With a fascinating two-piece back, this violin contains wood from the same tree as that used for the celebrated ‘Macdonald’ Stradivari viola
Launched in 1990, the Anders Sveaas Charitable Foundation is one of the principal arts funders in Norway. The Strad Calendar 2027 celebrates its work by showcasing twelve of the finest instruments it loans out to players all over the Nordic region – including eleven by Antonio Stradivari.
c.1720 ‘Karl Klingler’ Stradivari violin
The c.1720 ‘Karl Klingler’ violin is named after the German violinist who in 1904 was appointed deputy concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic at the tender age of 26. He also became a professor at the Berlin University of the Arts, and privately taught Shinichi Suzuki for eight years. He also gave his name to a string quartet competition in Berlin, which saw the Kuss and Diotima quartets receive prizes.
The back is of two pieces of quarter-cut maple of medium flame that descends from the centre joint. The ribs and scroll are of similar wood, while the top plate is a medium-grain spruce with an occasional wave. Dendrochronology has shown that the violin was made with wood from the same tree as the celebrated ‘Macdonald’ viola, which recently sold for a record-breaking sum. It also has significant similarities to the ‘Woolhouse’ Stradivari of 1720. Its varnish is a vibrant red–brown colour, over a golden ground. It is now played by the 19-year-old violinist Alma Kraggerud, a student at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
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Photos: Magnus Nedregård
Read: Violinist Anthony Marwood loaned c.1709 Stradivari
Read: Marcus du Sautoy explores the symmetry of Stradivari
Photo gallery: Former home of Antonio Stradivari reopens to the public
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