10億円のヴァイオリンの音色とは?
Essay
2024.07.24
Text_Kotaro Sakata
写真提供_〈弦楽器専門店〉 IL VIOLINO MAGICO
プラシーボ効果という言葉があり、バイアスとも言い換えられる。
『千利休が使った茶碗』、 『信玄が入った温泉』など、ありがたく思える!?お正月に放送されている『格付け番組』でおなじみの数十億円するヴァイオリンの音色とは、本当にその価値があるのだろうか? 筆者も数々のクラシック演奏の審査委員を務めてきた身でもあるので、取材して、己の耳の裏付けを検証した。取材協力してくれたのは、 国内外の超一流楽器を取り扱うIL VIOLINO MAGICO(代表) 山下智之さんでQ&A方式で下記にまとめてみた。
楽器の値段は誰が、どのように決めるのですか? 鑑定は、信用していいのですか?
「弦楽器って値段があってないようなもの」とおっしゃる方が時々いらっしゃるのですがどの時代の楽器にも厳格な相場があります。ですから法外な値段がつくことや驚くほどお安い事は特別な場合を除き考えにくいです。ただし作者の製作時期によって評価が違う事と作品が古くなればなるほどコンディションに差が出ますので価格の幅はございます。この相場は世界中いつ、いくらで取引されたというアーカイブより算出されます。鑑定書は私文書なのでだれでも発行できます、しかしそれでは意味をなしません。弦楽器の鑑定書において世界的権威とされる方々が数名おりますのでその方々による鑑定書を頼りにされると心強いと思います。
オールド楽器は、音色は本当にいいのですか?また、何が原因ですか?
世界中の演奏家がオールド作品、特にイタリアンオールド作品を切望さる事を考えるとやはり「いい音色!」と言えましょう。特に17世紀~18世紀のクレモナを中心とするイタリアの作品に使用されていた木材 "Abete Rosso" は当時小氷河期であったため現代では手に入らない柾目が細かく密度の高い素材でクリアで芯のある輝かしい音色が特徴です。さらにそれらが経変変化と熟成により振動数と反応が高まり素晴らしい音色と音量そして演奏効果をもたらしてくれます。
技術のない人が、高額楽器を演奏しても、いい音色を出せないですよね?
いえ、やはりベースのポテンシャルに違いがございますのでどのレベルの方が演奏されてもポテンシャルの高い作品で演奏されればそのレベルに応じて心地よい音色をお楽しみいただけると思います。
楽器の貸与はどうやって決めているのですか?
基本的には初心者から中級者向け作品をお貸出ししておりますが特別な場合にはオールド名器のレンタルもご利用頂いております。
初心者も受け付けていますよね? 初心者歓迎ですか?
もちろんです!「MAGICOさんには初心者用楽器なんてないですよね?」とよくご質問を頂きますが私共はゼロから始めて頂ける"音楽教室"も併設しております。「楽器なんて触ったこともないです!」とおっしゃる初心者の方も大歓迎です。どのような事でもお気軽にご相談ください!
The sound of billion-yen violins.
The term placebo effect, or bias, often describes our perceptions. We value things like a tea bowl used by Sen no Rikyū or a hot spring enjoyed by Shingen. But what about the sound of billion-yen violins, familiar from New Year's ranking shows? As a judge for many classical performances, I investigated and verified what my own ears had confirmed. Tomoyuki Yamashita, representative of IL VIOLINO MAGICO, which deals with top-tier instruments, assisted with this Q&A.
Who sets musical instrument prices, and can appraisals be trusted?
While some say string instruments are priced arbitrarily, each period has strict market values. Exorbitant or surprisingly cheap prices are rare except in special cases. But valuations vary based on the maker's period and the instrument's condition, and the older the pieces, the more differences in their conditions. Prices are based on global transaction archives. Anyone can issue appraisals, but only a few global experts can provide truly reliable certificates.
Do old instruments really have superior sound, and if so, why?
The fact that musicians worldwide desire old, especially Italian instruments, seems to indicate that they produce a superior sound. Instruments from 17th-18th century Cremona, made from Abete Rosso wood with a fine-grain from the Little Ice Age, have a clear, resonant sound. Further maturing enhances their vibrational response, resulting in exceptional tone, volume, and performance.
Can a novice produce good sound from a high-end instrument?
Yes, high-potential instruments can produce pleasant sounds at any skill level, enhancing the experience for all players.
How is instrument loaning decided?
We mainly offer practice instruments but also loan old masterpieces for special cases.
Do you welcome beginners too?
Absolutely! While some think MAGICO does not have beginner instruments, we run also a music school where you can learn from scratch, and we welcome beginners who have never touched an instrument! Please consult us with any questions you may have!
The sound of billion-yen violins.
The term placebo effect, or bias, often describes our perceptions. We value things like a tea bowl used by Sen no Rikyū or a hot spring enjoyed by Shingen. But what about the sound of billion-yen violins, familiar from New Year's ranking shows? As a judge for many classical performances, I investigated and verified what my own ears had confirmed. Tomoyuki Yamashita, representative of IL VIOLINO MAGICO, which deals with top-tier instruments, assisted with this Q&A.
Who sets musical instrument prices, and can appraisals be trusted?
While some say string instruments are priced arbitrarily, each period has strict market values. Exorbitant or surprisingly cheap prices are rare except in special cases. But valuations vary based on the maker's period and the instrument's condition, and the older the pieces, the more differences in their conditions. Prices are based on global transaction archives. Anyone can issue appraisals, but only a few global experts can provide truly reliable certificates.
Do old instruments really have superior sound, and if so, why?
The fact that musicians worldwide desire old, especially Italian instruments, seems to indicate that they produce a superior sound. Instruments from 17th-18th century Cremona, made from Abete Rosso wood with a fine-grain from the Little Ice Age, have a clear, resonant sound. Further maturing enhances their vibrational response, resulting in exceptional tone, volume, and performance.
Can a novice produce good sound from a high-end instrument?
Yes, high-potential instruments can produce pleasant sounds at any skill level, enhancing the experience for all players.
How is instrument loaning decided?
We mainly offer practice instruments but also loan old masterpieces for special cases.
Do you welcome beginners too?
Absolutely! While some think MAGICO does not have beginner instruments, we run also a music school where you can learn from scratch, and we welcome beginners who have never touched an instrument! Please consult us with any questions you may have!
a.Antonio Stradivari 1719 "ex-Rappoldi" 通称:ストラド。
b.ヴァイオリンのF字孔から作者アントニオ・ストラディヴァリの名が確認できる。
〈弦楽器専門店〉
IL VIOLINO MAGICO
〒151-0051東京都渋谷区千駄ヶ谷 5-3-16-1F
tel.03-5368-1250
https://magico.co.jp/