About

The Stretton Violins GmbH

Stretton Violins GmbH, specialized in the consulting and curation of rare stringed instruments, is the partner and co-initiator of Stretton Society e.V. Founded in 2020 by Stephan Jansen, Maximilian von Schierstädt, and Johannes von Salmuth, Stretton Violins GmbH emerged from their shared passion for collecting exceptional instruments. Over the last ten years, the trio has sourced and provided fine instruments to outstanding musicians, contributing to the steady growth of their private collections.

The formal establishment of the company transformed this passion and expertise into a purpose-driven enterprise—one that supports and empowers collectors and musicians in a field traditionally marked by discretion and trust. However, this professionalization also brought a realization: once sold, many instruments would often disappear into anonymous global markets. 

This sparked a desire to create a more intentional, values-driven framework for stewardship—one that keeps instruments in a trusted circle of collectors and ensures they continue to be played.

This vision led to the founding of Stretton Society e.V.—a trusted circle of collectors, philanthropists, musicians, and instruments. Through the society, artists gain access to exceptional instruments from within the network, fostering lasting relationships and a shared cultural commitment. The society nurtures an ongoing dialogue between philanthropy and artistry, grounded in a belief that great instruments fulfill their highest purpose not in silence, but in sound.

Stretton Violins GmbH plays a central role in this ecosystem—as advisor, facilitator, and partner—ensuring that extraordinary instruments continue their journey to be cherished by collectors and played by musicians for generations to come. Its unique model forms a bridge between private passion and public purpose, ensuring that personal commitment leads to shared cultural impact.

The enterprise possesses both the expertise and the deep understanding of the market required to identify stringed instruments of the highest caliber.

In an increasingly complex landscape, it is our responsibility—to our own standards and to the commitment of the Stretton Society’s members—to distinguish the truly exceptional from the sheer volume of the market, and to recognize uncompromising quality where it reveals itself.

The shareholders of Stretton Violins GmbH include Stephan Jansen, whose decades-long expertise in collecting and advising on rare instruments anchors the firm, alongside Maximilian von Schierstädt.

The third shareholder is the non-profit “Antonius Organisation for Youth and Culture” in Bad Saarow, founded by the Freiherr von Salmuth family. Through this alliance, designated proceeds from Stretton’s curation of rare stringed instruments directly support cultural and youth initiatives—such as scholarships awarded through the Stretton Excellence Mentorship Program—ensuring that each placement carries a lasting philanthropic impact.