He just collected Strads but finally it got played by soloists - Story of Ray Chen Dolphin Strad

The Story of the Dolphin Stradivarius
It's not a collectors item!
Master Violin Maker and Restorer Olaf Grawert tells the story of the Dolphin Strad and talks to Ray Chen about how the violin is working for him.
Be fully informed when you buy your next instrument. Get Olaf's expertise and knowledge by downloading your free " 7 Essentials when Buying an Instrument" report here: olafgrawertviolinstudio.com/7...
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00:00 Intro
00:49 1714 Stradivarius
01:18 1862 Vuillaume
02:25 1868
03:16 1875
03:22 1882
03:50 1892
04:26 1910
04:35 1915
05:19 1950 Jascha Heifetz
07:59 1965
08:34 1970
08:44 2000 Nippon Foundation
09:20 I talk to Ray Chen
16:50 Conclusion
#myviolinmaker, #olafgrawertviolin #violin #italianviolin #Stradivarius #AntonioStradivarius #raychen
Website: www.olafgrawertviolinstudio.com
Social: / olafgrawertviolinstudio
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#stradivarius violin #stradivarius #violinmaker

[@hojowarf6488]

Has anyone else noticed that Ray's accent goes from Australian to American depending on who he is talking to?

[@WaterYaDune]

Bro I’ve only seen a few videos of him and he always had a perfect American accent so I just assumed he was American. This video had me questioning everything lmao

[@nancyjfs]

H Ray is Australian and "American". It is like switching from Spanish to French for him.

[@UnshavenStatue]

One thing I've noticed is that Ray sounds way more Australian on your channel than on his own. Somehow on his own channel he mostly americanizes/internationalizes his accent, but when he's in town boy he's aussie to the core lol

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

It's a bit like his playing... Super adaptable...

[@adalyman773]

It makes me think of John Barrowman. Depending who he’s talking to, he either sounds American or Scottish.

[@ab-zg8pt]

You're 100% right - I thought he was American.

[@nb7524]

When Ray gave us that small bit of Tchaikovsky, all I could think was please continue to play a bit longer, don’t stop🥰

[@wakingtheworld]

The entire concerto would not have been enough! Going to hear him play Sibelius when he tours the UK in November!! Excited...

[@lucienazario2786]

Thank you Mr. Olaf Grawert for the history of the Strad violins. That's very impressive!!! Ray, you are favored to have the Dolphin Strad under your care. What a privilege to play in concerts using the Strad.

[@galerae947]

It is interesting how the relationship between Ray and The Dolphin took work, like a relationship does between humans. Think how many relationships that instrument has nurtured through the centuries. Amazing.

[@altolows7635]

Heifetz performed at my mother's college when she was an undergraduate. Mom said that she saw Heifetz perform but that was all she had to say. For her generation no further comment was necessary. That might have been ten years before Heifetz bought "Dolffie".

[@coquitlamfalcons3976]

Thank you. Cho-Ming Sin was a prolific vintage violin collector from Hong Kong. My kid's violin teacher actually visted Mr. Sin once during the 80's,, and saw some of his violins. I have read a story about Mr. Sin making the Dolphin available to an early recording of the Butterfly Lovers Concerto by the HK Philharmonic. AFAIK, the violinist preceding Ray Chen for receiving the loan of the Dolphin is Akiko Suwanai (fabulous violinist). The violin played by Arabella Steinbacher, Iona Brown, Julia Fischer, etc. should be the Booth, another Nippon Music Foundation instrument also once owned by Cho-Ming Sin.

[@shubus]

Ray certainly gives us his best to get the incredible sound of that Strad to come out. Wow. A treat to hear that Tchaikowsky snippet.

[@liamnevilleviolist1809]

11:41 - the notion of the soundpost crack on the back as opposed to the front - just look at the spruce grain! I'm sure anyone could break a violin front into about 40 pieces, but a maple back... maybe 5 or 6 or something but using A LOT more pressure to achieve that. I personally (again, as a luthier/repairer) have never seen a soundpost crack in the back plate *because* it is such a hard piece of wood and rarely less than 3mm in that area. I have heard of Czech and German antique violins with 1.5/2mm backs which might get this sort of crack. On those violins though - it was mainly warping and//or the gluing of the to two piece back coming apart. Thanks for the video of this amazing Dolphin Strad Olaf! (and Ray). What a treasure of a violin!

[@gamer-zm3bi]

I heared Ray playing that violin in Düsseldorf Germany. I think it was his first concert with this instrument. Best violin I ever heared, the sound was so massive and beautiful.

