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Stradivari violin

12 years ago I've been listening to Moscow Virtuosos performing with no microphones in one of the best philharmonic halls in Kiev.
The soloist-conductor Vladimir Spivakov was performing on Stradivari's violin.

Is there any ways to record/reproduce Stradivari violin so that we can distinguish it through the speakers?

If anyone had a chance to listen to Stradivari violin on the live concert, please describe any kind of system if the one exists to record/reproduce the way that you can say that the musician plays on Stradivari violin but not on any other...

I do believe that it's not possible to distinguish through any kind of speakers.
128x128marakanetz

Showing 7 responses by sugarbrie

sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I wonder how much of this is brainwashing? Since we are told it is a Stradivari violin; do we react to that knowledge positively instead of what we hear? If someone lied would you folks know it was not a Stradivari, considering even they all sound different?


I listen to the performer, not the instrument they are playing. Would you skip going to hear Mr. Ma or Mr. Bell soley because you found out they were using a violin borrowed from an orchestra member?


By the way Chinese people put there last name first, so his name should be spoken Ma Yo Yo.

sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I agree with you RCprice, Frogman and others. I always assume a great musician will have a great instrument, so it never really crosses my mind. I was in a recording session with Dave Brubeck last spring. They had a Baldwin piano brought in for Dave. They only had Steinways and Bosendorfers on hand. The Baldwin produces the sound Dave wants, so they got him one.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Great stuff Frogman! I then wonder if the Strad sounded like the new copy when it was new? We burn-in components and cables? The wood and glue on the Strad has had centuries of "burn-in".
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Last time I heard Perlman's violin (I believe a Strad) was prevously owned by Yehudi Menuhim.

When a classical recording is on the radio that I own, I usually recognize it. Some friends are surprised when I tell them who is playing before the recording ends. I can sometimes tell it is certain person when I do not own it.

sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
My favorite Strad story is Mstislav Rostropovich's cello (he owns it). It has damage in the wood; a scrape mark. It has never been repaired because it was caused by a kick from Napoleon's boot. Adds to the value.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Earlier in his career, Perlman played on a Carlo Bergonzi violin which had also belonged to Fritz Kreisler. Perlman's del Gesu is known as the Sauret, and dates from
about 1743. Perlman first had the 1714 Stradivari "General Kyd" which he sold in mid-1980s and acquired the 1714 "Soil" Strad in 1986 from Lord Yehudi Menuhin.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
The largest single collection in the world of Stradivari string instruments is at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. I hope they lend them out. I think it a total waste if those instruments are only on display. They should be heard, played by the best. That is what makes them a treasure.
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