This evening I decided to watch some or your older videos. I love this one. You should always play this instrument. The wonderful sounds that come out of it when you play it seem to transport one to another level of being. I believe it is a sin to leave such an instrument in a collector's cabinet when there are violinist who can play it like you do. I do not believe any luthier wants his instruments to serve as a collector's item. They want them played, by someone who loves the music they produce. I believe that playing an instrument actually improves the tone of the instrument. Just as a prevailing wind blowing though trees permanently bends the trees in the direction that it blows, so too does playing a fine instrument transform it to easily vibrate to the music that is played on it. Thank you so much for this and all of your videos.
This period of Stradivari violins are said to be the ultimate in the fairly low arching, long and wide proportions with exceptional power and sonority. I had just a copy of a 1714 Strad, and had an inkling into Having such a beast of a violin. My luthier who did the restoration referred to it as a Ferrari of a violin.
Göran Klarén Hello. These violins were all baroque. They have had modern angled necks fitted to withstand the higher string tensions as “concert pitch” has increased steadily.
Goran Klaren- I wouldnt want to be the one putting limits on the possibilities of Stradivari’s violins. Having surpassed Amati’s limitations in projection and volume really create a momentum toward progressive music without excluding any genre.
Strads are awesome! Many years ago I spent an hour playing the 1710 "Dancla" Stradivarius. It was nothing short of a religious experience. The sound on the G string was just like the big, rich sound you draw from this 1713 Strad. Thanks for a great video.
@@aTonalHits Hello . I gave your video a thumbs up 3 years ago, and I’ve enjoyed it once again, finding your explanations very informative. Something which interests me is that these instruments were made at a time when concert pitch was much lower than today , and most of Strads instruments have been “renecked”. Have you produced a video discussing these changes with a luthier perhaps ? Thank you.
It's fun to hear and watch a fine violinist play and talk about excellent instruments. I have also heard several of your Bach recordings and they are ENJOYABLE! Thanks.
It's so ... comfortable, easy, a delight to the ears ... And I'm just a classical music listener. The more I try to know about the instrument, the more I fall in love. I loved your cute emotion and how "magical" the experience is ... I feel the same way when you play.
The sheer age of the instruments, the age of the woods surely account for a lot of it's sound quality. As a Spanish guitar player I know that the sound is refined as the instrument ages.
I agree, the beautiful sound immediately jumps out compared to others. Open/airy, sweet and powerful. Able to provide whatever the player and piece needs. I hope to keep my 1938 Gibson L-5 "G.U.T." guitar in great shape for a long time like Strads.
I've been listening to videos of this kind--fine players playing famous instruments in a test setting--for a few years now and this is the first one in which I feel I can distinguish the high, sweet, open lyrical quality of a Stradivari violin versus other violins. This one reminds me of the Soil, played by Perlman. I'm often a skeptic about such tests from a listener's point of view, but this violin seems to suit you perfectly.
Thank you so much for watching! I'm a total sucker for this instrument, but I absolutely know what you mean about sometimes not really feeling that lyrical quality from a Stradivari. This one and the Elman Strad is like playing pure light- it just sets your music free, which is a literally eye-opening experience to the violinist!
You were obviously Impressed with this Stradivarius-sounds great-no bow noise in the G string and lovely tone along with I suspect a silky ness in playing where the sound is effortless
I am a retired Neuroscientist /Bio-physicist and Luthier. Like the brain, these instruments hold complex mysteries we may never understand. If our Brains were simple enough to understand, We would be too stupid to figure them out (Huge Smile). The complexity of the Life flowing through every aspect of these instruments ,beginning with the Forests that gave timber for the top-plate, back, bass-bar etc. AND generations of musicians who play them, bring out the miraculous tone. The most important Life to flow through these Instruments is generations of human brains that strive for perfection.
Wow. Listening to to several of your videos and this instrument emmediatly stands out. Not just a good sound,but the sound we are accustomed to hear on great classic recordings.
Isn't this one stunning? We hear all the time about Stradivari blind tests, etc.- I think no matter who made this instrument, it's sound is like spun gold!
another amazing strad, the sound is intricate and typically Stradivari, rich in all registers, regardless of octave, immense sustain, ironically, these sounds can be produced by most competent violinists, on many different violins, regardless of manufacture, I am starting to think the majesty of Stradivari violins are in the hands of the owners hehehe, a wonderful violin never the less
@@codysifford5470 lol... No, not usually.. The Strad magazine has one blind test of 6 violins in which a Strad won. But there have been many where the Strad was not selected as the best. But its competition is usually some of the best violins in the world from the best modern makers.
Wow it sounds so beautiful, I play guitar but this is awesome, and I wish can to play like you that violin, some day I will do. My congrats and regards with a lost of love from CDMX for you... 🎻🇲🇽 !!!
it would be amazing to hear the closing violin solo from "Sheherazade" on an instrument like this. having that haunting moment as the piece closes played on an instrument that could truly do it justice would be something worth hearing.
First time on this channel, Thank you for explaining about the violin, I just learned about the bow and how the fingers feel the vibrations, great teacher, P.S I’m 70 years old
Luv your videos and the information about these great instruments! When the mystery of how they were made is a subject on NOVA, you know it is a special subject!