[@ellisc.foleyjr9778]

I'm 80 yrs old and been a fan of classical music of all venues. but love listening to the Violin. and I loved watching the joy in Ray's eyes when he plays. so nice to see the love appear vs stern seriousness. of each note. music is meant to be loved. and charished. not held in contempt. Of professional critique. Loved the history . One question for you Olaf. have you ever had the Dolphin in for service and had it apart? if so are your nerves still entact! just curious. thanks for sharing more more!. ECF

[@LC-th1hy]

Many artists and auctioneers yet still the same rich sound that's holds true through the years. I enjoyed the history of the Dolphin Strad being traveled throughout the world! Amazing that it traveled time (literally) to the present! ^o^

[@mendyviola]

I’ve had a total of 2 violas in my life. My first was a 15” German from the early 1900’s-ish. Most likely factory made, but cost $500 in the mid 1970’s, so a fairly decent student viola. And my current handmade from a local luthier in Oregon made in 2006. It is a big step up from what I started with, but not what one would considered “pro” level instrument. It has its flaws, but I’m intimate with those flaws and have learned to adjust my technique around them over the decades. It fits me fairly well physically. I would love to play a high end viola one day before I die, but not soon before then since I know I’d end up disappointed with my daily player and be forever jaded and disappointed.

[@ejd53]

The comment by Fritz Kreisler, who was Heifetz’s idol, came after he heard the 11-year-old Jascha play the Mendelssohn concerto and then accompanied him at the piano in his own Schön Rosmarin at a private concert and dinner in Berlin in April 1912.

[@AndySaenz]

14:17 WOW, Heifetz played that Strad! His fingers played it and touched it!

[@neko-chan6145]

So glad you did this about his violin. He is one of my favorite

[@bobbiecat7139]

I just don't understand how a violin lasts so long after going through so many collectors and players. Thank you Olaf...this was extra fun to listen to and to learn from. From an admirer who never got beyond playing Schumann's "The Happy Farmer" on the piano 🙄

[@dcallan812]

I bet it spent most of its time in a vault, locked away not being played, just getting show off occasionally.

[@J.C...]

They take care of it. These were amazing violins from the very beginning. Not like Les Paul guitars that people beat up and modified and then 30 years later, they start being in demand and going up in price. I'm pretty sure Strads were in demand from the very beginning. They were known to be great from conception.

[@picksalot1]

Thank you Olaf. That was a wonderfully interesting history. It gave me a new appreciation for the role Instrument Collectors have made in preserving instruments over the centuries. I just hope that more can be like the Nippon Foundation, and make sure that these wonderful instruments make their way into the hands of deserving musicians so we can all enjoy why they were created in the first place. Thanks Ray for treating us to it's strikingly big sound. 👏

[@lu0844]

10:37 love to see Olaf nerding out ❤

[@hoolala35]

The legendary Dolphin! Been watching the black and white version of her with THE Heifetz since my childhood and now coloured version! I’m truly bless to witness this!

[@johnb6763]

That was Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much you made my day!!

[@YYWYYWYYW]

Thank you so much for the history of the Strad violin.🎻✨ Love Ray Chen! ❤️🎻✨ I had the same feeling… don’t stop… Ray… keep playing…😄

[@filipp7611]

Olaf for sure are dreaming about to open that violin 😂

[@wakingtheworld]

Fascinating to hear the history of Ray's Dolphin, Olaf! Ray could make any instrument sound amazing... though p'haps not the $69 one he tried to flog to Fred!! I'm stoked to be seeing him in concert in Edinburgh (Scotland) on 3th Nov.... playing Sibelius - one of my favourites! Hope I chose a good seat! P.S. Those snippets Ray played were NOT enough!!!

[@mrmoveandspeak558]

Olaf, I know your channel for your knowledge, the guests, and sense of humor too. Keep up the great work

[@adalyman773]

That bit of Tchaikovsky legitimately gave me goosebumps.

[@kristintripp967]

Great video, I enjoyed this! 😊

[@michaelnancyamsden7410]

Great and magical video. Thank you.

[@mabdub]

Wow, your videos are so educational and I was astonished to hear the real Ray Chen treat us to Tchaikowsky played on one of the most famous violins in history. I mean, how often in one's lifetime does something like that happen. So, it pays to be interested in violin making. Thanks Olaf.

[@kokod2736]

Wow, what a great way to start off my day. Thanks so much for this.

[@brittboyette461]

Wow, such a brilliant sound that produces. Magnificent!

[@QuestionMan]

😭😭😭 I'm not crying! YOU'RE crying!!!

[@toniw8142]

Schöne Grüße aus dem Vogtland und danke für das Video.

[@pmichael73]

A special treat! Thank you!

[@wakingtheworld]

I think you need to remove the 'h' from your comment!! Lol

[@pmichael73]

@@wakingtheworldGood catch! Special TREAT indeed! Thanks!

