Kiesewetter Stradivarius

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Kiesewetter Stradivarius of circa 1723 is an antique violin fabricated by Italian luthier Antonio Stradivari of Cremona (1644-1737). The instrument derives its name from its previous owner, German composer and violinist Christophe Gottfried Kiesewetter (1777-1827).[1][2]

In 2006, the Stradivari Society brokered an agreement between Clement and Karen Arrison, current owners of the Kiesewetter, and a Grammy-nominated Russian violinist, Philippe Quint. Stipulated in the contract, Quint is to retain possession of the violin for one year in exchange for its US$6,000 insurance premium, the performance of three private recitals for the Arrisons, and regular inspections by The Society's curators. Its latest valuation was US$4 million. The contract was renewed for a second year in May 2007.[3]

On 20 April 2008, Quint accidentally left the Kiesewetter in the back of a taxicab in New York City. After numerous phone calls, the violin was found and returned to Quint the next day.[4] The cabdriver, Mohamed Khalil, was presented with a medallion by the City of Newark, the highest honour awarded by the city.[5]

[edit] Provenance

  • Francis Goldschmidt
  • Charles Fletcher of Bournemouth (ca. 1800)
  • Gary Hart (ca. 1902)
  • Henry Osborne Havemeyer (1905)
  • Horace Havemeyer (1907)
  • Rembert Wurtlitzer Inc. (1953)
  • Dr. Jerome Gross (ca. 1960)
  • Howard Gottieb (1972)
  • J. & A. Beare (1986)
  • Clement and Karen Arrison (ca. 2000)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jose Sanchez-Penzo (16 May 2006). The Way Famous String Instruments Went. jose-sanchez-penzo.net. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  2. ^ Violin by Antonio Stradivari, 1723c (Kiesewetter). Cozio.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-26.
  3. ^ Eileen Daspin. "Strings Attached", Portfolio, Condé Nast, May 2007. Retrieved on 2008-04-26. 
  4. ^ The Associated Press. "Star reunited with $4m violin", News24, 23 April 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-26. 
  5. ^ Jeffrey Gold. "Newark cabbie gets city medal for returning $4M violin", Newsday, 23 April 2008. Retrieved on 2008-04-26. 

[edit] External links