If London is still the center of the international string instrument auction world, it is certainly much less so than it once was. A decade ago London was the only serious hub for musical instrument auctions. At that time Sotheby's, Christie's, ... [continue reading]
Building Career Diversity
FallIn much of what is taught in music schools these days, there is a rift between art and practicality. Teachers often extol the virtues of esoteric artistic aspirations, while forgetting to instruct students on the business of surviving as musicians. ... [continue reading]
The Stradivari Workshop, circa 1700
FallFrom many perspectives, but particularly the personal one, Antonio Stradivari found himself in a much different position at the opening of the eighteenth century than he had been only a few years earlier. In May of 1698, his wife of more than thirty ... [continue reading]
Workbench: Restoration The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Fall
(Editor’s note: This article, written before Jeffrey Holmes left Shar Fine Instruments in 2003 to establish his own studio, is as timely today as it was when written in 2000.) As vice president of Shar Fine Instruments, part of my job is to ... [continue reading]
How to Shop for a Fine Instrument or Bow
FallEntering into any market as an uninformed consumer can be a scary proposition. The string instrument business is no exception. The esoteric and arcane nature of the objects, the clubishness of the dealers, and the stories of fraud and deception in ... [continue reading]