Classical Music World

Every so often, the Los Alamos Concert Association presents an instrument that has more name recognition than the musician playing it.

István Várdai, who is scheduled to perform here Jan. 21, is not a household name in this country (he’s Hungarian and a big deal there) but his cello is named for three famous people. 

The first famous name is Antonio Stradivari who is so universally known as a maker of fine string instruments that just saying “It’s a Strad” is enough to convey that one is talking about something very special indeed. The cello Várdai will play here came to be known as the 1673 Stradivarius since it was the only cello he made in that year.

The cello has passed through many hands. It was owned by our second famous name, Jacqueline du Pré. Her godmother purchased it for her in 1961 for $90,000. Nice gift!

Du Pré was a musical force of nature and left a lasting mark despite a tragically short career. In 1973 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 28. Her performing career came to an abrupt end and she died in 1987.

Du Pré was known for the intensity and brilliance of her playing and also for much-admired collaborations with her husband, conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim. She became associated in particular with her impassioned performances of the monumental cello concerto by British composer Edward Elgar. Her interpretation of that work, recorded when she was 20 by EMI and still available, exercised such a hold over cellists and the public that for decades many cellists were reluctant to play the piece.

Our third famous name, American cellist Lynn Harrell, purchased the instrument from du Pré in 1984. He then took legal steps to have the cello officially renamed the du Pré Stradivarius.

Harrell and the cello made headlines in 2001 when he absentmindedly left it in the trunk of a New York cab. Fortunately, he had the receipt and was able to track the cab to the company’s garage in Queens where the driver had carefully stored the cello after vain attempts to find Harrell and return it.

“This isn’t just a $4 million art object. It’s like losing your arm or your leg. I would kneel down and kiss his hands in thanks,” Harrell said of cabby Mohamad Ibrahim.

The cello, now known as the du Pré-Harrell Stradivarius, has once again changed hands. In 2016, an anonymous buyer acquired it at an auction and gave it to István Várdai on extended loan.

These instruments are so extravagantly expensive that few musicians, particularly those early in their careers, have the resources to purchase them. It is not unusual for wealthy owners to make the instruments available to artists they admire. István Várdai’s benefactor must be a huge fan.

You can hear István Várdai (who should be a household name!) and his Strad along with pianist Shai Wosner at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21 in the Crossroads Bible Church. For ticket and venue information, go to the Los Alamos Concert Association website at www.losalamosconcert.org.