Antonio Stradivari achieved fame as a maker of bowed instruments in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
The legend of him began to be forged in Cremona, in northern Italy, and his violins, violas and cellos became jewels requested by the best musicians and even kings like Carlos IV.
The fame he enjoyed in life became a myth in the 19th century, and today a
stradivarius
It can cost several million euros.
Some experts even claim that no better violins have been built in the world than theirs.
Its sound is special, but would you know how to recognize a
stradivarius
?
We have asked this question to several colleagues from the Editorial Office of EL PAÍS and to some musicians.
They all listened to Francesco Supriani's
Fifth Toccata
performed by musicians Carlos Montesinos and Guillermo Turina and three different cellos: one modern, one from the 18th century and the 1700 cello, made by Antonio Stradivari.
The latter, owned by National Heritage, is kept in the Royal Palace and is one of the few Stradivarius instruments whose structure has not been modified over the years.
Its varnish is the object of study and Mstislav Rostropovich himself touched it on several occasions.
Did the participants of this video guess what its sound is?
Many were right, others were wrong, but all recognized something special in their notes.