Symphony Violinist Plays 300-year-old Strad for These Days

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published January 13, 2009 at 6:30 AM PST

This story was published more than 15 years ago.

The San Diego Symphony celebrates the 300th birthday of the Sir Bagshawe Stradivarius with a special concert. We'll talk with the Symphony's music director, Jahja Ling about the history of this rare

Maureen Cavanaugh : To string musicians it is known and revered simply as the "Strad." The violins created by 18th century instrument maker Antonio Stradivari not only set a standard of excellence for the construction of stringed instruments, but many believe, those instruments remain unsurpassed today in quality and tone.

One Stradivarius violin is about to celebrate its 300th birthday and it is in the studio with us today.

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The San Diego Symphony will host a special concert in honor of the 300th birthday of the Sir Bagshawe Stradivarius on Wednesday, January 14, 2009, at 7:30 p.m. The Symphony's Beethoven Festival continues through Sunday, January 18, 2009.

Guests

Jahja Ling , music director and conductor of the San Diego Symphony.
Jeff Thayer , violinist and concertmaster of the San Diego Symphony.