Antonio Stradivari, Cremona, 1690, the 'Leopold Auer'
Violin: 40077
Bearing its original label, "Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis / Faceibat Anno 1690."
Back: One-piece cut on the slab
Top: of fine grain
Scroll: plainer
Ribs: quarter-cut, of prominent curl
Varnish: Golden-brown
Length of back: 35.6 cm
Upper bouts: 16.8 cm
Middle bouts: 11.1 cm
Lower bouts: 20.9 cm
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Notes:
"The violin takes its name from Leopold Auer (1845-1930) one of the greatest and most influential violin pedagogues of all times. The founder of the great `Russian violin tradition´, he taught Jascha Heifetz, Misha Elman, Nathan Milstein, Efrem Zimbalist and other luminaries at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and later, bringing his art to the United States, at the Institute of Musical Art in New York and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia.After Leopold Auer, the violin had been in the possession of numerous distinguished collectors. The present owner acquired the violin for a very noble cause - for use by outstanding young violinists in association with the Stradivari Society, a unique organization that brings together the most precious instruments by the greatest makers and their owners, together with exceptional young talent.
Built in 1690, the `Auer´ has a beautiful, noble voice. Its luscious low register, penetrating E string, immensely wide color-palette, and power of projection have mesmerized audiences everywhere it has been heard.
In an interview with The Chicago Tribune Magazine, Vadim Gluzman said: `Words cannot describe how wonderful this instrument is. It makes me run 15 times faster, dive 15 times deeper. When I first picked up this violin and notes emanated from my bow, I understood that my life had changed.´"
Provenance
| until 1875 | Aarhessen |
| 1875-1895 | Leopold Auer |
| from 1895 | Victor de Gloubonoff |
| until 1920 | Silvestre & Maucotel |
| from 1920 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| from 1920 and in 1926 | Richard Bennett |
| until 1927 | W. E. Hill & Sons |
| ... | ... |
| from 1927 and in 1945 | Harrison Bowne Smith |
| ... | ... |
| from 1951 | Meir Woudhuysen |
| in 1984 | Sold by Christie's |
| Current owner |
Known players
David Davis, Leopold Auer, Vadim Gluzman
Certificates & Documents
Certificate: Rembert Wurlitzer Inc., New York, NY (1966) With photographs. ". . .an exceptionally fine and well preserved example."- Certificate: Rudolph Wurlitzer Co., Cincinnati, OH (1927)
Letter: Alfred E. Hill, London (1927) "I honestly believe this Stradivari is equal to any other instrument by this maker, as regards its tone."- Certificate: W. E. Hill & Sons, London (1927) With photographs. "The violin is in an excellent state of preservation and we regard it as an exceptionally fine example of Stradivari's work of this period."
- Letter: Alfred E. Hill, London (1927) "I consider this violin a beautiful example. . . It is in an exceptionally pure condition."
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References
- Antonio Stradivarius: His Life & Work, 1902
Christie's Important Musical Instruments Auction Catalog, October 31, 1984, New York, Christie's, Christie's, New York (illustrated)- How Many Strads? (1999 edition), Doring, Bein & Fushi, Bein & Fushi, Chicago, 1999 (illustrated)
- Violins & Violinists, July, 1938, Ernest N. Doring, William Lewis & Son, Chicago (illustrated)
- Musical Notes
- The Strad, December, 1987, John Dilworth, London (illustrated)
Stradivari Society Recipients- The Miracle Makers, Bein & Fushi, Chicago (illustrated)
- Violin Iconography of Antonio Stradivari 1644-1737, Herbert K. Goodkind, Larchmont, NY (illustrated)
- Vadim Gluzman | Official Website