Surely you have heard of this brand but you have never related it to music. But yes, surprise! You are facing one of the wonders of the musical world: the Stradivarius instruments. They are known, not only for their peculiar name, but also for the magic they awaken. They are considered the string instruments with the best sound in all of musical history.
You must think that you are going crazy or crazy and that you have totally lost your mind: but no. One of the most appreciated wonders within the passionate universe of instruments is the Stradivarius violin.
Music is a fundamental part of our lives and that is why we have it present practically in our day to day. Sometimes we forget that the music we listen to is as important as the instruments that make it possible, as in this case the Stradivarius instruments. And important, too, are those who create and play those instruments.
The notes, melodies, stories and secrets that can exist around an instrument are the perfect mix to create the magic that makes it the perfect piece to exist in our lives, if not physically, at least in our imagination.
What are Stradivarius instruments
Within the world of music, Stradivarius instrumentsThey are a well known and respected brand. Under his name we can find some string instruments such as: violas, cellos and, the jewel in the crown, the violins.
Something that makes these different and unique Stradivarius instruments of the rest of the string instruments that we can find. Their detailed finishes are what make them a unique instrument and, furthermore, with a history full of magic and a special sound, impossible to replicate.
Another of its main characteristics is its unique sound. There is no violin that sounds like one that is a Stradivarius model. All the elements that their builder used to make these instruments were very important and of the highest quality. From the wood he used to the ropes, going through the last layer of varnish. This was considered very important because he chose a product that allowed the wood to perspire and not remain particularly dry.
Biography of Antonio Stradivari
Antonio Stradivari is considered the father of these instruments. He was the one who created them, and those that were made later were following his steps and his instructions. He had a knack for creating instruments, and although his children continued to build instruments like him, they never managed to give him his touch.
This master of the instruments was born in Cremona (Italy) in 1644 and died at the age of 93 in the same city, on December 18, 1737. Despite being born under the surname Stradivari, he is popularly known by the Latinized version of this surname.Stradivarius, name by which the instruments are also known.
He is considered the most famous string instrument maker in the history of music. But this is not the only thing he did throughout his more than 90 years of life. It is striking that he had a particularly long life for the time in which he was born.
Throughout his life he was married twice, maintaining the second pregnancy until almost the end of his days. His second wife passed away a few months before him. With these two women he had a total of 11 children.
Before striking out on his own, he studied in the workshop of another famous instrument maker of the day: Nicolo Amati. These years of study took place from 1667 to 1679. There he learned everything he could about instrument construction, materials, musicality, etc.
in 1680, When he was already decided and believed that he could fly by himself, he opened his first own workshop. He opened it in what is now known as Piazza San Dominico in Cremona.
Two of his sons followed in his footsteps and became luthiers, or what amounts to the same thing: string instrument makers. In fact, in 1730 the instruments stopped being signed with the name of Antonio Stradivari to start showing the signature: «Sub discipline Stradivarii» since they included their own creations and also all those made by their children.
History of Stradivarius instruments
Considered the largest violins made by hand, the Stradivarius instruments they were magic created by the hands of Antonio Stradivari. Mr. Stradivari dedicated his life to the meticulous and perfect elaboration of the violin. With his work and effort, he has achieved that after so many years, he continues to be admired and respected for his work.
Stradivari designed and crafted more than 1,000 instruments during his lifetime, many of which still exist today. These Stradivarius instrumentsare considered the best standards of form, sound and beauty within the world of stringed instruments.
He made his first violin when he was only 22 years old when, according to what they say, he was a carpenter, which would explain his skill and talent in execution and design with wood. From the beginning of it, the Stradivarius instruments they were classical in style, but soon the traditional techniques were overwhelmed by his skills, as we can see in his Hellier violin of 1679.
From the 80’s, is when the Stradivarius instruments they begin to have a model of their own, without resembling any violin that already exists. He created a small family business in the 90’s and it was there, where he began to create more unique violins, like his talent.
