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I read with interest the article in today’s Guardian about the blind testing of Stradivarius violins versus modern violins, from which the modern instruments emerged victorious. There are many aspects to this story. First, it is true that modern makers do tend to be underpaid and under-appreciated; there are definitely many wonderful luthiers working today, whose instruments are finely crafted and deeply satisfying to play. A surprising number of famous string-players opt to perform on modern instruments, even when they own fine old Italian ones; their audiences rarely notice. (FULL ARTICLE: Steven Isserlis, The Guardian)