Random Stuff

I feel like I’m still recovering from the first few weeks of the season (see previous post). All those cellists, but it was really fun. I hadn’t played with Lynn Harrell much except as a soloist, so that concert was really special. You can read about it here. And here. Lots of other stuff happening…The Milwaukee Symphony continues did some of its best playing ever at last weekend’s concerts, which also happened to be one of the most compelling productions I’ve ever taken part in, artistically and otherwise. Bluebeard is already an amazing work, in this case perfectly enhanced with sculptures by the noted glass artist Dale Chihuly. There’s a review here. and you can see pictures of the glass installations here. Who would’ve predicted two sellout crowds on Halloween weekend for an opera by Bartok?

Crazy violin price check: $10 million for this one. And rumor has it that was only half the deal, and there was a Strad sold as well for roughly the same price. Lots of Russians in the market now- here’s another one. And how come there are all these del Gesus called “Vieuxtemps”? What about this one? If it’s $18 million I wonder if it sounds almost twice as good as the “Kochanski” for only $10 mil.

This guy wasn’t very good at stealing either a violin or an ATM. I love how he was selling the violin next to a snowblower.  Here’s someone who’s really into chopsticks.

My alma mater continues to add to it’s incredible manuscript collection, thanks to Bruce Kovner. What a great project.

And for you violists, some great additions to the urban dictionary.