Doomlearn
DE

In blind tests, Stradivarius violins lose to new ones.

Antonio Stradivari built around 1,100 instruments in Cremona between about 1666 and 1737; roughly 650 survive and now sell for millions. In double-blind tests from 2010 onwards, including one in Paris with 10 soloists, professionals mostly preferred new violins and couldn't reliably identify the old ones. The myth of an unmatched sound persists all the same.

Useful: A price measures rarity and legend, not necessarily quality, with violins as with wine.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Fruehe neuzeitHandwerkMusik

Difficulty:

Question on this card

What did double-blind tests with Stradivarius violins show?

  1. Old violins were identified instantly
  2. Professionals mostly preferred new violins
  3. New violins were rejected
  4. There was no difference in price
Show the answer

Correct: Professionals mostly preferred new violins

Soloists mostly preferred the new instruments and couldn't reliably spot the old ones.

Keep reading

This card belongs to the topic History & Culture. Every card is short, cites a source and can be saved – due ones come back by themselves later.