Sotheby’s will offer the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius in an auction during Masters Week in New York this February. Crafted in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari during his renowned ‘Golden Period’, this violin is being offered by New England Conservatory (NEC), with all proceeds dedicated to student scholarships. With an estimated value of $12-18 million, this sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire one of the world’s finest violins—while directly supporting the next generation of musicians.

Before it was gifted to NEC it belonged to the late Si-Hon Ma, a violinist and pedagogue who graduated with an Artist Diploma from NEC in the 1950s. It was given to the school with the provision that it could one day be sold to provide student scholarships.

The violin was previously owned by Joseph Joachim, one of the most influential violinists of the 19th century, whose collaborations with composers like Johannes Brahms shaped the course of classical music. Joachim almost certainly performed on this very instrument during the 1879 premiere of Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D Major, Op 77, with the composer himself conducting. The rich, resonant tone of the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius is believed to have deeply influenced Brahms as he composed this work. Joachim's legacy extends beyond his collaborations with Brahms, as he played a pivotal role in reviving Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, and it is likely that this violin was part of that revival.

Andre Kalyn, President of New England Conservatory, said: ‘This extraordinary instrument was given to New England Conservatory with the provision that it could be sold to support student scholarships. After years of individual use by our students, now, we can establish the largest student scholarship program in the history of NEC, honouring our mission to educate and train the next generation of musicians. While it has been a privilege to have one of the world’s finest violins, this sale will be transformational for our students. It fulfils our responsibility to ensure a violin of this calibre is properly maintained and used as the concert instrument it was meant to be.’

Offered during Sotheby’s Masters Week, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius will be presented alongside a carefully curated selection of Old Master paintings, drawings, and sculptures. Ahead of its sale at Sotheby’s New York in February, the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius will go on view at Sotheby’s London and Hong Kong.