The Countess of Stanlein Restored by Nicholas Delbanco

From the Publisher

Antonio Stradivarius of Cremona was the greatest of instrument makers. His violinsand cellos remain the Platonic ideal and the template for contemporary luthiers; they show that technology cannot always match craftsmanship. The extant examples of his work are numerous--but those from the "great period" (1700-1720) are relatively few. The Countess of Stanlein cello is one of the best-known in this group. It has been copied often, physically dissected, discovered in a barrow on its way to a municipal dump, owned by Paganini, and applauded in hall after hall. Today the instrument, owned by the cellist Bernard Greenhouse, is in the atelier of the revered luthier Rene Morel. The craft of instrument repair remains quasi-medieval. In Morel's Manhattan workshop are apprentices from, Germany, Japan and Rumania as well as his native France. Morel is now engaged in a complete restoration of the instrument, a painstaking and meticulous enterprise that will last more than a year. This book tracks his progress; its subject is a work of art that must prove nonetheless functional, for the Countess of Stanlein Stradivarius is only itself when played.

Booknews

Delbanco (English language and literature, U. of Michigan) traces the progression of the repair of the famous Stradivarius cello of 1707 that belongs to cellist Bernard Greenhouse. He also recounts the history of this outstanding instrument, which represents the highest standard of craftsmanship. As with other such instruments, it has been copied often, and physically analyzed, but never duplicated in quality. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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