn't expect violas to differ so much. Violas are less popular than violins, with fewer concertos and a softer sound. The Tuscan-Medici was made for Grand Prince Ferdinando I de' Medici. It later belonged to Macy's heir Herbert Straus. Later, it was loaned to the Library of Congress by his widow in 1977. Collectors David and Amy Fulton made the gift of the Tuscan-Medici viola possible through a $20 million donation. The previous owners, the Baird family, sold it for less than its market value, giving up $10 million as an in-kind donation. Together, their contributions will help preserve the viola and allow it to be played publicly forever. Only around 10 of Stradivari's violas are known to exist. It makes them rarer and more valuable than his violins. Experts say the Tuscan-Medici is especially prized because it has been actively played and maintained. It will remain at the library, available for top musicians to perform with or take on tour. The most expensive string instrument ever sold at auction is the 'Lady Blunt' Stradivarius violin, bought for $15.9 million in 2011. Though a Stradivarius viola called the 'Macdonald' was offered for $45 million in 2014, no buyer came forward.
Observer
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Observer
Rare Stradivarius violin sells for $11.3 mn at Sotheby's
A rare Stradivarius violin, made over 300 years ago by Antonio Stradivari during his so-called golden period, fetched $11.3 million at auction in New York on Friday, Sotheby's said. "This extraordinary violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical music history, its unparalleled sound and storied provenance captivating collectors and musicians alike," Sotheby's chair Mari-Claudia Jimenez said in a statement. It said the buyer chose to remain anonymous. Known for its extraordinary sound, the "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius," named after its distinguished former owners, became the third most-expensive musical instrument ever sold at auction. The most-expensive record belongs to another Stradivarius, the "Lady Blunt," which sold was sold in 2011 for $15.9 million. "What sets the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius apart is its exceptional sound -- rich, complex, and full of depth," the auction house said. The instrument belonged to the celebrated Chinese violinist and pedagogue Si-Hon Ma, who before his death in 2009 donated the violin to his alma mater, the New England Conservatory in Boston, on condition that some day it sell the violin to fund scholarships. Before that, the violin belonged to the 19th century Hungarian virtuoso Joseph Joachim, who was famous for his collaborations with composers such as Johannes Brahms. —AFP
Jordan Times
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Jordan Times
Rare Stradivarius violin sells for $11.3 m at Sotheby's
Sotheby's to auction rare, 300-year-old Stradivari violin valued at as much as $18M (AFP photo) NEW YORK — A rare Stradivarius violin, made over 300 years ago by Antonio Stradivari during his so-called golden period, fetched $11.3 million at auction in New York on Friday, Sotheby's said. "This extraordinary violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical music history, its unparalleled sound and storied provenance captivating collectors and musicians alike," Sotheby's chair Mari-Claudia Jimenez said in a statement. It said the buyer chose to remain anonymous. Known for its extraordinary sound, the "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius", named after its distinguished former owners, became the third most-expensive musical instrument ever sold at auction. The most-expensive record belongs to another Stradivarius, the "Lady Blunt", which sold was sold in 2011 for $15.9 million. "What sets the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius apart is its exceptional sound -- rich, complex, and full of depth," the auction house said. The instrument belonged to the celebrated Chinese violinist and pedagogue Si-Hon Ma, who before his death in 2009 donated the violin to his alma mater, the New England Conservatory in Boston, on condition that some day it sell the violin to fund scholarships. Before that, the violin belonged to the 19th century Hungarian virtuoso Joseph Joachim, who was famous for his collaborations with composers such as Johannes Brahms.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stradivarius violin crafted at ‘pinnacle' of maker's career over 300 years ago sells for eye-popping price
A Stradivarius violin made at the "pinnacle" of Antonio Stradivari's career sold at auction for an eye-popping price this week. The musical instrument, crafted in 1714 by Stradivari, the luthier most famously associated with the violin, sold for $11.3 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York Friday. The violin, known as the "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius," was made during Stradivari's "golden period" when he was at the height of his acoustic mastery of the instrument, Sotheby's said. "This extraordinary violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical music history, its unparalleled sound and storied provenance captivating collectors and musicians alike," Mari-Claudia Jimenez, chair at Sotheby's, said. "The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius garnered global attention, achieving one of the highest prices ever for a musical instrument — an acknowledgment of its rarity and historical importance." Woman Plays Violin During Brain Surgery To Remove Tumor The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius gets its name from its two most famous owners: Joseph Joachim of Hungary, who lived in the 19th century, and Si-Hon Ma of China, whose estate donated the violin to the New England Conservatory in Boston after he died in Philadelphia in 2009. Read On The Fox News App The conservatory plans to start a student music scholarship fund with the proceeds. "The sale is transformational for future students, and proceeds will establish the largest-named endowed scholarship at New England Conservatory," Andrea Kalyn, president of New England Conservatory, said. "It has been an honor to have the Joachim-Ma Stradivari on campus, and we are eager to watch its legacy continue on the world stage." Musicians Outraged After Airline Severely Damages 17Th Century Instrument Fox News Digital has reached out to the conservatory for further comment. The most expensive Stradivarius violin sold for $15.9 million in 2011. That violin was known as the "Lady Blunt" and was made in 1921. It also holds the record as the most expensive instrument ever sold, according to Voice of America. Sotheby's had estimated the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius could go for as high as $18 million, which would have set a new record. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius was also played during the premiere of composer Johannes Brahms' "Violin Concerto in D Major" in 1879. Bidding was halted at $10 million after 30 minutes, and the final price includes fees. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Stradivarius violin crafted at 'pinnacle' of maker's career over 300 years ago sells for eye-popping price
Fox News
09-02-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Stradivarius violin crafted at ‘pinnacle' of maker's career over 300 years ago sells for eye-popping price
A Stradivarius violin made at the "pinnacle" of Antonio Stradivari's career sold at auction for an eye-popping price this week. The musical instrument, crafted in 1714 by Stradivari, the luthier most famously associated with the violin, sold for $11.3 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York Friday. The violin, known as the "Joachim-Ma Stradivarius," was made during Stradivari's "golden period" when he was at the height of his acoustic mastery of the instrument, Sotheby's said. "This extraordinary violin represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and classical music history, its unparalleled sound and storied provenance captivating collectors and musicians alike," Mari-Claudia Jimenez, chair at Sotheby's, said. "The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius garnered global attention, achieving one of the highest prices ever for a musical instrument — an acknowledgment of its rarity and historical importance." The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius gets its name from its two most famous owners: Joseph Joachim of Hungary, who lived in the 19th century, and Si-Hon Ma of China, whose estate donated the violin to the New England Conservatory in Boston after he died in Philadelphia in 2009. The conservatory plans to start a student music scholarship fund with the proceeds. "The sale is transformational for future students, and proceeds will establish the largest-named endowed scholarship at New England Conservatory," Andrea Kalyn, president of New England Conservatory, said. "It has been an honor to have the Joachim-Ma Stradivari on campus, and we are eager to watch its legacy continue on the world stage." Fox News Digital has reached out to the conservatory for further comment. The most expensive Stradivarius violin sold for $15.9 million in 2011. That violin was known as the "Lady Blunt" and was made in 1921. It also holds the record as the most expensive instrument ever sold, according to Voice of America. Sotheby's had estimated the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius could go for as high as $18 million, which would have set a new record. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius was also played during the premiere of composer Johannes Brahms' "Violin Concerto in D Major" in 1879. Bidding was halted at $10 million after 30 minutes, and the final price includes fees.
