How are Stradivarius violins different?

Stradivarius violins are renowned for their supposedly superior sound when compared to other instruments. For example, one study argued that a “little ice age” which affected Europe from 1645 to 1715, was responsible for the slow-growth wood used in the construction of the violins that gives them a particular quality.

Are Stradivarius violins actually better?

Sound projection of 17th and 18th century Italian violins, notably those of Stradivarius, is often considered better than more recent violins. The results of the study showed that on average the listeners preferred the recent instruments to the Stradivarius violins and found that they had better projection.

What makes a Stradivarius violin so expensive?

Supply and Demand: One reason the value of a Stradivarius violin is so dear is because there are so few of them left, and they are no longer being made. Simple economics dictates that when there is a demand but little supply, value increases.

What is the most expensive type of violin?

Vieuxtemps Guarneri Violin
The Vieuxtemps Guarneri Violin This Guarneri del Gesù instrument is now the most expensive violin in the world, selling for an estimated $16million (£10.5million). Its new owner anonymously donated the historic instrument to violinist Anne Akiko Meyers on loan for the rest of her life.

How do musicians afford Stradivarius?

Since musicians rarely can afford the instruments, the violins are owned by patrons—sometimes wealthy individuals, sometimes foundations or corporations. The patrons, in turn, need to find musicians to play the instruments, and musicians must have the instruments to perform. That’s where the dealers come in.

How do you tell if a violin is a real Stradivarius?

A Stradivarius label can be found in new and old violins, violas and cellos that are not “Strads”, but typically, the label isn’t intended to fool anyone. Old violins containing an official looking “Stradivarius” label often surface, for instance, while digging through a yard sale or a deceased relative’s attic.

How much does a Stradivarius violin cost?

The cost of a Stradivarius has soared in recent years. The ‘Hammer’ was valued at between $1.5 million and $2.5 million by Christie’s before being auctioned on May 16, 2016. It was ultimately bought by an anonymous bidder for a record-breaking $3.54 million.

What wood is a Stradivarius made of?

The woods used included spruce for the top, willow for the internal blocks and linings, and maple for the back, ribs, and neck. There has been conjecture that the wood used may have been treated with several types of minerals, both before and after construction of a violin.

Is Stradivarius The most expensive violin?

Stradivari’s violins are still played by violinists such as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Itzhak Perlman, and Joshua Bell. The “Messiah Stradivarius” is considered the most expensive violin globally, with a value of approximately $200 million. It is currently in a collection at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England.

How much is a Stradivarius violin worth today?

Market value A Stradivarius made in the 1680s, or during Stradivari’s “Long Pattern” period from 1690 to 1700, could be worth hundreds of thousands to several million U.S. dollars at today’s prices.

Does Hilary Hahn play a Strad?

Hahn uses Dominant strings and bows by French bow makers Paul Jombar and Emil Miquel (Zaustinsky 1999). But now, she plays on the 1865 Vuillaume violin( Alard Stradivarius copy) which she bought at Tarisio Auctions.

Does Nigel Kennedy own a Stradivarius?

Nigel Kennedy played La Cathedrale early in his career, but later purchased the Lafont, an instrument made by Guarneri del Gesù. …

Are Stradivarius violins really that bad?

Here are a few extreme examples: “Science proves Stradivarius violins just aren’t that great” from Cosmos Magazine, and “So much for Stradivarius: People think cheap new violins sound better than expensive models” from the Daily Mail — and there are plenty more. So Stradivarius violins just aren’t that great?

Are Strad violins too soft to play loud?

You can play a lot rougher (“louder”) with a typical modern violin, and it will still respond with volume. With a Strad, you are not literally playing quieter, but that approach gives you that kind of subjective feeling, that you are playing “soft” to play loud.

Are modern violins louder than old violins?

Violins were compared in pairs (always paired old-modern), with two soloists playing 10- to 20-second excerpts. Audience members were asked to rate the projection of each pair, and they tended to rate the modern violins as being louder.

How many violins were used in the New York experiment?

So for the NY experiment, the two additional modern violins were chosen by a preselection process from 15 violins submitted by makers; while the two additional Strads were “the only ones made available to us at the time,” according to the study. The study did not list which specific violins were tested, which, I’d argue, is relevant.