BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Reuning & Son Violins, in partnership with the family of the late Bernard Greenhouse, announced today that Mr. Greenhouse’s Stradivari Violoncello of 1707, the “Paganini, Countess of Stainlein” will be sold by sealed bid.
Born in New Jersey in 1916, Bernard Greenhouse graduated from The Juilliard School. He rose to prominence as the principal cellist for Arturo Toscanini’s CBS orchestra and, after the war, went to France to study with the legendary Catalan cellist Pablo Casals. A founding member of the Beaux Arts Trio, Mr. Greenhouse owned and played the Stainlein cello for 54 years. Long admired by legions of fans around the world for his playing, he was also beloved as a teacher by generations of students, including many of the world’s most important cellists. His daughter Elena Delbanco recently said, “My father was deeply and equally committed to performing and teaching; he cared intensely about his students and their musical development, and was as demanding of them as he was of himself. He was engaged in teaching right up until his death this past May, at 95.”
The “Paganini, Countess of Stainlein” is one of only 60 cellos remaining from the famous luthier Antonio Stradivari, who was more widely known for the roughly 600 violins he produced. Christopher Reuning of Reuning & Son Violins, said “Of the few Stradivari cellos still in existence, The “Paganini, Countess of Stainlein” is particularly valuable and unique as it represents a significant shift in making by the adoption of a new model called the “Forma B.” The Stradivari “Forma B” is generally accepted as the most significant change to cello-making in the past 300 years. As the Hill brothers wrote in their landmark 1902 publication, “Antonio Stradivari, His Life & Work,” Forma B cellos “…stand alone in representing exact dimensions necessary for the production of a standard of tone which combines the maximum power with the utmost refinement of quality, leaving nothing to be desired.” There remain only 20 “Forma B” cellos in the world.
Advanced bids will be accepted on December 1, 2011 with a final sale planned in January 2012. For further information or to place a bid, contact Reuning & Son Violins at (617) 262-1300.
ABOUT REUNING & SON VIOLINS
Reuning & Son Violins was founded in Ithaca, New York, by Christopher
Reuning and his parents, where they served a national clientele for over
20 years. Mr. Reuning relocated the shop to Boston, Massachusetts in
1994, which has since established itself as an important international
source for fine stringed instruments. Reuning & Son Violins takes great
pride in their reputation for offering personal, reliable service though
their staff of exacting professionals with a profound scholarly interest
in stringed instruments, and a keen understanding of the needs of
serious musicians.
www.reuningprivatesales.com/stanlein
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