Boasting beautiful orange–red varnish, it was formerly played by Emil Heermann, concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
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.
1700 ‘Taft’ Antonio Stradivari violin
The ‘Taft’ violin of 1700 is named after Anna Sinton Taft, wife of Charles Phelps Taft who was the half-brother of the 27th US President William Howard Taft. Charles was also a politician, as well as a newspaper publisher, lawyer and philanthropist; he founded the Taft Museum of Art which still houses a fine collection of European old masters, and Anna allowed his Stradivari violin to be used by Emil Heermann, concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, of which Charles was one of the founders. After Taft’s death the violin went through a number of different hands before being sold in 2000 for $1.3 million. The anonymous buyer has loaned it to the Musical Instrument Bank since 2003.
Made at the very start of Stradivari’s so-called ‘golden period’, the ‘Taft’ is an exemplary violin in excellent condition. The one-piece maple back displays strong figure descending from left to right, with the wood of the ribs and scroll well matched to that of the back. The two-piece spruce top displays some hazelling in the upper left bout, while the f-holes are pristinely cut, the purfling perfectly inserted and the arching harmonious. The whole instrument is covered in orange–red varnish over an amber ground. It is currently played by Daniel Dastoor.
Click here to purchase The Strad Calendar 2025
Read more lutherie articles here
Photo gallery: 1714 Stradivari ‘da Vinci, ex-Seidel’ violin
Read: 1709 ‘King Carlos IV’ Stradivari violin: A crown jewel
Photo: Donna Santos Studio
An exclusive range of instrument making posters, books, calendars and information products published by and directly for sale from The Strad.
The Strad’s exclusive instrument posters, most with actual-size photos depicting every nuance of the instrument. Our posters are used by luthiers across the world as models for their own instruments, thanks to the detailed outlines and measurements on the back.
The number one source for a range of books covering making and stringed instruments with commentaries from today’s top instrument experts.
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.
No comments yet