Article: A Stradivari viola, the most expensive instrument in the world, is up for sale this spring at auction house Sotheby's, for $45 million! If it sells for that price, it will surpass all previous records for musical instrument sales. A previous Stradivari violin sold in 2011 for $15.9 million. Reasons the viola is so valuable: while Stradivari made 600 violins, only 10 of his violas have survived; Stradivari's work is considered at its best between 1700 and 1720, when this viola was made; its one of the best Stradivaris preserved in instance; one of the most famous violinists of the 20th century played it for over 25 years, Peter Schidlof of the Amadeus Quartet in England. Even so, it is a very high price and will likely fall into private hands. If that happens, the viola may never be seen again. (Kids: why?) The auction will be a closed--so bidders won't know how much other bidders are bidding for. How much do you think the winning price will be?
To hear what the $45 million viola sounds like, click here.
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