The Incredible Story of Joshua Bell’s Stradivarius

Such a great story! Music can inspire us deeply, not just to experience beauty, but also to discover our courage and faith. Thank you for the story. What is the music that Mr Bell plays in the video? I would like to find it. Thank you

They forgot to mention that Joshua Bell is Jewish too : )

My eyes filled with tears when I read this heart wrenching story. It is a miracle that the violin was found again and is played again by a virtuoso
performer.

Bronislaw Huberman had no heirs?

If you watch the video carefully you will see that it says the thief's wife returned the violin to Lloyd's of London. That means Lloyd's had paid for it when it was stolen. Since Huberman had received the insurance money, he (and his heirs) no longer owned the violin.

I’ve been to several concerts with seeing and hearing him play this beautiful violin, withinin a few feet away from the stage. Joshua brings this violin to life again, making it sing as it should be doing. Glad it’s not stuck in a case at some museum ! Always have had great M&G’s with Joshua after his concerts, very friendly and kind man, wonderful person I’m sure. Because I do love listening to Joshua playing, it makes it even more special knowing the story which I have known from an article written by Joshua several years ago. But, most likely many people haven’t seen that article so I am very happy and pleased to see this posting of Joshua and his magnificent violin with its important story to tell. How awesome❤️ Thank you for sharing this

$4 million for a violin? That is absurd.

Depending on condition, instruments made during Stradivari's "golden period" from 1700 to about 1725 can be worth millions of dollars. In 2011, his "Lady Blunt" violin from 1721, which is in pristine condition, was sold in London for $15.9 million (it is named after Lord Byron's granddaughter Lady Anne Blunt, who owned it for 30 years).

Besides making beautiful music with the finest violin, the value of string instruments increases with their age. So Joshua Bell made an incredible investment as well as gifting the world with incredible music. Beautiful use of his money.

He could have much more easily bought a new violin from a good musical instruments store, at a cost of far less than 1% of what he paid for that violin. Nobody but a musical specialist would have been able to hear any difference in the musical sounds produced by his violin playing anyway. Meanwhile, he could have used those millions of dollars saved for far more worthy causes, such as feeding hungry Jews, helping out poor, pregnant Jewish women who are contemplating getting abortions only due to their poverty, and funding yeshivot and women's Torah seminaries. Yes, it is his money to do with it as he pleases, but I just question his judgment, that's all.

The value of the over 1,000 lives saved through the music this man played make the violin's value astronomical, and the symbolism of what it represents add to that worth so to have the feats of this man publicized because of the instrument and inspire others to do selfless actions has a value you may not see as well. It's not always straight dollars and cents. I believe G-d gave the talent to Huberman for just this purpose.

in concert last year. This lovely article adds so much more meaning to that experience. Thanks!