MejraThea
I think its horrible to put an instrument in a museum! What's the point of it if it's just sitting there! An instrument should be played. If I was a violin and was sitting in a museum and not be able to be played by someone I would cry!
The most amazing instruments are of course the Stradivari kinds. (Mostly violins, a couple cellos, violas, and one guitar, I think....)
I think there are only 20 in the world...and most of them are in a freaking museum >.< Even if they're expensive (each worth at least 2 million American Dollars) , they should be played!
What do you think?
IMO:
I would like to see the use of Stradavariuses, Amatis, Storionis, and Guarneri's phased out over the next 50-100 years. Like Beethoven's Fifth, these are warhorses that are overplayed, and they can't last forever. These instruments are over 300 years old and though I admire the sentiment and adulation displayed by today's players for these great predecessor's, these violin makers always encouraged fresh eyes, innovation, and support of newer generations.
Frankly Amati's violin's belong to the Baroque era, when a softer sound more intimate environment was the norm (ever heard one--they're so beautiful, but could easily get lost beneath a Guarneri's dark, at times booming sound). And for the great musician's who first played and commissioned these instruments, these were brand new top of the line stuff. (I also blame Viotti for today's grossly inflated violin prices all around because....well read his biography--in a book, there's no where near the depth online--to find out why most professional soloist have to mortgage their home just to get a decent instrument) .
My point is, as a violin ages its sounds closes up and the changes that they undergo (because those aren't the original bridge, soundpost, and these incredibly resilient instruments have undergone "minor surgery" to keep up appearances) result in a different instrument than what the luthier first crafted. Even today, there is great dispute over the recipe for that distinct varnish Stradivarius used--it's a forgotten art. But that's in the luthier world.
As a musician, I rather not see these once glorious instruments be put essentially on musical life support for the sake of old glory and instead see modern makers supported by us. I mean, I would be pissed if someone insisted on listening to Heifetz, Elman, or (insert name of early 20th century violinist), and treated me and my contemporaries as second rate violinists.Also, once those instruments are put in a museum (or the private home of someone who knows how to care for them), the rate of inflation might go down and orchestras can afford to outfit their musician's with instruments worthy of their skill and renown.
IMO, o course.
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