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Music Amuses Did you know that the "Lady Tennant" STRADIVARIUS violin was sold in 2005 for US$2,032,000 - the highest price ever paid for a musical instrument at auction? Crafted in 1699 by Antonio Stradivari just at the cusp of his golden period, the "Lady Tennant" Stradivarius was once owned by Philippe Lafont, a violin virtuoso of the early 19th century and a rival of Nicola Paganini. It was purchased after his death in 1839 by a London violin dealer. In 1900 it was sold to Charles Tennant, a Scottish businessman, who gave it to his wife, an amateur violinist. It has since been called the "Lady Tennant", and the fitted case in which the violin rests still carries an engraved lock plate with Lady Tennant's name and address. In April 2005 the "Lady Tennant" was sold by Christie's at auction for US$2,032,000. The sale set a new Guinness World Record at that time for the highest price ever paid for a musical instrument at auction. Both the buyer - a private American collector - and seller wished to remain anonymous. The buyer has loaned it indefinitely through the Stradivari Society to Chinese violinist Yang Liu, now based in Chicago. Yang Liu will perform Mozart's violin concerto No. 3 on this rare violin at the CCOHK's upcoming Yang Liu & the Lady Tennant STRADIVARIUS concert. Don't miss it!! |