Klarinet Archive - Posting 000548.txt from 2003/02

From: Blumberg Artists Management <Musicians@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] This is about Strings but interesting
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 22:54:26 -0500

N.J. Symphony Gets String Instruments
By STEVE STRUNSKY, Associated Press Writer
NEWARK, N.J. - A $50 million collection of 30 "golden age" string
instruments is finally in the hands of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
after its collector and symphony officials announced a deal Wednesday.
The steeply discounted sale of the instruments for $18 million by Herbert
Axelrod - a pet products tycoon, tropical fish expert, philanthropist and
amateur violinist - bestows what is widely viewed as the world's largest
assemblage of rare Italian stringed instruments on the Newark-based
orchestra.
The sale was characterized by orchestra officials as a gift. It is the
unmatched concentration of such instruments among one group of players that
makes this a significant event for the symphony world, said Charles S.
Olton, president of the American Symphony Orchestra League.
"This is huge," said Olton, who was on hand at the first-ever group
performance of the instruments Wednesday in a conference hall at Prudential
Financial, which helped finance the acquisition.
The 24 violins, two violas and four cellos were made in the 16th, 17th and
18th centuries by Antonio Stradivari, Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu, Antonio
and Girolamo Amati, and others. They are being called The Golden Age
Collection, for the period in which they were produced.
Olton said the collection will only enhance the orchestra's first-class
reputation, and attract tourists to its concerts, which are regularly held
at seven locations around New Jersey. Players and orchestra officials also
said the instruments, along with the orchestra's praised concert hall at the
New Jersey Performing Arts Center, will enhance the group's search for a
successor to Zdenek Macal, who stepped down as music director last season.

( if only they were good enough to deserve that amazing gift!!!)

David Blumberg
http://www.mp3.com/eroicacds.

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