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Stradivarius Market Hits High Note

Rush for 300-year-old violins sparks intrigue, drives price to millions

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 6, 2008 2:10 PM CST

(Newser) – The price of violins by 18th century Italian master Antonio Stradivari has shot through the roof in recent decades, with the instruments now worth 500 times their weight in gold, reports Der Spiegel. Three powerful dealers control a shadowy worldwide market rife with intrigue where... Read full story »

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Stradivari • Italy • violin • foreign market • forgeries • Stradivarius violin

More Newser Stories

The Secret of the Strad's Superiority

Scientist find mellow tone is in the wood

(NEWSER) - Stradivarius violins—300 years old and valued at least $3 million each—are universally recognized as producing the richest sounds. Now, the Daily Telegraph reports, scientists believe they know why. X-rays of several old and new instruments show the wood used by 17th-century violin makers has a more uniform density than modern violins. How that was achieved remains a mystery. More»

Stradivarius' Powers Just a Musical Myth

Researchers show that even pro musicians can't tell the difference

(NEWSER) - They’re famed far and wide as the finest violins on the planet (one recently sold for $16 million) , but do Stradivarius violins actually sound better? A study suggests they don’t, NPR reports. Researchers assembled a group of six violins—two Stradivariuses, a Guarneri, and three modern violins—and invited a group of professional violinists to try them out while wearing dark goggles that prevented them from visually identifying the instruments. They were told at least one was a Strad, and asked to guess which. More»

Stradivarius Violin Sells for $16M

Violin built in 1721 has hardly been played

(AP) - A Japanese music foundation has sold a renowned Stradivarius violin for $16 million at a London auction to raise money for tsunami disaster relief. Proceeds from selling the nearly 300-year-old violin known as the Lady Blunt will go to relief projects in northern Japan, the nonprofit Nippon Foundation said today. The group's music affiliate owned the violin, which was made in 1721 and hardly used. The new owner was not identified. (Click to read about a literally massive cleanup effort that has just begun.) More»

$1.9M Stradivarius Stolen at Sandwich Shop

Two pricey bows were also in the case

(USER SUBMITTED) - A quick pit stop at a London sandwich shop turned into disaster for a musician when her $1.9 million antique Stradivarius violin was stolen last Monday, Reuters reports. Also in her case were two rare and expensive bows valued at $98,000 and $8,000, respectively. The 314-year-old violin is insured, and the rarity of it would make it difficult to resell, notes a detective investigating the theft. More»

'Beckham of Classical Music' Is Hit on Charts, With Ladies

David Garrett loves Metallica, sets world records

(NEWSER) - He covers Michael Jackson songs, and considers Mozart and Metallica equally influential—David Garrett is not your average classically trained violinist, but perhaps that’s why his self-titled debut has sat atop the classical crossover charts for three weeks. The German-born 28-year-old—who modeled on the side during his time at Juilliard—has been called the “David Beckham of classical music,” CNN reports—and he’s fast, too. More»

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Stradivarius Market Hits High Note

Rush for 300-year-old violins sparks intrigue, drives price to millions

Stradivari • Italy • violin • foreign market • forgeries • Stradivarius violin

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More Newser Stories

The Secret of the Strad's Superiority

Scientist find mellow tone is in the wood

Stradivarius' Powers Just a Musical Myth

Researchers show that even pro musicians can't tell the difference

Stradivarius Violin Sells for $16M

Violin built in 1721 has hardly been played

$1.9M Stradivarius Stolen at Sandwich Shop

Two pricey bows were also in the case

'Beckham of Classical Music' Is Hit on Charts, With Ladies

David Garrett loves Metallica, sets world records

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