Fall destroys rare Stradivarius

[Galahad]

I know he's a prodigy and all, but why would someone consider giving him another one? There aren't that many left.....

Fall destroys rare Stradivarius
Virtuoso violinist David Garrett smashed a priceless Stradivarius when he fell over after a concert in London over Christmas, he has revealed.
"I fell down a flight of steps and on to the case. When I opened it the violin was in pieces," he told the Evening Standard newspaper.

Garrett, 26, likened the accident to "losing a dear friend".

The 290-year-old instrument will spend the next eight months in a workshop, with a repair bill of around £60,000.

But a spokeswoman for the musician said costs could rise "into the millions", and it was not certain that the instrument could be restored at all.

In the meantime, Garrett has been offered the use of another Stradivarius, worth an estimated £2.5m, for a Valentine's Day concert in London.

It has been loaned by London-based dealers J&A Beare, who have arranged for the instrument to be flown in from Milan, Italy.

Prodigy

German-born Garrett first came to attention as a child prodigy, and he played as a soloist with the London Philharmonic before he was 10.

He has recently returned to the stage after running away from home to study at the renowned Juilliard School in New York, against the wishes of his parents.

He paid his own way for the course, supplementing his income by modelling for the likes of Vogue and Armani.

The broken violin, known as San Lorenzo, was one of about 650 remaining instruments made by Italian craftsman Antonio Stradivari.

It was made during his so-called "golden period" of 1700-1720, making it even more valuable.

In May 2006, a Stradivarius known as The Hammer set an auction record when it was sold for $3.54m (£1.8m).



Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/7242860.stm

 

[Briarmom]

Ugh. He must feel awful.

 

[Evil Genius]

Accidents happen. Even when you are holding a priceless instrument. Give him a break.

 

[terri01p]

This reminded me of the movie " In the good ole summertime" where the same thing happened.

 

[wowsmom]

It sounds like they are only loaning him the other one for the specific concert - and if they are smart, they will deliver it right before showtime and take it back from him as soon as the show is over! No stairs for him!

Seriously though...he must have felt so horrible when he fell on it. My son left his trombone setting on the floor at school while he got a chair - off to the side so it wouldn't get stepped on. Well, it got stepped on and the slide got dented. He felt horrible! And it's not like it was worth millions or so old and special....and now he has a trombone stand so it won't ever happen again.

 

[agnes!]

I know he's a prodigy and all, but why would someone consider giving him another one? There aren't that many left.....

Hmmmm...I don't know. Can a 26 year old man really be considered a "prodigy"? Isn't that a term usually reserved for almost-freakishly young performers? He might have been considered a prodigy at one point, but it looks like he's been a professional musician for at least 16 years.

He must feel terrible. What I find slightly odd is that the accident happened over the Christmas holiday, at least a 1 1/2 months ago. I wonder if this guy was concerned about possible fallout from Stradivari-lovers.

It's so sad - there are only so many left. But I guess the value of the remaining ones just shot up .

agnes!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

Ouch! I would be devastated if that were me

 

[Jennasis]

Why wouldn't anyone consider loaning him another??? He FELL. It was an accident. He didn't smash it into the stage floor and then light it on fire like Jimi Hendrix.

 

[lilyv]

Galahad? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

 

[Galahad]

Ouch! I would be devastated if that were me

No doubt. He's probably devastated.

 

[Galahad]

Why wouldn't anyone consider loaning him another??? He FELL. It was an accident. He didn't smash it into the stage floor and then light it on fire like Jimi Hendrix.

Sorry - you're right of course. Didn't mean it to be a slam toward him.

 

[ChrisFL]

Why wouldn't anyone consider loaning him another??? He FELL. It was an accident. He didn't smash it into the stage floor and then light it on fire like Jimi Hendrix.

apparently he has issues dealing with gravity

 

[Micca]

Why wouldn't anyone consider loaning him another??? He FELL. It was an accident. He didn't smash it into the stage floor and then light it on fire like Jimi Hendrix.

Although that WOULD be cool (just kidding)

 

[Golf4food]

Although that WOULD be cool (just kidding)

Might increase classical music concert attendance, lol

 

[Beth76]

"There are only so many left" well what happened to all the other ones then? I don't think anything is made to last an eternity. These things happen. It was an accident. Why should this guy be made to feel guilty.

 

[reeeoga]

Why am I thinking of the Three Stooges "Disorder in the Court": "My Stradivarious, my Bautiful Stradivarious!!"

Sorry for the loss to the music (and the general) world of the violen.

 

[Deb in IA]

Maybe they should give him another ONLY if he hires a professional violin carrier.

 

[JR6ooo4]

You know, if it had been spring or summer everything would have been fine!

Stupid Fall....

Mikeeee

 

[kaybracon]

He should have taken better care as he was going down the stairs; I bet he was just fiddling around and not paying attention.

 

[CapeCodTenor]

apparently he has issues dealing with gravity

As I read this I automatically thought of that song Defying Gravity from the musical 'Wicked'.