Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1715, the 'Alard, Baron Knoop'
Violin: 41282
Labeled, "Antonius Stradiuarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno 1715."
Inscribed to the inside top, "The Alard Strad 1893."
Back: Two-piece
Varnish: Rich red
Length of back: 35.6 cm
Upper bouts: 16.6 cm
Middle bouts: 11.2 cm
Lower bouts: 20.7 cm
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Notes:
That famous example the "Alard" exhibits all the necessary qualities to constitute it one of Stradivari's most remarkable achievements. The searcher after the ideal in tone-and there are many such-will look for the combination in one violin of absolute beauty of quality, great volume, and perfect articulation. These perfections exist in a large number of the great master's instruments, but never in the proportions to suit the hypercritical. The quality of one Stradivari does not please him, another is wanting in power, and a third does not respond easily enough to the performer. However, the "Alard" possesses these attributes as happily blended together as is possible in a violin made by mortal hands.Antonio Stradivarius: His Life & Work, W. Henry, Arthur F. & Alfred E. Hill, W. Henry, Arthur F. & Alfred E. Hill, Antonio Stradivari: His Life & Work (1644-1737), London
Provenance
| in 1850 | Sold by Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume |
| until 1875 | Delphin Alard |
| 1876-1877 | David Laurie |
| 1877-1882 | John Adam |
| 1882-1892 | David Laurie |
| 1892-1904 | Baron Johann Knoop |
| in 1904 | Sold by W. E. Hill & Sons |
| 1904-1919 | Robert E. Brandt |
| in 1919 | Sold by W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1919 | Richard Bennett |
| until 1926 | Mrs. Richard Bennett |
| 1926-1981 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1981 | Anonymous |
| from 1981 | Current owner |
Known players
Jean-Delphin Alard, Joseph Joachim
References
Antonio Stradivari and His Instruments, William Henley, Amati Publishing, Ltd., Sussex, 1961 (illustrated)- Antonio Stradivari: His Life & Work (1644-1737), W. Henry, Arthur F. & Alfred E. Hill, William E. Hill & Sons, London, 1902 (illustrated)
- Antonius Stradivarius (Balfoort), Dirk J. Balfoort, The Continental Book Company, Stockholm (illustrated)
- Italian Violin Makers (1964), Karel Jalovec, Paul Hamlyn, London, 1964 (illustrated)
- Luthier's Corner | Just another WordPress site
- Violin Iconography of Antonio Stradivari 1644-1737, Herbert K. Goodkind, Larchmont, NY (illustrated)
- W. E. Hill & Sons Photographic Archive (illustrated)
Antonio Stradivari and His Instruments, William Henley, Amati Publishing, Ltd., Sussex, 1961 (illustrated)
