The Stradivarius vs. the Modern Violin

By ⋅ January 2, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
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The Spanish II Stradivarius (1687-1689) on exhibit at Palacio Real de Madrid. (Photo: Gryffindor/Wikipedia)

The Spanish II Stradivarius (1687-1689) on exhibit at Palacio Real de Madrid. (Photo: Gryffindor/Wikipedia)

Last June a Stradivarius violin sold at a charity auction for nearly $16 million.

For centuries, performers have trumpeted the sound, the feel and the quality of the Stradivarius,

Researchers in France and the US collaborated to see if professional violinists can tell the difference between a modern violin and a legendary old Stradivarius.

Once the results were in, the Stradivarius came out on the bottom.

The results are published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Anchor Marco Werman talks to Claudia Fritz, lead author of the study.

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3 comments for “The Stradivarius vs. the Modern Violin”

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Varga/1643646092 Jeff Varga

    I found your show very interesting on this subject. I have been a working musician for 30+ years and as I grow and evolve in the process I am constantly looking for the right sounding instrument. As an acoustic guitar player you are looking for the best sound for your ears and and your music and the industry of making acoustic guitars has gone through many changes. You are either a  ”Martin” or “Gibson” guy, then came Guild and Taylor. I have to say I have just purchased some guitars in the past few years, off brand names, that are wonderful sounding instruments for a fraction of the price and none of the notoriety, or brand name appeal. Like I tell people when they ask me, “what is the best guitar?” My answer is “the one that feels good in your hands and sounds good to your ears”
    The only question on the show I wanted to know is which one did the musicians pick?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Varga/1643646092 Jeff Varga

    I found your show very interesting on this subject. I have been a working musician for 30+ years and as I grow and evolve in the process I am constantly looking for the right sounding instrument. As an acoustic guitar player you are looking for the best sound for your ears and and your music and the industry of making acoustic guitars has gone through many changes. You are either a  ”Martin” or “Gibson” guy, then came Guild and Taylor. I have to say I have just purchased some guitars in the past few years, off brand names, that are wonderful sounding instruments for a fraction of the price and none of the notoriety, or brand name appeal. Like I tell people when they ask me, “what is the best guitar?” My answer is “the one that feels good in your hands and sounds good to your ears”
    The only question on the show I wanted to know is which one did the musicians pick?

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Jeff-Varga/1643646092 Jeff Varga

    I found your show very interesting on this subject. I have been a working musician for 30+ years and as I grow and evolve in the process I am constantly looking for the right sounding instrument. As an acoustic guitar player you are looking for the best sound for your ears and and your music and the industry of making acoustic guitars has gone through many changes. You are either a  ”Martin” or “Gibson” guy, then came Guild and Taylor. I have to say I have just purchased some guitars in the past few years, off brand names, that are wonderful sounding instruments for a fraction of the price and none of the notoriety, or brand name appeal. Like I tell people when they ask me, “what is the best guitar?” My answer is “the one that feels good in your hands and sounds good to your ears”
    The only question on the show I wanted to know is which one did the musicians pick?