Stradivari violin

Just my two cents...

Regardless of whether you are talking about Strads or Guarneri's, it is the tone of the particular performer that often has a greater "sonic signature" than the maker of the instrument. The greatest performers have a signature tone that carries over from instrument to instrument. For example, Yo-Yo Ma's early recordings were made on a Gofriller, later ones on either a Strad or Montagnana. Yet, in all of his recordings, early or late, it is the same sweet, beautiful tone. Slight differences, of course, but the same unmistakeable character.

This is even more interesting when you consider the previous owners of Yo-Yo Ma's cellos. I once heard Ma perform the Elgar cello concerto live, on his Davidov Strad. Beautiful performance. However, Jacqueline du Pre performed on the Davidov Strad for most of her tragically short career. Same instrument, TOTALLY different tones. Similarly, Ma's Gofriller was previously used by Pierre Fournier. Again, same instrument, very different tones.

Personally, I think it is more interesting to listen for the characteristics of a performer's sound, rather than try to determine the general sonic characteristics of a particular instrument maker.

Happy listening.

-EWHA

I have one CD album which made by TACET and title is what about this Mr.Paganini? The Album played seven most famous violins, Amati,Guadagnini,A Guarneri,P. Guarneri, Horvath, Straivari and Vuillaume by Saschko Gawriloff. He play Johann Sebastian Bach Partica d-Moll BWV 1004: Sarabande on seven different violin that I listed above. U probably will hear the difference between them. Tacet have many good classical music CD which has a good recording. I do not know if u can purchase in US, it made in Germany. If u have a problem to purchase it or order from online and just send me a mail.

good luck

I wonder how much of this is brainwashing? Since we are told it is a Stradivari violin; do we react to that knowledge positively instead of what we hear? If someone lied would you folks know it was not a Stradivari, considering even they all sound different?

I listen to the performer, not the instrument they are playing. Would you skip going to hear Mr. Ma or Mr. Bell soley because you found out they were using a violin borrowed from an orchestra member?

By the way Chinese people put there last name first, so his name should be spoken Ma Yo Yo.

Excellent posts! Frogman, I think that you're right, as a musician who plays wind instruments your training and expertise make it easier to spot the differences in types of instruments, just as my experience as a guitarist makes it easier for me to hear differences on recordings between a Martin, Guild or Gibson. You can train your ear to hear the differences, but the casual listener or ordinary music lover may not be able to make the distinction. But I agree with Ewha's assessment that the artist's style can be more recognizable than the particular instrument that artist is playing. The better instruments can remove the boundaries of what the artist wants to communicate, and help the artist develop a sound that he/she wants, but ultimately it is the musician's style and soul that makes them distinctive to me and what I'm listening for.

I agree with you RCprice, Frogman and others. I always assume a great musician will have a great instrument, so it never really crosses my mind. I was in a recording session with Dave Brubeck last spring. They had a Baldwin piano brought in for Dave. They only had Steinways and Bosendorfers on hand. The Baldwin produces the sound Dave wants, so they got him one.