Paul McCartney’s stolen violin bass may be in Ottawa, according to a new biography about Paul McCartney by Philip Norman. The article mentions two violin basses, the 1962 Hamburg instrument and the 1963 upgraded model, with the 1963 model still used by McCartney and insured for over $4 million; the older Cavern bass remains unrecovered. A Liverpool taxi driver, Peter Hodgson, provides information suggesting the Cavern bass may be in Ottawa with someone called ‘The Keeper.’
The Toronto Symphony is selling a pedigree viola to its foundation to address a larger-than-expected deficit, with a board member citing commitments by Jeff Melanson that were more expensive than anticipated.
The Violin Channel reports an international alert in Germany for a 1928 Carl Becker violin stolen from a train traveling from Berlin to Basel. The instrument reportedly belonged to Anthea Kreston of the Artemis Quartet and was taken between Frankfurt and Mannheim, with distinctive orange/red color and blue glittery tape on the fingerboard; Bow makers Hill and Naurenburger are mentioned for the bows in the case.
The Artemis Quartet principal second violin Anthea Kreston had her 1928 Carl Becker violin stolen on a train between Frankfurt and Mannheim before a Freiberg concert. Four violists offered to lend their fine instruments after the band posted about the theft on social media, enabling Anthea to perform.
The article reports that a 35-year-old man who snatched a Landolfi violin left on a Munich commuter train has turned himself in. The 250-year-old instrument, valued at 100,000 euros (120,000 euros with bow, rosin and shoulder rest), was found undamaged in the man’s apartment; the suspect faces theft and fraud charges. The violin’s 65-year-old owner, mother-in-law to the woman who left the violin, expressed relief upon its recovery, and the instrument is being held as evidence by authorities.
The article discusses the Eastman Young Master Viola (AI042/VA405), a high-detail, antiqued, hand-finished instrument offered by The Sound Post. It lists specifications such as sizes (15, 15.5, 16 inches), Ebony Guarneri chinrest, Despiau bridge, ebony fittings, and measurements, and mentions related instrument ranges under Eastman and Young Master lines.
The story concerns the Air Force Band aiming to purchase a rare $75,000 1787 cello. The article discusses how military bands decide what instruments they need and mentions the cello’s age and significance.