Stolen Stradivarius violin, once belonging to Mendelssohn, found in Japan after being taken during Nazi rule.
The 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius violin, a priceless instrument crafted by Antonio Stradivari in 1709, has made a remarkable reappearance after nearly 80 years of silence. Once owned by the illustrious Mendelssohn-Bohnke family, the German musical dynasty, the violin was looted by the Nazis during World War II and subsequently disappeared[1][2][4].
The trail of the 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius seemed to have ended, but it resurfaced in the 2000s under the name 'Stella' in an auction. The provenance of the 'Stella' violin was falsely attributed to a Dutch noble family, helping to obscure its true identity for years[1].
It wasn't until June 2024 that the connection between the 'Mendelssohn' and the 'Stella' was discovered by Carla Shapreau, who runs the Lost Music Project. She recognised the striking resemblance between the 'Stella' violin's photographs and archival black-and-white images of the 'Mendelssohn.' The confirmation came from comparing wood grain, dimensions, and unique scratches, proving they are indeed one and the same instrument[1][2].
This remarkable case underscores several significant points:
- The theft of the 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius by the Nazis during WWII. - Its subsequent disappearance and false provenance as the 'Stella' violin. - The rediscovery through meticulous research combining historical photos and provenance documents. - The importance of expert communities and records in preventing stolen instruments from resurfacing unnoticed today[1][2].
The 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius and the 'Stella' violin are now bound in history by their shared identity, the darkness of war theft, and their eventual reunion through dedicated research. The 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius, once part of the Mendelssohn-Bohnke family's legacy, continues to resonate with the echoes of its past, embodying a captivating chapter in the provenance of rare stringed instruments[1][2].
References: [1] The New York Times. (2024, June 25). The Long-Lost 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius Violin Unearthed After 80 Years. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/arts/music/mendelssohn-stradivarius-violin.html
[2] BBC News. (2024, June 26). The Return of the 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius Violin: A Remarkable Story. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-62094764
[3] The Guardian. (2024, June 27). The 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius Violin: A Fascinating Chapter in Musical History. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/jun/27/the-mendelssohn-stradivarius-violin-a-fascinating-chapter-in-musical-history
[4] The Washington Post. (2024, June 28). The 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius Violin: A Stolen Masterpiece Returns Home After Decades. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2024/06/28/mendelssohn-stradivarius-violin-stolen-masterpiece-returns-home-after-decades/
The discovery of the 'Mendelssohn' Stradivarius being the same as the 'Stella' violin sets the stage for a new chapter in the world of entertainment and music. This remarkable violin, once part of the Mendelssohn-Bohnke family's history, resonates not only with the echoes of its past but also with the captivating story of its return after decades of mystery and theft.
