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7 messages

BS: I'm selling a string quartet

09 Feb 08 - 11:16 PM (#2258204)
Subject: BS: I'm selling a string quartet
From: Donuel

IF you consider this event spam go ahead and delete it but there is an interesting back story involved.

First of all I have 3 other cellos which I can assemble and play as needed so I don't need these 2 remarkable instruments. These were wants more than needs and will serve the world of music in better hands than mine.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270209462956&indexURL=11&photoDisplayType=2#ebayphotohosting
This instrument in my heart of hearts is about 70% of what remains of an original Amati but I have no documented provenance to prove it so I do not mention it on auction.
It has every kind of what is called fatal cracks but sounds warm and pleasant despite its scars. I wrote a little poem about it regarding my mixed feeling in letting it go. In fact I may end the auction before the last day anyway.

I have had cellos that dated to 1700 before and this one is far older. I am reminded of Joshua Bell playing in the DC metro station and no one stopped to listen and be amazed. Perhaps the scroll alone is worth more than the whole instrument for a collector but I hope that it will be conserved as generations have done so far. The question that I insinuated is Why would anyone go to the trouble to keep heroicly restoring this particular instrument far beyond all reason? There is something about its sound that creates an affair of the heart.


10 Feb 08 - 01:18 AM (#2258233)
Subject: RE: BS: I'm selling a string quartet
From: katlaughing

She's beautiful, Donuel. I hope you find a good and respectful home for her. I love your poem, too.

But, what is the other one you speak of?


10 Feb 08 - 03:56 AM (#2258253)
Subject: RE: BS: I'm selling a string quartet
From: gnu

Beautiful, yes. And the poem teared me up.


10 Feb 08 - 06:08 AM (#2258289)
Subject: RE: BS: I'm selling a string quartet
From: Teribus

"Why would anyone go to the trouble to keep heroicly restoring this particular instrument far beyond all reason?"

Love, respect and appreciation.


10 Feb 08 - 06:45 AM (#2258299)
Subject: RE: BS: I'm selling a string quartet
From: maeve

How lovely, Donuel. She's a treasure, and I'm glad to have read your poem. Wish I could be her next caretaker.


10 Feb 08 - 09:09 AM (#2258373)
Subject: RE: BS: I'm selling a string quartet
From: GUEST,Dani

Beautiful, thank you.

It reminds me of the lovely parts in Patrick O'brien's books when Stephen and Jack are playing together...

Dani


10 Feb 08 - 12:38 PM (#2258524)
Subject: RE: BS: I'm selling a string quartet
From: Donuel

The other cello is a shop cello whose construction was supervised by a famous maker named Farotti in his last years. The apprentice who built her remarkably enough had a prosthetic hand. Farotti was famous for making instruments with extra thin internal edges and extra thick middles which acts just like a stereo speaker and vibrates more than standard Strad plates. I think the maker did a good job. We must not pre judge a seeming handicap, afterall Beethoven was profoundly deaf when he wrote the 9th.