TwoSet get Stradivarius violins

Do luthiers get nervous working on instruments like this. What is the best violin you've worked on Olaf and how did you feel about it.

Do you imagine, in 300 years, some other group like Two Set saying something like: "WE JUST GOT OUR OLAFS!!"

Two "brothers" more than 300 years ago were sitting in the same workshop. 300 years later, after many trips and different hands and probably not "seeing" each other all these years they meet again in Australia. How cool is that?

That's so cool that through love of classical music Brett and Eddy make us discover such cool characters like Olaf :virtualhug:

Hearing the history of both Strads from a luthier who is a respected craftsman was a great video. I enjoyed you going over each violin and giving your expert eyes on the repairs pointed out things I might had not noticed. Thank you for your reaction, your knowledge and your videos.

I have a violin that was made more than a hundred years ago. I'm not a professional but play as often as is possible. I just had it to the luthier for new strings and he found 2 places where the seams were letting go. What a difference the repair and new strings made in how it sounds! Hearing about all the repairs on those two violins makes me appreciate mine even more. I have heard so often that cracks in the top plate or the back destroy the sound and value of a violin. I feel that either we have no real idea of how wonderful the straps were or we are quite wrong about how much good repairs damage violins. Thank you for this video. I know I don't have a stradivarius but I feel that I am more of a caretaker than an owner of my instrument.

It's always astounding to be an outsider watching a master at their craft. The way that Olaf can read the history of the violins in scars I can't even detect is a true sign of his skill and experience. I am overjoyed for Bret and Eddy to have this opportunity. Watching their video, I was surprised at just how distinctly differently the two violins' voices sound. They really have a unique character to them in the same way that living beings do; like the voices of brothers. Your analysis and explanation here really shows what creates that character and Bret and Eddy show how to bring that character to life. <3

I m not even a viololinist but ever since I have watched twoset, I find myself clicking on these type of content. And wow it's great to learn new stuff from people who are so knowledgeable and passionate about it. I wish I could learn your craft. Seems so amazing to be able to produce an instrument that will later be used to produce beautiful music and an outlet to human expression. Keep up your good work. Who knows some day when I m your age, I might get to see people going crazy about olaf violins. 🙌🙌

Thanks for making this reaction video Olaf!! Always can learn a lot from your videos!! It's great to hear a professional luthier talking about these two Strads in so much detail!

I love it when Eddie cups his hands behind his ear listening to Brett play in the concert hall. If you've never done this yourself it makes a massive difference in the amount of sound information coming into your ears. This is so fun!

Catherine the Great’s husband, Peter III, played the violin “pretty well,” we are told. That in itself was no reason for her to have had him strangled. She had plenty of other reasons.

Thanks for sharing your insight Olaf, I'm so excited for the concert and your comments add a lot to the interest!

Olaf, this is a great video with thoughtful and insightful detail into these two wonderful and historic Strad's. Tarisio brought these two Strad's and a few other violins to the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, in September. It was a unique opportunity to examine and play these instruments, especially for a mere mortal and amateur violinist as I am. My first impression upon holding the violins was awe and admiration, true historic works of art. In my humble opinion, I was deeply impressed by the stunning varnish of the Regent, and more so by its sound! Deep and round in the low registers. One of the concertmasters of the LAPHIL showed up that day, and after she played the Regent she said "this thing has a boombox inside!" The Empress Caterina is a fantastic violin, with a completely different voice than the Regent. I find it fascinating how two violins from the same maker, the same year, having distinct voices. Kudos to Tarisio for their viewing events and the unique opportunity to experience the instruments.

Love your videos Olaf! But a small comment: those double-blind tests didn't show that 'sometimes' people can't tell the difference between a Strad and a contemporary high-quality violin, but that they CONSISTENTLY cannot tell the difference. In other words, when statistical inferences are applied (as with all science) to allow for random variance, there is zero evidence that Strads 'sound better'. Furthermore, one of your previous videos actually informed me about why that might be -- I had no idea that older violins were often covered in those patches to mend and secure cracks, etc., which you explained compromises their tonal quality. With that in mind, I would already have hypothesized (before any empirical testing) that a modern, well-made violin would sound better (or at least as good) as a Strad, which is confirmed by the double-blind tests. edit: In other words, if I was a better violin player, I would take one of your gorgeous violins over a Strad any day! :D Also, I guess later in the video with your 'Elvis's guitar' analogy, you essentially make the same point, that the value of these instruments is not (really) based on their tonal quality.

your videos are so entertaining, and as a musician, it is always awesome to find out how our instruments work

you should do a poll to see what the instrument makeup of your viewers are. I'm a flute player. Thanks again for the excellent content.

Thanks for the deep dive into the background and state of these instruments. I’m glad whenever his violins are used for concerts because since his name is a household word it just raises the interest and awareness. I love that even given their age these instruments still do an amazing job at their original purpose. That’s so rare for anything in our lives today.

Earlier today I match with a local bow maker, and the experience was just so cool and amazing!

Thanks for sharing your expertise with us. I really enjoyed watching. I love 2set because of them I first learned of Janine Jansen and found classical music in my early 70’s. I now listen at least an hour every day. A whole new world has been opened for me. I love chamber music as well as full orchestra. I love Beethoven Op61 and have favorite conductors as well. All because of those two goofballs. ❤

Stunned by Olaf's French pronounciation! And of course, his expertise.