The sound of the instrument would be unrecognizable to Stradivarius - his instruments have all been 'modernised': longer neck at increased angle, larger bass bar, metal strings, modern bridge, and played with a modern Tourte bow - the sound therefore is completely different compared to the original set-up, lower pitch, and gut strings etc.
I've got a copy of a Baroque violin (very similar to the Fiddlershop sample). With no chin rest nor shoulder rest, you have to play quite carefully and gently, downstrokes are distinctly stronger, and they are quiet instruments. Modern instruments are better and easier to play in every way. Still, flat bridge, no rests, and a very wiggly instrument near your shoulder is so much fun. It's like riding a Harley Davidson with no helmet; there are better ways of spending your money and time but Baroques are just so charming.
We have a Strad with a 1713 label, but since the first two digits are printed and the label is among the most modern labels, it is very likely a mass-produced 200-year-old copy. Regardless, to a trained ear, its sound is unmistakably Stradivari full and rich in color, I think due to its size and demanding construction. I played a lot of Bach and Vivaldi on it...
What’s interesting about this, and probably unknown to a lot of people, is that modern Italian violins often out perform Stradivaris. A sound engineer from MIT did a blind sound test with a random sample of people and asked them to choose which they liked better when both violins were played. More often than not, people surprisingly chose the modern instrument, reporting that they sounded more powerful than the predecessor. Very interesting indeed.
Definitely! I stand by my loving if this violin (it’s a beauty!) but I talk about that test in one of my other strad videos, I think. One of my teachers, Ilya Kaler, took part, and it was super interesting to hear about it first hand!
@@aTonalHits nothing could ever come close to the stradivaris in terms of their beauty, reverence, and historic significance. They are true pieces of art!
I saw a Strad once in a museum. There was a short recording you could listen to through shitty headphones. I mean, like, what's the point really? It was cool to see though. I've read that great violinists cannot tell the difference in a blinded test between a Strad (or other great old master violin makers) and the best modern violins. Must be fun, though, if you're a violinist, to get to play a Strad.
It's a really good point- blindfolded, I know that a lot of people can't tell which is which! (I haven't done the blindfold test, so I can't speak for myself!) Strads are truly gorgeous instruments, and really live up to there name. But- are they really worth ten million dollars? I honestly think- no. What it is is pure inflation: the first Strad to be sold for a million was in the early 90's. From there, the price skyrocketed. But as a violinist, given the chance to play one of these is a lot of fun!
Love the video and the way you describe the sound of these amazing violins. I recently saw a film called The Bowmakers where they, of course, went to great lengths to explain the importance of the bow in bringing out the greater potential of the violin. Love to hear your thoughts on how the bow and the violin come together in the hands of a master violinist?
Oh, the bow is incredibly important- if not more important! I think that way, at any rate. I use the same bow for all these demonstrations, and I always feel that I can get the feel for these instruments a lot quicker this way. My bow is quite heavy, which I love- this is quite personal, I remember some of my professors in conservatory refusing to play with my bow because it was too heavy for them! I've been meaning to get a video up about bows sometime soon, but of course all of the status quo has put a hold on it. Thanks for the question, and for tuning in! :)
I read that one of the DuPont family members had a collection of high end violins back in the early 1900’s any idea if they remain in the family or have been sold or loaned out?
Your videos are priceless. Thank you for bringing these incredible instruments to our offices and living rooms. The only thing i would love is slightly longer sections of just the instruments. But, no complaints. Just a preference.
Thank you so much for watching! And if you like the sections of just the instruments, check out our videos that are just pure playing! I think there are a few 'unedited' videos we have up. Enjoy! :)
I know that the sound of these violins have intrigued scientists for decades now of there sound. I herd somewhere that Stradivari was born at the end of a mini Ice age that hit Italy and Stradivarius lived near this forest where the mini ice age effected causing the trees to grow slower giving a different density of the wood. Someone used a fungus to recreate the environment these trees would have endured during this ice period and after doing so reproduced a very similar sound to the original Stradivarius’s not sure how true this actually is but it’s a cool little tidbit!
I don’t doubt modern violins are made to a higher standard and the difference in sound may be imperceptible even to experts. But the fascination to me is that in 300 years nobody has really managed to create something better. It’s the same argument my dad believes with guitars. The best fenders and les Paul’s have barely changed since the 1950s, and I think in a world of built in obsolescence and continual technological advancement this is a wonderful thing and they deserve to be celebrated.
I have the copy of 1713 Stradivari Violin. Very nice Huberman. I have the real sound advancements without any application against a natural Stradivari Violin.
3:47 - "It's almost as if there's no special adjustment needed" ...my gosh, I think you're the first violinist I've heard to say that about a Strad! Even people like Repin, Zukerman, Vengerov, Rachlin all struggled somewhat to adjust to their Strad violins! I know that Vengerov has played on at least four different Strads for mid-to-long periods of his career and he said each are so very different "needing all sorts of bow speeds and pressures" whereas the Del Gesu's just "sing and do their job as a violin straight away".
