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Studying Strads Where

Ashmolean Museum,

Oxford

The details An exhibition of instruments by Antonio Stradivari.

Closes August 11

A room of violins, violas and cellos seemingly floating in clear cabinets, in an atmosphere of cool, calm contemplation. At first glance it’s not immediately obvious that this must surely be one of the most valuable exhibitions of instruments ever assembled. For these are no ordinary violins, but instruments spanning the career and craftsmanship of the great luthier Stradivari. Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum – home to one of the most immaculate examples, ‘Le Messie’ (Messiah) – has united 21 Stradivaris, along with some of the original tools, wooden moulds and paper patterns used to make them. It’s not the only music-themed exhibition this summer: the National Gallery in London explores the role of music as a motif in the paintings of 17th-century Dutchman Vermeer and his contemporaries, with the Academy of Ancient Music offering a live soundtrack. You can find articles about both events at gramophone.co.uk

10 GRAMOPHONE AUGUST 2013

gramophone.co.uk