Sotheby's Unveils the Legendary Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, Estimated at $12-18M, with Proceeds to Benefit New England Conservatory Scholarships

 

 

뉴욕 소더비가 내년 2월 전설적인 바이올린 호아킴-마 스트라디바리우스(Joachim-Ma Stradivarius)를 경매한다. 

 

1714년 안토니오 스트라디바리(Antonio Stradivari)가 황금기에 제작한 이 바이올린은 뉴잉글랜드 컨서바토리(New England Conservatory, NEC) 소장품으로 예상가가 1천2백만-1천8백만 달러다. 판매 수익금은 장학금으로 사용될 예정이다. 

 

소더비 측은 호아킴-마 스트라디바리우스는 풍부하고, 복잡하며, 깊이가 넘치는 사운드를 내는 바이올린이다. 음색은 달콤하면서도 둥글며, 각 음표와 함께 풍부함이 커진다. 따뜻한 사운드에 미묘한 뉘앙스를 드러내며 표현력이 풍부한 악기라고 평했다. 

 

호아킴-마 스트라디바리우스는 19세기에 헝가리 출신 바이올리니스트이자 지휘자 조셉 호아킴(Joseph Joachim, 1831-1907)이 소유했으며, 1950년대 NEC에서 아티스트 디플로마를 받은 바이올리니스트 시-혼 마(Si-Hon Ma)가 연주하다가 NEC에 기부했다. 

 

소더비 마스터 주간(Masters Week)에 제공되는 이 바이올린은 2월 뉴욕 경매에 앞서 런던 소더비와 홍콩 소더비에서 거장들의 그림, 드로잉, 조각과 함께 전시될 예정이다.

 

 

 

 

A RARE CHANCE TO ACQUIRE A LEGENDARY "GOLDEN PERIOD" STRADIVARI VIOLIN, A MASTERPIECE OF SOUND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS EVER TO APPEAR AT AUCTION

 

OFFERED AT AUCTION FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY A CENTURY

ESTIMATED AT $12-18 MILLION, AUCTION PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIPS AT NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY

 

"Offered during Masters Week, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is a rare and extraordinary masterpiece, joining a select pantheon of historic treasures at Sotheby’s. Crafted by Antonio Stradivari in 1714, this violin represents the pinnacle of artistic craftsmanship and a direct link to some of the most defining moments in classical music. We are privileged to present this unparalleled instrument, with all proceeds benefiting New England Conservatory, advancing its mission to nurture the next generation of exceptional musicians and preserve the enduring legacy of classical music."

-Mari-Claudia Jimenez, Sotheby’s Chairman, President, Americas, Global Business Development

 

 

NEW YORK, 4 DECEMBER 2024 - At the crossroads of artistry, history, and philanthropy, Sotheby’s is privileged to offer the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius—an instrument of extraordinary historical significance—in a one-of-a-kind auction during Masters Week in New York this February. Crafted in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari during his renowned “Golden Period,” this important violin is being offered by New England Conservatory (NEC), with all proceeds dedicated to student scholarships. With an estimated value of $12-18 million, this sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of the world’s finest violins—while directly supporting the next generation of musicians. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, with its timeless beauty and extraordinary legacy, not only transcends its storied past but also creates a living link to history, inspiring the future of classical music.

 

A Violin of Exceptional Beauty and Sound 

 

Crafted by the legendary Antonio Stradivari in 1714, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is an embodiment of over three centuries of musical history. Renowned for its extraordinary sound and exquisite beauty, the violin is part of Stradivari’s "Golden Period," widely regarded as the height of his craftsmanship and acoustic mastery. While the instrument’s rich golden-brown varnish enhances its visual allure, it is the violin's remarkable overall preservation that truly stands out—a testament to the care and reverence it has received over the centuries, ensuring its historical and musical legacy endures.

 

What sets the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius apart is its exceptional sound—rich, complex, and full of depth. The tone is both sweet and rounded, with a richness that seems to grow with each note. There’s a warmth to the sound, with an underlying depth that gives it a unique character, making it far from ordinary. The violin’s voice is not only heard but also felt, revealing subtle nuances and offering a timeless, expressive quality to every phrase. It is no wonder that it is known as one of the great playing violins, and for centuries musicians of the highest caliber have sought out the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius.

 

“This extraordinary instrument was given to New England Conservatory with the provision that it could be sold to support student scholarships. After years of individual use by our students, now, we can establish the largest named student scholarship program in the history of NEC, honoring our mission to educate and train the next generation of musicians. While it has been a privilege to have one of the world’s finest violins, this sale will be transformational for our students.  It fulfills our responsibility to ensure a violin of this caliber is properly maintained and used as the concert instrument it was meant to be. We thank Sotheby’s for their partnership, and we are eager to follow this Stradivari violin’s journey on the world stage.”

-Andrea Kalyn, President of New England Conservatory

 

 

A Violin with Legendary Provenance

 

The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius carries with it a legacy enriched by its owners and players. Before it was gifted to NEC, where it inspired students, it belonged to the late Si-Hon Ma, a violinist and pedagogue who graduated with an Artist Diploma from NEC in the 1950s. It was given to the school with the provision that it could one day be sold to provide student scholarships.

 

Before Ma, the violin was owned by Joseph Joachim, one of the most influential violinists of the 19th century, whose collaborations with composers like Johannes Brahms shaped the course of classical music. Joachim almost certainly performed on this very instrument during the 1879 premiere of Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77, with the composer himself conducting. The rich, resonant tone of the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is believed to have deeply influenced Brahms as he composed this monumental work. Joachim's legacy extends beyond his collaborations with Brahms, as he played a pivotal role in reviving Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, and it is likely that this violin was part of that revival.

 

Antonio Stradivari’s instruments, prized for their unmatched craftsmanship, are among the most valuable in the world, with prices often reaching into the millions. Over 300 years, Stradivari's violins have been cherished, played, and respected by nearly every major violinist, with his instruments continuing to be some of the most coveted in the world. These instruments require meticulous maintenance for preservation to maintain the unique sound quality of this concert instrument that belongs on the world stage. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius stands as a rare gem—its unparalleled beauty and sound a direct link to musical history and artistic greatness.

 

 

A Rare Opportunity in an Extraordinary Context

 

Offered during Sotheby’s Masters Week, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius will be presented alongside a carefully curated selection of Old Master paintings, drawings, and sculptures, placing it within a legacy of masterpieces that have shaped the history of both music and art. 

 

Ahead of its sale at Sotheby’s New York in February, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius will go on view at Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong. Further details about these exhibitions will be announced in due course.