This 1713 seems to me to leapfrog over the 1722 Elman you played, though no one can doubt the fabulous tone that both Elman and Suk drew from the 1722. The 1713 is not so much an instrument as it is an equal partner. The response is amazing, and the stops pop.
Hi David, this Strad doesn't have a nickname! There are actually a lot more Strads than we think there are, so a lot of them don't have names. Hope that's helpful!
Is there any weaknesses to this or other strads? How are strads different from each other and other great violins? To my musical but untrained ear, the higher tones seem to be purer than the lower strings - is that accurate or am I looking for faults that aren’t there. There must be technical acoustic spectral measurements/analysis showing the harmonics, etc...does this show the strength of the strad??? Thanks - great production on video. Ooops... I found other videos in these series on the physics of a strad.
I think that if you read more of what Yehudi Menuhin wrote of, you would definitely have an awakening by the employment of the very few grand octagonal bows which highlight the Stradivari tone and even though tailpieces are quite expensive as a finished product Dear, using the G String and E Strings 90° angles to the bridge, but having a more { v } shape of the D String and A String paths to the bridge of at least a 0.75mm distance closer to each other starting from the tailpiece Dear. This balances the D & A Strings comenserate tonal quality to the already grand, regal, refined and elegant tones from the G & E Strings. Get that Tourte Octagonal Bow🤡🥳🥳🥳👰💕🎻
@@aTonalHits Luthiers are not useful for giving you really useful information unless it is like $250.00 an hour parts and labour not included@!!! I am both a performer and luthier. So Lord Menuhins' edict is this; a round bow everything else not Stradivari! An octagonal bow takes you to the Stradivarian Center of Sound, then the violin sound develops from there. Danes Zygmundi played, " The Ernst Stradivari Violin of 1709 and he created a finger board with the G String Side so high so as to accentuate the violin so my because he was or is the master of Stradivarian Violin Use of Double Stops. 500 patrons hypnotized with The Ernst Stradivari Violin of 1709 and his bow@!!! WWU PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING AND MUSIC LIBRARY HAVE THAT RECORDING. ASK THEM FOR A CD OF IT. COREY AND JAAP AND DANES ALL HAVE MASTERCLASSES THERE RECORDED TO FOR POSTERITY. BYE BYE DEAR@!!! : )
I was curios about how you found the action to be on the Stradivarius compared with other master level violins you have played. Finger pressure, responsiveness, etc…
Oh, this one was a dream! Ridiculously responsive- that's half of what makes an instrument so good, just how responsive, and easy, it is to play! The harder you have to work, the less you generally like it! :)
@@aTonalHits No surprise there! Remember watching an interview with Perlman where he said he was hooked after playing just three notes on a Stradivarius. Actually a new Violin Student, 4-months in, and looking at upgrading soon from my student violin. However, I’m pretty sure an eight + figure price tag would get an immediate “No” from my wife! 😉 Just subscribed to your channel and looking forward to learning more!
@@JosephMusgrove Yeah, I wouldn't go there!! :) Actually, if you're looking for an upgrade, I would suggest looking at bows first. It's amazing how much a good bow will do- I actually think a good bow is worth way more than a good instrument! I did a few videos on bows that might be useful if you're looking for an upgrade- hope they'll be helpful to you! :)
@@aTonalHits Back in 1963, my teacher broke a very expensive bow over my shoulder b/c I was playing basketball instead of practicing. I thought I could fool him; I failed. My Mom came to pick me up and the teacher confessed to her what he had done. She glared at me while she said to him, "Don't be sorry, Mr. Holland - I'm sure he deserved it!". My Mom paid for the new bow over his protests, and I got plenty more chores to do at home.
Strads are just THE best violins. My friend plays on one, and it is just the most fab instrument to play on. She is very lucky to have it on loan, because these instruments are far too expensive to afford, unless you are Rockefeller.
Yet there are people who think strad is just one of the many options that sound roughly the same as any good violin. To me, strad sound stands out and is completely unique. Strad and del gesu. You can quite easily know if a violin you hear is not a strad. No idea why many people don't feel this difference
I'm also curious as to what bow you use when you try these great instruments. Is it famous as well? Are you using a different bow each time? Thank you for making these videos. They're fascinating.
Great question! I'm actually coming out with a bow video- probably within the month, we're putting together the footage lol. But I'm not going to answer it here because it'll give it away! :)
Anything involving audio brings out the crazy in enthusiasts. I play guitar, and some of the theories about tone are crazy. No doubt the same in violin land. Blind test an "expert" to see if they can pick the Stradivarius.
You need to first find the best tone on the bow across the G String oscillatioj discovering the most vibration felt at x = bow tension and play from there. Then have the violins adjusted to habits and sound preferrences in tuning all parts and accessories to your specific wishes.
Here's a question ❓ Is violin 🎻 hard to learn to play? As I am a guitarist of 17 years experience I can play Paganini's 5th caprice or Beethoven's 9th ode to joy or even some Bach compositions , I would love to play them on violin but it seems hard as there's no frets and it's like you have to play by ear 👂 to get each note in perfect pitch , anyway I hope you can offer some advice thank you 👍
Yes, it's definitely difficult! But then again, so is everything! You absolutely have to pay attention to intonation though, and have to have a very keen ear. That being said, it's worth it! :)
@@aTonalHits Thank you 😊 🙏 very much for the kind reply and yes I can imagine it is a difficult instrument to learn , Intonation on guitar sadly is impossible to get perfect due to the nature of the instrument , so on a Violin 🎻 I would imagine it would need to be as close to perfect as possible though according to Google on a stringed instrument perfect Intonation is not possible sadly , anyway I will have to try to learn violin as it's such a versatile instrument and has entertained generations of people since the 1500s.
