1714 Stradivarius Violin Sells for $11.3 Million at Auction

The rare Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, once played during Brahms' Violin Concerto premiere, will fund scholarships at the New England Conservatory.

The Joachim-Ma Stradivarius, crafted in 1714 during Antonio Stradivari's 'Golden Period,' was sold at Sotheby's New York for $11.3 million, becoming the third most expensive musical instrument ever auctioned.
The violin was previously owned by Hungarian violinist Joseph Joachim and Chinese violinist and educator Si-Hon Ma, who donated it to the New England Conservatory in Boston before his death in 2009.
Proceeds from the sale will establish the largest named endowed scholarship in the conservatory's history, supporting future generations of music students.
The instrument is believed to have influenced Johannes Brahms while composing his Violin Concerto in D Major, which Joachim premiered in 1879 using the violin.
Despite falling short of its $12–18 million estimate, the sale highlights the ongoing allure and historical significance of Stradivarius violins, of which only around 600 remain worldwide.