Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart owned a lot of musical instruments over his lifetime. His personal harpsichords, violas, and three violins are currently housed at the Stiftung Mozarteum Salzburg, a museum dedicated to preserving all things, Mozart.

The Klotz violin

One of the most prized instruments in the collection is known as “the Klotz violin”.  Mozart used the violin to perform and compose with, and was a personal favourite. It was brought to the US for the first time in 2013 by composer and violinist David Fulmer.

Why it’s so special

“It is incredible because not only did Mozart use this as a performer but also as a composer,” Fulmer says in the video. “On this very violin, he wrote and played his five violin concerti, and the monumental masterpiece Sinfonia Concertante K. 364,”

A priceless artifact, for sure.

How does it sound?

Take a listen to it here:

More details

The violin was made by a member of the Klotz family of violin makers in Mittenwald, Southern Bavaria.

Mozart eventually abandoned the instrument in Salzburg before travelling to Munich for the premiere of his Idomeneo. Musicologists speculate that he may have intended to return to his native Salzburg to retrieve the violin at some point,  but never did.

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Michael Vincent

Michael Vincent is the Editor-in-chief Ludwig Van and CEO of Museland Media. He publishes regularly and writes occasionally. A specialist in digital media for over 15 years, he has worked as a senior editor and is a former freelance classical music critic for the Toronto Star. Michael holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Toronto.

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