[@isaacnewtech]

I don't want to play down Stradivarius violins or other famous, almost legendary violins, but I personally think that this is not a magical, uniquely good sounding instrument. Don't get me wrong, I am all for conserving and studying these instruments and I really enjoyed watching this video. And I would certainly die to ever play on like a Strad or a Del Giesu or something with that history. But give Ray Chen any truly well built modern violin and if he likes the instrument and wants to connect with, he won't sound less good than playing this Strad. Just a bit different, probably. Any very well built modern violin could in certain aspects or characters even sound better than strad X or Vuillaume Y in the hands of a very good violinist. For me the magic of these instruments is the history and the legacy they have, the people who touched them who died 200 years ago. Something energetic. It must be inspiring and to play on an instrument that had been played extensively by Heifetz. You mention of course the little anecdote about Heifetz hearing "Your violin sounds amazing' and then Hi-F@tz holding it to his ear saying 'I don't hear anything'

[@ghlscitel6714]

Great research! I listened with my mouth open drinking every word from your lips, Sir.

[@ErkalEtruria]

Ray describing his relationship with the violin reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians if Constance Wu and Henry Golding's roles were flipped.

[@KBorham]

Thank you for another passionate and well produced episode. Recently I discovered that I can't actually "hear" the voice of a superior instrument-performance with my ears, but I can feel it, in the center of my emotion.

[@wswetnam]

Super informative video - thanks so much for posting this. @AskOlaftheViolinmaker : A bit of a curious question - I noticed that you got close to the instrument but didn't ever touch it - is there some sort of restriction from the Nippon Foundation that only the recipient/bearer of the violin can handle it? Thanks in advance!

[@demroshed8053]

After listening to this video, I had to go and listen to TCHAIKOVSKY: Violin Concerto 1937 with Jascha Heifetz and the London Philharmonic Orchestra....... just wonderful.

[@hal0hal0mc]

Imagine being the tree that this instrument was made from... Your neighboring tree could have become firewood, part of a building, or even still stand today. And yours became part of musical history.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Wow... I never thought of it that way... Amazing

[@DrBozoEinstein]

I'm enjoying your presentations very much, Olaf. I've been a Luthier for over 5 decades now, and I'm always curious about things. I was wondering if I might ask you a brief question: Do you ever add a little Sandarac to your French Polish? Keep up the fine work, and stay healthy.

[@user-sc6mw9oh9e]

What is the cost range someone should expect to pay to repair cracks on an antique violin?

[@michaelwhisman]

Learn to do it yourself. It does not take a rocket scientist. I buyu broken violins and totally restore them. I have never been to school for repearing violins.

[@JG-yh8wz]

I love your videos sincerely. I have only just begun watching them, so I would imagine you have been asked this question a million times, but here goes. Is there a resource that lists inexpensive violin makers from 150 years or so ago? I own to violins , one is probably mid 1800 and one maybe early 1900. My ancestors were relatively poor, so I am certain they were not too pricey. One has beautiful carving in the tail piece which I believe may have been done by my great, great grandfather as all of my grandfathers were known for their carving on gun stocks and rocks, etc... I can see a stamp on the front of one of the cases, but it is barely visible. I can only make out a few letters. I think a good reference book might help me. Are there any you recommend? Thanks for any direction you might provide.

[@janlesinski4719]

wow

[@MD-zm6sn]

Interesting hearing people who have spent enough time on a continent to pick up some of their accent while they're there. The most profound example was when BJ Penn spent so much time training in Brazil that he one hundred percent adopted brazilian english as his way of speaking haha.

[@keyem4504]

I've got a totally unrelated question. Recently I saw some videos of someone building a "fiddle". To me it looked like a normal violin. Of course the technique playing then it's very different from a classical violinist and the sound is different as well. Is there a physical difference between a "fiddle" and a violin or is the only difference the playing technique?

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

Yes, when talking about this instrument, violin and fiddle mean precisely the same thing. An orchestral player, a classical music soloist and an English player for folk dance may be looking for different qualities in the instrument (projection, tone etc), but put the Dolphin Stradivarius into their hands and they all could play it.

[@zenmonkeyman]

Is it wrong that the opening phrase took me to the movie "Young Frankenstein"?

[@ab20_]

Does anyone know the piece Heifetz is playing at 5:50 and 7:49 ? Thank you for sharing a bit about Heifetz by the way! He is my fav violinist and I always love hearing stories about him :)

[@selimcahitozturk8041]

İts called F.A.E sonata by Brahms for 7:49

[@ab20_]

@@selimcahitozturk8041 appreciate you!!

[@captgeronimo]

Amazing! You can hear the difference via KZbin! :o

[@captgeronimo]

I mean with other violins you have let me hear...

[@jacemeldrum5052]

Didn't Mischakoff die in the 1980's? I'm slighty confused as to when he played the violin timeline-wise.

