About
Antonio Stradivari (1644–1737) of Cremona, Italy, made approximately 960 instruments (violins, violas, cellos, guitars) of which about 650 survive. Stradivarius instruments produce a sound considered unmatched by any subsequent maker — though the exact reason remains debated. Theories include the unique wood (from a Mini Ice Age that produced extremely dense, consistent tree rings), his secret varnish formula, or geometric innovations.
A Stradivarius violin can sell for $10–16 million at auction; the 'Messiah' Stradivarius (1716) in Oxford's Ashmolean Museum, never sold, is considered the finest existing. Blind tests have shown professional violinists sometimes prefer modern instruments, suggesting the Stradivarius legend may partly be psychological — but the debate continues.
# Top 10 Stradivarius facts
- 1Stradivari made most of his finest instruments in his 90s — his craftsmanship improved with age
- 2The 'Lady Blunt' Stradivarius sold for $15.9 million in 2011 — the most expensive musical instrument ever
- 3Blind tests have shown violinists sometimes prefer modern instruments — the Stradivarius supremacy may be partly myth
Fascinating Facts
- ◆Stradivari made most of his finest instruments in his 90s — his craftsmanship improved with age
- ◆The 'Lady Blunt' Stradivarius sold for $15.9 million in 2011 — the most expensive musical instrument ever
- ◆Blind tests have shown violinists sometimes prefer modern instruments — the Stradivarius supremacy may be partly myth
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