The Stradivarius Violins
Crafted by Antonio Stradivari in the 17th and 18th centuries, the Stradivarius violins are one of the best, if not the best, violins ever created to this day.
The Stradivarius violin has a famed reputation of having such a high quality of sound that it has defied attempts to explain or equal it. It is so famous that it appears in numerous works of fiction too.
The Long Pattern Period (1690-1700)
It was during this period that Antonio Stradivari experimented with the creation of violins. He branched out from the standard sizing, making Strad violins 12mm longer than the traditional model. It was also from this point on that Stradivari’s lutherie and choice of wood visibly improved as he incorporated an intense red and golden varnish into his instruments. He also changed the arching of the top plate in order to make the instrument less flexible so as to add more resistance in the plate for the musician to play deeper sounds with the stronger core.
A Stradivarius made during this period could be worth hundreds of thousands to several million U.S. dollars at today’s prices.
This step in his career helped him towards his Golden Period.
The Golden Period (1700-1725)
It was during this period that the quality of the instruments made increased. Stradivarius created from this period can fetch up to millions of dollars. Their qualities surpass their predecessors and they are widely coveted.
Who Owns a Stradivarius
While some of the owners of these violins remain unknown, they are sometimes loaned to famous musicians. For example, Andre Rieu from the Johann Strauss Orchestra has been loaned a Stradivarius.
The value of these violins lays in their history and unparalleled sound quality - a true beauty in the musical industry. An extremely coveted brand, musicians dream of being able to play on it.
Resources:
https://www.amorimfineviolins.com/stradivari-the-story-behind-the-maker-the-long-pattern-period/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradivarius
https://www.britannica.com/story/whats-so-special-about-stradivarius-violins