Kreutzer Stradivarius sold for record pounds 947,500

A STRADIVARIUS violin was yesterday sold at auction for pounds 947,500 - the highest price paid for such a musical instrument. The "Kreutzer" Stradivarius was bought by Haim Lazarov, a former violinist and dealer based in London, after furious bidding at the South Kensington branch of the auction house Christie's.

The Kreutzer is believed to be named after Rudolphe Kreutzer, a French violinist famous for turning his nose up at a sonnet dedicated to him by Beethoven. Made in 1727, the violin dates from near the end of the so-called golden period of 1700 to 1728 of the world-famous violin-maker Antonio Stradivari.After the sale Mr Lazarov said: "This violin will soon be heard all over the world."