Stradivarius

　

 This cello was once owned by a well-known amateur player, Lord Aylesford of England, hence its name "Lord Aylesford". Lord Aylesford acquired this cello in early 1780s from the famous Italian violinist Felice de Giardini (1716-1796) and it was retained in the Aylesford family for almost 100years. In 1948 this cello passed into the hands of the world renowned cellist Gregor Piatigorsky (1903-1976) in Philadelphia. During the years between 1950 and 1965, internationally acclaimed cellist, Janos Starker (1924- ), played this cello in numerous concerts and made 35 recordings.