Sunday, March 27, 2011

Stradivari Label

Antonio Stradivari
Your Question:
Hi Sheila.
Just read your very interesting information on the Stradivarius.  Have you ever seen a REAL lable from a Stradivarius, the ones that are on the net to me are all fake could not find a match after enlarging them.  Thanks Paul.
 
 
 
 My Answer:
Great question Paul.  Yes, I have 
seen several real Stradivari labels.
The photo on the right is a 1698 Stradivari.  I gave a lecture on this 
1698 Stradivari
instrument for a conference of the Suzuki Association of the Americas. 
In addition I've had the opportunity to examine and play several 
Stradivari violins. 
Many of the labels on the net can be fake, however, they were made to 
imitate originals.  Stradivari used several different labels over the course 
of his violin making career, which spanned seven decades.  Stradivari 
lived to the ripe age of 93 - passing in 1737.  93 years was nearly unheard 
of in his era - due to plagues, famines and lack of medical care, most 
were lucky to live to be 50!
Most authentic Stradivari instruments are labeled but some are not. 
The label is the last thing an appraiser looks at because it is easy to insert 
a fake label and it should not be relied upon to guarantee authenticity.
 
If you have a violin with a Stradivari label your best bet is to take it to a 
violin dealer for an opinion. 
Authentic Stradivari Label

Friday, March 4, 2011

The Thrills of being a Violin Dealer

I have one of the best jobs there is.  Being CEO of Simply Violin and being Sales Manager at House of Note (Minneapolis).  We are blessed here in the Twin Cities as being one of the best cultural centers in the US.  

I get the opportunity to meet and work with so many students and their teachers and to be honest it's not always easy - teachers can be very picky and quirky but I love the challenge. 

I have the pleasure of working with two astounding young ladies, Sarah and Sadie Hamrin of Bemidji, Minnesota.  Here are a few videos of these remarkable girls that I'd like to share.  

I must admit that their instruments sound great - but really it's Sarah and Sadie that sound fantastic!  It was a thrill for me to help them find their instruments and I am looking forward to helping them as they grow out of these and move on to larger instruments.

I hope you enjoy these videos:  

Sarah and Sadie play fiddle duets.  Sarah, at age 11, plays Tambourin by Hervelois and Sadie, at age 10, performs Symphonie Espagnole by Lalo with the Duluth Superior Symphony. 


Sarah Hamrin
Sadie Hamrin