Dr. Thomas Wingfield, a composer from Cambridge University, has made an exciting discovery at the intersection of music and science by examining a violin confirmed to have belonged to the world-renowned physicist Albert Einstein.
Dr. Wingfield conducted a detailed six-month study to investigate Einstein’s interest in music. By collecting all of the physicist’s writings and letters related to music, he reinterpreted his perspective on the art.
The research process began with a theatrical play inspired by Einstein’s life, staged in London’s Highgate district. But the real surprise was a message from an auctioneer that began with, “Don’t think I’m crazy, but…” The expert asked for help in verifying a violin that was thought to have belonged to Einstein. Wingfield instinctively felt that the violin was “original” when he first saw it, but he examined all the documents to be sure. The violin bore the inscription “Lina”—the name Einstein gave to all his violins during his youth. The handwriting showed a perfect match to Einstein’s school-era handwriting. Another interesting feature of the violin was that its body was longer than normal. Wingfield noted that this may have been designed “for musicians with a large left hand.” Later research revealed that Einstein’s left hand was indeed larger than his right hand — a detail that confirmed the violin’s identity.
The 1894 Zunterer violin sold for almost three times the expected price, £860,000, at an auction held last week in Gloucestershire, England.
“There was great excitement in the hall,” said Wingfield.
“We were all emotional when the hammer finally came down. It was a great honor for me to have it in my hands.”
