A Stradivarius violin, famously played by Hungarian virtuoso Joseph Joachim, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby’s on February 7, with an estimated value between $12 million and $18 million. If it reaches the higher estimate, it will surpass the $15.9 million record set in 2011 by the Lady Blunt Stradivarius.
The violin, crafted in 1714 during Antonio Stradivari’s “golden period,” is celebrated for its remarkable preservation, golden-brown gloss, and unmatched tonal quality. Its historical significance is tied to Joachim, who premiered Johannes Brahms’s Violin Concerto in D Major on this instrument in 1879. Brahms composed the concerto specifically for Joachim and his Stradivarius, cementing its legacy in classical music history.
In 1967, the violin was acquired by Si-Hon Ma, a violinist and inventor of the Sihon mute, a device used on string instruments. Ma performed with the instrument for decades until his death in 2009, after which it became known as the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius. Ma’s will left the violin to his alma mater, New England Conservatory (NEC), with the condition it could be sold to support scholarships.
The violin has since been displayed at the Violin Museum in Cremona, Italy—Stradivari’s birthplace and the heart of violin craftsmanship. While select students have been allowed to play it, NEC has now decided to auction the instrument to establish its largest-ever scholarship fund. NEC president Andrea Kalyn described the sale as transformational, stating it would help train and educate future generations of musicians.
Though some worry the violin could become a collector’s trophy, Sotheby’s Mari-Claudia Jimenez emphasized its legacy as both a concert instrument and cultural treasure. She expressed confidence that its next owner will respect and preserve its historical and musical significance, ensuring its remarkable story continues.
