At the recently concluded 2001 meeting of the Violin Society of America, Professor Henri D. Grissino-Mayer presented the results of his dendrochronological analysis of the Messiah Strad. For those who could not attend he has kindly given us this summation of his science and his findings. Professor Grissino-Mayer introduces himself: I’m an Assistant Professor in […]
Tree Ring Circus The "Messiah" Controversy Rages On
FallAs the legend goes, this most perfectly preserved example of Antonio Stradivari’s output was retained by the master until his death in 1737. Purportedly the violin remained in the Stradivari estate until it was sold along with other instruments and numerous Stradivari workshop relics in 1775 by Paolo Stradivari, the last surviving son of Antonio […]
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 years, Francesca Ferraboschi, died. The great maker was married again in August […]