1690 `Ex-Leopold Auer´ Stradivari Vadim Gluzman performs on the exceptional Antonio Stradivari violin `ex-Leopold Auer´ on loan to him from the Stradivari Society of Chicago. The violin takes its name from Leopold Auer (1845-1930) one of the greatest and most influential violin pedagogues of all times. The founder of the great `Russian violin tradition´, he taught Jascha Heifetz, Misha Elman, Nathan Milstein, Efrem Zimbalist and other luminaries at the St. Petersburg Conservatory and later, bringing his art to the United States, at the Institute of Musical Art in New York and the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia. Leopold Auer After Leopold Auer, the violin had been in the possession of numerous distinguished collectors. The present owner acquired the violin for a very noble cause - for use by outstanding young violinists in association with the Stradivari Society, a unique organization that brings together the most precious instruments by the greatest makers and their owners, together with exceptional young talent. Built in 1690, the `Auer´ has a beautiful, noble voice. Its luscious low register, penetrating E string, immensely wide color-palette, and power of projection have mesmerized audiences everywhere it has been heard. In an interview with The Chicago Tribune Magazine, Vadim Gluzman said: `Words cannot describe how wonderful this instrument is. It makes me run 15 times faster, dive 15 times deeper. When I first picked up this violin and notes emanated from my bow, I understood that my life had changed.´

The images of the violin and Leopold Auer appear
through kind permission of Bein & Fushi inc.