Marking the end of Stradivari’s early ’Amatisé’ period, it is named for the Swiss violin dealer Fritz Baumgartner
The Canada Council for the Arts is the country’s public arts funder. Through its programme of grants, services, prizes and payments, it supports and promotes the nation’s arts scene both across Canada and internationally. The Strad Calendar 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of its Musical Instrument Bank by showcasing twelve of the finest instruments in its collection.
1689 ‘Baumgartner’ Antonio Stradivari violin
The ‘Baumgartner’ is one of only three instruments made by Antonio Stradivari dated 1689. It marks the end of his Amatisé period, during which his instruments were heavily based on those of Nicolò Amati, and has a robust outline, thick edges and wide chamfers on the scroll (which may possibly date from a later period). It is named after the Swiss dealer Fritz Baumgartner, who gave permission for it to be exhibited in a major exhibition of Stradivari works in 1963; before this date, the violin was little known to experts. Its owners have included the British violinist and pedagogue Robert Masters, who used it as his principal performing instrument for a long time. He taught at the Yehudi Menuhin School for 18 years and served as its director of music from 1969 until his retirement in 1981. In 1968 the violin was bought by the Canadian lawyer Gordon Jeffrey, who bequeathed it to the University of Western Ontario. It has been part of the MIB since 1997.
The violin is in an excellent state of preservation, with only a few signs of wear and still retaining a thin layer of original orange–brown varnish. It is currently played by Alice Lee.
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Photos: Donna Santos Studio
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The Canada Council of the Arts’ Musical Instrument Bank is 40 years old in 2025. This year’s calendar celebrates some its treasures, including four instruments by Antonio Stradivari and priceless works by Montagnana, Gagliano, Pressenda and David Tecchler.
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