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1720 Stradivarius Madrileno violin

Fabrizio von Arx playing his Stradivarius at the Victoria Hall on January 11, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland

1720: Date of its creation in the studio of the famous stringed instrument maker Antonio Stradivari, period of its famous « Golden Period ».

The « Madrileño » can be described as a sensual instrument with an incredible beauty for its varnish and its curves. It is a royal violin which belonged to a number of string instruments (we count 1’100 cellos, altos, bass… that have been produced, but only 700 of them have survived).

These instruments are worth a fortune, such as the Lady Blunt sold in 2008 at more than CHF 15 million Swiss Francs. The “Madrileño” costed a total of CHF 8 million Swiss Francs to its new owner, Stradivarius Art & Sound SA.

An enigmatic story: The « Madrileño » disappeared for a long time, and then reappeared at the end of the 1950’s. It was named after it had been identified in Madrid - the Spanish capital - by its owner - a member of Ducs Osuna dynasty, or a certain señor Acebal (an Iberian virtuoso Carlos Sedano’s friend). We found official records among rare instruments traders such as Rembert Wurlitzer Co. in New York (1960) and John & Arthur Beare in London.

Half a century later, the precious object was owned by 8 private owners for more than 35 years. The “Madrileño” was in John W. Nields Jr.’ hands in 1962 in the United States and in Jacques Français’ – violins chasers - in 1969. It was then in Mark Ptashne’s hands – professor at Harvard - in 1981, then in Eric Hurst’s in 1983, before ending in 2003 in Rimma Shushanskaya’s, a virtuoso from the Conservatory of Birmingham. The mythical object has apparently been in the hands – one of the Founding Fathers of the USA - Benjamin Franklin’s wife’s hands, Mrs Deborah Read, while the “Madrileno” was being played by the Maestro Ruggiero Ricci.

As for Fabrizio von Arx, the Stradivari’s piece of art is metaphysical. « When the « Madrileño » and its fellows are played by a different person, their soul doesn’t produce the same sonority.»

As of now, Fabrizio von Arx will be able to express the exceptional sound of this Stradivarius; sovereign and toned at the same time.

« The « Madrileño» is the result of a whole lifetime research. I have tried several Stradivarius, but this instrument fits with my inner voice. When I touch it, I instinctively feel all possibilities to express my idea about its sound, and to materialize its energy. The « Madrileño » is not only a working tool, but it dazzles» highlights Fabrizio.