Rare stradivarius viola loaned to berlin philharmonic's grosz

In a private deal, the Stretton Society has placed one of only ten Antonio Stradivarius violas, dated around 1719, on loan to Amihai Grosz, principal viola of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

Macdonald viola fetches record sum

The so-called 'Macdonald' viola was sold without disclosing the price, but it is reportedly significantly higher than the £23 million paid last year for the 1715 'Baron Knoop' Stradivarius violin.

Grosz, 46, who founded the Jerusalem Quartet before joining the Berlin Phil in 2010, previously played on loan a 1570 Gasparo da Salò viola.

The loan marks a major coup for Grosz and the Berlin Phil, as the 'Macdonald' viola is one of the most prized instruments in the Stradivarius repertoire.