At the crossroads of artistry, history, and philanthropy, Sotheby’s is privileged to offer the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius—an instrument of extraordinary historical significance—in a one-of-a-kind auction during Masters Week in New York this February. Crafted in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari during his renowned “Golden Period,” this important violin is being offered by New England Conservatory (NEC), with all proceeds dedicated to student scholarships. With an estimated value of $12-18 million, this sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of the world’s finest violins—while directly supporting the next generation of musicians. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, with its timeless beauty and extraordinary legacy, not only transcends its storied past but also creates a living link to history, inspiring the future of classical music.
A violin of exceptional beauty and sound
A violin of exceptional beauty and soundCrafted by the legendary Antonio Stradivari in 1714, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is an embodiment of over three centuries of musical history. Renowned for its extraordinary sound and exquisite beauty, the violin is part of Stradivari’s “Golden Period,” widely regarded as the height of his craftsmanship and acoustic mastery. While the instrument’s rich golden-brown varnish enhances its visual allure, it is the violin’s remarkable overall preservation that truly stands out—a testament to the care and reverence it has received over the centuries, ensuring its historical and musical legacy endures.
What sets the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius apart is its exceptional sound—rich, complex, and full of depth. The tone is both sweet and rounded, with a richness that seems to grow with each note. There’s a warmth to the sound, with an underlying depth that gives it a unique character, making it far from ordinary. The violin’s voice is not only heard but also felt, revealing subtle nuances and offering a timeless, expressive quality to every phrase. It is no wonder that it is known as one of the great playing violins, and for centuries musicians of the highest caliber have sought out the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius.
A violin with legendary provenance
A violin with legendary provenanceThe Joachim-Ma Stradivarius carries with it a legacy enriched by its owners and players. Before it was gifted to NEC, where it inspired students, it belonged to the late Si-Hon Ma, a violinist and pedagogue who graduated with an Artist Diploma from NEC in the 1950s. It was given to the school with the provision that it could one day be sold to provide student scholarships.
Before Ma, the violin was owned by Joseph Joachim, one of the most influential violinists of the 19th century, whose collaborations with composers like Johannes Brahms shaped the course of classical music. Joachim almost certainly performed on this very instrument during the 1879 premiere of Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77, with the composer himself conducting. The rich, resonant tone of the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is believed to have deeply influenced Brahms as he composed this monumental work. Joachim’s legacy extends beyond his collaborations with Brahms, as he played a pivotal role in reviving Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, and it is likely that this violin was part of that revival.
Antonio Stradivari’s instruments, prized for their unmatched craftsmanship, are among the most valuable in the world, with prices often reaching into the millions. Over 300 years, Stradivari’s violins have been cherished, played, and respected by nearly every major violinist, with his instruments continuing to be some of the most coveted in the world. These instruments require meticulous maintenance for preservation to maintain the unique sound quality of this concert instrument that belongs on the world stage. The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius stands as a rare gem—its unparalleled beauty and sound a direct link to musical history and artistic greatness.
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This extraordinary instrument was given to New England Conservatory with the provision that it could be sold to support student scholarships. After years of individual use by our students, now, we can establish the largest student scholarship program in the history of NEC, honoring our mission to educate and train the next generation of musicians. While it has been a privilege to have one of the world’s finest violins, this sale will be transformational for our students. It fulfills our responsibility to ensure a violin of this caliber is properly maintained and used as the concert instrument it was meant to be. We thank Sotheby’s for their partnership, and we are eager to follow this Stradivari violin’s journey on the world stage
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A rare opportunity in an extraordinary context
Offered during Sotheby’s Masters Week, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius will be presented alongside a carefully curated selection of Old Master paintings, drawings, and sculptures, placing it within a legacy of masterpieces that have shaped the history of both music and art.
Ahead of its sale at Sotheby’s New York in February, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius will go on view at Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong. Further exhibitions will be announced in due course.
About New England Conservatory (NEC)
Founded by Eben Tourjée in Boston, Massachusetts in 1867, New England Conservatory (NEC) represents a new model of music school that combines the best of European tradition with American innovation. The school stands at the center of Boston’s rich cultural history and musical life, presenting concerts at the renowned Jordan Hall. Propelled by profound artistry, bold creativity, and deep compassion, NEC seeks to amplify musicians’ impact on advancing our shared humanity and empowers students to meet today’s changing world head-on, equipped with the tools and confidence to forge multidimensional lives of artistic depth and relevance.
The Conservatory’s roster of alumni includes hundreds of music’s most influential artists. That list includes Coretta Scott King, Florence Price, Tessa Lark, George Li, Inmo Yang, Yura Lee, Stefan Jackiw, Anthony Leon, Erica Petrocelli, Minsoo Sohn, Cecil Taylor, and Denyce Graves.
As an independent, not-for-profit institution that educates and trains musicians of all ages from around the world, NEC is recognized internationally as a leader among music schools. It cultivates a diverse, dynamic community, providing music students of more than 40 countries with performance opportunities and high-caliber training from 225 internationally esteemed artist-teachers and scholars. NEC pushes the boundaries of music-making and teaching through college-level training in classical, jazz and contemporary musical arts. The newly launched Institute for Concert Artists propels young artists like Yunchan Lim and Joshua Brown to the heights of their careers. Through unique interdisciplinary programs such as Entrepreneurial Musicianship and Community Performances & Partnerships, it empowers students to create their own musical opportunities. As part of NEC’s mission to make lifelong music education available to everyone, NEC’s Expanded Education delivers training and performance opportunities for children, pre-college students and adults.
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