Klarinet Archive - Posting 000551.txt from 2003/02

From: "Harper, Jimmy D" <HarperJimmyD@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] This is about Strings but interesting
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2003 11:41:06 -0500

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blumberg Artists Management [SMTP:Musicians@-----.net]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2003 9:54 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] This is about Strings but interesting
>
> 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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