This is a really good question- they weren't altered specifically for the use of metal strings- those weren't invented till the early 20th century- but really, piecemeal- little advancements that helped the facility of the instrument. I always talk about Louis Spohr inventing the chinrest- good man! It changed so much about we can play the instrument, and generally just makes it way easier to get into the higher registers. And then, of course, extending the fingerboard-! I would say none of these instruments are unaltered. I don't think I've ever seen an unaltered instrument, now that I think about it- most Baroque or period instruments were updated, and then 'downdated', as it were, in the 20 or 21st century. I could go on and on about this! Thanks for listening, and your interest! :)
Wow that is a loaded question! And one that deserves it’s own video. We were going to do one before lockdown- now that it looks like we’re starting to come out, I’m getting a bow rehair next week 😱 so hopefully I’ll be able to do a bow centric video soon, talking to my bow maker!
I know it’s almost one year ago since you published this video but I was wondering what kind of strings were on this strad and with what kind of bow did you play on this instrument?
I'm pretty sure they're pirazzis- I don't remember off the top of my head, but that collection is very fond of pirazzis! As for the bow, it's a Lupot. Wonderfully heavy!
Oh, quite different! The strings would be made from gut, instead of steel, and the whole instrument would be set up quite differently. I recommend youtubing the Netherlands Bach society, and listening to Shunske Sato- his period recordings are phenomenal, and you really get a very clear idea of what the instruments sounded like when they were made!
Great tone wood, carful graduation of the belly and a great player (you in this case) and you have a Strad or my favorite Del Gesu. All great violins are a combination of these factors.
0:30 Chaconne from Violin Partita no. 2 - Bach
1:32 Violin Sonata No. 3 Mvt. 1 - Brahms
3:35 Danse Espagnole - Falla
This evening I decided to watch some or your older videos. I love this one. You should always play this instrument. The wonderful sounds that come out of it when you play it seem to transport one to another level of being.
I believe it is a sin to leave such an instrument in a collector's cabinet when there are violinist who can play it like you do. I do not believe any luthier wants his instruments to serve as a collector's item. They want them played, by someone who loves the music they produce.
I believe that playing an instrument actually improves the tone of the instrument. Just as a prevailing wind blowing though trees permanently bends the trees in the direction that it blows, so too does playing a fine instrument transform it to easily vibrate to the music that is played on it.
Thank you so much for this and all of your videos.
You must have been like a kid in a candy store, having all these amazing instruments to play, and you played them beautifully! Thank you 😊
This period of Stradivari violins are said to be the ultimate in the fairly low arching, long and wide proportions with exceptional power and sonority. I had just a copy of a 1714 Strad, and had an inkling into Having such a beast of a violin. My luthier who did the restoration referred to it as a Ferrari of a violin.
A Ferrari of a violin is perfectly apt! It is so finessed, subtle, and perfectly balanced. Glad you enjoyed this!
But you don’t put a Chevy engine in a Ferrari. Baroque music should be played on a baroque instrument.
Göran Klarén Hello. These violins were all baroque. They have had modern angled necks fitted to withstand the higher string tensions as “concert pitch” has increased steadily.
Goran Klaren- I wouldnt want to be the one putting limits on the possibilities of Stradivari’s violins. Having surpassed Amati’s limitations in projection and volume really create a momentum toward progressive music without excluding any genre.
John Geddes Was your luthier P J by chance ?
Strads are awesome! Many years ago I spent an hour playing the 1710 "Dancla" Stradivarius. It was nothing short of a religious experience. The sound on the G string was just like the big, rich sound you draw from this 1713 Strad. Thanks for a great video.
Arthur Dent thanks for watching! I know, there is nothing quite like the sound on these instruments- you get such a rush from playing them! :)
@@aTonalHits Hello . I gave your video a thumbs up 3 years ago, and I’ve enjoyed it once again, finding your explanations very informative.
Something which interests me is that these instruments were made at a time when concert pitch was much lower than today , and most of Strads instruments have been “renecked”. Have you produced a video discussing these changes with a luthier perhaps ? Thank you.
It's great how you go into such fine detail when explaining how each violin feels.
It's fun to hear and watch a fine violinist play and talk about excellent instruments. I have also heard several of your Bach recordings and they are ENJOYABLE! Thanks.
It's so ... comfortable, easy, a delight to the ears ... And I'm just a classical music listener. The more I try to know about the instrument, the more I fall in love. I loved your cute emotion and how "magical" the experience is ... I feel the same way when you play.
The Stradivarius violins are said to have been built to be in tune to A=432 Hz.
The force is strong with you. Your skills are complete. You have mastered the master.
Great videos and playing! Very enjoyable.
