NEW YORK CITY — An exceedingly rare Stradivari violin, crafted in 1714 by Antonio Stradivari during his renowned “Golden Period,” achieved $11.3 million, including premium, at Sotheby’s New York; proceeds benefitted New England Conservatory to establish the largest named endowed scholarship in support of future generations of musicians. The result places the violin among the most valuable musical instruments ever sold at auction. The violin carried a legacy enriched by its distinguished owners. Before being given to New England Conservatory (NEC), where it inspired students, it belonged to the late Si-Hon Ma, a violinist and pedagogue who earned his Artist Diploma from NEC in the 1950s. Ma gave the violin to the school with the provision that it could one day be sold to support student scholarships. Before Ma, the violin was owned by Joseph Joachim, one of the most influential violinists of the Nineteenth Century. Joachim, renowned for his collaborations with composers like Johannes Brahms, likely performed on the Stradivarius during the 1879 premiere of Brahms’ “Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 77,” with Brahms himself conducting. For additional information, www.sothebys.com.