Macdonald Stradivari Viola Sells for Record Millions | The Strad

A 1719 Antonio Stradivari viola, known as the ‘Macdonald’ viola, has been sold for a record-breaking price to the Stretton Society, a Berlin-based non-profit organization, according to The Strad. The sale, completed in late 2025, surpassed the previous record of $23 million paid for the 1715 ‘Baron Knoop’ Stradivari violin in 2025.

The Stretton Society aims to connect top musicians with exceptional instruments. Stephan Jansen, co-founder of the Society, stated, As a Society, we are particularly happy that this instrument, long thought lost to the market, is now back in the hands of such a wonderful musician. He also expressed delight at seeing the viola back on stage again, where an instrument of this stature truly belongs.

The ‘Macdonald’ viola is currently being played by Amihai Grosz, principal viola of the Berlin Philharmonic. Grosz had been using the instrument for the past two months, having previously performed on a 1570 instrument crafted by Gasparo da Salò.

A Storied History

This particular viola originates from Stradivari’s “golden period” (1700–1720) and was originally owned by the Marquis dalla Rosa of Parma. Over the subsequent three centuries, the instrument passed through the hands of numerous players, makers, and dealers, including J.B. Vuillaume, John Betts, and W.E. Hill & Sons.

The viola acquired its name from Godfrey Bosville, the third Baron Macdonald, who purchased it in the 1820s. In 1964, it was acquired for $81,000 for Peter Schidlof, violist of the Amadeus Quartet. The instrument remained with the Schidlof family until its recent sale.

Previous Attempts to Sell

The ‘Macdonald’ viola’s journey to a successful sale wasn’t without its hurdles. In 2014, auctioneers Sotheby’s and Ingles & Hayday invited bids exceeding $45 million, but the instrument failed to attract a buyer. According to reports from the time, there was plenty of interest despite the lack of a sale.

This unsuccessful attempt followed a similar outcome for the ‘Kreutzer’ Stradivarius violin, valued between $7.5 million and $10 million by Christie’s, which also failed to sell around the same period. At the time, a sale of $45 million for the ‘Macdonald’ would have established a new world record for any musical instrument, surpassing the £9.8 million (approximately $15.6 million USD based on 2011 exchange rates) paid for the ‘Lady Blunt’ Stradivarius violin in 2011.

The successful sale to the Stretton Society marks a significant moment for the instrument, ensuring its continued use by a leading musician and its presence on concert stages. The Society’s acquisition secures the ‘Macdonald’ viola’s place among the few surviving violas crafted by Antonio Stradivari during his most celebrated period.