The sheer age of the instruments, the age of the woods surely account for a lot of it's sound quality. As a Spanish guitar player I know that the sound is refined as the instrument ages.
I have loved listening to you play throughout this series. Thank you.
Sounds amazing, and great playing of the Brahms, perfect for this violin.
That is the exact moment that a musician falls in love with an instrument. Love your videos! Cheers ☺️
Thanks for listening! This is such a gorgeous instrument, it's hard not to fall in love! :)
Beautiful instrument... especially in the hands of such a player!
I agree, the beautiful sound immediately jumps out compared to others. Open/airy, sweet and powerful. Able to provide whatever the player and piece needs. I hope to keep my 1938 Gibson L-5 "G.U.T." guitar in great shape for a long time like Strads.
@Lifted Sailboat Stop with the smug anti-science loser. Your sailboat is sinking and you have water in your ears and brain.
It's so beautiful to hear I can see why they are so loved
A beautiful lovely sound out of that Strad! I was very impressed 🤗
You play very well. You truly bring out the characteristics of each violin. I enjoy & appreciate your playing & comments.
Absolutely stunning, in sound and looks.
and the violin is not bad either.....
Superb Sound and playing
I've been listening to videos of this kind--fine players playing famous instruments in a test setting--for a few years now and this is the first one in which I feel I can distinguish the high, sweet, open lyrical quality of a Stradivari violin versus other violins. This one reminds me of the Soil, played by Perlman. I'm often a skeptic about such tests from a listener's point of view, but this violin seems to suit you perfectly.
Thank you so much for watching! I'm a total sucker for this instrument, but I absolutely know what you mean about sometimes not really feeling that lyrical quality from a Stradivari. This one and the Elman Strad is like playing pure light- it just sets your music free, which is a literally eye-opening experience to the violinist!
You were obviously Impressed with this Stradivarius-sounds great-no bow noise in the G string and lovely tone along with I suspect a silky ness in playing where the sound is effortless
I am a retired Neuroscientist /Bio-physicist and Luthier. Like the brain, these instruments hold complex mysteries we may never understand. If our Brains were simple enough to understand, We would be too stupid to figure them out (Huge Smile). The complexity of the Life flowing through every aspect of these instruments ,beginning with the Forests that gave timber for the top-plate, back, bass-bar etc. AND generations of musicians who play them, bring out the miraculous tone. The most important Life to flow through these Instruments is generations of human brains that strive for perfection.
Wow. Listening to to several of your videos and this instrument emmediatly stands out. Not just a good sound,but the sound we are accustomed to hear on great classic recordings.
Isn't this one stunning? We hear all the time about Stradivari blind tests, etc.- I think no matter who made this instrument, it's sound is like spun gold!
another amazing strad, the sound is intricate and typically Stradivari, rich in all registers, regardless of octave, immense sustain, ironically, these sounds can be produced by most competent violinists, on many different violins, regardless of manufacture, I am starting to think the majesty of Stradivari violins are in the hands of the owners hehehe, a wonderful violin never the less
This is my favorite!
Non-classical musician: That sounds just like violin!
Ryujinzzz non classical musician here... don’t Strads usually lose in blind tests?
@@codysifford5470 lol... No, not usually.. The Strad magazine has one blind test of 6 violins in which a Strad won. But there have been many where the Strad was not selected as the best. But its competition is usually some of the best violins in the world from the best modern makers.
@@codysifford5470 ua-cam.com/video/VlJ_DXneJ98/v-deo.html
As a metal head I say it sounds very clear then many violins. It has a dark low end and a bright high end
Beautiful.
Wow it sounds so beautiful, I play guitar but this is awesome, and I wish can to play like you that violin, some day I will do.
My congrats and regards with a lost of love from CDMX for you... 🎻🇲🇽 !!!
Wow! This woman is amazing.
Katha, you are amazing!!!
it would be amazing to hear the closing violin solo from "Sheherazade" on an instrument like this. having that haunting moment as the piece closes played on an instrument that could truly do it justice would be something worth hearing.
Oh man, I haven't played Scherezade since I was a kid! What a great idea! I'll have to fish up the music to make that happen... :)
@@aTonalHits I hope all your viewers look forward to hearing it.
First time on this channel, Thank you for explaining about the violin, I just learned about the bow and how the fingers feel the vibrations, great teacher, P.S I’m 70 years old
I always try to explain in a clear way, so anyone who is interested can understand :) Thank you for watching, and for taking the time to comment!
That has to be a dream to play!
This strad sounds so crystal and projective.
wow... that D and G string sound...
Beautiful
You are opening my mind. Yesterday I could not spell Stradivarius.
This is the best!! :)
The sound quality is amazing, and so is the playing! Great video!
Luv your videos and the information about these great instruments! When the mystery of how they were made is a subject on NOVA, you know it is a special subject!
Beautiful sound. I borrowed a Strad during college and it was extraordinary.
Thanks for the info
Incredible sound.
Wow wow Antonio Stradivari! Ever! grande 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🏅🏅🏅🏅🏆🏆🏆🏆
The sound of the instrument would be unrecognizable to Stradivarius - his instruments have all been 'modernised': longer neck at increased angle, larger bass bar, metal strings, modern bridge, and played with a modern Tourte bow - the sound therefore is completely different compared to the original set-up, lower pitch, and gut strings etc.
