Soil Stradivarius

The Soil Stradivarius was made in 1714, a year often cited as the peak of Stradivari's output, when he was in his early seventies. The violin features a two-piece back of highly figured maple and a top of spruce, with the characteristic deep reddish-orange varnish that is a hallmark of his later work. Its dimensions and arching are typical of the 'long pattern' experiments of the period, yet it retains a compact, elegant outline that contributes to its powerful, projecting sound.

The instrument's early history is obscure, but by the late 19th century it was in the possession of the Belgian amateur violinist and collector Amédée Soil, from whom it takes its name. After Soil's death in 1908, the violin passed through several dealers and collectors, including the Parisian firm of Caressa & Français, before being acquired by the American violinist and pedagogue Louis Persinger in the 1920s. Persinger, who taught Yehudi Menuhin, later sold it to Menuhin in 1950, beginning a notable performance history.

Yehudi Menuhin owned the Soil from 1950 until 1986, during which he recorded extensively with it, including his celebrated interpretations of the Beethoven and Brahms concertos. Menuhin's association with the instrument helped cement its reputation as one of the finest Stradivari violins in existence. In 1986, the Nippon Music Foundation purchased the Soil and subsequently loaned it to a series of distinguished soloists.

Among the most prominent players to have used the Soil is Itzhak Perlman, who played it from 1986 to 2016, performing and recording with orchestras worldwide. Perlman's tenure brought the instrument to international prominence, and he praised its evenness of tone and responsiveness. After Perlman, the violin was loaned to the young Russian violinist Julia Fischer, and later to the American violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter, who has used it in concert and on recordings. The foundation's policy of lending to both established and emerging artists ensures the Soil continues to be heard in major venues.

The Soil is distinguished by its remarkable state of preservation, with its original neck and bass bar intact, a rarity among instruments of its age. Its measurements are close to the 'standard' Stradivari model, with a body length of about 35.6 cm, and it exhibits the slightly thicker graduations that characterize many Golden Period instruments. The varnish, a rich orange-brown, is exceptionally well preserved, contributing to the instrument's visual appeal and its acoustic properties.

Players and luthiers describe the Soil's tone as dark, rich, and complex, with a particularly strong lower register and a clear, singing upper range. Its projection is exceptional, allowing it to carry over a full orchestra without forcing. The violin's responsiveness is equally praised, enabling subtle dynamic shading and articulation. These qualities have made it a favorite for concertos and sonatas alike, and it is often cited as a benchmark for the 'Stradivari sound' in modern performance practice.

Despite its fame, the Soil has a few little-known facets. One is that it was once owned by the American violinist and teacher Louis Persinger, who is better remembered as the mentor of Yehudi Menuhin and Ruggiero Ricci. Persinger's acquisition of the Soil in the 1920s was part of a period when many European instruments were being bought by American collectors, reflecting a broader cultural migration of art and instruments across the Atlantic.

Another obscure detail is that the Soil was briefly loaned to the violinist Kyung-wha Chung in the early 1980s, before Menuhin sold it, and she used it for several acclaimed recordings. The instrument's name, 'Soil', is sometimes mistakenly thought to refer to 'soil' as in earth, but it is purely a patronymic. In 2011, the Soil was featured in a scientific study that used non-invasive techniques to analyze the varnish of Stradivari instruments, providing insights into the materials and methods of the Cremonese luthiers. Such studies, while not altering the instrument's mystique, add a layer of empirical knowledge to its lore.

Golden Period

The period from about 1700 to 1725 when Antonio Stradivari produced his most highly regarded instruments, characterized by superior craftsmanship and tonal quality.

Nippon Music Foundation

A Japanese foundation established in 1972 that owns a collection of fine string instruments and loans them to prominent musicians.

Luthier

A craftsman who builds and repairs stringed instruments, particularly violins, violas, cellos, and guitars.