Sotheby's New York is set to auction a rare Stradivarius violin called the Joachim-Ma Stradivarius on February 7. The violin, which was played by Joseph Joachim during the premiere of Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto in D Major in 1879, has a valuation between $12 million and $18 million.

This auction has the potential to break the record for the most expensive musical instrument ever sold. The current record is held by the Lady Blunt Stradivarius, which sold for $15.9 million in 2011.

The upcoming auction is generating significant interest among collectors and investors, as it could have a major impact on the market for rare musical instruments.