If I have RM 147 million in loose change, I will NOT buy this viola but pay an entire orchestra to play for me in my mansion whenever I feel like it! Maybe I cannot sleep so I can pay an entire orchestra to play lullabies to me till I doze off and they can quietly sneak away. RM 147 million can buy me quite a few orchestras also as I can pay their monthly salaries just to perform for me if and when I like! But then I have often been accused of being a philistine...
SOTHEBY’S TO OFFER THE FINEST STRADIVARI VIOLA IN
EXISTENCE
Estimated to Sell in excess of US$45 Million / HK$351 Million
- Public Exhibition in Hong Kong -
4 April 2014
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
Sotheby’s and Ingles
& Hayday announced today that they are to offer for sale the finest
viola in existence – the ‘Macdonald’ Viola by Antonio Stradivari (1644 –
1737) – in a sealed bid process this Spring. Stradivari’s name has become
synonymous with perfection in the field of musical instruments. Of all the
instruments made by him, violas are by far the rarest – only ten survive,
while his output during his long career included 600 violins and 50
cellos.
A Stradivari viola is the ultimate prize for collectors and the ‘Macdonald’ of 1719 is one of only two violas made during Stradivari’s ‘Golden Period’ (1700 – 1720), which saw the production of his finest instruments. In terms of condition, beauty of appearance and playing quality, the ‘Macdonald’ is without peer.
A Stradivari viola is the ultimate prize for collectors and the ‘Macdonald’ of 1719 is one of only two violas made during Stradivari’s ‘Golden Period’ (1700 – 1720), which saw the production of his finest instruments. In terms of condition, beauty of appearance and playing quality, the ‘Macdonald’ is without peer.
The viola
will be offered through a sealed bid process, with bids expected in excess of
US$45 million / HK$351 million*.
It will also be exhibited for public viewing on 4 April 2014 during Sotheby’s
Hong Kong Spring 2014 Sales Series at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition
Centre.
David
Redden, Sotheby’s Vice Chairman, commented: “Every field is defined by one outstanding masterpiece
which casts its shadow not only on its own domain but far beyond. The
instruments of Stradivari are in a class of their own among the pinnacles of
human craftsmanship and the ‘Macdonald’ Viola stands at the unquestioned
summit.”
Tim
Ingles, Director of Ingles & Hayday,
commented: “The finest of all Stradivari violas is generally agreed to be
the ‘Macdonald’ of 1719. It is immaculately preserved. No Stradivari viola has
been on the market for the last fifty years so this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity.”
Below
please find a link to a video which features fast-rising star violist David
Aaron Carpenter performing on the ‘Macdonald’ Viola:
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