In celebration of the Musical Instrument Museum’s fifth anniversary, the Phoenix, Arizona, museum is lanching the exhibit Stradivarius: Origins and Legacy of the Greatest Violin Maker, showcasing 10 exceptional historic and modern examples from the string family, including a 1728 Stradivarius violin on public display for the first time in the US.
This one-of-a-kind exhibition introduces the story of how early violin makers from the modest Italian city of Cremona shaped music from the 16th century onward. The timeless masterpieces were handcrafted by master luthiers like Andrea Amati, the founding father of the violin; the rogue genius Guarneri del Gesù; and the master himself—Antonio Stradivari. The exhibition includes several modern-day masterworks that demonstrate the continuing influence of early masters.
Stradivarius: Origins and Legacy of the Greatest Violin Maker is presented in partnership with the Cremona-based Museo del Violino and the Friends of Stradivari. As part of the exhibit, guests will be able to hear and see the instruments on display using audio and video technology that bring the violin to life as never before.
“We have transformed the exhibition space into a multi-sensory experience complete with compelling sound and visuals,” says Kathleen Wiens, PhD, MIM’s curator for Europe. Wiens continues, “When visitors walk into the gallery, they will be taken on a journey from the Fiemme Valley forest, where the early masters sourced their wood, through violin maker’s workshops, European royal courts, science labs, and finally to the thrilling concert stage. It will be an experience like no other.”
Visitors to this exhibition will have the rare opportunity to see firsthand the fine craftsmanship of these extraordinary treasures. Similar violins have garnered increased attention on the collectors’ market and most recently the “Lady Blunt” Stradivarius was purchased for more than $15 million. In addition to appreciating their value, visitors will discover what makes these prized instruments unique, both in design and tone.
Stradivarius: Origins and Legacy of the Greatest Violin Maker will be on display from January 16 through June 5, 2016. To commemorate the exhibition, MIM will host concerts featuring some of the world’s most talented violinists—virtuosa Rachel Barton Pine, jazz violinist Regina Carter, and Mark O’Connor. As a finale to this special exhibition, MIM will celebrate Italian music and culture with an “Experience Italy” weekend June 4 and 5.
