Peter Stumpf (cellist)

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Peter Stumpf is the current principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He was educated first at the Curtis Institute of Music and then the New England Conservatory. At age sixteen, he proceeded to start his his professional career as a cellist in the Hartford Symphony. He then spent twelve years as associate principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra before assuming his current position at the start of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2002/2003 season.[1]

In addition to his position with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, he also serves as an avid chamber musician as the cellist of the Johannes String Quartet.[2] He has also collaborated with numerous other musicians, including Emanuel Ax, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Mitsuko Uchida, and the Emerson String Quartet.[3]

Stumpf is also well-known as a cello teacher, having taught at the New England Conservatory in addition to his current post at the USC Thornton School of Music.[1][4]

[edit] Stolen Cello

On April 27, 2004, the General Kyd, a $3.5 million Stradivarius on loan to him from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was stolen after he left it on his porch.[5] It was discovered in a dumpster by Melanie Stevens, a 30 year old nurse, after a home surveillance video from across the street showed the cello being lifted by a clumsy thief on a bicycle at around 6:30 am.[6][7][5] Stevens initially asked her boyfriend to turn it into a CD cabinet, though a week and a half later she caught a news report about the missing cello and the $50,000 reward for its return.[6] She identified it on the police website and sought to return it, with the aid of a lawyer.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Musician Details: Peter Stumpf. Los Angeles Philharmonic (April 2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
  2. ^ Johannes String Quartet Biography. Frank Salomon Associates (2007). Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
  3. ^ Saint Paul Sunday: Johannes String Quartet. American Public Media. Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
  4. ^ Faculty Profiles: Peter Stumpf. University of Southern California. Retrieved on 2007-05-21.
  5. ^ a b c Wood, Daniel B. "The return of a rare cello leaves a trail of question marks", The Christian Science Monitor, 2004-05-20. Retrieved on 2007-05-22. 
  6. ^ a b "Rare cello escapes CD rack fate", BBC News, 2004-05-19. Retrieved on 2007-05-22. 
  7. ^ Pearson, Ryan. "Stolen Stradivarius cello almost ended up as CD holder", San Diego Union-Tribune, 2004-05-18. Retrieved on 2007-05-22.