Agreed- but they usually did a hell of a good job modernizing them! :)
I've got a copy of a Baroque violin (very similar to the Fiddlershop sample). With no chin rest nor shoulder rest, you have to play quite carefully and gently, downstrokes are distinctly stronger, and they are quiet instruments.
Modern instruments are better and easier to play in every way. Still, flat bridge, no rests, and a very wiggly instrument near your shoulder is so much fun. It's like riding a Harley Davidson with no helmet; there are better ways of spending your money and time but Baroques are just so charming.
Thanks!
We have a Strad with a 1713 label, but since the first two digits are printed and the label is among the most modern labels, it is very likely a mass-produced 200-year-old copy. Regardless, to a trained ear, its sound is unmistakably Stradivari full and rich in color, I think due to its size and demanding construction. I played a lot of Bach and Vivaldi on it...
What’s interesting about this, and probably unknown to a lot of people, is that modern Italian violins often out perform Stradivaris. A sound engineer from MIT did a blind sound test with a random sample of people and asked them to choose which they liked better when both violins were played. More often than not, people surprisingly chose the modern instrument, reporting that they sounded more powerful than the predecessor.
Very interesting indeed.
Definitely! I stand by my loving if this violin (it’s a beauty!) but I talk about that test in one of my other strad videos, I think. One of my teachers, Ilya Kaler, took part, and it was super interesting to hear about it first hand!
@@aTonalHits nothing could ever come close to the stradivaris in terms of their beauty, reverence, and historic significance. They are true pieces of art!
what a fabulous tone!❤️
Maestro, you gave to incredible good details what about to weak points of instrument.
Amazing !
The Sound that comes from this violin is not entirely Stradivari's, You bring out the best in every instrument that you play. Magnificent !
I saw a Strad once in a museum. There was a short recording you could listen to through shitty headphones. I mean, like, what's the point really? It was cool to see though. I've read that great violinists cannot tell the difference in a blinded test between a Strad (or other great old master violin makers) and the best modern violins. Must be fun, though, if you're a violinist, to get to play a Strad.
It's a really good point- blindfolded, I know that a lot of people can't tell which is which! (I haven't done the blindfold test, so I can't speak for myself!) Strads are truly gorgeous instruments, and really live up to there name. But- are they really worth ten million dollars? I honestly think- no. What it is is pure inflation: the first Strad to be sold for a million was in the early 90's. From there, the price skyrocketed. But as a violinist, given the chance to play one of these is a lot of fun!
So smooth!
Love the video and the way you describe the sound of these amazing violins. I recently saw a film called The Bowmakers where they, of course, went to great lengths to explain the importance of the bow in bringing out the greater potential of the violin. Love to hear your thoughts on how the bow and the violin come together in the hands of a master violinist?
Oh, the bow is incredibly important- if not more important! I think that way, at any rate. I use the same bow for all these demonstrations, and I always feel that I can get the feel for these instruments a lot quicker this way. My bow is quite heavy, which I love- this is quite personal, I remember some of my professors in conservatory refusing to play with my bow because it was too heavy for them! I've been meaning to get a video up about bows sometime soon, but of course all of the status quo has put a hold on it. Thanks for the question, and for tuning in! :)
Show us the labels inside of the Strad , This video was very informative, I wish I can listen to you play a strad in person, it would be epic 😅
Amazing my friend.. i will buy Strat also via VST in native instruments
Almost perfection.
I read that one of the DuPont family members had a collection of high end violins back in the early 1900’s any idea if they remain in the family or have been sold or loaned out?
Love your video.
I think I could watch your uploads 'till the cows come home .x
Please do! :)
@@aTonalHits But there are many many many cows in Shropshire . !
Could you maybe play something from the Brahms or Sibelius concerto in one of your next videos? :)
Oh man, it's been a loooong time :) I'll try!
@@aTonalHits awesome, thank you!!
Your videos are priceless. Thank you for bringing these incredible instruments to our offices and living rooms. The only thing i would love is slightly longer sections of just the instruments. But, no complaints. Just a preference.
Thank you so much for watching! And if you like the sections of just the instruments, check out our videos that are just pure playing! I think there are a few 'unedited' videos we have up. Enjoy! :)
@@aTonalHits oh, wonderful, will do.
Very informative!
I know that the sound of these violins have intrigued scientists for decades now of there sound. I herd somewhere that Stradivari was born at the end of a mini Ice age that hit Italy and Stradivarius lived near this forest where the mini ice age effected causing the trees to grow slower giving a different density of the wood. Someone used a fungus to recreate the environment these trees would have endured during this ice period and after doing so reproduced a very similar sound to the original Stradivarius’s not sure how true this actually is but it’s a cool little tidbit!
I don’t doubt modern violins are made to a higher standard and the difference in sound may be imperceptible even to experts. But the fascination to me is that in 300 years nobody has really managed to create something better. It’s the same argument my dad believes with guitars. The best fenders and les Paul’s have barely changed since the 1950s, and I think in a world of built in obsolescence and continual technological advancement this is a wonderful thing and they deserve to be celebrated.
