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Peter Stumpf (cellist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peter Stumpf is the former principal cellist of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. He was educated first at the Curtis Institute of Music as a student of Orlando Cole and then the New England Conservatory. He started his professional career at age sixteen as a cellist in the Hartford Symphony, then spent twelve years as associate principal of the Philadelphia Orchestra, before assuming his position at the start of the Los Angeles Philharmonic's 2002/2003 season.[1] He took a year's sabbatical from the LA Phil in 2011 to teach full-time at Indiana University's Jacob School of Music.[2] He left the orchestra permanently in 2012.[citation needed]

Stumpf is also the cellist of the Johannes String Quartet.[3] Musicians he has collaborated with include Emanuel Ax, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Mitsuko Uchida, and the Emerson String Quartet.[4]

Stumpf has also taught the cello at the New England Conservatory and USC Thornton School of Music,[1][5]

Stolen cello

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On April 27, 2004, the General Kyd, a $3.5 million Stradivarius on loan to Stumpf from the Los Angeles Philharmonic, was stolen after he left it on his porch.[6][7] It was discovered in a dumpster by Melanie Stevens, a thirty-year-old nurse, after a home surveillance video from across the street showed the cello being lifted by a clumsy thief on a bicycle at around 6:30 am.[7][8][9] Stevens initially asked her boyfriend to turn it into a CD cabinet, though a week and a half later, she caught a news report about the missing cello and the $50,000 reward for its return.[8] She identified it on the police website and sought to return it, with the aid of a lawyer.[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Musician Details: Peter Stumpf". Los Angeles Philharmonic. April 2007. Archived from the original on March 10, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  2. ^ Haven, CK Dexter (June 15, 2011). "LA Phil comings and goings (part 1 of 3): As the Principal Cello chair turns . . ". All is Yar. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  3. ^ "Johannes String Quartet Biography". Frank Salomon Associates. 2007. Archived from the original on April 16, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  4. ^ "Saint Paul Sunday: Johannes String Quartet". American Public Media. Archived from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  5. ^ "Faculty Profiles: Peter Stumpf". University of Southern California. Retrieved May 21, 2007.
  6. ^ Clarke, Sean (May 19, 2004). "Stradivarius saved from future as novelty CD rack". The Guardian. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c Wood, Daniel B (May 20, 2004). "The return of a rare cello leaves a trail of question marks". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
  8. ^ a b "Rare cello escapes CD rack fate". BBC News. May 19, 2004. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
  9. ^ Pearson, Ryan (May 18, 2004). "Stolen Stradivarius cello almost ended up as CD holder". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on December 18, 2005. Retrieved May 22, 2007.