This violin belongs to Stradivari’s ‘Golden Period’, and it still bears an original label dated 1718, of which the third figure is somewhat blurred. It is named after the Hungarian violinist and composer Zoltán Székely (1903–2001), co-founder of the Hungarian String Quartet together with Mr. Sándor Végh (1912–1997). Mr. Z. Székely was first violinist of the quartet from 1937 until it was disbanded in 1972. He was also a close friend of the renowned composer and pianist Béla Bartók (1881–1945), whose 2nd Violin Concerto was composed for Székely and was also premiered by the violinist—using this violin—at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on 23 March 1939. In the past, the violin has also been known as the ‘Michelangelo’, as recorded by the dealers Maucotel & Deschamp.
More information: Antonio Stradivari Set 1, Volume 3, Page 216