Roman Totenberg’s Stolen & Recovered Stradivarius Violin Returns To The Stage

The famed Stradivarius violin that was stolen 37 years ago and finally recovered in 2015 will be played once more on stage.

STOLEN STRADIVARIUS RETURNS TO THE STAGE

The violin belonged to musical prodigy and teacher Roman Totenberg, and was stolen out of his office after a concert in May 1980. Totenberg bough the piece for $15,000 in 1943.

Violins constructed by the Stradivari family in the 17th and 18th century are recognized as the best instruments made, their sound unable to be equaled. Because of their superiority and fame, Stradivarius instruments are often in danger of being stolen. Totenberg’s stolen instrument was made by luthier Antonio Stradivarius in 1734.

Totenberg’s Ames Stradivarius was recovered in 2015 and given to his daughters. The player, unfortunately, passed away in 2012 at age 101, and never got to see his prized violin again. “He used to dream of opening his violin case and seeing it there again,” writes his daughter Nina Totenberg. “But when he died at the age of 101 — literally teaching on his death bed — he still was seeing the Strad only in those dreams.”

The violin has been held at Rare Violins of New York undergoing restoration, but debuted Monday night at a private concert. The violinist given the honor was Mira Wang, a former student of Totenberg and close friend of the family. “There was never any doubt she would be the one to play it first,” says Nina. “In the family, she is known as the fourth sister.”

“It’s like meeting a new stranger, but the most fabulous stranger you can imagine,” says Wang of the violin. She has been getting to know the instrument in the days and weeks leading up to her performance. “I actually have a picture of [Totenberg] right in front of me when I play the violin, and that’s where I stand. I feel he’s watching over me saying don’t do terrible things to the violin!”