Strad ex-Davidov
The Strad ex-Davidov is a vintage cello built in 1712 by the Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari for the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo III de Medici.
It is very similar in construction and form to the equally famed Duport Stradivarius, built a year earlier and played by Mstislav Rostropovich. The varnish is of a rich orange-red hue, produced with oil color glazes. There is no price tag on the Davidov but the Dupont was sold in 2008 for US$ 20 million so it might be similar.
In 1964 it was purchased by Ismena Holland who presented it to her goddaughter Jacqueline du Pré. Du Pré's teacher, William Pleeth, declared it as one of the really great instruments of the world. Upon the death of du Pré in 1987 the Davidov, now owned by Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, was loaned to Yo-Yo Ma. He is said to have commented, "You have to coax the instrument. The more you attack it, the less it returns".
The "LCG Davidov” is an exact optical and acoustic Replica of the ex-Davidov (1712). We shall call it in this paper "Replica Davidov". It is built from Cremonawood™ by luthier Sylvain Tournaire, Paris 13e. Its tonewood has exactly the same physical properties as the early 18th century instruments built in Northern Italy. This reality is supported by physical measurement data (see graphs below).
The sound is especially rich in harmonics producing a wonderful palette of colors. It has great reach capable of filling even the largest concert halls.
Original Davidov Replica Davidov
Original Davidov Replica Davidov
Which sound is the right sound?
Sound is always subjective and of personal taste. One big advantage of aged wood instruments is their richness in harmonics making them sound “round and plenteous like aromatic wines from the Borgogne”. Conversely a sound lacking harmonics hits the ear directly, e.g. like most cheap new wood instruments and those having electronic sound generators.
Difference in sound between the Original and the Replica.
Both instruments show exactly the same strength of all individual strings as well as harmonics from 750Hz - 20kHz.
In the graphs below the horizontal axis shows the frequency (left 60Hz to right 20kHz) and the vertical axis the SPL (Sound Pressure Level) at the microphone - something similar to what we call “loudness”.
The only "weakness" of the Replica is that its 2nd sub of g-string is a touch less strong than the Original. The more important 1st sub of c-string is equally strong. However, the important 400 - 750 Hz area is better balanced with the Replica.
So, its hard to argue that the Replica is less capable than the so precious Original and yet it comes at a franction of the price. Also, the colors are more brilliant with the Replica because the varnish did not have the wear of 300 years.
Original Davidov
Replica Davidov
Davidov Presentation Series featuring Léonore Védie
Louis Rodde - multiple “ARD Preisträger 2013” with "Trio Karenine"
Ivan Karizna - Finalist „Queen Elisabeth Competition 2017“, Kronberg Academy
Hermine Horiot - freelancer
Bruno Delepelaire - first solo cellist “Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra”
François Salque - teacher at “Haute École de Musique de Lausanne” and
“Conservatoire de Paris”
Léonore Védie - freelancer
Thibaut Reznicek - 2017 Grand Prix winner of the Ravel Academy, grant holder of the Société Generale Patronage.
Why do many musicians prefer vintage string instruments?
At important international competitions 9 out of 10 instruments played by the contestants are from the 18th and 19th centuries because of their abundance of harmonics and their rainbow of tonal colors.
Instruments built from Cremonawood™ have the same acoustic properties.
They are therefore ideally suited as replacement for genuine vintage strings in performance play.
luthier@sylvaintournaire.com +33 (0) 695106145
info@laureate-concert-group.com +63 (0) 9177153023