‘Polish Paganini’ Stradivarius stolen in US
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
31.01.2014 10:53
A Stradivarius violin, once owned by Polish virtuoso Karol Lipinski (1790-1861) was stolen earlier this week from Frank Almond of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
Frank Almond with priceless Stradivarius: photo - YouTube/franklymusicseries
The violinist was attacked by two thieves with an electric stun gun after a performance in suburban Milwaukee.
According to local police, the instrument was the primary target of the robbery.
Made in 1715 and known as the Lipiński Stradivarius, it is said to be worth $5 million to $10 million.
The FBI has entered the instrument into its international art theft database and is one of around 600 violins, violas and cellos built by the famous Italian maker Antonio Stradivari that are still in existence.
Lipiński was dubbed ‘the Polish Paganini” and the two virtuosos met in Milan in 1817 and gave concerts together but with the passing of time a rivalry between them ruined their friendship.
I don't know who the greatest is, but Lipiński is certainly the second greatest’, said Paganini, whose violin playing was of such a ferocious virtuosity that was said to have made a pact with the devil.
Lipiński was also a prominent composer. His output includes four violin concertos, three symphonies, studies, polonaises, rondos, variations, and capriccios. (mk/pg)