[@semakajohn2699]

I could not handle the pressure of being responsible for that instrument

[@perrythacker2292]

Not sure I understand the physics of an instrument that is quiet up close but powerful farther away. is that possible? Or is it just a violin cliché?

[@nskimharris]

Geez those old guys were so superstitious.

[@RobertFay]

*- Yes, Olaf, I do hear the "punch" The Dolphin carries.* *- The overtones it produces work in a way that is very different from other violins you have had on your videos.* *- I can imagine the orientation of the back's grain could drive the sound waves differently, producing the directionality of the overtones into the upper "belly" of the violin to support their resulting success at reaching the back of large halls as they coalesces into cascading harmonics AND the "carrying" resonances that may result from that.*

[@jonhh6918]

🤫 Ray it’s too loud the violins in Olaf’s shop will explode.

[@dalgguitars]

Dude should have played it. It's in his shop.

[@ianshortall3356]

And you didn't have a go Olaf? :)

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Haha... no... He wouldn't let me. 🤣

[@andrewwigglesworth3030]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker He knew you'd have the top off and start looking around inside 😛

[@ianshortall3356]

@@AskOlaftheViolinmaker well that's just rude ;)

[@Turboy65]

I love the violin, and always have, but I find that I just don't have any talent for it and it seems that my hands just don't want to play an instrument that small. Despite that I've learned basic violin repair under the tutelage of a master luthier, and am somewhat competent at violin repair, within limits. I do enjoy instrument repairs.

[@sharonsheranian6255]

Mischa Mischkoff couldn’t have played this violin when it was owned by Nippon. He died in 1981.

[@AskOlaftheViolinmaker]

Oopsies... you're totally right! I don't know how his name got into my research...

[@RobertPadgett]

"If I don't practice for one day, I can tell. If I forgo practice for two days, my friends can tell. If I skip practice for three days, my audience can tell."

[@gordonkersten1327]

Actually, he said that after two days, the (music) critics can tell. And it was Mischa Elman who said „practice“ when asked how to get to orchestra hall.

[@Thecyclingeconomicsdoc]

I'm assuming that for insurance purposes, no one else is allowed to hold or touch the instrument... because I wanted to see you be able to hold and play it!!!

[@Vokabre]

My father, a pianist, once played with an Austrian musician who had a Stradivarius. This is how our family's turtle heard a Stradivarius. I was very fearful that our dog, a chihuahua, which had some chihuahua antics, would so something to it when it was left unattended in the apartment.

[@nskimharris]

silk sacks

[@mattgreven7615]

We had as a guest artist last month Francisco Fullana, who performs on the 1735 "Mary Portman" ex-Kreisler Guarneri del Gesù violin. I honestly thought the fiddle was mic'd when he first began playing. It was a freaking cannon.

[@clivesimpkins1]

A 100% constructively-intended recommendation, if I may? Please try having your understandably difficult-to-recall facts and stats on a laptop or other monitor screen just a *fraction* below your webcam? That way, a 10-degree drop in your gaze to retrieve the info means you won't keep losing eye-contact completely and so obviously. It'll make it easier for you and the viewer. Thanks for your fascinating content. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@michaelblaney4461]

Pretty much what I take from this is that COLLECTORS are to blame for the outrageously high cost of instruments.😮 I think it's somewhat a harsh sounding instrument.

[@perrythacker2292]

Sound post cracks; luthiers repair them perfectly well and charge a lot for their work because it is a lot of work. But then the violin is supposedly worth a third less or so. Go figure. It sounds just as good and will last another thousand years or so, but still there's the stigma of "sound post crack." Why is that?

[@psdaengr911]

The history of sales of an object is interesting from a commercial viewpoint but doesn't reveal anything about quality. Having seen ordinary mass-produced objects formerly owned, used, or worn by famous people bring auction prices of millions of dollars, I'm skeptical about there being any relationship between absolute objective quality or value of any object and its price. From what you just related, you could make a good case that the absurdly high prices commanded for Stradivarius instrument is as likely to be the result of their being resold so many times at a profit to greedy people AND coincidentally being played by the finest performers -- as because of their absolute quality.

[@srinitaaigaura]

Watch a video of Eric Friedman playing Goldmark Air on a Joseph Curtin and then a Strad. Listen to that sound.

[@mercoid]

In part, I’m sure the prices commanded and set for these instruments are designed specifically to keep them out of the hands of “undesirables”. What qualifies Undesirables may include a long list of reasons based both on practical considerations and elitist motivations.

[@timmallette1888]

Are you being polite or does he have some kind of agreement in place that nobody is allowed to touch it?

[@randolphfriend8260]

🩷 & so, IF your front door was open, the folks across the street could hear the violin better than you. & we, with microphone up close, were hearing a subdued sound. 😢

[@shipsahoy1793]

No need to cry bc what you said is not correct.