Brussels Concert Features a 300-Year-Old Stradivarius Violin

At a remarkable concert this Friday in Brussels, a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin, valued at approximately $16 million, will take center stage. The concert features Armenian violinist Sergey Khachatryan performing alongside the Belgian National Orchestra.

This Stradivarius, crafted by the legendary Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari around 1724, is renowned for its exceptional tonal range and rich historical significance. It was recently acquired by a benefactor of the Stretton Society, an organization dedicated to lending extraordinary instruments.

Khachatryan expressed his excitement, stating, "It is a huge joy to be able to create that relationship between me as an artist and the instrument. It has such a beautiful sound and complexity." He will showcase the violin in a performance of Brahms' technically challenging Violin Concerto, noting that Brahms' music reflects beauty in both nature and human emotions.

Among the most prized of the remaining Stradivarius violins, this instrument, known as the 'Kiesewetter' after the 19th-century German violinist Christoph Gottfried Kiesewetter, has a notable history, having been played by prominent violinists like Augustin Hadelich and Maxim Vengerov, who famously used it at the Grammy Awards in 1996.

Stephan Jansen, co-founder of the Stretton Society, recalled a memorable moment: "There's actually a very beautiful photo with Maxim Vengerov, Sting, and Elton John next to the instrument." This concert promises to be a captivating celebration of music and artistry, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Stradivarius violin.