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February 2015 rare-string instrument intelligence

13 headlines

13 headlines

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Category: Rare-string instruments

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13 headlines

Zinman, Batiashvili and Philharmonic make old chestnuts new again

newyorkclassicalreview.com

David Zinman led the New York Philharmonic in a program pairing late Romantic works by Barber and Rachmaninoff with Samuel Barber and Sergei Rachmaninoff featured as the headliners; violinist Lisa Batiashvili performed Barber’s Violin Concerto with praised lyrical and expressive playing, though the finale was noted as frenetic. The article discusses the reception of the program and the performers’ interpretations.

The priest, the hitman and the hidden Stradivarius case

nypost.com

The article covers Rev. Eugene Klein pleading guilty to helping mobster Frank Calabrese recover a purported Stradivarius violin hidden in a Wisconsin house. It mentions a rare 1719 Stradivarius viola called the Macdonald, potentially valued at over $45 million, and notes Calabrese’s claim that the instrument was once owned by Liberace; no violin was found.

Frank Peter Zimmermann awaits 5.8 million euro violin

welt.de

Frank Peter Zimmermann uses a Stradivari called Lady Inchiquin; the lending contract with Portigon AG is expiring, prompting a dispute over price and terms. The instrument dates to 1711 and previously belonged to Fritz Kreisler; Zimmermann has a purchase option but price discussions have caused contention.

Stargeiger trennt sich von Lady Inchiquin: Frank Peter Zimmermann gibt millionenteure Stradivari zurück

ksta.de

The article discusses Frank Peter Zimmermann returning the Stradivari known as Lady Inchiquin, an instrument from 1711 once belonging to Fritz Kreisler. The instrument is being returned to Portigon AG in Düsseldorf as part of the WestLB asset unwind. The piece also notes Zimmermann’s background, prior performances, and the broader context of other high-value instruments in Portigon’s collection, including Ex Croall (1684) and a Rocca cello (1860).

Tears and fears as two stars are forced to give up their violins

slippedisc.com

The article reports that Frank-Peter Zimmermann surrendered his Lady Inchiquin Stradivarius to Portigon, which plans to sell it for the highest price after Zimmermann attempted to buy it for around three million euros and Portigon sought an additional million. It also notes that Zimmermann is performing with a different instrument in New York, and that Alexander Pavlovsky of the Jerusalem Quartet is seeking a new instrument after his Pressenda violin was sold by its owners.

Violin once played by Fritz Kreisler at center of dispute

symphony.org

The article reports that Fritz Kreisler's violin is at the center of a dispute involving Frank Peter Zimmermann, who has played a Stradivarius through an arrangement with WestLB AG. The instrument, valued at about €4.5–5 million, may not be affordable under the lease terms with Portigon Financial Services AG, and Zimmermann has offered to buy it but refuses the set price.

Heartbroken Frank Peter Zimmermann surrenders the Lady Inchiquin Stradivarius to financial controllers

theviolinchannel.com

The Violin Channel reports that German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann has surrendered the 1711 Lady Inchiquin Stradivarius to Portigon Financial Services after playing it for 12 years; the instrument was on lease since 2002 from the defunct German WestLB, whose assets are now seized. Zimmermann reportedly offered to buy the instrument at independent appraisals but could not meet the US$5.1–5.7 million asking price.

Frank Peter Zimmermann loses his Stradivarius as prices soar

theguardian.com

The Guardian article discusses violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann returning the 1711 Stradivarius known as the Lady Inchiquin after a loan contract expired. It notes Portigon Financial Services AG’s overvaluation of the instrument by about £1 million and comments on the high cost of Stradivari instruments in the market.

German star, stripped of Strad, plays New York on a loan violin

slippedisc.com

The article reports that German violinist Frank-Peter Zimmermann is playing a Guarnerius del Gesù violin on loan after the Stradivarius he had used since 2002 was repossessed, with the owners offering a paid loan that Zimmermann reportedly rejected while attempting to buy the Strad at a price below their valuation.

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