Photo Discussion
Category: Friendly Praise Archive

Will The Real Stradivarius Please Play An A?

	Will The Real Stradivarius Please Play An A? At first glance, this may look like a Photoshopped shot with the same violin flipped but it really isn't. One of them is the real 1728 Stradivarius while the other is an exact replica (Called a Bench Copy) in which every mark, scratch, the grain of the wood, varnishing, etc. is reproduced almost perfectly. It was made in 1996 by two partners in violin making - Gregg Alf and Joseph Curtin based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and was the last of such violins they ever made as a team. Their Bench Copy of another Strad (not as well done a this one, I might add) holds the world record for the highest price paid for a modern violin at auction. It is an amazing example of artistry and craftsmanship and is also a wonderful performance-quality instrument. Every violin maker who has ever seen it gapes in wonder. I perform on them interchangeably. Can you tell which is which? Endre Balogh

I examined both violins...they appear identical. My guess..the real Strad is the right one...there is a tiny bit of rosin on the left side of the bridge. As for the photo...is is elegant..of course for the subject matter. I find myself looking at the black negative space between the two instruments...they form an eye-catching (my eye, anyway) beautifully shaped space.

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March 20, 2006

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March 20, 2006

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March 20, 2006

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December 22, 2006

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March 05, 2008