Wine Experts/Music Experts

They're all friggin' clueless.
Just like the "experts" can't tell the difference between Pavie vs. Colgin, LaLandonne vs. SQN, YellowTail vs, LeMontrachet; the so-called music "experts" don't know jack-$hit, either:

NYTimes: ViolinExperts

Interesting article.
Tom

(Robin/Jenise, feel free to move)
Interesting article, and of course power of suggestion is strong for virtually everyone. But in addition to Earl Carlyss's objections, one would also note:
1) "she corralled violinists attending an international competition." Were these students? Because that is who plays in the Indiannapolis competition. If so, maybe established players would be a better example of expert
2) What Strad/Guarneris were these? There are hundreds, and perceived quality varies greatly.

I don't know any serious string player who would say any Strad was "better" than any modern instruments. The latter ain't cheap by the way, some are 6 figures or close.

Most importantly, the relationship between player and instrument is quite personal. Betsy has a no-name 19th century cello, worth the equivalent of a fairly nice car, that she worries about- because it suits her well, and if something happened to it she would have to try to find an instrument - new or old- she could afford AND she liked. People don't usually play blindfolded in hotel rooms. My bro-in-law has been looking for a new violin, generally has for quite a while to learn if he likes.

(Robin/Jenise, feel free to move)
Interesting article, and of course power of suggestion is strong for virtually everyone. But in addition to Earl Carlyss's objections, one would also note:
1) "she corralled violinists attending an international competition." Were these students? Because that is who plays in the Indiannapolis competition. If so, maybe established players would be a better example of expert
2) What Strad/Guarneris were these? There are hundreds, and perceived quality varies greatly.
I don't know any serious string player who would say any Strad was "better" than any modern instruments. The latter ain't cheap by the way, some are 6 figures or close.
Most importantly, the relationship between player and instrument is quite personal. Betsy has a no-name 19th century cello, worth the equivalent of a fairly nice car, that she worries about- because it suits her well, and if something happened to it she would have to try to find an instrument - new or old- she could afford AND she liked. People don't usually play blindfolded in hotel rooms. My bro-in-law has been looking for a new violin, generally has for quite a while to learn if he likes.

Thanks for an insider's look into a world that's foreign to me, Dale. Like most of the popular articles like this in the
wine world, the "experts" are often a bit suuspect. I was using "expert" with TFIC.
Tom

I don't know any serious string player who would say any Strad was "better" than any modern instruments.
.

That's about it right there.

[Robin Garr]

(Robin/Jenise, feel free to move)

No need for that, Dale!

The UK Economist and Guradian also ran this story but I think their articles were less good than that in NYT which did present some counter arguments.

Dale, I think that your comments are excellent.

At least this discussion may help people to take more seriously modern violins from good luthiers just as the "Judgement of Paris" helped people to take Napa wines more seriously even if it didn't prove that they were "superior".