I have the copy of 1713 Stradivari Violin. Very nice Huberman. I have the real sound advancements without any application against a natural Stradivari Violin.
How do we find the Authenticity of stradivari? I too have one.....I suppose. I wish to place it in worthy hands.
@@sundaradasdasari7105 Tarisio of London 🇬🇧
Nice. If you relax your bow hold(fingers a little closer together)
(Heifetz style) you will get even a bigger sound.
3:47 - "It's almost as if there's no special adjustment needed" ...my gosh, I think you're the first violinist I've heard to say that about a Strad!
Even people like Repin, Zukerman, Vengerov, Rachlin all struggled somewhat to adjust to their Strad violins! I know that Vengerov has played on at least four different Strads for mid-to-long periods of his career and he said each are so very different "needing all sorts of bow speeds and pressures" whereas the Del Gesu's just "sing and do their job as a violin straight away".
This 1713 seems to me to leapfrog over the 1722 Elman you played, though no one can doubt the fabulous tone that both Elman and Suk drew from the 1722. The 1713 is not so much an instrument as it is an equal partner. The response is amazing, and the stops pop.
They're both amazing instruments, but I know- I love this 1713 one even more! Maybe the Elman will open up with even more playing!
I feel like a blessed poor man.
Hi, What is the name of this Stradivari? Is it the Titian? Thanks --absolutely wonderful video! Thank you so, so much, David Lee
Hi David, this Strad doesn't have a nickname! There are actually a lot more Strads than we think there are, so a lot of them don't have names. Hope that's helpful!
Heaven 😍
Show us the back.
Your playing is the sweetest sound I have heard yet from the Stradivarius. Maybe it needs a light touch, a woman's touch in this case.👏
Big sign in the Stradivarius Shoppe: BEST Violins in the World!! …... Guaneri's sign, a few blocks away:: BEST Violins on THIS Street!!
Easy to play, effortless, buttery, sweet, silky golden tone.😀 0:24
Hello! How do we notice the AUTHENTICITY of Stradivarious. I have one with me......
I wish to place it in worthy hands. sundaradasds@gmail.com
It’s a really nice instrument. But a lot of the sound comes from the fact that you play really well too.
Is there any weaknesses to this or other strads? How are strads different from each other and other great violins? To my musical but untrained ear, the higher tones seem to be purer than the lower strings - is that accurate or am I looking for faults that aren’t there. There must be technical acoustic spectral measurements/analysis showing the harmonics, etc...does this show the strength of the strad??? Thanks - great production on video. Ooops... I found other videos in these series on the physics of a strad.
I think that if you read more of what Yehudi Menuhin wrote of, you would definitely have an awakening by the employment of the very few grand octagonal bows which highlight the Stradivari tone and even though tailpieces are quite expensive as a finished product Dear, using the G String and E Strings 90° angles to the bridge, but having a more { v } shape of the D String and A String paths to the bridge of at least a 0.75mm distance closer to each other starting from the tailpiece Dear.
This balances the D & A Strings comenserate tonal quality to the already grand, regal, refined and elegant tones from the G & E Strings. Get that Tourte Octagonal Bow🤡🥳🥳🥳👰💕🎻
Hah, I will certainly keep my eye peeled for one! Thank you for the very detailed reply, it's always helpful! :)
@@aTonalHits Luthiers are not useful for giving you really useful information unless it is like $250.00 an hour parts and labour not included@!!! I am both a performer and luthier. So Lord Menuhins' edict is this; a round bow everything else not Stradivari! An octagonal bow takes you to the Stradivarian Center of Sound, then the violin sound develops from there. Danes Zygmundi played, " The Ernst Stradivari Violin of 1709 and he created a finger board with the G String Side so high so as to accentuate the violin so my because he was or is the master of Stradivarian Violin Use of Double Stops. 500 patrons hypnotized with The Ernst Stradivari Violin of 1709 and his bow@!!! WWU PERFORMING ARTS BUILDING AND MUSIC LIBRARY HAVE THAT RECORDING. ASK THEM FOR A CD OF IT. COREY AND JAAP AND DANES ALL HAVE MASTERCLASSES THERE RECORDED TO FOR POSTERITY. BYE BYE DEAR@!!! : )
I was curios about how you found the action to be on the Stradivarius compared with other master level violins you have played. Finger pressure, responsiveness, etc…
Oh, this one was a dream! Ridiculously responsive- that's half of what makes an instrument so good, just how responsive, and easy, it is to play! The harder you have to work, the less you generally like it! :)
@@aTonalHits No surprise there! Remember watching an interview with Perlman where he said he was hooked after playing just three notes on a Stradivarius.
Actually a new Violin Student, 4-months in, and looking at upgrading soon from my student violin. However, I’m pretty sure an eight + figure price tag would get an immediate “No” from my wife! 😉
Just subscribed to your channel and looking forward to learning more!
