Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 13, 2025
Legendary Stradivari Finds New Voice with Khachatryan in Brussels
TLDR
- Sergey Khachatryan gains exclusive access to the $16 million Kiesewetter Stradivari, enhancing his artistic prestige through the Stretton Society's rare instrument loan program.
- The Stretton Society connects master violinists with historic Stradivari instruments through private patronage, funding mentorship programs and instrument loans to preserve musical heritage.
- This partnership ensures priceless cultural artifacts like the Kiesewetter Stradivari continue inspiring audiences rather than remaining locked away in vaults.
- The 1724 Kiesewetter Stradivari, crafted by Antonio Stradivari and played by generations of virtuosos, now sings through Sergey Khachatryan in Brussels.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it represents a crucial evolution in how priceless cultural artifacts are preserved and shared. Rather than locking away masterpieces like the $16 million "Kiesewetter" Stradivari in vaults, this partnership demonstrates how private patronage can ensure these instruments continue to inspire audiences and artists alike. For classical music lovers, it means experiencing the unique sound of a legendary instrument in the hands of a world-class performer, creating moments of artistic transcendence that simply cannot be replicated. The Stretton Society's model of connecting rare instruments with exceptional talent while supporting mentorship programs ensures that musical traditions are not only preserved but continue to evolve and inspire new generations. This approach revitalizes classical music by making its most precious resources accessible rather than treating them as museum pieces, ultimately enriching our cultural landscape and keeping centuries-old craftsmanship alive through contemporary performance.
Summary
When Sergey Khachatryan steps onto the stage of Brussels' Palais des Beaux-Arts on October 17th, it marks a significant homecoming for the Armenian violinist two decades after winning the Queen Elisabeth Competition. This performance represents more than just a concert—it heralds a new chapter for one of the world's most storied instruments, the legendary 1724 "Kiesewetter" Stradivari. This rare violin, valued at approximately $16 million, has been associated with some of the greatest violinists of the modern era, including Maxim Vengerov and Augustin Hadelich, whose luminous recordings helped define a generation's sound. Now, with the crucial support of the Stretton Society, this extraordinary instrument has found a new artistic voice in Khachatryan, creating a powerful synergy between artist and instrument that promises to captivate audiences.
For Khachatryan, known for his deep, almost spiritual approach to music, the connection with the "Kiesewetter" Stradivari was immediate and profound. The violinist described the instrument as having "an extraordinary voice – radiant, powerful, yet infinitely nuanced," emphasizing that returning to the Bozar stage with this legendary violin feels like both a homecoming and a new beginning. The upcoming program with the Belgian National Orchestra will feature Brahms' Violin Concerto, a towering work of the Romantic repertoire that tests the technical limits of any instrument with its challenging double stops, bold octave leaps, and intricate arpeggios. The concert will also include Schumann's Third Symphony, a five-movement masterpiece that pushes the boundaries of classical form while paying homage to Beethoven's innovations, creating a program that showcases both the instrument's capabilities and Khachatryan's artistic depth.
The concert represents a growing movement in classical music: the revival of private patronage and the belief that masterpieces belong on stage rather than in vaults. The Stretton Society, a non-profit network of philanthropists founded in 2021 and co-founded by Stephan Jansen, is at the forefront of this revival, working to connect rare instruments with extraordinary artists. Jansen sees the partnership with Khachatryan as emblematic of the Society's mission, noting that every Stradivari carries centuries of history, but the "Kiesewetter" is particularly special as it has been the artistic partner of violinists who defined entire generations. Beyond instrument loans, the Stretton Society funds mentorship programs that foster dialogue between established artists and rising talent, earning the organization the European Cultural Award in 2024 for its significant contribution to the arts.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Legendary Stradivari Finds New Voice with Khachatryan in Brussels
