Centuries-old violin on auction could see records broken, valued up to $18M

2 hrs ago

Kennedy Felton Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer

By Kennedy Felton (Lifestyle Correspondent/Producer), Jack Henry (Video Editor)

A centuries-old Stradivarius violin, valued between $12 million and $18 million, is set to be auctioned on Friday. The instrument, crafted in 1714 by legendary Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari, could become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold.
This particular Stradivarius, known as the “Joachim-Ma,” was once owned by 19th-century violinist Joseph Joachim and later donated to the New England Conservatory in Boston.
Proceeds from the auction will support scholarships at the New England Conservatory, with bidding beginning at 11:15 a.m. Eastern.

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A centuries-old Stradivarius violin is expected to make history. The instrument, valued between $12 million and $18 million, is set to be auctioned on Friday, Feb. 7.

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The violin, crafted in 1714 by legendary Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari, is from his renowned “Golden Period.” Sotheby’s will present the auction, and if bidding reaches its high estimate, it could become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold.

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Stradivari made approximately 1,100 instruments between the late 1600s and early 1700s. Only about 600 Stradivarius violins remain today. They are revered for their craftsmanship and distinct sound.

A violin with a historic past

This particular Stradivarius, known as the “Joachim-Ma,” was once owned by 19th-century violinist Joseph Joachim, famous for his interpretations of Mozart and Beethoven. It was later acquired by violinist Si-Hon Ma, who donated it to the New England Conservatory in Boston before his passing in 2009.

For those who have played or even heard a Stradivarius, often called a “Strad,” the sound is described as unmatched.

James Cuddeford, the Concertmaster of Hong Kong Sinfonietta, plays the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius violin, AFP via Getty Images

The debate: Old vs. new violins

Renowned violinist Joshua Bell told NPR that the unique tonal quality of a Stradivarius is difficult to replicate.

“It’s the overtones and the way, once you get to know the instrument, you can find these tonal varieties that are very difficult to find in a modern instrument,” Bell said.

However, a 2013 study put that belief to the test. Researchers had violinists blindly compare six old Stradivarius violins against six modern ones. The results showed that musicians actually rated newer violins higher for playability, articulation and projection. They also struggled to distinguish the older instruments from the modern ones.

A record-breaking auction?

If the violin sells for its projected value, it will surpass the current record set in 2011. That year, a Stradivarius sold for $15.9 million and earned a Guinness World Record for the most expensive instrument sold at auction. Proceeds from that sale supported Japan’s tsunami relief efforts, following a devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Despite debates over sound quality, Stradivarius violins remain highly sought after. Their historical significance and careful preservation make them among the most valuable instruments in the world.

Proceeds from this auction will support scholarships at the New England Conservatory. Bidding begins Friday at 11:15 a.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Tags: Auction, History, Italy, Money, Music, New England, Sotheby’s

[KENNEDY FELTON]

A violin valued between $12 to $18 million might sound like a lot… until you hear its story.

FOR THE PAST 300 YEARS IT HAS STIRRED THE SOUL

You heard that right—300 years. In 1714, luthier Antonio Stradivari crafted this violin during his renowned “Golden Period.” Now, it’s hitting the auction block Friday—courtesy of Sotheby’s—and it could become the most expensive musical instrument ever sold.

Stradivari is one of the most celebrated instrument makers in history, who made around 1,100 instruments between the late 1600s and early 1700s in Italy. Today, only about 600 Stradivarius violins—or Strads for short—remain, revered for their craftsmanship and distinctive sound.

THIS PARTICULAR STRAD IS KNOWN AS THE JOACHIM-MA VIOLIN. IT WAS ONCE OWNED BY 19TH CENTURY VIOLINIST JOSEPH JOACHIM, FAMED FOR HIS INTERPRETATIONS OF MOZART AND BEETHOVEN. IT LATER BELONGED TO SI-HON MA, WHO DONATED IT TO THE NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY IN BOSTON BEFORE HIS PASSING IN 2009.

For those who have played or even heard a Strad—the experience is like none other.

“It’s the overtones and the way once you get to know the instrument, you can find these tonal varieties that are very difficult to find in a modern instrument.” – Joshua Bell, Violinist

If the Joachim-Ma Violin sells for its projected value, it will surpass the current record—a 2011 Strad sale that fetched $15.9 million and earned a Guinness record. That violin was sold to support Japan’s relief fund after the country’s deadly earthquake and tsunami.

WHILE THESE INSTRUMENTS ARE THOUGHT TO BE SOME OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY INSTRUMENTS IN THE WORLD, CAN YOU REALLY TELL A DIFFERENCE? IN 2013, RESEARCHERS CONDUCTED A STUDY USING SIX OLDER VIOLINS—FIVE OF WHICH WERE STRADS—AND SIX MODERN VIOLINS, WHERE VIOLINISTS BLIND TESTED EACH.

“On average, soloists rated their favorite new violins more highly than their favorite old for playability, articulation, and projection, and at least equal to old in terms of timbre. Soloists failed to distinguish new from old at better than chance levels.”

But still, Strad violins remain highly coveted because of their history and preservation, which has protected them from common issues with violins like cracks or woodworm.

PROCEEDS FROM THIS AUCTION WILL SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS AT THE NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY. BIDDING STARTS FRIDAY AT 11:15 A.M. EASTERN.