A rare and storied violin that once belonged to one of the greatest violinists of the 20th century is poised to re-enter the world stage.
Tarisio, a leading expert in fine string instruments, has announced the private sale of the 1731 “Heifetz, Piel” Stradivari—an instrument owned for nearly three decades by Jascha Heifetz during the most prolific years of his career. The violin has been out of public view for more than 70 years.
“This violin represents an extraordinary confluence of maker and musician: Antonio Stradivari was the best violin maker in the history of mankind, and Heifetz is considered by many to be the best violinist of all time,” said Jason Price, Tarisio’s founder and expert.
Known for its distinctive tone and historical pedigree, the violin was made during the final decade of Stradivari’s life. It later passed through the hands of legendary dealer Luigi Tarisio and collector Count de Chaponay. In 1908, it was acquired by German-American brewing magnate Michael Piel, who gave it to his son Rudolf. Following Heifetz’s sensational 1917 debut at Carnegie Hall, Rudolf Piel loaned the instrument to the young virtuoso, who was so captivated that he purchased it outright in 1922.
Heifetz played the violin through a golden era of his career, using it for landmark recordings that still serve as reference points for violinists today. Among them: his 1939 rendition of the Brahms Violin Concerto with conductor Serge Koussevitzky and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and a 1937 recording of Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto. The violin also featured in the premieres of the Walton and Korngold concertos.
Heifetz eventually sold the instrument in 1950 to Sam Bloomfield, an aircraft engineer and collector based in Wichita, Kansas. It changed hands once more several years later, vanishing into private ownership for more than half a century.
Heifetz owned a handful of other renowned instruments throughout his life, including the 1714 “Dolphin” Stradivari and the 1742 “ex David” Guarneri del Gesù—both now housed in permanent collections and not expected to return to the market.
“We will never again in our lifetime have the opportunity to own a part of the legacy of Heifetz,” said Carlos Tomè, Tarisio’s director. “It would be a beautiful next chapter to see this violin unlock the talent of someone who can continue the Heifetz legacy, inspiring generations to come.”
A full article detailing the provenance and cultural significance of the “Heifetz, Piel” Stradivari is available at tarisio.com/heifetz.