Famous Instruments in History: Stradivarius Violins

Blogger: Amber Lemus

Continuing our series on famous instruments in history brings us to Italy in the 1700's where a legendary craftsman created instruments that would live in infamy for hundreds of years. 

A romanticized print of Antonio Stradivari examining an instrument

By Viktor Bobrov - Oberndorfer, Anne Faulkner (1921)

Public Domain

The Stradivarius family, specifically Antonio Stradivarius, was a luthier and craftsman who made stringed instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars, and even harps. Antonio was born, raised, lived and died in Cremona, which is present day Italy, and still holds a strong connection to this legendary luthier. The exact year of his birth is unknown, but sometime between 1644-1649. His family was well established in Cremona, although little is known about Antonio's birth and early childhood. The first record of him in Cremona is the label on his first known violin, made in 1666, which also indicated that Antonio may have apprenticed under Nicola Amati during his teenage years. Amati was a well-known and skilled luthier in Cremona, which would have made him a logical choice for Antonio's parents when choosing an apprenticeship for their son. However, other scholars and historians believe that Antonio's workmanship more closely resembled that of another luthier, Francesco Rugeri. 

Antonio married his first wife on July 4, 1667 around the age of twenty. His wife, Francesca, was a young widow with two children. Together they had five children, but sadly, one of them died at only a week old. After 30 years of marriage, Francesca passed away in 1698.  Antonio remarried about a year later to 35 year old Antiona Maria Zambelli, who would have been about twenty years his junior. They had five more children in quick succession between the years of 1700-1708. 

Antonio's reputation began to grow. He crafted violins and experimented with different techniques. But he was not the only luthier in Cremona, in fact, at least two other violin families lived just down the road from him. He continued to hone his craft and began to pick up some high-profile clients. A Venician banker ordered a complete set of instruments from him, which were intended to be gifted to King James II of England, however it is unknown if this gift ever made it to the king. 

Maker's Label from a Stradivarius Violin
Public Domain

Around 1690, something caused Antonio to change his technique and depart from his previous style. First, he began to make a larger pattern which became known as "long Strads." Second, he changed the varnish he was using to a darker toned one. By 1700, he abandoned the long Strad style for a shorter model, which he used until his death. This was about the time he entered what is known as his Golden Period of instrument crafting. 

Stradivarius is said to have produced around 1,116 instruments during his 75-year career. Of those, around 650 survive until today and are highly prized and legendary. It is said that the Stradivarius, particularly the violins, have unmatched sound and almost feel alive to the musician. They have become somewhat relics among the devout musician community, touted to be the finest ever made. 

Fun fact, Sherlock Holmes possessed a Stradivarius Violin in the original works by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

Instruments made by Stradivarius during his Golden Period of 1700-1725 are the ones that fetch the highest price and sell for millions of dollars today. Just a few months ago, one sold on Sotheby's auction for $11.2 million dollars, but some have sold for even more than that. 

These instruments are so prized that they are subject to theft. There are many Stradivarius violins that have been stolen, but most of them are recovered, since reselling something so well-known is very difficult. However, there are at least 3 Stradivarius violins that have been stolen and are still unaccounted for.

If you are curious to hear what these violins sound like, below is a video that was produced for a Stradivarius violin recently sold at auction. It includes the breathtaking sound, as well as explanations from musicians on how the violin feels to them and why they prize it so highly.

   

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Two-time winner of the Christian Indie Award, Amber Lemus writes enthralling non-fiction for children and adults alike. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior, so her writing is centered around faith, family and history.

She lives near the Ozarks in her "casita" with her prince charming. Between enjoying life as a new mom, and spinning stories out of soap bubbles, Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other bookish peoples.

Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberLemus.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!