Four Stradivarius instruments, some of the most prized musical instruments in the world, are visiting the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign this month. About 650 of the famed Stradivarius instruments survive, four of which are currently on display in Krannert Art Museum and Kinkaed Pavilion (KAM).
The four visiting instruments -- the Greffuhle Violin (1709), Ole Bull Violin (1687), Axelrod Viola (1695), and Maryleborn cello (1688) -- are on loan from the Smithsonian; they were all designed by Antonio Stradivari, of Cremonia, Italy, who has influenced violin-making for over 250 years. While he was famous in his time, it was in the late 1700s and 1800s that his instruments became prized for their sound quality and gained popularity among virtuosos. In fact, the instruments tend to be named after famous performers who owned and played them. There is still much mystery around the design of the instruments and they have been the subject of chemical and physical investigations to determine how Stradivari created such masterpieces.
Besides being on display in the museum, there were performances at KAM and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Some may be surprised and shocked that instruments over 300 years old, with such a rich history, are allowed to be removed from secure cases, let alone played. However, others consider periodic performances to be a type of "preservation in action." By playing and listening to these instruments, we are preserving not just the artifact itself, but the Stradivarius sound -- ephemeral and unique.
A brief introduction of the instruments at the KAM performance revealed that they have had some major repairs over the years, including neck replacement. The instruments have also been restrung with metal strings, forgoing their original material. There is no way to know how similar they sound to their younger 17th century days; it is known that the sound quality has changed with repairs to the instruments, however, they are still considered among the most vibrant in the world.
If you missed it, hear the KAM concert on WILL 90.9 FM on Sunday, November 26th, 2006 at 7:06 p.m.
How do you feel about the changes/repairs to these instruments over the years and that they are still occasionally played? What is the balance between hearing the music and saving the instruments from the stress of use? Would a sound recording be a sufficient alternative?
Sources
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. "Smithsonian Chamber Players." Marquee Chamber Music Series. Performance Announcement.
http://www.krannertcenter.com/performances/details.asp?elementID=20937
La France, Robert and Scott W. Schwartz. "A Quartet of Ornamented String
Instruments by Antonio Stradivari" in the program for Stradivarius Concert at the Krannert Center entitled "Smithsonian Chamber Players" http://www.krannertcenter.com/shared/uploads/21621_smithsonian_prgm_cond.pdf
Lynn, Andrea. Famed Stradivari instruments coming to U. of I. for display and performances. News Bureau: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign News Index. http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/06/1011music.html
Smithsonian. Stradivarius Violins. http://www.si.edu/resource/faq/nmah/stradv.htm
Image from Getty Images. Image# 57443053. http://creative.gettyimages.com/