@@JosephMusgrove Yeah, I wouldn't go there!! :) Actually, if you're looking for an upgrade, I would suggest looking at bows first. It's amazing how much a good bow will do- I actually think a good bow is worth way more than a good instrument! I did a few videos on bows that might be useful if you're looking for an upgrade- hope they'll be helpful to you! :)
@@aTonalHits Back in 1963, my teacher broke a very expensive bow over my shoulder b/c I was playing basketball instead of practicing. I thought I could fool him; I failed. My Mom came to pick me up and the teacher confessed to her what he had done. She glared at me while she said to him, "Don't be sorry, Mr. Holland - I'm sure he deserved it!". My Mom paid for the new bow over his protests, and I got plenty more chores to do at home.
Strads are just THE best violins. My friend plays on one, and it is just the most fab instrument to play on. She is very lucky to have it on loan, because these instruments are far too expensive to afford, unless you are Rockefeller.
Yet there are people who think strad is just one of the many options that sound roughly the same as any good violin. To me, strad sound stands out and is completely unique. Strad and del gesu. You can quite easily know if a violin you hear is not a strad. No idea why many people don't feel this difference
I'm also curious as to what bow you use when you try these great instruments. Is it famous as well? Are you using a different bow each time? Thank you for making these videos. They're fascinating.
Great question! I'm actually coming out with a bow video- probably within the month, we're putting together the footage lol. But I'm not going to answer it here because it'll give it away! :)
Anything involving audio brings out the crazy in enthusiasts. I play guitar, and some of the theories about tone are crazy. No doubt the same in violin land. Blind test an "expert" to see if they can pick the Stradivarius.
You need to first find the best tone on the bow across the G String oscillatioj discovering the most vibration felt at x = bow tension and play from there. Then have the violins adjusted to habits and sound preferrences in tuning all parts and accessories to your specific wishes.
I will definitely think about this the next time I try these instruments! Thanks for the input!
this is great... I think the more current makers try to emulate the sound of a strad the more they dont get it.
Great information but a few I knew. Anyway it was interesting
Here's a question ❓ Is violin 🎻 hard to learn to play? As I am a guitarist of 17 years experience I can play Paganini's 5th caprice or Beethoven's 9th ode to joy or even some Bach compositions , I would love to play them on violin but it seems hard as there's no frets and it's like you have to play by ear 👂 to get each note in perfect pitch , anyway I hope you can offer some advice thank you 👍
Yes, it's definitely difficult! But then again, so is everything! You absolutely have to pay attention to intonation though, and have to have a very keen ear. That being said, it's worth it! :)
@@aTonalHits Thank you 😊 🙏 very much for the kind reply and yes I can imagine it is a difficult instrument to learn , Intonation on guitar sadly is impossible to get perfect due to the nature of the instrument , so on a Violin 🎻 I would imagine it would need to be as close to perfect as possible though according to Google on a stringed instrument perfect Intonation is not possible sadly , anyway I will have to try to learn violin as it's such a versatile instrument and has entertained generations of people since the 1500s.
Do you know what type of bridge is used on that Strad? I'd assume they maintained them and have the best modern setup for all of them.
That's a great question and... I don't know the answer! Next time I go back in the footage I'll keep my eye peeled!
I'm curious. Were these instruments altered much for metal strings and the sound of the modern orchestra? Are any of these instruments unaltered?
This is a really good question- they weren't altered specifically for the use of metal strings- those weren't invented till the early 20th century- but really, piecemeal- little advancements that helped the facility of the instrument. I always talk about Louis Spohr inventing the chinrest- good man! It changed so much about we can play the instrument, and generally just makes it way easier to get into the higher registers. And then, of course, extending the fingerboard-!
I would say none of these instruments are unaltered. I don't think I've ever seen an unaltered instrument, now that I think about it- most Baroque or period instruments were updated, and then 'downdated', as it were, in the 20 or 21st century. I could go on and on about this! Thanks for listening, and your interest! :)
The magic of a stad is that there is no magic double blind tests show even strad owners prefer modern violins over their own strads.
And what about the bow? You can buy one for less than $50 to many thousands. What do you use and how does it make a difference?
Wow that is a loaded question! And one that deserves it’s own video. We were going to do one before lockdown- now that it looks like we’re starting to come out, I’m getting a bow rehair next week 😱 so hopefully I’ll be able to do a bow centric video soon, talking to my bow maker!
I know it’s almost one year ago since you published this video but I was wondering what kind of strings were on this strad and with what kind of bow did you play on this instrument?
I'm pretty sure they're pirazzis- I don't remember off the top of my head, but that collection is very fond of pirazzis! As for the bow, it's a Lupot. Wonderfully heavy!
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How much different would it have sounded 200 years ago with the strings that we available at that time?
Oh, quite different! The strings would be made from gut, instead of steel, and the whole instrument would be set up quite differently. I recommend youtubing the Netherlands Bach society, and listening to Shunske Sato- his period recordings are phenomenal, and you really get a very clear idea of what the instruments sounded like when they were made!
aTonalHits Thanks - I will!!!
@@aTonalHits Oh wow - I see what you mean. It is spectacular! Thank YOU!
Great tone wood, carful graduation of the belly and a great player (you in this case) and you have a Strad or my favorite Del Gesu. All great violins are a combination of these factors.
What should Do with the Stradivarius violin I purchased at a Goodwill? And it's the real deal..
I could see and hear how that Strad made your playing nimble.