Posts Tagged: Stradivarius

Stradivarius violins are among the most sought-after antique violin in the world. They are considered to have the best sound and became famous from the18th century onwards.  Stradivarius violins are also famous for both the amazing prices they can command and for the purity and beauty of the music they produce.  They are perhaps the most famous and iconic musical instruments ever made. 

Many of the Stradivarius violins are currently being played by musicians and played for professional purposes.  As a result Stradivarius violins are now regarded as the finest in the world and can command prices of at least $3 million (£1).  Stradivarius violins are said to be created from 1700 to 1725. As of 1902, 540 violins made by Stradivarius were known to exist.

A Strad’s Unique Quality

No-one really knows why Stradivari violins have such a beautiful and distinctive tonal quality. However, American scientists have come up with a possible explanation: A dramatic European cold spell may have enhanced the quality of wood from which the instruments were crafted. Stradivari constructed his instruments about 60 years after this little ice age. In any case, tonewoods must have excellent acoustic properties, be strong enough to support string tension for decades, and be beautiful in appearance. Some people even believe [Stradivari] used the wood of ancient castles and cathedrals.  Others suggest that Stradivari and his contemporaries used a special varnish (the secret of which has been lost today), or that the wood was chemically treated, soaked in water, specially dried, or stored for long periods of time. 

Clearly, there is a combination of factors that contribute to the unique harmonics of a Strad, not least the various wood treatments, some of which have been mentioned above.  Other studies have shown that Stradivari used violins built from spruce wood contemporary to his lifetime, and Grissino-Mayer believes this would have been locally obtained.  Wood inhibits or favors vibrations depending on its characteristics and the wood chosen by early, great instrument makers was excellent. Some researchers argue that one of the most important factors in producing violins with the distinct sound of Stradivarius and Guarneri lies in the chemical treatment applied to the wood during the fabrication process.  Some people think that Stradivari soaked the wood in sea water, and some believe that the glue that was used contributes to the richness of sound.  It is a widely held belief that Stradivari’s well-guarded varnish formula was not just a protective coating of the instrument, but actually the most important secret to his violins.  The formula for Stradivarius’ varnish has never been discovered. 

Experts concede there remains no consensus on the single most probable factor to explain the superior sound of the Stradivarius and most likely it is some combination of all, and something not yet recognized. Stradivari in addition altered the fat and slim portions of the body to an exact measurement which he developed into the ideal tone, as an outcome his musical instruments are quite alike in sound.   Many Stradivarius violins were named after the musician who played them, or the owner who bought them.

So, Is It Possible To Make The Perfect Stradivarius Copy?

For the reasons outlined above, it is clearly not possible to copy Stradivarius violins exactly, not least, since wood is a living material with great natural variations.  Few after the death of Stradivarius have managed to produce anything that even approaches his best work. Some scientists are even researching whether it is possible to copy Stradivarius violins with the aid of modern technology and powerful computers. 

The reason it is not possible to simply copy a top or an entire violin exactly is that it can never be assumed that the new top will have the same material properties as the old one.  Of course antique violin makers were never able to copy the secret of the varnish either, so these violins while having the same dimensions, will  have an inferior sound, although some copies are reported as having a surprisingly fine quality of sound! Beginning music students generally own a low-cost instrument which may bear that same legend, but which also carry a small disclaimer such as “replica” or “copy of” so as to differentiate them. 

A copy of his work may only mean of the design, and will not be worth nearly as much as an original.  Most beginners have ones that are not expensive and have both the Latin words and the date inscribed on them but on closer inspection there is a tiny “copy of” or “replica” etched in, too.  There have , however, been copies that have sold at Sotheby’s for more than 42,000 pounds!

Easily compare prices of antique violins and stradivarius copies and other Italian violins. Great selection. Great prices. International shipping.

Technorati Tags: Antique, Possible, Stradivarius, violin

Antique violins are instruments of true beauty and value that can be appreciated by collectors and musicians in equal measure. Some violins can be hundreds of years old and sometimes sell for millions of dollars. Just as with scultpture and paintings, the value is often in the rich history behind the instrument, it’s story. There are a wide variety of antique violins available, some of them one-of-a-kind treasures. Some of the most valuable and collectible have been made by the great craftsmen of the past – Amati, Stradivari, Vuillaume, Amati, Bergonzi, Guarneri, Gasparo da Salò, Stainer.

Violins were first invented in Italy in the 16th Century.  Some Stradivarius violins (his instruments are known by the Latin form of his name, or as “Strads” for short) are now played by top performers. Stradivarius violins were actually built by the 17th century Italian luthier Stradivari family, especially by Antonio Stradivari. Many argue that Stradivarius is the pinnacle of violins. A Stradivarius made in the 1680s, or during Stradivari’s Brescian period from 1690-1700, could be worth several hundred thousand dollars or more on auction, at today’s prices and some reproductions as with the Antonius Stradivarius cremonensis made in Czechoslovakia and Germany in the early and mid 1700s by a different maker are said to be worth between 2000 to 3000 dollars. Because only about 700 stadivarius violins are believed to exist,  they are a premier investment instrument.  Since there are many fake ones out there, the Stradivarius violins are authenticated.  All real “Strads” have a label that states in Latin, “Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno” (”made in Cremona by Antonio Stradivari”) with a date at the end of the inscription.

Another famous Italian violin making family were the Amati’s who flourished at Cremona from about 1549 to 1740. Andrea Amati was one of the earliest violin makers who created the Amati family legacy. Nicolo Amati is famous for improving the Amati violin by producing instruments capable of yielding greater power of tone. In fact, Antonio Stradivari as a child, served as an apprentice to Nicolo Amati, beginning his violin making career at the young age of 11. Unfortunately, very few Amati violins are in existence today, the few still intact are preserved carefully in museums.

A contemporary of the Amati’s was Jacob Stainer. Some historians claim, that Jakob Stainer spent some time in Cremona , perhaps working with Nicolo Amati. In any event, he was probably the most important Austrian violin maker whose model influenced violin making in Germany, parts of Italy and several other countries. Stainer’s violins have a very high curvature of the back and especially the top, you can see through the F holes of a Stainer when it is held horizontally.

Stainer’s varnish is also famous, it is differant from the Cremonese varnish but soft and beautiful , applied carefully , and enhancing the beauty of the wood.  Stainer’s scrolls were also beautifully carved , sometimes with a lions head instead of the scroll. Johann Sebastian Bach left a Stainer violin amoung his prized possessions. Stainer’s instruments while comparatively rare today, however, are still cherished and can hold their own with the best of the Cremonese makers. At the end of the 18th century, collectors valued a Jacob Stainer violin four times more than a Stradivarius.

Once again, antique violins are like priceless heirlooms that not only hold their value, but increase in value over time. Their appeal lies in their history and beauty – both in terms of sound and look. Who has played the instrument? What were their stories? Who listened and where? All these questions make up the mystique of the antique violin.

Technorati Tags: Amati, antique violins, Stainer, Stradivarius