Stradivari made his best instruments between 1700 and 1725, where the design of his Stradivarius instruments it was perfected and set the standard for craftsmen of the future. His violins had a sound box incomparable even with those of today. And, in addition, a unique color varnish, a dark red, the black trim and its wide edges and corners.
He never gave or sold his creations, but he also made other stringed instruments such as lutes, cellos, guitars, harps, etc.
Today, the Stradivarius instruments They are a prized asset for both museums and private collections throughout the world thanks to their external beauty and the unique sound they give off. And that only his creator, Antonio Stradivari, could turn the magic he felt in his imagination into something material.
The instruments built by this great luthier have become cult objects. They are no longer even searched for in order to be able to play them, despite the fact that they are the best sounding in all history. Now there are many who are looking for these instruments with the simple desire of collecting. Few instruments remain whole and in good quality and every time one goes up for auction it draws the attention of people from all over the planet. Stradivarius instrument auctions are always international news and they make everyone aware of the final figure that is going to be paid for these historical pieces.
Characteristics of Stradivarius instruments
If we focus on the most defining characteristics that these Stradivarius instruments to differentiate them from others, we can summarize it in its stylized structure. Their structure and the dark-colored varnish with which they are painted make them a jewel worth seeing and listening to, although it has always been investigated whether that alone makes these instruments their magic.
The fact that this type of violin emits more penetrating and pleasant sounds to the ear than other violins also made it unique and special. However, many experts have turned their attention to the material from which the Stradivarius instruments. This type of violins are made with a very dense wood that, in turn, is very well aged to achieve a greater sound.
His violin, especially, is characterized by producing a pronounced “vibrato”, with great timbre power and a brutal adaptation to the different interpretations that the musician can perform. Small holes and cracks have also been located that can help, intentionally or not, to that unmistakable sound of the Stradivarius instruments.
Secrets of the Stradivarius instruments
If no one in so long has managed to match the sound of the well-known Stradivarius instruments, what is that secret that makes them so unique? Are they really as exceptional as they want us to think?
There are many hypotheses that try to prove the greatest of the best kept secrets of a musical instrument. One of them is that when Stradivarius instruments they were made, the climate had a lot to do with it, since the maple and spruce with which they were created are very dense and this may be due to the fact that the temperatures were very low in the years in which Stradivari made their Stradivarius instruments.
The aging of the wood from which these instruments are made also helps their sound to become more peculiar, with the chemical particles of the wood being released (such as aluminum, sodium, etc.) that can contribute to their aging, thanks to high-frequency vibrations due to the use of Stradivarius instruments by their owners.
That is why the purchase and sale of Stradivarius instruments they are made for museums and private collections, where it is assumed that they will not be exposed to more vibrations or high temperatures that could damage or alter their morphology.
How much are Stradivarius instruments worth?
The most prized instruments within the Stradivarius are violas and violins. It is also true that These are the less common parts. There are fewer and fewer of these instruments on the market, so their price has risen like wildfire year after year.
In addition to violas and violins, Stradivari built harps, guitars, and more string instruments. All of them with their own sonority very different from the rest of the instruments created by other common luthiers.
Currently there are only 10 violas in the world, all of them in a fairly good state of preservation. This draws attention since many years have passed since its construction. However, the perfect design and construction process has made it possible for them to survive the test of time well. In addition, being such special pieces it is quite usual that their successive owners have pampered these instruments.
The price of these instruments has varied over the years. For example, a viola went up for auction in 2014 for $45 million. However, in 2011 a Stradivarius violin was also sold at auction for $15 million. In fact, violas are usually the most expensive instrument built by this artist.
If we look back a few years, we can remember how this same viola came onto the market in 1964 for 81,000 dollars at the time. This figure would currently be equivalent to about 613,000 dollars.
In Spain, the “Royal Quartet” stands out. It is a set of Stradivarius instruments that is National Heritage and was acquired by King Carlos III. It is composed of two violins, a cello and also a viola. In total they are valued for a sum of between 25 and 30 million dollars.
As an anecdote we can tell you that a few years ago the cello broke at the height of…