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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2010 > October > 15 > Entry
Austin violinist Anne Akiko Meyers buys rare Stradivarius for record-setting $3.6 million
A Stradivarius violin thought to originally belong to Napoleon Bonaparte was purchased yesterday via online auction by Austin-based violinist Anne Akiko Meyers for a record-setting $3.6 million, the highest price on record for any musical instrument sold at auction.
The “Molitor” Stradivarius, made in 1697, takes its name from former owner Count Gabriel-Jean-Joseph Molitor, a General in Napoleon’s army. The instrument was sold online Thursdays by Tarisio Auctions which said the price was the highest for any instrument sold at auction. Its presale estimate was $2 million to $3 million.
A celebrated soloist, Meyers joined the faculty of UT’s Butler School of Music in 2009. Her latest CD ‘Seasons…dreams’ was released by E1 Records in September.
“It was love at first sound,” Meyers said in a prepared statement. “Its power, feel, and range of color are extraordinary. I look forward to sharing this sound with the world.”
Meyers will perform with the Austin Symphony Orchestra Feb. 18-19.
Comments
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By Angelo M. Sanchez
October 27, 2010 3:55 AM | Link to this
I just heard her on Keith Olbermann. I don’t care how she paid for it!! She is a treasure on to herself, and is deserving of such a fine instrument! The match was made in heaven for all to enjoy…. I hope my descendants will hear her successor play on the same instrument.
By JM in NC
October 26, 2010 8:15 PM | Link to this
The violin really does make a difference, and Meyers really does have the one-in-three-million level of talent to make it worthwhile (well, maybe not exactly one in three million, but it’s up there). If you want to make a buck, it’s probably easier to beat a Tiger.
By Aurella
October 26, 2010 8:15 PM | Link to this
I heard Anne play “Summertime” on Keith Olbermann tonight and the sound of of this magnificent violin was truly incredible. Olbermann didn’t ask her how she happened to have 3.6 mil to spend on this violin. Does anyone know? Thanks.
By Cal
October 26, 2010 8:04 PM | Link to this
Anne Akiko Meyers is the greatest violinist in the world today. She’s wealthy enough to spend that much on a violin (and no doubt spent quite a lot on her OTHER Strativarius; that’s right, she has two) because when you’re the best there is at almost anything, people will pay you a lot of money to do it. If you find something that you have truly specular talent in, you’ll probably become a multimillionaire too.
By Peter Amsel (@CrazyComposer)
October 17, 2010 11:16 AM | Link to this
People don’t “own” Stradivari violins, regardless of how much money exchanges hands. At best it can be said that Anne Akiko Meyers has paid $3.5 million to RENT this instrument. She has become its caretaker; the person entrusted with ensuring that another generation of performers is able to appreciate the genius of Antonio Stradivari in 50 or 100 years, when that violin enters its 5th century of life.
By john
October 16, 2010 7:02 PM | Link to this
If she’s got $3.6 million to spend on a violin in this economy, I must be in the wrong line of work! Anyone know any good voilin instructors?